I did it! Well... we did it! Without Kim's support, I probably would never have gotten back into the air. We just purchased a little light sport airplane. It's called an Evektor Sport Star, and it is a dream!
A couple of years ago I was resigned to never fly my own private aircraft again. It's been 15 years since my last flight, and I was certain that I would be unable to renew my medical certificate again. A friend told me about a new category of aircraft and pilot's certificate called "light sport". Essentially a small two seater that you can only fly in clear daytime weather. All you need is a pilot's certificate and to meet the medical requirements to drive a car!
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| Kim takes a demo ride with the seller. |
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Looks like she saluting the "Cat Officer"!
You Top Guns know what I mean! |
So, last October I went to Carson City and got checked out in a light sport plane. It brought back many great memories, and was a blast to fly. After we returned from Spain in January, Kim started bugging me about continuing to fly. After my parents estate closed out, we had a little cash so I asked my friend if he knew of anything (light sport) for sale. Well the rest is now history, as Kim and I took delivery of N93CE on April 13th.
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Took a little flight out in the valley the other morning.
The strobe effect is cool on the propeller. |
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Over Sierraville. The Forest Service Office is just in front
of the leading edge before you get to the tennis courts. |
I now have almost 10 hours in the little beauty. Yesterday I took Maggie up for a tour of Lake Tahoe in the still morning air. It was fantastic! Great scenery, better company, and a smoothly purring little airplane combined to make for a memorable trip. I even handed the "stick" over to Moe for some level flight and a few 180 degree turns. She did great! I would judge that most students need 4 or 5 hours to do as well. But then the apple doesn't fall far from the tree I guess.
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Had to take a shot of the outlet of the lake. it
is just behind the trailing wing tip beyond another tennis court.
Hi and dry!!. You can see "Fanny Bridge" if you look carefully. |
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| Maggie took to flying like a pro. It was wonderful having her along with me!! |
This morning I buzzed up to South Lake Tahoe airport to meet Buck for breakfast. It was a smooth flight turning to polished glass as I floated into the airport. It was one of those landings where you don't feel the touchdown as much as you just hear the wheels start rolling! We had a wonderful time together at breakfast, and even though I remembered my wallet, Buck insisted on buying.
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Heading for South Tahoe Airport. That's
Freel Peak on the horizon. |
Coming back there was a tad more wind, so a few minor bumps. However, I still managed about 110 Knots ground speed (that's about 126 MPH). The flight lasted 1.8 hours round trip on the Hobbs meter (engine time) and I only burned 6.6 gallons of fuel. So that's 3.7 gallons per hour. To put that in perspective, the last plane I flew, a six seat Cessna 206, burned 15 gallons per hour. Of course it didn't take as many hours to get there!
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The plane is extremely economical, burning only
around 4 gallons per hour so far! Do you like the leather seats?? |
There is something magical that happens after a flight when you make a good landing, taxi in and shut the engine down. Suddenly a peaceful silence falls over the cockpit, and a sense of peace and well being flushes over you. The sense of accomplishment maybe, maybe an endorphin rush, I am not sure, but it is a feeling I have missed very much. And the good news is that I have found it really doesn't matter what kind of airplane it is you are flying, the feeling is the same.
So as I sit here in my beautiful home, ten minutes away from my beautiful new airplane, and ponder how fortunate I am in almost every way imaginable...if feels damn good!
That's All!
