I haven't done much aerobatic flying since we sold our T-6 about 15 years ago. In fact I haven't done much G/A flying since I sold my Cessna 180 about 10 years ago.

I got hooked up with a club in my local area that rents out a Decathlon Extreme. It's been fun to start flying aerobatics again. The Decathlon Extreme is not a monster performer by any means but it's got a good roll rate, symmetrical wing and an inverted fuel and oil system. A guy can do all the basics in it.

It was a wake up call to find that my once iron aerobatic constitution had turned to mush. Aerobatic endurance is a perishable commodity. The first day we did inverted flight, slow rolls, loops, half Cuban's, and hammer heads. I was good for about 30 minutes then started to feel a bit queasy.

The second time out we did inverted maneuvering, loops, rolls, a full spin series, upright, inverted and switch overs, half Cuban's, full Cuban's, hammer heads, and reverse Cuban. I was fine for about an hour then all of a sudden BAM I start feeling sick.

It's been getting better every time we go out. When I'm solo it's not a factor at all. Weird.

In any case it's been fun to get back into the air in something you can yank around in a little bit.

I get sick on a Roller Coaster

Sounds like a great time. I grew up in the front seat of a Pitts S2A with a 200hp Lycoming hanging out front. Miss those days...

quote:

Originally posted by Opus1:
Sounds like a great time. I grew up in the front seat of a Pitts S2A with a 200hp Lycoming hanging out front. Miss those days...

Neat airplane.

I unfortunately am to largo to fit into a Pitts with a parachute on. I fit in an Extra just fine though in case anybody wants donate one to the cause.

Always wanted to fly an Extra 300. It is certainly a step up or three from the Pitts.

I started out on a Great Lakes, then to a Chipmunk, to a Skybolt, then to the Pitts and finally a Christen Eagle. Then flying got too damn expensive for me.

quote:

It was a wake up call to find that my once iron aerobatic constitution had turned to mush. Aerobatic endurance is a perishable commodity. The first day we did inverted flight, slow rolls, loops, half Cuban's, and hammer heads. I was good for about 30 minutes then started to feel a bit queasy.

One of my pals back in the day was a F15C pilot, he said it would take him about two weeks of flying to get himself back up to speed after a layoff. I never could get used to flying anything that wasn't heavy and slow turning. Same with blue water boating. At some point bod overrides brain and the nausea kicks in.

My first USAF tour was as a C-130 guy. We'd often trade off on low level training sorties, and I had no issues sitting sideways in the back being bounced around on hot days in the South. Next tour was a T-38 IP, and I had no issue with the sustained 5g maneuvers. That was when I was in my mid 20s to early 30s.

In my early 40s (which was WAY to long ago), I again found myself as a C-130 driver. While I was fine with being bounced around when I was in the seat looking forward, I had to lay down on the web seats in the back when it was the other guys turn.

Age messes with our inner ear suppleness or something. I have hopes of building an RV-14 and doing mild acro--we'll see if I can still take it.....

quote:

Age messes with our inner ear suppleness or something. I have hopes of building an RV-14 and doing mild acro--we'll see if I can still take it.....

Yeah, imagine having Meniere's, Labyrinthitis, and sinusitus. I get pressure differential issues on one high speed downhill section of freeway I frequent.

quote:

Originally posted by Opus1:
Always wanted to fly an Extra 300. It is certainly a step up or three from the Pitts.

I started out on a Great Lakes, then to a Chipmunk, to a Skybolt, then to the Pitts and finally a Christen Eagle. Then flying got too damn expensive for me.

How did you like the Eagle? I am thinking about buying one. I am 6'4" and 250 lbs. Very broad shouldered with long legs, which is where I get jacked in the Pitts. They say the Eagle is bigger, is it that much bigger though?

quote:

Originally posted by surestrike:

quote:

Originally posted by Opus1:
Always wanted to fly an Extra 300. It is certainly a step up or three from the Pitts.

I started out on a Great Lakes, then to a Chipmunk, to a Skybolt, then to the Pitts and finally a Christen Eagle. Then flying got too damn expensive for me.

How did you like the Eagle? I am thinking about buying one. I am 6'4" and 250 lbs. Very broad shouldered with long legs, which is where I get jacked in the Pitts. They say the Eagle is bigger, is it that much bigger though?

You have to bend over to get through a 777 cockpit door? Have you considered a sport plane with a rear load ramp? Bet INTJ can show ya some pylon racing moves in a 130.

quote:

Originally posted by surestrike:

quote:

Originally posted by Opus1:
Always wanted to fly an Extra 300. It is certainly a step up or three from the Pitts.

I started out on a Great Lakes, then to a Chipmunk, to a Skybolt, then to the Pitts and finally a Christen Eagle. Then flying got too damn expensive for me.

