ETLB Squawk Forums — Archive

After almost a month of flying inactivity due to an extended vacation and extremely hot weather, I flew my AirBike a couple evenings ago. The flight didn't start until 7:45 and lasted until 8:35. It was one of those pleasant 80 degree, light wind, clear evenings. Perfect for flying, only I wished I had gotten aloft earlier as some direct sunlight would have made the photos better.

Our runway is pristine mowed grass. A horse farm to the east, and one to the west. The property owner's home sits adjacent to the little pond, note that there are no ripples on the surface. Our community hangar houses 7 planes, it is well lit, has a fuel storage cabinet and provides opportunities for friendship. Purrr-fect!

Here are a few photos of my spirit rejuvenating flight:

Paul D. Fiebich
AirBike Ace

Hi Paul
Well, it has been a long road, but you made it. Very happy you are flying again. Miss the pictures and the stories.
Bob

Awesome place. Glad you are back in the air again.

I had so much fun flying the other evening that I went aloft again last evening! Ted Stauth stopped over for a fly-by in his PPC, then a chat while he was out enjoying the evening too!

I still haven't had enough, today I had my plane on an "educational display" at our EAA chapter's Young Eagle event. There and back flight was 1.5 hours. More flying is planned this evening with another Air-Biker. Is this activity addicting or what?

Man, I love this flying stuff!

Hey Paul
That smile SAYS IT ALL, LOL
Bob

Hey Paul
That smile SAYS IT ALL, LOL
Bob

My ignorance is probably pitiful, but why do you prop up the tail when filling the tanks?

Sterling, that is a good question and several people have asked it previously so you are not the only one who is curious.

When in the three-wheels-on-the-ground position, the wing fuel tanks are lower at the back than the front. This leaves an air pocket in the top front area of each tank which cannot be filled. Each tank is then a little more than a quart lower than the maximum that it can take. That fuel "loss" equates to about 30 minutes less flying time, something I don't want to sacrifice.

Raising the tail allows the tanks to be filled completely, even allowing for fuel in the tank's neck without running over.

I hope that explains it.

Paul Fiebich

great post and pic Paul!      Not max flight on my end (yet - but actively working on it again); but I had a similar feeling yesterday when visibility was too lousy to XC home in my 150, so I hung out at KPUW and spent an hour in the pattern practicing "low-vis" soft, short, steep, engine out, no flaps & night take-offs and landings. I used to do pattern work all the time; but the past couple years more of my flying has been to go somewhere.  Yesterday I caught myself doing nothing more than making best of situation and just having fun in my airplane. Imagine that...

Now if these stupid wildfires would let up so that the haze would clear and I could get home!   I actually had to rent a car to drive the 100 miles home, after spending night on cot in my hangar hoping for a morning clearing the air, that did not happen... ...       In unison now... "Time to spare... go by air..."    Small price to pay for the thrill of flight..