Flight # 11
5/21/01
Location: Nice, CA
Wind: None
Duration: 30 min
Total air time:4h
35m
It’s been a long while since that last flight in Georgia. My brother Randy bought my DK Whisper
as a favor to me, since I wanted to get the lighter Miniplane for myself. I weigh 145lbs and the DK
was just more than I needed. I never got it to full throttle even on launches.
So, I
ordered a Miniplane. Due to repeated delays, I didn’t get the Miniplane for 7 months. I did receive
the new glider, a medium Ozone Electron, and wanting to get in the air but waiting on a motor, I called
Hugh Murphy of Surf the Sky Paragliding and took some paragliding lessons on the Dunes in Monterey.
One day of Ground Handling and one day of (5)flights from the sand dunes. Hugh Murphy had actually been
recommended to me by Bruce Erion while I was in Atlanta. He was very helpful and had me consistently
landing softly on my feet. Hooray! Finally!
Now on to my first flight with the new
Miniplane. Forward launch in zero wind went smoothly. Not really surprising, since the 10,000 frantically
flapping butterflies in my stomach considerably decreased my hook-in weight.
The flight
felt great. The Miniplane thrust was noticeably less than the DK. I did need full throttle for launch.
About 30 minutes into the flight I heard a “tunk” behind me. I thought, “Did I just
hit a bumblebee?” Thought I’d get back to the LZ and check it out, when I started to lose power. Then
ENGINE OUT at about 800’ AGL, and I’m still a mile from Jerry and the car.
I wasn’t
to concerned since being a conservative flyer I always keep a landing opportunity within reach, so I
glided to a perfect touch down in a recently plowed (i.e. really chunky) but no longer flooded rice paddy.
Unhooked the wing and hiked out of the field with the motor on my back. Was I ever glad that this motor
weighs only 45lbs. Well, at the edge of the field is a narrow creek/ditch between myself and the hiway.
First step into the sludge - ankle deep. Second step, up to my knees. Third step’s the DOOSEY, neck
deep in the muck. Struggle up the bank and I’m out. Didn’t even get the motor wet, though the cage
and myself are covered in primordial ooze.
Got a ride and found Jerry, who was looking
for me. The engine-out was easy to diagnose. The carburetor/air-cleaner assembly was hanging on by
one bolt. The other bolt had vibrated out and hit the prop a la bumblebee.
A trip to
the hardware store for new bolts and some locktite. Fires right up. HOORAY!
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