Hi everyone,
I realize my last thread about the Typhoon pilots was a little long winded, so I’ll try and keep this one shorter.
On Saturday, September 13th 2008 the Canadian Museum of Flight held its Annual Members Flying Day. There were to have been flights sold in our N.A. Harvard Mk II, our Waco AQC, and our DH 82C Tiger Moth. Our regular Waco AQC pilot was unable to attend so it was not flown, but the day was very busy for the pilots of the two remaining planes.
That Saturday I had my first flight in a Harvard. I have to say it was really a wonderful airplane to fly. I didn’t get to do take-off, landing, or taxiing, but its handling in the air was terrific. Not having flown too many other types I can only say that its handling characteristics reminded me of a Fleet Canuck, or Super Cub. I got to do some gentle to medium turns and then my pilot, Vic Bentley, said I could try banking it around more to get a better feel of it. He then proceeded to roll the plane from side to side fairly quickly getting up to about 60 degrees either side. Then he let me do it. We were flying around Allouette Lake, about 5-10 minutes North of Langley Airport by Harvard. We had worked our way up the narrow lake (which is hemmed in be 3000’ mountains on either side) and were about ¾ up the lake when Vic said it was time to head back.
On our way back Vic took the controls again and we did wing-overs from side to side all the way along the lake while two speed boats were cruising down the middle of the lake below us. Once we hit the end of the lake Vic demonstrated the benefits of the constant speed prop when operating in the ground attack capacity. I pointed out a “target” and we dove towards it as he explained how the prop didn’t need to be adjusted at all, and then we pulled up from the “attack” and flew back to Langley.
The circuit (traffic pattern) for my flight, and with every other flight the Harvard did that day consisted of a low-and-over on RWY19 followed by a smooth climbing turn (break) to join a right downwind for landing. It was quite a thrill! I just need 600 hrs tailwheel and maybe I can get checked out on her! Haha… one day…
My girlfriend, Marina, also got to go flying. She went for a ride in the Tiger Moth and got to fly it as well. She had a blast, and just like me, had a big grin plastered across her face for hours after she got back on the ground. Marina’s Dad had also joined us from Seattle and he also went for a ride in the Tiger Moth. It was his first ever biplane ride, which he’d been waiting for ever sine he was a little boy. He had an absolutely wonderful time and couldn’t stop thanking me for the opportunity.
After all the flying was done it was time for dinner. A handful of volunteers had been slaving over a couple BBQ's while the flying was going on, and they made us a terrific meal. We had several beautifully prepared Wild Sockeye Salmon, a whole lot of Fresh Chilliwack corn on the cob, a baron of beef, and some cold ones.
Cheers,
David
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