ETLB Squawk Forums — Archive

Carpe diem (seize the day)

I don't get many opportunities to meet first hand, friends of aviation from another country. This story describes a recent experience when I did.

Tuesday the 12th was my first March flight of 2013. In Kansas, that means winter was still with us, although the snow was gone, it was cold.   At 10:30 I departed Selby Aerodrome In my AirBike with the temperature almost reaching 40 degrees and a steady 15 mph southerly wind. The tailwind shortened my flight time over the 25-mile northerly trip to Stearman Field (1K1) however it did nothing to keep me from getting chilled even though I was dressed for the cold.  

Flight mission

The purpose of the trip was to meet with a Chinese delegation of aviation-oriented people studying our government's General Aviation system.  Their hope being to "loosen-up" the Chinese Government's rules strangle-hold on their growing aviation population. Their potential for sales, support and instruction is huge.

The delegation was comprised of university professors, businessmen and China's equivalent of our FAA. They had been in the U.S. for three weeks.  On this stop they visited Wichita's three major aviation manufacturers and the flight control system (tower, weather, regulations etc.) at Wichita's Mid-Continent Airport.  Beechcraft Aircraft company hosted the group while in Wichita.

One thing they hadn't seen since their arrival was how the "everyday Joe" fit into a flight program that also includeds military  and commercial planes.  Beechcraft Company arranged for a show-'n-tell of GA airplanes, pilots, and a buffet luncheon at one of our premium pilot watering holes; Stearman Inn located in Benton, Kansas which of course, is on Stearman Field.

My and their involvement

A number of us local pilots were asked to display our planes and respond to the visitors' inquiries as they viewed them.  Ten of us showed up with planes that included Cessna's, Pipers, Beechcraft, a WWI replica and two homebuilts.  I, of course with my AirBike Single, represented the  plane on the lowest economic scale of privately owned aircraft. Since this was a free lunch combined with a chance to display our planes, those of us with available time could not turn down the opportunity!  Hey there IS such a thing as a "free lunch!"

The day began with the visitors viewing the planes up close, sitting in the cockpits and having their picture taken.  Many had never sat in an airplane smaller than a commercial airliner. This was a real treat for them. They were as excited as any of the Young Eagles I let sit in my plane and manipulate the AirBike controls during part of their ground school. They even donned my helmet and silk scarf! One person did make airplane noises!

The photos below describe the bar/dining area and ramp where the planes were displayed.
Note the memorabilia on the walls of the Inn as well as TV screens and a very casual dining atmosphere. Our group of about 40 people met in the reserved section just beyond the glass wall in the background. We had a catered dinner while talking with other pilots and making connections with a few Chinese visitors.  Only one, the interpreter, spoke fluent English, others used a combination of their hands and broken English to communicate. It was a challenge but with a great deal of patience and willingness to understand, it worked.

Continued on the following post

Here's the rest of the story.

Enthusiasm reigned

The visitors needed no invitation to clamber into our planes, the expressions on their faces displayed their unquestionable enthusiasm.  Understandably, my AirBike captured the most attention with visitors lining up for their turn to sit in the cockpit. They all wanted to capture that "Kodak Moment." Cameras clicked with the frequency of mating cicada bugs. They had a ball, and found it hard to believe that regular people could enjoy and participate in a flying activity such as we have.  We in the U.S. are so absolutely fortunate!

Of course, I distributed many AirBike business cards and post cards.  Hopefully my website, paul.fiebich.org will get many hits from their visit and AirBike Ace will gain a reputation in China.  Do they need Hun Fighters in China? I obtained one business card from a visitor and will send her a link to this board as well as more photos. Perhaps a response from Yang Rui ph.D will result in more photos being posted on this board later.  I hope so.

The cold sapped the remaining energy from my already weak camera batteries and it automatically shut down as the photography session continued.  I missed a lot of cool shots.

Flying home

As each plane departed, it circled the runway and made a high-speed low-level pass to the thrill of everyone.  I, in true AirBike Ace fashion, did my high-speed pass at 60 mph with the smoke on.  I don't think my speed was exciting but because it took a long time for me to fly by, they should have gotten plenty of photos!

The flight back to Selby Aerodrome was into a headwind now approaching 20 mph which wasn't bad but I learned later that 30 mph gusts were recorded.  During one gust, my heading was changed, involuntarily, about 30 degrees.  At that point I grabbed onto the wing brace! I don't like that kind of excitement. It was a bumpy ride and a bit over my comfort level.  I was glad to land safely and hangar my trusty airplane.  Another successful mission and one that was quite an experience.

I love this flying stuff!

AirBike Ace

I forgot to add this last photo taken prior to my flight home.  I had a "wardrobe malfunction"

Paul Fiebich

Great job on educating the Chinese.. and.... might be time to take the diet serious..... or buy a bigger coat....lol

Quoted from fiebichpv I forgot to add this last photo taken prior to my flight home.  I had a "wardrobe malfunction"

Paul Fiebich

Are the girls ripping your clothes off again?

