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About 80% of general aviation aircraft fly using Lycoming engines. Clearing the trees at the end of the runway. Leaving 4500ft for 6500ft. Maintaining airflow and generating lift across the wings. All are impossible without a reliable engine. Lycoming powers my training aircraft and so fuels my quest for a private pilot certificate. This blog is a record of my thoughts and experiences on life, flight, and learning.

13 March 2010

Grumman Goose!

I recently got to take a flight on a real live 1942 G-21 Grumman Goose with radial engines. We flew from Dutch Harbor, AK and landed on water at Akutan, AK. It was pretty sweet!



Back under the Hood

So, it's been a busy year with a lot going on since my last post in August. However, it hasn't been that busy on the flying front until this month. I've picked up my IFR training again for the last final push. I've got about 15 hours left under the hood, still have to pass my written test, and just need to get lots of practice.

I filed, which was cool (and stressful) again. Did a round robin from Newark to Rickenbacker to Lancaster, and back to Newark. So, that was two ILS's and two LOC approaches. The controllers at Rickenbacker were cool, and the guy on Columbus approach was helpful until the 5PM crowd started rolling in to CMH and he switched on Auctioneer mode and my radio transmissions "Uh...785SP...is....uh....procedure turn inbound.....Lancaster.....uh....5SP...." started crowding the airwaves. It was a good flight, but I have too try to stay ahead of the airplane more. You can see how disparate my approach into Lancaster was. I was all over the place! Well, I'll do better next time.