Flying below treetop level

Most of the time flying means screaming along in my RV-8A at 200 mph going cross-country at 8,000 feet en route to some important destination (like a tennis match against my arch-rival, Larry in Birmingham). Lately, or should I say, as I get older, I kind of like sauntering along at low altitudes, checking out the flora and fauna from above. What's the big hurry, after all? My friend, James has the perfect vehicle for sauntering in the Aircam, a twin-engine (two robust, water-cooled, four-cycle Rotax 900's) tandem seat aircraft, designed for photographic missions over the jungle, where an engine failure in a single engine plane would be unfortunate. This week James and I are going to test our endurance for sauntering with a trip to the annual overdose-of-anything-aviation extravaganza in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Since it's 530 straight-line miles one-way, and our top speed will not excede 75 mph, we should have plenty of time for our passion for low-altitude cruising.

First Solo For Alex

I remember his first bicycle solo. I remember his struggles with the clutch while teaching him a standard shift in a Jeep Wrangler. On July 26, 2008 I opened the door and stepped out of the Cessna 150 and watched while my son made his first airplane solo. My experience is that most people bounce the 2nd or 3rd landing, but his were "greasers." I don't know who was happier, him or me. I had always hoped that my children would one day express an interest in flying. Maybe that's why I've maintained my flight instructor certificate for all these years. Now if I can just get my daughter soloed (we've had an issue with her medical certificate), all the Carters will have at least student pilot certificates.

A Big Bird Visits

Yesterday, Cessna reps flew a Caravan into Dewitt Spain. I believe it is being sold to a person locally. The crew was very friendly, and they let me sit in the left seat and smell the new interior. Dual Garmin 1000's, all leather - very nice!

The Smith Mini

Lately I've become interested in open cockpit airplanes. Sometimes the neatest things are right under your nose. I saw this Smith Mini parked outside of Lee Andrews' hangar today. It's a cool little biplane with a C-85 engine in it - the same motor that drives my Cessna 140.

I finished up the canopy frame on my RV-7 project. I dug out the canopy from the big finish kit box that has been sitting in a corner of my hangar for six months. Time to start trimming the canopy.

Air Rachel

Today was the day to go back to Tuscaloosa to pick up my daughter, Rachel. My kids are spoiled. They don't think it's any big deal to have Dad run them around in his airplane just so they wont have to do all that driving. Not that I mind it. It's just that they've always known airplanes, and it's nothing new or exciting to them. I don't see me changing anything, so I guess I'll just keep spoiling them.

I have logged 12 hours of cross-country time in the last 3 days with two trips to Tuscaloosa and one to Texas. That's a good bit for me. It's eating in to my building time, although I did get a couple of hours in on the dreaded canopy frame today.