While in the Bay Area, I took an introductory flight lesson. I kinda thought that flying was a pretty specialized thing that you needed hours and hours of class time to even get close to an aircraft, but that is not so. There are instructors who will handle the takeoff and landing, and let you fly the plane in between! I flew with Fly Bay Area and it was awesome! I recommend it to any gear head.
(no comments on my lack of hair or going gray!)
Yeah, I did that too, many years ago. I even started on flying lessons. Unfortunately, it was just not sustainable, and I never got my license (or even soloed). I'd love to do that if time and money get a little less committed.
I'm glad you had a good time! Nice scenery.
I thought you meant Grassroots aircraft like the kind you build yourself from a kit... one of which just ended badly over the weekend for it's builder.
From the article in yesterday's paper he was probably a cool guy.
my business partner got licensed a couple of years ago.. it is something I need to do myself
Yeah, it's amazing who they'll let behind the wheel--so to speak. While wrapping up my final year of school, I was doing a photo shoot at the local airport. The guy asked, Wanna a lesson? First one was like $25. So I ran to the ATM and decided to treat myself. It was kind of like driving a VW bus, but in 3D. We flew over my apartment.
The landing didn't thrill me, though. Put the nose down? Um, no, I'll let you do that.
A Groupon for an intro flight lesson pops up once a month or so. I file that in my inbox next to the historic biplane ride and helecoptor tour and skydiving invitation - stuff for the bucket list.
Took lessons but never soloed. Great fun until I could not afford it.
I love flying. My favorite maneuver is the slip. Basically, if you're coming in to land and you're too high, you need to drop some altitude... but pitching the nose down causes you to speed up and you'll float right over the runway. So, you bank the wings (so the top of the wing causes drag), smash in some opposite rudder, and watch the VSI indicate its maximum rate of descent while you watch your Airspeed Indicator stay put.
Every time I do it, I can't help but let out a "woo hoo!".
I have to get back into it again. I miss flying.
(Ask your instructor to show you a slip.)
I do a slip when the tow rope slacks and on landings. Crazy thing is the sensor for the altimiter is on the port side, instruments go crazy and you can't trust 'em. YMMV but check it out.
Dan
David S. Wallens wrote: It was kind of like driving a VW bus, but in 3D. We flew over my apartment.
I always thought driving my VW bus was a little like flying a plane. 
I thought grassroots flying was kinda like grassroots cocaine use.
confuZion3 wrote: I love flying. My favorite maneuver is the slip. Basically, if you're coming in to land and you're too high, you need to drop some altitude... but pitching the nose down causes you to speed up and you'll float right over the runway. So, you bank the wings (so the top of the wing causes drag), smash in some opposite rudder, and watch the VSI indicate its maximum rate of descent while you watch your Airspeed Indicator stay put.
Bwahaha! I got really good at doing slips. Learned in a short winged Piper with no flaps. Usual final at my local airport, Cameron Airpark (O61), comes in right over a big, populated hill. So SOP was to turn final, get past the houses and slip down to the end of the runway. Sucker could drop like a rock.
Salanis wrote:confuZion3 wrote: I love flying. My favorite maneuver is the slip. Basically, if you're coming in to land and you're too high, you need to drop some altitude... but pitching the nose down causes you to speed up and you'll float right over the runway. So, you bank the wings (so the top of the wing causes drag), smash in some opposite rudder, and watch the VSI indicate its maximum rate of descent while you watch your Airspeed Indicator stay put.Bwahaha! I got really good at doing slips. Learned in a short winged Piper with no flaps. Usual final at my local airport, Cameron Airpark (O61), comes in right over a big, populated hill. So SOP was to turn final, get past the houses and slip down to the end of the runway. Sucker could drop like a rock.
Drifting in 3D? Sounds like some of the stuff I've heard from C-130 pilots about getting into Baghdad without getting shot. Come in high & hot, and then slip it right down to the runway.
friedgreencorrado wrote: snip
Combat landings aren't fun for the passengers, lol.
friedgreencorrado wrote: Drifting in 3D? Sounds like some of the stuff I've heard from C-130 pilots about getting into Baghdad without getting shot. Come in high & hot, and then slip it right down to the runway.
berkeley yeah. Real men need all four limbs, 3 dimensions, and 2-sets of underwear to properly cross-control a vehicle.
rotard wrote:friedgreencorrado wrote: snipCombat landings aren't fun for the passengers, lol.
rotard, you were one of them? I bet that'd be a cool story, even if we take the thread on a tangent..
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