Flying in Salem CT

[Nodd]

Well this doesn't look good...

[Stew2]

Don't let them kid you, Chris, it was a nap problem, not a flap problem. Old guys need to "rest their eyes" occasionally. Glad the day was great guys!!

[Nodd]

Apparently some minor issue with the flaps, the guys had the Bidule fired-up & haulin-glass a few minutes later. Below are a few random photos (apologies I was busy flying most of the day, this is all I got)...






Thanks guys for a great day.

[Nodd]

Its probably worth mentioning Len is a complete nutter. Today I witnessed the shortest (successful) aerotow ever. I should explain...

Apparently Len decided it'd be a good idea to see if the DG-800 wing is made of the right stuff. At what had to be somewhere close to 2000 feet, moments after release I heard myself muttering "Len you know you're in a dive right?"... "Yeap" he replied. Two seconds later... "Ehh... Len?"... at this point the sailplane was in full on bat-outta-hell mode & kinda headed our way. Another two seconds later, whistling... no howling... no screaming... the DG-800 in a blur of utterly incomprehensible speed passed over the field & gracefully entered a nice ballistic arc back up into the blue. Down from two thousand feet in the blink of an eye-popping eye. That was easily one of the most jaw-dropping things I've seen a sailplane do. Len seemed pleased & mentioned nonchalantly "Huh, I guess the wings are good".

[TomTerrific?]

Great flying day with thermals all around and the sun eventually appeared.
Nice seeing everyone.
Thanks again for the advice Don & Len!

[lenb]

Thanks to all the guys who came out today. Weather started out a bit cloudy and cool but ended up sunny and warm. Lift was huge later in the afternoon once the sun came out and the guys were complaining about not being able to get down.
The CARF DG 800 was tested for high speed flight and high G maneuvers, it passed.

[lenb]

Thinking about doing some flying Saturday in Salem, anyone interested?

[Csessa]

I'll pass the word down here. I am a maybe.

[TomTerrific?]

I'm a definite maybe

[Gliderhead]

I too could be a definite maybe

[BobM]

Working on my Bidule tonight and hope to have it for tomorrow morning.....new battery for the ignition and completing the nose steering modifications as on Len and Stew's Bidules. Hope to be there by 9 or so at the latest.

[Csessa]

Another wonderfull day in Salem. Thanks for the invite. See you in a couple weeks.

[Tom M]

I just want to thank the tow pilots that kept us flying today.We had four tow planes out and 5 sailplanes! Almost had to have the tow planes line up and wait for a sailplane to tow.

[lenb]

Hey guys.
Thanks for coming out. Good day. Killer lift in the morning but a cool front came in and it killed the lift, but it was still fun!.

Lots of tugs, but once again never enough.

One had steering issues. One had a tailwheel servo die.
One had a weird fuel pickup issue, but of course the day was saved by Scot's mighty Bidule..180

[lenb]

REALLY?

It was April 30th since we all flew together at Salem for a "casual day" of flying? Wow... seems like only yesterday we were in heavy coats and boots.. The spring was a tough one this year with snow and wind at both of the early season events. Thankfully our New England Aerotow was a smashing success and all the events since then have featured fantastic weather. Let's keep the streak going and fly this weekend.

We're planning on flying SATURDAY, July 2nd.

Anyone planning on bringing a tug?

Len

[BobM]

I am planning on coming with my Bidule 170.......the landing gear has been repaired and it should be ready to go for Saturday.

Looking forward to the day.

Bob

[stihac]

That's just my luck. Every time you guys fly in Salem I'm somewhere else. Or I'm here and you are traveling. Getting on jet plane tomorrow. Maybe I'll find some flying opportunity in the Czech Republic. At least I'll be flying Swiss. I'll check their crosses


Hope to join you next time

Petr

[Steve P]

I'm in. The Porter is not prepped for duty, but could be if needed. LMK