Who could think it? An entirely unforecast sun- and white clouds-morning. Winds at 5mph for a while. (Watch the ribbons on our antennaes in the pix.)

So, Down, I really have Wyld to thank for this... addiction?

Down made, on the pond, a 60 yard line with his skis, almost slumped once, but he brought her out. NO skiis would keep the prop up in that fluff. Witness the way the 82a went in. See pic. The 15 inch prop on the Twist BARELY cleared the road, but I never hit her once--though Down was pretty sure I would. There's about a quarter inch of clearance when she's on the road. Less if I don't hold up elevator.

With that new prop I can get exactly 13 minutes, 10 seconds on the 11 oz tank (that's when she flamed out on the last flight; I didn't want to come down)--and I was spinning her, inverted, at full throttle when I started that flight. I couldn't QUITE get her to go UP in the spin. Sweet bird with that 82a--though the blankety-blank thing is already making a strange ticking sound on the table. Runs fine?! Except when I try to start it without fuel, huh, Down?

The pix show the road and pond.... Down then I doing tail drags on the snow, high alpha.... Me going INTO a hover (that's why the wings aren't straight... yet).... The 82a slumped in the fluff, first landing.... Then Stu hovering--note his straight wings vs my attempts.

Then the wind and snow came and with them visibility went to 1/8 mile.

Take a look: