DNP has 7 lives!!! (correction 63 lives)

[Biggles]

Hi all

Back in the fairest cape... with crap wx

Arrived at the field with my little blue license fresh from the CAA to drain the rotten feul from the tank to be informed that while i was away 7 kittens had been born on the back seat... still not sure how to take this. But atleast someone washed the seat covers

So DNP now has atleast 7 lives and has been nicknamed the "kittyhawk"

Took her up for the first flight, with instructor for ballast, and she flys like a beauty... wing is abit stiff though. Can I fix this by loosening the tension on the wing? (increasing billow shift?) It is currently set in the midway position. Something that is annoying me is that with a heavy pax the bar is almost against (about 20cm back from) the profile tube in the neutral position... Inst recons that we may been to move the hangpoint... I want to go solo with her to see first.

Any suggestions

[Thunderboy]

That's cool for kittyhawk

Cats must have a thing for microlights because I keep finding cat paw prints all over my seats when I arrive at the hanger They even got the flaps down the once
As long as they dont claw the seats or stitz

[Morph]

As long as they don't call it Kitty-Litter

BTW 7 X 9 = 63 lives

[Biggles]

was out a again today...

my wing is really starting to worry me. Its a spirit 15 by the way and its really difficult to control in even slight turbulance. Anyway I am off to the gym... need to pump some iron. Maybe that will help.

[Biggles]

Well heres an update. Been flying multiple circuts in the morning as the wind progressively gets up.

My initial panic regarding the wing is unfounded. It was very turbulant when i went up initialy. Looks like I was coming in with too much power aswell, aswell as having a hurt arm made for some pretty f#$ked up landings.

I am used to the wing now and while being a proper floater and abit twitchy she is alright. turbulance in a turn and she wants to steepen the turn, that always catches me off guard when turning into finals with one hand on the PPT and suddenly whoops but once you get to know the individual quirks of a wings... all is OK.

Planning a trip down to to beach asoon as the wx permits :D At the moment been keeping too the patch with occasional landings at Wintervogel and orbitss close to Morning Star.

[Thunderboy]

Don't you think you should get someone else to fly it just for a 2nd opinion

[Junkie]

We could try to meet on weekend if you like

[Biggles]

Thanks Junkie, good idea thunderboy. Maybe a second opinion will put it to rest. I will be around FAFk if the weather looks even remotely good.

Went for a 2 hour flight today. Air was as smooth as a babies proverbial. Was about to hit the coast when a fog bank started roling in. So abandonded the coast thing until next time.

[Thunderboy]

You guys that get to fly along the coast make me very jealous

Although my son's paediatrician has recommended we move to the coast - but then what about business

[Biggles]

The coast is cool... but the wind... iesh.

Got out again this morning, confidence is building and was happily pottering along in fairly turbulant conditions. Landings are still abit hairly but not dangerous.

I think it was friday morning Junkie would have seen a very indecisive biggles eyeing the wind sock as he did a low level over the field. Anyway that convinced me to atleast do some circuits. Got 0.4 hours in before it got abit much and my arms started protesting.

[Thunderboy]

don't worry not always that much better here. Took some friends to the airfield yesterday afternoon & as I arrived I saw the wind picking up - although pretty much down the runway at 10knots. I thought I would go up alone first just to 'feel it' and thank goodness I did because on take off I felt the turbulance and thermals - I was blowing all over the place sinking and lifting. I aborted the first landing and had a pretty good one on 2nd attempt. Needless to say I said sorry to my pals waiting for their flip that it was not going to happen
The trike guy on the ground decided he was not going to go up after seeing how I was blown around even though on the gound the conditions seemed ok

3 things I have learnt from this forum is to go up and feel the conditions alone first if you are not sure of them that day, do a go around if you want and don't feel presurized in taking people up if you not happy with the conditions, all 3 of which were applied yesterday

[Biggles]

Yup, couldn't agree more thunderboy. Still have not taken a pax up. Spend ages assessing the conditions, I feel alot better when I see someone else flying.

Softness has been bugging me to take her up, and feeling confident enough aslong as the conditions are good. Wednesday morning is looking good for here

[Jeremy D]

Hi S.
I'll try and join you Wednesday at sunrise. Need to excercise my new Blue book!

j
850 hours, 35 on trikes.

[Biggles]

Jeremy :D

Going to bed early tonight. Only two days left before I fly up country:( Had a bender last night and missed a good morning of flying:( See you bright and early!!!