Very interesting article Paul and well described as usual.
I bet your guests where more amazed, even without mention it, about how much freedom you guys  have in the US to decide for your own will. Government control and prohibtions in China make it very difficult if not impossible to copy US standards.

Enough about the weight gain Avenger, when my plane cannot lift off I will know that I am over gross. And Dick, as far as all the women chasing me and ripping my clothes off, well that's just part of being AirBike Ace, but that is another story.

At first glance someone might think I was the recipient of a Caesarian operation, but then since I am a guy----- that is quite unlikely.

When getting dressed for the return flight from Stearman Field, my jacket zipper broke and no amount of re-zippering would get it to stay closed.  I could not imagine flying home for 30 minutes without the protection of my jacket.  The continual blast of cold 40 degree air would have cause some of my apparatus that previously was used to (and enjoyed) fluttering, to become "firmware" and cease all motion. Although that might have been an instant welcomed condition to my wife, the long lasting effects could have been quite damaging. Can you say freezer-burn?

Duct tape to the rescue!  Noting my dilemma someone spotted a roll of duct tape (the 100 mph variety) in the hangar and proceeded to seal me up.  Not only is this an original out-of-the-box idea, it is actually rather classical.  Perhaps it could become trendy.

That's my story and I am sticking to it!

AirBike Ace

GEE WIZZ Paul you do know how to have adventures and write about them also; great job. Is that a Hun your consorting with!!! Must have called a truce for the event.

I think I would invest in some of the "12 volt" winter gear that the motorcycle riders use, we wouldn't want out favorite writer freezing up on us.  Wish they had that stuff when I was riding my old faithful Kawasaki. These young guys just don't know what they are missing not having to stuff newspaper in their pants legs to ward off the cold. lol    Good story telling as usual Paul.

Thanks for the tip on the 12-volt heated clothing gear Gary, a quick online check to outfit me with jacket, pants, socks, gloves, temperature control & pouch and 12 volt plug would run about $700.00.  I just don't fly enough in the winter to warrant that expense, however, if I did have that equipment, perhaps I would fly more than I do.  Alternately, I bought a 3-pack of "Little Hotties" at a garage sale for $1.00.  This is consistent with my typical rate of spending for accessories.  I will try these on my next cool flight.

AirBike Ace

Just thought I would throw the 12 volt stuff out there for you tough guys. Got a friend who has his motorcycle rigged where he can get on, plug in and ride in comfort all winter long. My best attempt was a snowmobile suit when I was riding. Now I'm old so I don't ride and stay in when it's cold. lol

i watched a tv documentry awhile ago about the effects of cold on the body and some of the things researchers were doing.  they put this guy in a freezer with a fan blowing on him ..no coat, gloves, hat, etc. and made him do a puzzle with small pieces.  his hands were shaking so badly after a few minutes he was unable to continue. they showed his thermal image and his body was not circulating blood to his limbs.   then they had him wear this vest that had heaters in the small of the back and chest and repeat the scenario.  with just that he didnt have a problem at all and his thermal image showed his hands and even ears were normal temp.  i got to thinking you could almost duplicate the same thing with just a couple of those stick on heat pads.  i have yet to have the opportunity to try that out but you might give it a shot....

This message is for Avenger.  I see that Paul has no place on his plane to put Duck tape so he has to put it on his body.  I think I have started a trend.

Pete
Aka "Duck Tape"

PS, Paul, I started the trend. Just ask Avenger.

http://www.lonesomebuzzards.com/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl?m-1361890310/s-18/highlight-Tape/#num18

You are right Pete, you started the trend.  That tape can be used anywhere (at least for awhile). I borrowed a We-No-Na canoe for a Boundary Waters canoe trip in northern Minnesota and it leaked.  Problem was solved for a couple of days with duct tape.

Back to the flying story, below is a photo of my smokin' fly-by during my departure from the Chinese Delegation gathering.  This was taken by Randy on the ground..

AirBike Ace

Is that smoke coming from the exhaust or is it from Paul's still steaming from the "girls ripping his clothes off"  Hmmmm..............lol
Wonder if that "3 pack of Little Hotties" is code for 3  5'5" members of the visiting group.  We better keep a closer eye on Airbike Ace.  

Back when I was flying my Himax, I bought an electricly heated seat pad from JC Whitney for $20.  It plugs into a cigaret lighter socket.  It has a high and low setting and usually I had to run it on low or it would be to hot.  I flew wearing a snowmobile suit and would slip the pad in the back of the suit and run the cord out the bottom of the front zipper.  It would keep my back and rear toasty warm.  I fly all winter on skis and it really worked.  For those of you who don't know me, I'm from northern Mn.  Where we still have about 2 feet of snow on the ground.  It's been warmer the last few days, so it's starting to melt however.