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FLL to MTH becomes MTH to MTH
So I gave up the idea of air taxi or instruction to get to MTH - based
on trying to skirt rules (Something I don't want to do) and complication (schlepping luggage from commercial terminal to GA area) all with a 3 and 5 year old in tow. ;-) I ended up driving (ugh) and got stuck for 1.5 hours in traffic because of the bridge construction happening just north of Key Largo. 5.5 hours wasted. Arriving in Marathon, though, I saw a beautiful biplane ( I incorrectly identified it as a Stearman). To make a long story short, my wonderful father-in-law bought me a "15 minute" ride around Marathon on N64JE a fully certified Waco YMF reproduction. The day of the flight, the pilot and I spoke and he knew that I wanted to start pilot training soon (I hate being a wannabe) After taking me on a tour of the island, he let me take the controls of the airplane over the Atlantic. I just concentrated on keeping the plane straight and level (although this was in violation of the placard in the front seat "Straight and level flight not permitted in this aircraft"). He walked me through the trim system on the Waco YMF to remove stick pressure and we did a few coordinated turns. Keeping it level was much easier once I found the VSI ;-) Flying time went much too fast - it felt like 30 seconds, but was probably 15 minutes. Total time in the air was more like 40 minutes. The pilot did a few lazy 8's and some nice climbs and dives (and a slip into Rwy 7 from 1000'). What an awesome experience. What a beautiful place to learn to fly and what a nice handling aircraft (my only other experience is 0.4 hours in a C172). Having flown the two, I'd take the open cockpit to the G1000 panel any day!!! It's going to take a long time to take the smile off my face. -SPCT |
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FLL to MTH becomes MTH to MTH
It's going to take a long time to take the smile off my face.
Any time you can fly an open-cockpit biplane in January, you're doing something right. Thanks for sharing the story... -- Jay Honeck Iowa City, IA Pathfinder N56993 www.AlexisParkInn.com "Your Aviation Destination" |
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