thunder669June 24, 2014, 6:45am
Well between buying and finishing new house and about a million other projects and knowing I was putting her up for sale I had not done the annual my Eros. Well with tony having won the eBay auction and speeding his way here to whisk her away it was time to ensure everything was in tip top shape. So last week I started a thorough inspection made her a promise that she'll be well taken care of at her new home. Never one to disappoint she looked great need very little to be ready to stretch her wings again. With tony getting closer and a break in the intermitten showers we had been having I climbed in and fired her up to taxi her over to the club hangar for a quick bath. Again she did not disappoint when she fired right up even after sitting in hibernation for much too long. After her bath and a look at the windsock and the showers still holding off the decision for a goodbye flight was made. So with a bit of family and a few close friends looking on we taxied out for what would be one of the most emotional flights I have had to date. Even more so then my first solo.
At the end of runway 9 with a good run up and mag check done I began to advance the throttle, even with forward pressure on the stick she refused to be grounded any longer and began climbing when I had barely got the throttle all the way forward. The air was calm and all was right in the world, we were both at home in the sky. But she was ready to show off as she always is and we turned towards runway 9 and began to decend down to the deck as we closed in near Mother Earth the throttle was advanced to full power and we leveled about 5 foot off the ground and she began blowing thick white smoke like everyone loves. At the end of the runway she climbed back high into the sky. Another trip around the pattern and another low pass blowing smoke, this time she really showed what she was made of as I saw her push that needle past the Vne of 110 and hit 115+ man were we living and having fun this time a bit more of a climbing turn for more of a photo op for those gathered below. This was to be our last trip around the pattern as rain drops began to slowly dot the windscreen. We turned final and headed back down. Close to the ground and past the end of the runway I pulled the throttle to idle and started to ease back the stick. She just did not want to land yet and grabbed on to every bit of the air she could, desperate to keep her feet from touching the ground. As she floated further down the runway then ever she used every bit of the ground effect she could until she could just no longer hold herself up and we settled onto the ground in one of the smoothest landings I have ever had. As we taxied back to the hanger I found myself having to fight back the tears knowing this was our last time together.
So as she awaits the arrival of her new owner and the long trip to her new home I find myself sad to see her go but also happy for the time we spent together. I also look forward to what the future has in store for both of us. Her with a new owner I know she will bring great joy too and me getting closer to that bigger plane that I can use to share my passion with more people, traveling with family and friends, flying young eagles and giving kids that spark that will light the fire of passion for flight. I know even greater things lie over the horizon for both of us and the future is bright. The most bittersweet flight of my life
At the end of runway 9 with a good run up and mag check done I began to advance the throttle, even with forward pressure on the stick she refused to be grounded any longer and began climbing when I had barely got the throttle all the way forward. The air was calm and all was right in the world, we were both at home in the sky. But she was ready to show off as she always is and we turned towards runway 9 and began to decend down to the deck as we closed in near Mother Earth the throttle was advanced to full power and we leveled about 5 foot off the ground and she began blowing thick white smoke like everyone loves. At the end of the runway she climbed back high into the sky. Another trip around the pattern and another low pass blowing smoke, this time she really showed what she was made of as I saw her push that needle past the Vne of 110 and hit 115+ man were we living and having fun this time a bit more of a climbing turn for more of a photo op for those gathered below. This was to be our last trip around the pattern as rain drops began to slowly dot the windscreen. We turned final and headed back down. Close to the ground and past the end of the runway I pulled the throttle to idle and started to ease back the stick. She just did not want to land yet and grabbed on to every bit of the air she could, desperate to keep her feet from touching the ground. As she floated further down the runway then ever she used every bit of the ground effect she could until she could just no longer hold herself up and we settled onto the ground in one of the smoothest landings I have ever had. As we taxied back to the hanger I found myself having to fight back the tears knowing this was our last time together.
So as she awaits the arrival of her new owner and the long trip to her new home I find myself sad to see her go but also happy for the time we spent together. I also look forward to what the future has in store for both of us. Her with a new owner I know she will bring great joy too and me getting closer to that bigger plane that I can use to share my passion with more people, traveling with family and friends, flying young eagles and giving kids that spark that will light the fire of passion for flight. I know even greater things lie over the horizon for both of us and the future is bright. The most bittersweet flight of my life
Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return