dclancey

This past Winterfest in Phoenix I had the opportunity to meet some really exceptional people. I arrived in Phoenix on Thursday and promptly drove to SpeedWorld to begin practicing. On my 4th flight while waiting for a plane to land I began my prefight checklist. Check the glow plug, turn on the transmitter, turn on the fuel, turn over engine to get fuel into engine, turn on glow starter, and start the engine. By now most seasoned pilots will recognize I forgot a very important step. I got a very good launch very low and straight to #1 pylon. But wait, my plane is not responding to my stick input, Ohhhhhh Sh---------t!!!!!!!!!, I forgot to turn on the plane!!!!!!!!!!. All I could do was watch as the plane flew about 300 yards away straight down into the desert.
Ok I goofed, but I brought a spare so no harm done. That was enough excitement for Thursday, Friday would be a lot better, or so I thought.

Friday I arrived about 10:00 AM and put my spare plane in line for my turn to practice. Finally my turn came to practice. This time I began my prefight checklist. Check the glow plug, turn on the transmitter, turn on the plane, ( thanks Chuck Andrecka, he was pitting for me), turn on the fuel, turn over engine to get fuel into engine, turn on glow starter, and start the engine. I had a great ten laps, and when it came my turn to land I switched to high rates and stalled it on landing and ran into the #2 cage knocking off my wing. I spent the next hour repairing the wing and firewall. Finally after all repairs were completed it was my turn to fly.

I began my prefight checklist. Check the glow plug, turn on the transmitter, turn on the plane, turn on the fuel, turn over engine to get fuel into engine, turn on glow starter, and start the engine. I got a very good launch very low and straight to #1 pylon, (thanks to my wife Mish). We flew about seven laps and I was getting very comfortable with the plane. I turned pylon #1 and the wing popped off, Sh--------t!!!!!!!!!!!! Well I am done flying for the weekend.

We stopped by the race on Saturday and then again on Sunday just to touch base with everyone and watch some racing. On Sunday Mike Delponte told me not to leave until the race was over, and that was fine our plane did not leave for Colorado until 8:00 PM. Will Namuera and Jim Booker surprised me with Jim’s airplane after the race was over. It is the prototype “Ninja” that Jim will be selling through his website. He raced it all weekend and he and Will presented it to me. Will asked me to think of them the next time I was in the market for a new plane.

I want to publically thank them both for their generosity and to encourage anyone looking for a new Q500 to take a good look at this aircraft.

Doug Clancey