Around the Field

The ALL NEW Four Forces of Flight

2009-10-13T10:00:00.000-04:00

IFR Descent Near Tampa

2009-10-07T10:08:00.002-04:00

Here's a short piece of video I shot out the front window of Jeb's plane as we were returning to Sarasota from Wichita.

RV7 on amphib floats

2009-10-05T08:12:00.002-04:00

Here's a nice little video about a guy who built an RV7, then put it on amphibious floats.

Reno Air Races Live Video for EAA Members

2009-09-18T08:12:00.004-04:00

EAA announced today that the live internet video coverage of this year's Reno Air Races will be available to EAA members free of charge on their new OSHKOSH365 website.

On Sunday, September 20, EAA members get free access to LiveAirShowTV’s first-ever live Internet feed – a $24.95 value – so they can see the thrilling championship round of this year’s event.

The webcast will cover the breakneck action of Sunday’s championship races in all seven classes; a performance by the United States Navy Blue Angels; and aerobatic performances by pilots David Martin, Patty Wagstaff, and the Red Eagles. The National Aviation Heritage Invitational trophy presentations will also be carried in real time.

Read the whole announcement on the EAA website.

One of my favorite videos from this year's AirVenture

2009-08-22T18:27:00.003-04:00

Flying the Cessna 172SP

2009-08-14T20:00:00.000-04:00

Today I got checked out to rent the Cessna 172SPs of Southern Maine Aviation.

The SP is basically a bigger, newer version of the venerable Skyhawk C172 which is, I believe, the best selling airplane ever.

The first thing everyone asks me when I tell them I'm flying the SP is, is it one of the G1000 versions. Sadly no. The ones SoMeAv have are both nicely equipped steam-gauge panels.

The purpose of today's checkout is actually pretty simple. I'm already checked out to rent the FBOs 172M, so today is just to familiarize me with the special aspects of the 180hp fuel injected engine.

Doing preflight the first notable difference I find is that there are 13 -- count 'em, 13! -- fuel sampling ports. Apparently the fuel system has some interesting ups and downs, necessitating the multiple sample points.

There are five drain point under each wing, and three more under the engine. Unusual to me, but no real problem once I've figured out where all of them are. One tip: Make sure you're using the largest sampling cup available.

The other notable difference is in the priming procedure. Instead of using a manual pump plunger to squirt gas into the engine to prime it, in the SP you run the fuel pump at full rich until you see the fuel flow gauge jump, then full lean and pump off.

In flight the plane was very comfortable. On rotation the yoke was a little heavy, even with trim set to takeoff position. But adding a bit more trim balanced that out just fine.

Because the engine is fuel injected, there is no carburetor. No carb means no carb-heat. Every time I reduced power on downwind it seemed wrong to go below the green arc and not pull on carb-heat.

I felt very comfortable flying the plane. I managed to nail the airspeeds and the altitude assignments.

After one landing the CFI said, "OK I'm satisfied. We can taxi in, unless you'd like to try one more time around."

I was having fun, so I said one more time.

We took off, flew around, and did another landing. That was it, we taxied in, and shut down.

So now I'm checked out to fly all three of Southern Maine Aviation's 172. I'm looking forward to doing some of that soon.

Breakfast at Sanford Airport

2009-08-13T12:00:00.000-04:00

Headed over to KSFM for breakfast this morning. Some interesting things on the ramp. Here's a Lake Amphib, and in the distance the PBY Catalina which is being restored.

And on another part of the ramp, Dave's favorite: a Pilatus PC12 (?)

UCAP 148 in the can

2009-08-06T22:10:00.002-04:00

Just finished recording Uncontrolled Airspace episode 148. It was a good one. I'm already at work on the post production. With luck it will be posted soon.

2009 Around the Field columns online

2009-07-30T09:35:00.009-04:00

You can read the ATF columns I've been writing daily for the AirVenture Today newspaper here:

Sunday (Day 0)
Monday (Day 1)
Tuesday (Day 2)
Wednesday (Day 3)
Thursday (Day 4)
Friday (Day 5)
Saturday (Day 6)
Sunday (Day 7)

AirVenture Oshkosh 2009 Update

2009-07-30T09:23:00.003-04:00

We've been having so much fun here at AirVenture that blogging has gotten a little by the wayside.