How did you like the Eagle? I am thinking about buying one. I am 6'4" and 250 lbs. Very broad shouldered with long legs, which is where I get jacked in the Pitts. They say the Eagle is bigger, is it that much bigger though?

I haven't sat one in years, however, much better shoulder room than the Pitts and a lot more forgiving on the ground. Landing a Pitts is just as exciting as flying it. The Eagle has much better manners.

quote:

You have to bend over to get through a 777 cockpit door? Have you considered a sport plane with a rear load ramp? Bet INTJ can show ya some pylon racing moves in a 130.

A 777 fits me just right. I think an aft ramp acro airplane would be a good idea!

quote:

haven't sat one in years, however, much better shoulder room than the Pitts and a lot more forgiving on the ground. Landing a Pitts is just as exciting as flying it. The Eagle has much better manners.

Thanks for the info...

I am glad you brought up this topic. I may need to get out and fly some acro before deciding I need a plane that can legally fly it.

quote:

Originally posted by INTJ:
I am glad you brought up this topic. I may need to get out and fly some acro before deciding I need a plane that can legally fly it.

You know what they say....If it flies or floats. I am happy to be renting at the moment.

Someone needs to buy this, before I do. Can ya fit, SS?

DEAL OF THE CENTURY

quote:

Originally posted by DOPPELGANGSTER:
Someone needs to buy this, before I do. Can ya fit, SS?

DEAL OF THE CENTURY

You throw some BBQ ribs down by the rudder pedals and I'll find a way to get in!

I want it! Lot of good memories of the T-38 when I was an IP in it.

quote:

Originally posted by INTJ:
I want it! Lot of good memories of the T-38 when I was an IP in it.

That one is bout as pristine and legit as one could be.

Interesting, Chuck Thornton was also the first civilian to make an airworthy T38 back in the 80's.


.......Garsh, just did a search to research that (the plane won OSH grand Champ in '86) and happened across another interesting and wandering thread from another forum called "unz.com", it has some interesting observations about the F22 oxygen system problems amongst other rambles:
http://www.unz.com/isteve/where-are-all-new-drugs/

Anyway, don't want to sidetrack this thread on Surestrikes getting back into aero (and I did all my aerobatic training in a decathlon too, LOL) as it is nice to know that at least someone else is still having fun in the wild blue yonder!

quote:

Originally posted by surestrike:
I haven't done much aerobatic flying since we sold our T-6 about 15 years ago

My dad cut his teeth doing acrobatics in the T-6. He loved that plane.

Sounds like you're having fun...!

quote:

Originally posted by Brad:

quote:

Originally posted by surestrike:
I haven't done much aerobatic flying since we sold our T-6 about 15 years ago

My dad cut his teeth doing acrobatics in the T-6. He loved that plane.

Sounds like you're having fun...!

I loved mine too. I just couldn't afford to keep the old girl anymore.

sure strike, while my dad is an airplane nut of the highest order, he always maintained, "if it flies, floats, or eats hay rent it!"

Here he is in basic somewhere around 1951 or 2:

Neat picture, thanks for sharing.

I snapped this pic of dad, in from Europe, around 1986, towards the end of his career... left seat 747:

Sorry for the "thread drift"... dad is now 87, sharp as a tack, but no longer does aerobatics, though he could undoubtedly "school" some young guys!

Thanks for allowing my sentimental indulgence...

Thanks for sharing! What airline did your dad work for?

TWA, 33 years. He started on the Martin 404/DC-3/Connie, through the jet age, 707, 727, L10-11 and 747.

quote:

Originally posted by Brad:
TWA, 33 years. He started on the Martin 404/DC-3/Connie, through the jet age, 707, 727, L10-11 and 747.

What a career. I always thought that the guy who got to transition from radial engines to jets were the luckiest guys in the business.

quote:

Originally posted by surestrike:

What a career. I always thought that the guy who got to transition from radial engines to jets were the luckiest guys in the business.

SS I agree, and I believe he would too! One of his favorite sayings is; "real planes have propellers and chit sticking out all over the place."

He started flying for a charter service here in Montana around 1953, then to TWA in 1956, ending 1989, so he was into the jets fairly soon. He was also one of only 23 (I believe) that was faa approved to be both first officer and flight engineer on the Constellation. 23 hrs NY to London at 18,000'... fun!

He said a lot of the senior captains of the prop era washed out trying to make the jump to jets.

Another observation he's made to me is how dangerous commercial aviation, relative to today, was until well into the 1970's.

Anyway, again, sorry to hijack your thread!

Here he is at the controls of a Staggerwing Beech over the Bighorn River here in Montana around 1954. He loved that plane!

quote:

Originally posted by Brad:
Here he is at the controls of a Staggerwing Beech over the Bighorn River here in Montana around 1954. He loved that plane!

I'll bet he did!