Classifieds

of lunch! Ever since we had gotten up to cruising speed, a whopping 85 mph, everything seemed normal and the flight was smooth.

When we were approaching home, I decided to land on the forgiving sod and to look at the tachometer just as we touched down. I made a normal approach and flew a standard pattern, paying extra attention to keeping the ship where it needed to be at each altitude point in the pattern. As the tires brushed the grass, I glanced at the tach. It was reading 1800 rpm.

After we had taxied to the hangar area, I decided it was time to start breathing again. I sat quietly after shutdown, but the stillness was broken as my friend asked, “Now can we go get a sandwich?”

When I asked him how much he really weighed, he laughed loudly and said, “A little over 345.” When I asked why he had fibbed about his weight, he laughed even louder. He clearly didn’t understand the grav ity of the situation that little fib had put us in.

Mistakes galore were present on my part that day so many years ago. Use your own eyes and judgment to estimate a passenger’s weight when flying in a small plane. Don’t let your familiarity with the passenger cloud your weight estimating. And if you’re comfortable asking the passenger for an accurate number, don’t hesitate to tell him or her why having an accurate figure is critical to safety.

Do not take off on the runway you “usually use” while flying alone. I probably would have been a lot safer if I had used the longer, hard surface runway. In a little vintage aircraft, it is a lot more critical to accurately flight plan gross weight limits, especially with a somewhat tired 65-hp engine. When in trouble, stay calm and work on getting passengers and yourself back home safely.

That very day I made a vow to be a much more detail-thinking pilot, and I have been true to that vow ever since. Oh, and if you are wondering, yes, then I let my friend buy us a sandwich!

when he recently stated, “This bill, if successful, will remedy many of the most serious deficiencies in the relationship between general avia tion and the FAA, and ensures that pilots are, like everyone else, treated in a fair and equitable manner by the justice system.”

We should also recognize here the efforts of the EAA and AOPA, who helped compile the legal issues and enforcement procedure background that led to the text in the original bill last summer, and also helped seek co-sponsors of this important protection of pilot’s rights.

It’s also very important for me to recognize the VAA staff, and the hundreds of Vintage volunteers who yet again invested thousands of volunteer hours in not only the preparation of the grounds, but also the herculean efforts to complete the finish work in preparation of AirVenture 2012, and then the actual execution of a safe and pleasurable event. This group is truly exceptional and its members are among the very best of the EAA/ VAA who serve this organization so well each year at Oshkosh.

Well, now the planning for AirVenture 2013 begins. Hope to see you there!

As always, please do us all the favor of inviting a friend to join the VAA, and help keep us the strong association we have all enjoyed for so many years.

VAA is about participation:

Be a member! Be a volunteer! Be there!

Let’s all pull in the same direction for the overall good of aviation.

Remember, we are better together. Join us and have it all.

Come share the passion!

VINTAGE TRADER

Something to buy, sell, or trade?

Classified Word Ads: $5.50 per 10 words, 180 words maximum, with boldface lead-in on first line.

Classified Display Ads: One column wide (2.167 inches) by 1, 2, or 3 inches high at $20 per inch. Black and white only, and no frequency discounts.

Advertising Closing Dates: 10th of second month prior to desired issue date (i.e., January 10 is the closing date for the March issue). VAA reserves the right to reject any advertising in conflict with its policies. Rates cover one insertion per issue. Classified ads are not accepted via phone. Payment must accompany order. Word ads may be sent via fax (920-426-4828) or e-mail (classads@ eaa.org) using credit card payment (all cards accepted). Include name on card, complete address, type of card, card number, and expiration date. Make checks payable to EAA. Address advertising correspondence to EAA Publications Classified Ad Manager, P.O. Box 3086, Oshkosh, WI 54903-3086.

A IRC RA F T

Sole r em aining Spar tan II, 3 Seater, Built 1932. Original Cirrus Hermes IV engine.

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