A VERY close call -tks to training all OK

[kb]

Hi all,

I had a close call in the holidays. The reason I am posting it here, is that everyone can learn from it, ESPECIALLY the coastal boys.

OK, here goes. I fly at the coast. I did my training here, it is my local "cabbage patch", I venture to cato ridge for greasy breakfast every now and then, and been to Mooi River once. What am I on about. Well, it's the thinner air at altitude, that almost had be trailoring a broken trike back on the holidays. I flew to my softness' farm, 2500', but unfortunately, there is not a long level runway like Cato Ridge. Her dad cut me a strip into the grass fields, which is EXACTLY long enough. Take off is fine, but landing is a little tricky. You have to come in over telephone wires on super-short-finals, dump the power, haul in the bar, to get down, flare, land and hope you stop before the end. Ok, so if you overshoot, not a trainsmash, still plenty of field, but the grass is higher than you wneh you are strapped in, and your view is somewhat limited.
So anyway, I get asked to take a family member for a flip. No worries. Take off, great 15 min flip, and back to "My Field" Finals, over the lines, foot off the power, bar in to drop, and start the flare. NOTHING, flare more, still NOTHING, eventually had the bar against the profile tube, and the started to level out ever so slowly, and in fact, she landed perfectly. Had i run our of bar, she would have pancaked the ground at 50 mph!! Great landing was the chirp from the back seat. Not true. With the air being so thin, (1007) plus the temp (30 deg) and the already 2500', I had a density altitude of 5080', something similar to flying in GP. My warningis to the costal guys, more than the hardened criminals, I mean drinkers from GP. Guys, if you are landing at altitude, plan a little bit ahead. Your plane, both lift and power, is NOT the same inland as it is at the coast. I got a fright that day, but rest assured, has been put down as experience. Oh, remember the 3 "H"s HOT HIGH HUMID?!?

[Wart]

Well done kb!

Yep, this time of the year it can get tricky. As you said Hot, High and Humid. Even most of the "locals" at Cato try and be back on the ground by 10'ish this time of the year. Not pleasant flying anyway.

[The Agent]

True story cuz and notes taken.

[Leprachaun]

Well done , greast to hear you made it - nremember the guys with the Hornet in December - same story hot high and humid -
Fly safely Leprachaun