I won't give a complete after action report because Shannon and Doug have outdone anything I could say. I was extremely impressed with the amount of safe maneuvering flight skills both Shannon and Doug had already developed.

I flew with Doug only thirty minutes and was completely comfortable putting Shannon up front with him. Doug mastered the low ground effect takeoff quickly. His third apparent brisk walk rate of closure approach was a soft touchdown on the numbers with power still in. That's what we call perfect. Having enough age to have done the old, non-instrument, lazy eight, energy management turns were a snap for him. I highly recommend Doug (BlackRock) as a safe maneuvering flight techniques instructor to all of you on the west coast and in the Sierra Nevada's.

Shannon has obviously been doing his homework. We flew the Sacramento River using energy management turns in his Champ. When we came to some hairpin turns, he just kept pushing the nose around and letting the nose go down. When below and between the trees, he calmly leveled the wing before pulling up.

Since we had a low powered airplane shortage (Doug had to tend to the grapes Tuesday,) Kevin will get some footage of the techniques and post them with pertinent clips from the hanger briefing.

It is appropriate for teachers and coaches to live through the accomplishments of their students. It is not about us. So let it be with Contact.

I certainly had a great time this year at the races. It was a pleasure to spend time with Jim, Shannon and several others. I missed the bar-b-cue as I was hosting family from out of town. Better luck next year. I'm looking forward to the video for sure and eventually spending time practicing these procedures.

Dan

CFOT wrote:

Zzz wrote:Jim, you're not as old, green, and pointy-eared as i pictured you.

We had to doctor the photos and use a Jedi mind trick

"... these are not the canyons you're looking for..."

My mistake on Doug's (Black Water ) call sign is typical of my lack of attention and computer skills. I will be posting separately on his quality instruction of safe maneuvering flight techniques. I am very pleased he is available among so many of you. We will get the video up as promised, but Doug is the best way to acquire safe maneuvering flight techniques for our western pilots.

So sorry I missed this.

I was going to say that flying with Jim is one of my bucket list items, then I realized that is probably poor phraseology for referring to a flight lesson.

Soon.

albravo wrote:
Getting very close to a plane purchase and hope to be en-route for a pre buy and flight home.

Safe travels all.

Any luck on the plane?