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Lesson 34
12-11-12
1.0 hours logged
42.2 hours total recorded in logbook

Today I went flying in Oshkosh again, my second lesson there. The weather, though somewhat sketchy, was just good enough so we could go. It was snowing but sunny at the same time as we prepared to pre-flight the RV-6. Sitting in the plane waiting for the engine to warm up before taxiing out, I quickly learned two things:

6YE nestled under one engine of EAA's Ford Trimotor which
is stored in the Jack Mark hangar, along with many other
during the winter months.

1). This plane really isn't much more roomy than the Cub, especially when you're bundled in layers.
2). The heater isn't much more effective than that of the Cub. There's just fewer cracks for the cold to get in! It's still chilly though.

A takeoff on 27 to the west soon had us over the practice area. We spent much of the time focusing on the instruments and their readings through turns. It was a sort of orientation flight for the next step in my training--instrument flying. We flew south for a bit but not quite far enough to be over my house though I could see it from our position over Pickett. Sooner than I realized, it was time to head back to the airport and land.

Cockpit of the RV-6

As I flew the pattern, I couldn't help thinking how huge the airport seemed in comparison to HXF. The plane settled gently in another beautiful landing just like last time. It lands well as long as you're slow enough and that is the hard part--getting it to slow down! You have to start slowing down before you've even reached the airport!

We taxied to the self-serve fuel pump and my ears froze standing in the cold as I helped Joe pump the fuel. The wind was cutting! After only the few minutes it took to get fuel, we had to go through the whole ordeal of bundling and buckling ourselves into the plane, then call the tower for permission to taxi to the hangar. This was granted and soon we were climbing out into the cold once more to push the plane back inside. We were all glad to be out of the wind! Oh, the joys of winter flying!