Ooofda.
On a lark, I recently took a ride on a vintage aircraft. It was less than $100, and wow, it was really fun. It went about 20 minutes, and we flew over SW Omaha, low and slow.
The plane was 88 years old, but damn, it was built like a freaking tank. I walked around and noted it had the aerodynamics of a brick, and was just heavy looking. Getting on board for the ride I noted the airframe was quite rigid, none of this Piper Cub flimsy shit, this was a brawny, stout plane !!
We took off, and I had a feeling from the huge wing area the take off speed was going to be quite leisurely and it was. The plane actually accelerated in a snappy fashion, and it climbed quickly to I'm estimating 1000' m/l.
I noted we took off east of 132nd, and were headed towards 144th. The cars on streets below headed west (in town, mind you) seemed to be going nearly as fast as we were. I also noted when the pilot throttled back a bit when we got to the desired altitude, the plane immediately stopped climbing and held the altitude. We flew west, then made a gradual turn to the south then the east. I 'discovered' a lake in West O I was unaware of, LOL. And the extent of the suburban sprawl was evident in all directions. We never got as far west as the Elkhorn/Platte, but that was OK. I saw an office park just east of 217th I was familiar with. On the way back I could see hiway 370.
As we neared the airport, as soon as the pilot pulled back the throttles, the plane immediately slowed and started down. This plane, with it's brick-like aerodynamics does not seem to coast or glide.
At all.
Anyhow, we crossed I-80 and headed into the airport, and kissed the runway just as gentle as you please. The two main landing wheels screeched simultaneously, and a couple seconds later, the tail wheel did the same.
We leisurely rolled out, then turned back towards the parking area for the plane, near the ticket and pre-flight tents.
The ride was really smooth, air conditions were benign, some lumpy clouds above us around 2-3000' AGL. Unlike modern airliners, this plane has wings with zero flexing, they were rigid throughout the flight.
I can't strees enough how fun it was, and despite the plane being 88 years young, it wasn't scary at all.
![[Image: Trimotor.jpg]](https://images.weserv.nl/?url=takeflight.us%2Fwordpresstesting%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2015%2F03%2FTrimotor.jpg)
On a lark, I recently took a ride on a vintage aircraft. It was less than $100, and wow, it was really fun. It went about 20 minutes, and we flew over SW Omaha, low and slow.
The plane was 88 years old, but damn, it was built like a freaking tank. I walked around and noted it had the aerodynamics of a brick, and was just heavy looking. Getting on board for the ride I noted the airframe was quite rigid, none of this Piper Cub flimsy shit, this was a brawny, stout plane !!
We took off, and I had a feeling from the huge wing area the take off speed was going to be quite leisurely and it was. The plane actually accelerated in a snappy fashion, and it climbed quickly to I'm estimating 1000' m/l.
I noted we took off east of 132nd, and were headed towards 144th. The cars on streets below headed west (in town, mind you) seemed to be going nearly as fast as we were. I also noted when the pilot throttled back a bit when we got to the desired altitude, the plane immediately stopped climbing and held the altitude. We flew west, then made a gradual turn to the south then the east. I 'discovered' a lake in West O I was unaware of, LOL. And the extent of the suburban sprawl was evident in all directions. We never got as far west as the Elkhorn/Platte, but that was OK. I saw an office park just east of 217th I was familiar with. On the way back I could see hiway 370.
As we neared the airport, as soon as the pilot pulled back the throttles, the plane immediately slowed and started down. This plane, with it's brick-like aerodynamics does not seem to coast or glide.
At all.
Anyhow, we crossed I-80 and headed into the airport, and kissed the runway just as gentle as you please. The two main landing wheels screeched simultaneously, and a couple seconds later, the tail wheel did the same.
We leisurely rolled out, then turned back towards the parking area for the plane, near the ticket and pre-flight tents.
The ride was really smooth, air conditions were benign, some lumpy clouds above us around 2-3000' AGL. Unlike modern airliners, this plane has wings with zero flexing, they were rigid throughout the flight.
I can't strees enough how fun it was, and despite the plane being 88 years young, it wasn't scary at all.
The granting of a pardon is an imputation of guilt, and the acceptance a confession of it.
