fiebichpvNovember 7, 2011, 11:05pm
After almost a week of unflyable conditions or conflicting activities, the opportunity to fly developed yesterday. Bright sunshine, cloudless sky with winds less than10 mph and temperatures in the mid 60's made an irresistible flying combination. Anticipating a two-hour, late afternoon flight, I headed for Selby Aerodrome arriving at 4:00.
After pre-flighting my AirBike and visiting with other fliers for 30 minutes, I suddenly realized Saturday's change to Standard Time meant I had only one hour to fly before sunset at 5:25, not two. The Rotax 503 started on the first pull of the armstrong starter. After several minutes of pre-flight checks followed by taxiing around Brent Boggs, the PPC guy who was laying out his canopy, I was in take-off position.
Advancing the throttle to full, the AirBike's tail lifted and soon rolled only on the mains. The tires spewed dried shards of broken grass that quickly turned into dust. It has been a dry summer. I circled the runway several times hoping to get a photo of Brent taking off but his preparations exceeded the time I wanted to orbit, so off I went to Cherokee Strip (18KS) 20 southeast miles away.
These are my favorite conditions in which to fly; light breeze, sun low on the horizon, and temperature just above a chill. The shadows are long, watersheds are glass smooth and reflective, tree colors are highlighted and dust from an occasional pickup truck traveling a gravel road just hangs in place. I fly above it all and am amazed at the clarity and beauty of what lies 300 feet below.
The serpentine Arkansas River provides its own ecological character; white inviting sandbars, a thin stream of flowing water reflecting the blue sky, and a subtle variety of tree color. With two deer grazing near a treeline, the terrain appeared as a framed painting.
Two low passes at Cherokee Strip brought no response from any of the airpark houses, even Rick, who is one of the most active fliers appeared not to be home. A climbing banked right turn at the end of runway 17 put me on a heading directly into the setting sun.
The return trip brought me within range of several "Kodak moments" which I captured in the diminishing light.
I approached Selby Aerodrome just as official sunset closed in. Brent was off to one side of the runway preparing for another launch with a passenger. Landing beyond him, I taxied back clearing the area for his takeoff. Once he passed the runway's end, I took off in pursuit. There wasn't enough light for more photographs, so I made a pass below and off to one side of him before returning for a final landing of the day.
The hangar door was still open allowing me to taxi in and stop at the threshold. This is where I refuel and do a post-flight check before parking my bird in her space. Speaking of birds, a honking sound informed me of geese flying. That was followed by the sound of their wings beating the air 200 feet above as they flew down the runway. I guess they enjoy flying in the early evening too.
AirBike Ace
After pre-flighting my AirBike and visiting with other fliers for 30 minutes, I suddenly realized Saturday's change to Standard Time meant I had only one hour to fly before sunset at 5:25, not two. The Rotax 503 started on the first pull of the armstrong starter. After several minutes of pre-flight checks followed by taxiing around Brent Boggs, the PPC guy who was laying out his canopy, I was in take-off position.
Advancing the throttle to full, the AirBike's tail lifted and soon rolled only on the mains. The tires spewed dried shards of broken grass that quickly turned into dust. It has been a dry summer. I circled the runway several times hoping to get a photo of Brent taking off but his preparations exceeded the time I wanted to orbit, so off I went to Cherokee Strip (18KS) 20 southeast miles away.
These are my favorite conditions in which to fly; light breeze, sun low on the horizon, and temperature just above a chill. The shadows are long, watersheds are glass smooth and reflective, tree colors are highlighted and dust from an occasional pickup truck traveling a gravel road just hangs in place. I fly above it all and am amazed at the clarity and beauty of what lies 300 feet below.
The serpentine Arkansas River provides its own ecological character; white inviting sandbars, a thin stream of flowing water reflecting the blue sky, and a subtle variety of tree color. With two deer grazing near a treeline, the terrain appeared as a framed painting.
Two low passes at Cherokee Strip brought no response from any of the airpark houses, even Rick, who is one of the most active fliers appeared not to be home. A climbing banked right turn at the end of runway 17 put me on a heading directly into the setting sun.
The return trip brought me within range of several "Kodak moments" which I captured in the diminishing light.
I approached Selby Aerodrome just as official sunset closed in. Brent was off to one side of the runway preparing for another launch with a passenger. Landing beyond him, I taxied back clearing the area for his takeoff. Once he passed the runway's end, I took off in pursuit. There wasn't enough light for more photographs, so I made a pass below and off to one side of him before returning for a final landing of the day.
The hangar door was still open allowing me to taxi in and stop at the threshold. This is where I refuel and do a post-flight check before parking my bird in her space. Speaking of birds, a honking sound informed me of geese flying. That was followed by the sound of their wings beating the air 200 feet above as they flew down the runway. I guess they enjoy flying in the early evening too.
AirBike Ace
