For anyone that followed my Somethin' Extra build, this is a repeat of information at first, but here it goes.
My dad has Stage 4, terminal lung cancer. He was into control line airplanes before I was born, and always took us to airshows after I was born. In 1986 (I was only 5) he bought a Sig Kadet Seniorita, he always regretted never building/flying it. Well 5 weeks ago, he dug out the kit and gave it to me. I built it and had it done 2 weeks ago and drove the 6 hours to go fly it with him. Sadly, it rained the entire weekend. I drove home pretty disappointed. Well this weekend I decided to make the trip again. On Thursday I had an intructer from the local club meet me at the field and he took it up and made sure it was good to fly, it was pretty late so I didnt get a chance to buddy box it.
Well I was determined to fly it this weekend. I arrived Saturday afternoon to 35mph winds, nope not gunna fly on Saturday. Sunday, 25mph winds, again no flying. I was starting to get worried. THis morning (Monday) I got up, mowed the lawn for my dad, and then my prayers were answered. The winds dropped suddenly to 5-10 mph. I had my mom get my dad up and out we went.
There is no field where my parents live, so we went out to an undeveloped piece of land in town that had the road, but no houses/buildings/powerlines etc around for ~1 mile in 3 out of 4 directions. After explaining to my club my situation, they loaned me a buddy box to use with my dad. I got the plane all filled up and ready to go, and got it started. My heart was pounding. I handed the buddy box to my dad, and taxied down the road and took off. WOW What a smooth flyer!!!!!! I did a few laps, getting the feel for the plane since I have never soloed, and I only have 1 other flight under my belt.
Now came the time for my dad to try, I get it all nice and level, and high for him. I get him and ready and he took the helm. He did alright, but sadly, he's been dizzy the last several days and could only focus on the plane for about 30 seconds and he had to quit. I was dissappointed, but he seemed to enjoy himself just watching me fly around. He's promised me that the next time I come up, he will do much better
At any rate, I flew for about 15 minutes, allowing my mom to get some good pictures of the plane. Then I had to start thinking about landing .... and the heart started pounding again. I let my family know, and they all clear away from the road and I do my approach. ANd bam!!!! Great landing, until I bounced (Eh, I am new at this after all) it nosed forward and the prop struck the ground, but she came back on all three wheels, not a bad landing all in all, and the prop is still in good shape!
At any rate, I still have that goofy grin that comes from soloing for the first time! Talk about a rush!
I know everyone frowns on non-instructer learning, but under the circumstances, I Think I did a good thing. Here are some pictures!!
1) Take Off!
2) My dad and me (notice the buddy box on the ground already)
3) That goofy grin you have whilst flying solo
4) That good landing (the plane looks close b/c my mom was using a telescopic lens [everyone was 50ft from the road for landing and takeoff])
5) Post Flight glory shot!