Snow is almost gone now

[M Jones]

This was from Friday. Things warmed up, finally, and I guess the wheels need to go back on soon.

[Jim Hartley]

Re: Snow is almost gone now

Ski flying is a blast. It adds so many options to your landing areas. I especially enjoy the cold deep powder although with the long sunny days with higher temperatures that is coming to an end. I will be going back to wheels in early to mid April.

I also like how easily and such a low speed you can drive around with the tail up...much easier and slower than wheels.

Mike, do you get any appreciable depth of snow in your area? Judging from your picture it looks pretty light. We have had years with little snow and had to head north to find. Otherwise we are limited to lakes,groomed ski strips or grassy fields
And swamps. I live off of one of the lakes in line with the Matanuska Valley and the wind wreaks havoc creating snow drifts and rough ice. You have to be careful operating especially in flat light.

I just retired my "tired" Federal 1500 skis for a nice set of Landes 2000's. The Landes weigh about the same as the Federals but are a few inches longer, so they have better floatation. I appreciate that when heavy and in the deep powder.

Thanks for the picture Mike. My wife just got me a Cool Pics point and shoot camera so I have no excuse to not take some pictures. I will try to get some shots to share. I think everyone enjoys looking at these old girls.

Jim

[M Jones]

Re: Snow is almost gone now

Hi Jim. One of the forum members and good friend, Carl Carson sold the 1500s to me last fall. It tuned out to be the best year in recent to have them, so I was pretty lucky all around. What you see in the picture is what remained of a few inches of leftovers from some smaller snow falls in the past month, and an additional 10+ inches we received a week ago. This picture was taken by my wife on Friday when temps were moving up towards 40 degrees, and on a very sunny day. The weekend forecast was higher temps and light rain, so I decided to can work out and get a couple of hours in while I could.

The snowfall this season around here equaled all that we've had the past four years combined. I'm hoping we get more next year now. You're right about ski flying being a blast. Maybe I was just concentrating more than normal, but I made around 20 landings in the past couple of weeks that were all keepers I felt. My wife was watching on Friday and said it looked like I was landing on butter. One landing was on a large lake by the snow machine tracks a little north on home base. There was probably 15+ inches of soft snow, and I really had a hard time figuring out when I was on, until I got the tailwheel started down.

After I looked at some of these pictures, I noticed that I need a little more cable length on the right rear ski too. The angle is a little shallow as you can see. I'll get that fixed before winter.

Have fun, I envy all the way around up in Alaska. One day I'll get back there.

[M Towsley]

Re: Snow is almost gone now

Most of the down-staters figured this, (all of the snow), was a plot to get Chicago to break off into Lake Michigan.

[3Dreaming]

Re: Snow is almost gone now

Mike, be careful. In Illinois you can only land on an approved airport, so I guess most of your flying is to the North.

[M Jones]

Re: Snow is almost gone now

Most of the down-staters figured this, (all of the snow), was a plot to get Chicago to break off into Lake Michigan.

Nice Marty . We're well out to the NW but do feel the pain sometimes. I'm from the Decatur area and still have parents and sisters/families scattered around central IL.

[M Jones]

Re: Snow is almost gone now

Mike, be careful. In Illinois you can only land on an approved airport, so I guess most of your flying is to the North.

Tom, I did understand that, and honestly for anyone that may be "listening"... All of my ski flying in Illinois so far has been at either Poplar Grove airport, or at home base, Harvard/Dacy where this picture was taken at a low pass. The WI border is just 6 miles north of Dacy. I'll keep the name of the Wisconsin lake to myself for now, but it gets used pretty regularly when conditions allow.

[M Towsley]

Re: Snow is almost gone now

Hey Mike,

Love Poplar Grove, were you there when I had my L-2 up there for the Army Wings/Wheels event in '07?

And don't worry, I don't count you in that crowd from Chicago.

[M Jones]

Re: Snow is almost gone now

Hi Marty,

Yes, I've still got a picture (somewhere) of your L2. Loved the nose art. One of these days we'll have to meet up at a flight breakfast somewhere so I can see your BC-12D.

I like Chicago, to visit for a day or so at least. I still can't stand the thought of the cowardly way Richard M. Daley ripped up Miegs Field in the dark of night. Sorry, off track!

[flybikefarm]

Re: Snow is almost gone now

How about my place.Half way for both. George

[M Jones]

Re: Snow is almost gone now

That works for me George.

[M Towsley]

Re: Snow is almost gone now

Same here.

[flybikefarm]

Re: Snow is almost gone now

I'll be home next week, then we can set a date.

[waltermrich]

Re: Snow is almost gone now

On the local EAA chapter website here in Cedar Rapids Iowa City area there was a brief mention of an upcoming Taylorcraft Fly In in July , does any one who lives in this area Know of an upcoming fly in near ?.

[M Towsley]

Re: Snow is almost gone now

Walter,

I thought I saw something posted about one, maybe on Facebook. I have been looking but now cannot find it. I will let you know.