For the complete set of pics : http://s776.photobucket.com/albums/yy43/ShaneGfromSimV/8-7-2010%20flight/


or in video if you prefer that: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqKKbM6cb1A


Very bumpy, yet extremely fun flight, my second at the controls, and the first for my son. 


Our chariot for the afternoon:






My small little town, almost got it all in one picture. 






At the controls, left seat this time! 







Lots of corn, everywhere!  If you look close at the strip, you can see the Bonanza that gave us quite a scare, and  landed just before we did.






Many thanks to my wife for joining us, and taking such great shots. 

A massive thanks to Brett, for insuring that I was prepared for this one, all the controls were identical to the Warrior. 

And thanks to the pilot for showing me what negative-g dives are!     

Goodly afternoon Shane...

Took a look at the two links and the video and music was excellent...well done...

Wonderful looking family also, they seemed to have enjoyed themselves as much as you did.   

That must be a village you live in...lovely and wonderful countryside.

Just a couple of things I see you did and our children when they were learning did as well.  Just think about it that is all, it is definitely not criticism.   

Flying with shorts and sandals, I know everyone seems to do it now but I harp and harp at our children when I see them do it.
I met several Royal Air Force pilots who flew the Curtis P40 Kittyhawk in North Africa.  They had both had engine fires and not from enemy action. 
At that time RAF and Commonwealth Aviators could wear shorts, the military had uniform shorts for the desert and tropics.  I believe the Axis Powers did as well.
Their legs were so badly burned it was terrible and it grounded them and put them out of the war.

We pulled a Cessna 180 Float Plane pilot out of the water who damaged the aircraft on landing because of what started as an electrical fire in the cockpit.  He could not find the fire extinguisher which was under his seat.
His feet, legs and lower parts of the body were badly burned, he had on shorts and sandals as well.  The aircraft was a rental and badly damaged.

I wear shorts and sandal all the time but not when flying, I know aircraft engines are dependable but it only takes one faulty piece. 

Just something to think on Shane.   

Now, the two hands on the controls...okay if that makes you comfortable Shane fine.   

I have flown my own light aircraft like the Cessna 185 and 337 along with some what we called heavies back then like the DC3, 4 and 6 through some nasty nasty thunderstorms because there was no other way, we were past the point of no return so we picked our way through.

Keeping the left hand on the yoke you can feel the aircraft much better than with both hands on the yoke.  Both hands on the yoke is not going to help stop the aircraft from bobbing like a cork on the water in any weather.
You tend to overcontrol with two hands on the yoke.
Your right hand is now free for throttle, pitch, mixture, radio, switch adjustments and to feed the dog.   

If the aircraft is in Trim it will come back to a state of equillibrium which is a stable situation in which forces cancel one another.
So. let the aircraft do it's thing, you are just along to keep the nose pointed in the right direction and to feed the dog.   
The "dog" well he is there to bite the pilot if he touches anything....

Well those are two minor things Shane I thought about while viewing your wonderful shots.   

One other thing...now this IS important....
How did you get my blue "T" shirt...I have been looking all over for it....

Glad you and the family had a great flight...

Sorry to get so long winded again...

Cheers...Happy Landings...Doug

Good morning Doug,

This airport is completely surrounded by crops. 

If you look at the pic above, all of the Dark green crops are soy bean, and the lighter green crops are the corn. 

The Bonanza that departed before we did, left using RWY 9, and we couldn't see it behind the corn, until it emerged halfway down the runway where the soy bean field is.

The farm that is on the airport property is owned by the same person who owns the airport. 

ShaneG wrote on Aug 7^th, 2010 at 7:26pm:
I went into a negative-g dive once but they threw me out  .

A nice b'day present! 

I can't help but pick at the same nit Doug was picking at: one hand works better. In general, less is more... any decent airplane will more or less fly itself (yes, even in turns) if you don't fuss with the yoke or stick. I don't always do it right, but I know it's true... 
Only time I've ever seen an old hand fly two-handed was when I was aboard a B-17... the pilot had the yoke in both hands for takeoff, and the copilot took care of the four sets of throttle, prop, and mixture controls. That guy had a good excuse to use two hands- a Fort actually takes some muscle to control.
But a good light single will just complain if you do too much or use too much force. Next time you fly anything, try not only one hand, but just thumb and the first two fingers.

As with my last flight, since I am not a licensed pilot,
I was told I could only steer the plane. 

Rather than sit there with my right hand in my lap, I put it on the yoke to keep it busy. 

Both pilots from both flights informed me that in normal situations, I would have one hand on the yoke, and the other on the throttle. 

Nice present!!  Happy belated Birthday!!

Cory