The attendance seems to be pretty spectacular so far. Both the airplane camping and the Tent/RV camping seems to be extremely full. A couple of times this week arriving planes have been turned away because there were no more spaces in the North 40 campground.

Up until this morning the weather has been terrific. Sunny, a little cool for the season, but very comfortable. No noticeable humidity.

There are a lot of extra special planes here this year. The huge AirBus A380 is obviously getting a lot of attention. Burt Rutan's White Knight 2 is popular. The "air-crane" helicopter "Elvis" is very cool, and does fly-bys with water drops in front of the crowd each day.

2009 seems to be a watershed year for the existence of attendee created media coming out of the convention grounds. There's all sorts of streaming video, twittering, blogging, flickr pic posting going on. There appears to be more people than ever before who are enjoying the show remotely. People who are arriving later in the week, or not at all. If you're so inclined, follow me on Twitter at @jackhodgson or search for the Twitter "hashtag" #OSH09.

Check out the audio feed and webcams being run by EAA Radio

Blogging isn't the only thing that's has suffered from all the business. I haven't had much chance to get around and see things. I'm hoping to spend some time later today walking the exhibit halls.

If you have any questions about what's going on here, post them as comments, or email them to me at jack@uncontrolledairspace.com.

Predator UAV at OSH Behind the Scenes

2009-07-28T12:23:00.002-04:00

EAA produced video.

AirVenture 2009 Day One

2009-07-27T07:48:00.000-04:00

Well finally we've made it to opening day of Oshkosh 2009.

It's just before 7am here on the field, and things are waking up for what is shaping up to be a big first day.

The most notable special attractions today are the arrival of the "Elvis" Skycrane helicopter, and also the arrival of White Knight 2. I'll be getting pics, and maybe video of that and posting it here.

In about half an hour I'm meeting a UCAP listener to get a ride in his Navion. I've been looking forward to this for a few weeks now. It's unusual for me to get up in the air in ANY aircraft during OSH week, so it's cool to be going flying. And I'm especially excited to get a chance to experience this unique warbird. More on that when I'm back on the ground.

Pics from Oshkosh

2009-07-25T18:29:00.000-04:00

I've posted some early pics from AirVenture Oshkosh 2009.

Welcome to Oshkosh

2009-07-24T10:56:00.000-04:00

Today is my first full day here in Oshkosh for AirVenture 2009.

Although there's a lot of activity around the field it's nothing compared to what is to come.

Exhibitors are setting up all over the field, in the new and old exhibits areas. A handful of attendee airplanes have already arrived, but the North 40 parking areas are still mostly empty grass. That will change very soon.

As EAA has been telling us all winter, there are some notable changes to the grounds. More on that as the week progresses, but I can attest to the fact that the grounds have seen more year-to-year change than I've seen in over 10 years. Not since the arrival of the big exhibit hangars and the permanent Forum buildings, have we seen this much change from one year to the next.

One area that is already hopping is Camp Scholler, which, as usual for this time, has lot and lots of people already set up.

OSH Suggestions from Max Trescott

2009-07-21T08:44:00.000-04:00

CFI Max Trescott has a nice list of AirVenture Oshkosh 2009 highlights.

I'm on the Pilot's Flight PodLog podcast

2009-06-23T21:22:00.000-04:00

A few weeks back Will Hawkins and David Allen invited me to be on their excellent aviation podcast, "Pilot's Flight PodLog". The ep just hit the net and re-listening to it I'm reminded that we had a lot of fun.

Stephen Force's first airshow audience

2009-06-22T17:14:00.000-04:00

Stephen Force's "Airspeed" podcast is always worth a listen -- and lately, as he adds video content, it's worth a watch too -- but the latest episode is especially moving.

Steve tells the story of how he had an impromptu audience for one of his acro lessons, and the joy it caused him, and his watchers.

(Full disclosure, Steve gives some credit for this ep to my Uncontrolled Airspace podcast. But whatever help we provided, it was small, Steve did all the heavy, and inspirational, lifting on this one.)

TakeoffTube -- Aviation video site

2009-06-22T12:49:00.000-04:00

Just found this. I haven't had a chance to see how many good vids are here. Let me know what you think in the comments to this post.

takeofftube.com

( via twitter.com/keithjjones )