As you might suspect, flying a 60-year-old rental will have its downside... I decided to stop for fuel at French Valley Airport on the way back from Chino, and after taxiing over to the pump then pivot-turning with  right brake and rudder to line up there, I noticed the right brake pedal seemed slack. Inspection of the brake mechanism (yes, they're the old Bendix cable-actuated type) indicated that it was stuck. I was barely able to pull the arm back with my hand, but even so the pedal would not move it again. Not good. May as well top off anyway, while I think about this... and as I went to grab the hose at the pump, the wind gusted and 70E decided she wanted to point into the wind. I' forgotten about that... had to leap over to grab her tail, as she swung at an idling Bonanza that had just pulled up! 

She took 10 gallons, which meant I would've had 3 gallons to get to Brown from there... that would have been tight.

But what to do about the brake? The right wheel seemed to turn pretty freely, but I had no lue what might happen on my takeoff roll or landing at Brown... so I called the flight school and said I was tying 70E down there. There was one CFI at Brown that day... she offered to come pick me up in the 172, since her 3 PM student was a no-show.
While I was waiting, I tried to make the best of the situation with some spotting...


Here's the Champ's big sister: a Super Scout.

     


     


I had my new handheld radio on to listen for my ride on the CTAF, and noticed that the pilot of this Pawnee was a lady. Women can fly anything, but for some reason that surprised me.




A sweet C-310 just taking off:

Hagar wrote on Oct 1^st, 2007 at 10:30am:


Almost the aeronautical equivalent of clown shoes!

Sounds like you were having some fun!!
Looks like a good spotting location!!

Well, She seemed like she was real willing to come get you!!  What she look like!!

Willit Run wrote on Oct 1^st, 2007 at 1:11pm:


She looks like she's maybe a bit too old for me.
I guess she's not unattractive, and she is friendly enough, but... not my cup of tea.

Aerophile wrote on Oct 1^st, 2007 at 9:25pm:


Yes... I could've decided to go for it, and ended up getting into trouble with the Champ.

So glad I didn't- I'd be miserable if I hurt that airplane... and really embarassed if I got myself killed in it.

But yes, it was not a bad afternoon, and the flight back in the Cessna was very pleasant.

As for the picture: I just wish the focus was better. I was zoomed in a lot.

But it's one of my better crops- wound up with a nice little composition there. 

Willit Run wrote on Oct 1^st, 2007 at 11:27pm:


"No news is good news."


I still have to settle up with them for the Champ time (I think)- I'll probably call tomorrow and see what's up.

sdaztec25 wrote on Oct 3^rd, 2007 at 12:14am:


I am... but sadly it's coming to an end. I've got one more weekend left, then I'm outta here next week sometime. I may take the Champ out again Sunday; maybe I'll come up your way if you're going to be around. If you weigh less than 180 lbs., I'll take you for a ride if you're interested.

Willit Run wrote on Oct 3^rd, 2007 at 1:06pm:


Should be easy enough to spot... maybe I'll be up that way again this Sunday.