Mike Cushway???

[crispy critter]

Has anyone heard from Mike Cushway since he left to go pick up his new(to him) taylorcraft in almamos, co.?

He was a low time pilot with no moutain experience and was planning to come back thru the LaVeta Pass. He left friday and was plannig to be back sunday. Hope he made it back okay.

If your out there Mike, check in,lol.

[robbie]

Re: Mike Cushway???

Mike lets hear from you I'll be down to see it and meet you. IT's short flight from Fond Du Lac.

[crispy critter]

Re: Mike Cushway???

I just heard from the seller of the aircraft that mike bought the airplane from. He said that he received an email from mike this morning saying that he did make it home yesterday. Very gusting, turbulent winds most of the way with one very interesting landing(I'll let mike tell that one if he wants it told,lol). He reported the airplane done great and that he and the plane are both home safe and sound. Good news to hear, congrats to mike on the new bird and a glad he is home safe.

[1938BF50]

Re: Mike Cushway???

Thanx for the concerns and I aplologize for the delay in posting my returm. I AM safely on the ground at my home field. I will elaborate on the trip as time allows. I am swamped here at work playing catch-up. What an adventure!

[Pearson]

Re: Mike Cushway???

Hey I recognize that bird. That is Allan Harstine's old airplane. We used to fly down to the Columbia Taylorcraft Fly-In together. Here is a picture of us at a fuel stop in Roseburg, Oregon. The first plane in the picture is Carl Ellis', mine is in the middle, and Allan's at the far end. I also have some air to air shots.

[1938BF50]

Re: Mike Cushway???

Richard,

It is indeed Allans old plane. I talked with Allan prior to purchase and he must have said a half a dozen times "what a great plane it was". I had no mechanical issues in 16.5hrs of flying. I had (3) 5.5hr non-stop legs getting home. Here is a pic of my "home" for a day and a half in Hill City, KS. I had 30knt winds quartering down R36 all morning. They dropped to 15 at 2pm and I went for the break hoping to find fairly steady winds aloft for the aftertnoon flight to Lamoni, IA, and hoping that my late evening return to earth would be less gusty. It was not.

[Robert Lees]

Re: Mike Cushway???

Mike,

Will you be at Brodhead this July?

Rob

[crispy critter]

Re: Mike Cushway???

gotta love the plain states sometimes,lol.

[M Towsley]

Re: Mike Cushway???

Lots and lots of places to land. At least before the fields come in.

Glad you got back safe, Mike. Congrats!

[Pearson]

Re: Mike Cushway???

Mike,

I am sure I am not the only one interested in how things went while going through LaVeta Pass.

[1938BF50]

Re: Mike Cushway???

LaVeta Pass…

Based on Wx reports and the locals, I had about 1 ½ hrs to make it thru the pass before it potentially closed up for a couple days. I assured the previous owner that if there were anything at all about the flight, pass or plane that concerned me, I would turn around and come back to Alamosa and wait it out. All the folks that I talked with during flight planning had suggested South LaVeta Pass as the safest option (thanx again Kevin Mays!). I needed to be @ 11,000msl to be 1500agl thru the south pass. I started climbing out of Alamosa and got to 11,500 about 5miles west of the apex of the pass. The ceiling was about 500’ above me with crystal clear visibility ahead and below. I committed to the pass at this point and was feeling pretty good about the decision. At about 2miles from the apex, I hit a near total and instantaneous white-out. It dropped out of nowhere. I tried to stay calm and quickly think out the options. I dropped about 300ft and could just see the ground at this point. l decided against any kind of a 180 turnaround. I knew I was centered in the pass and had at least 1200ft of air below me. I continued on for the longest two or three minutes of my life…..watching the ground, altimeter and ROC like a hawk. I now know the true definition of white knuckles! In the middle of all this a calm came over me as I thought of my Grampa and what he would do in this situation (He flew a Widgeon over most of Eastern Canada in days of old). I could not help but feel he was right seat for a brief second. In a matter of seconds I burst out into the most brilliant and welcome sunshine that I have ever seen in my life. The ground below me was dropping like a rock to the east! I was thru the pass! With several life lessons learned, I did not care what the rest of the trip thru at me, I knew the worst was behind.

[waltermrich]

Re: Mike Cushway???

Impressive story, thanks for sharing your 1st hand account of flying thru the mountain pass, glad you are back safe , I for one followed your story and am glad your flying skills are so good, sounds like you have someone watching over you.

[Carl E. Carson]

Re: Mike Cushway???

Mike: Glad you had a successful trip back to the midwest. We used to live 65 miles west of LeVeta Pass (South Fork). I know how you must have felt.

Carl

[1938BF50]

Re: Mike Cushway???

Waltermrich,

Witnessing my groundloop at Lamoni, Iowa would have quickly dismissed any claims for flying skill. As the right wing went up, the left wing dipped down into the ditch unscathed! Skill........nope, just great luck. That was pucker #2 of the flight home.

[Carl E. Carson]

Re: Mike Cushway???

By the way there is a 2nd Annual Taylorcraft fly-in at Osceola, Ia coming up. June 14-16. Mary and I were there last year, just a fly in , no prizes or awards, just enjoy each other and the planes. Contact Mike Williams at [email protected]
for camping/lodging, food, etc. There will also be activities for fly-in's not so interested in constant Taylorcraft talk. (Like tour of Bridges of Madison County.) Just south of Des Moines, how about it Mike, Walt and others. (Non-Taylorcrafts also welcome.)

Hi all,


Our good friend Carl Carson and I would like to invite you to our 2nd Annual Taylorcraft Fly In on June 14-16 at Osceola IA (I75). We are expecting Great weather and NO TFR's. We would like to welcome you to camp or stay at one of our many motels ( special rates at Lakeside Casino and resort). We will be having some great home cooked food . We are planning a Parade of Flight, Flour drop, Aviation movies, Technical forum, Meet and greet, Hanger dance. I just about for forgot, Tour of the Bridges of Madisn County (espacially good for your flying partner who might be able to take a break from all the Taylorcraft action at the airport. By the way if you you want to go on the tour please respond as space is limited) So bring your partner, whole family for that matter!


I noticed that some of you may be flying something other than Taylorcraft, thats OK . We welcome all aviation enthusist!! Tell everyone!!!


We are expecting many Taylorcraft. We are starting to get call from people who want to come!


Mark Williams and Carl Carson


641-414-2571

Carl