BlueMaxMay 10, 2020, 3:43am
Tonight was the night! 70deg and the kansas wind had slowed to a boring 4kts at 140deg. 20 minutes before the scheduled sunset the mighty VW roared to life and five one sierra began the long taxi to the end of the 5,000ft runway. The throttle was smoothly advanced, the tach showing 3300rpm and the tail springing into the air instantly, at 35mph i eased back on the stickand she lept into the air. After taking in the view of the ground falling away for several seconds i scanned the engine gauges and reduced power to 3000rpm and began the turn to the downwind leg. It was at this time that i noticed the altimeter was displaying 100ft less than field elevation and the ASI still indicated 35mph even though my eyes told me the groundspeed was approaching 70. Well thats inconvienient i was thinking as i leveled off on downwind at roughly 500ft. With the sky all to myself i cruised down a close in downwind and made a right turn for base to runway 17 and what would vave been about a 1/8 mile final. I was thinking that without airspeed data this steep, close in approach wasnt going to be to my liking so i reduced power slightly and pulled the airplane around in a left hand 270, rolling out on a 1 mile final. I reduced power to 2500rpm and holding slight back pressure, set up a stable approach to the numbers. Crossing the threshold at about 30ft i reduced power to 2000ish rpm and let the mains kiss the runway so soft there wasnt even a chirp, aft stick brought the tail down and she rolled out pretty as can be as i relished the moment of my first max flight in a decade.
The airplane performed flawlessly, trim felt good in all 3 axis, no unusual noises or vibration from the airframe. the controls were crisp and responsive and she was a delight to fly! I suspect there is a blockage in the static system somewhere that caused the indicating issues once airborne, this plane sat in a quonset hut on a farm for 6 years before comming into my posession with the last recorded flight being 2014.
It was good to see the world over the nose of a max again and i look foward to a summer if enjoyable flying.
Chris
The airplane performed flawlessly, trim felt good in all 3 axis, no unusual noises or vibration from the airframe. the controls were crisp and responsive and she was a delight to fly! I suspect there is a blockage in the static system somewhere that caused the indicating issues once airborne, this plane sat in a quonset hut on a farm for 6 years before comming into my posession with the last recorded flight being 2014.
It was good to see the world over the nose of a max again and i look foward to a summer if enjoyable flying.
Chris
When in doubt just use full throttle.... it might not help but it will end the suspense.