Apr 20, 2008
Paramotor people rock. This morning's jaunt around a local flying
haunt proved it yet again
Mike Britt, flying his Fresh Breeze Excitor, had launched from
Christmas, buzzed the field and headed out to explore.
Tim, Marty, Leslie and I launched from the St. Johns PPG preserve and
pointed our shoes southeastward. Marty Hathaway carved slaloms through
conveniently placed trees astride the dwindling waterway. I followed
close behind with Tim shooting pictures and newly-minted foot pilot,
Leslie, taking the high road.
It was one of those flights, rare anymore, that I had no camera, no
music, and really, no particular mission. But it was thoroughly
enjoyable just being there.
After a half hour of flying, Leslie had to go back, but the rest of
us pressed on. We came upon this one spot on the river by high tension
power lines. It contains an incredible concentration of jaw power.
Alligators. At least 20 were packed into this eighth-mile stretch of
water. No doubt they were all hungry--I mean there can't be enough fish
to go around. I climbed higher.
Marty spotted one of the increasingly common bald eagles and radioed
us about it. More importantly, he also mentioned seeing Mike Britt, on
the ground in a less-than-stellar location. The Exciter must have had a
power out. Cresting the wires I could see him doing what looked like
wood splitting with an axe. Hmmm. No idea. We pressed on towards him.
Strangely, was none too concerned about it since he didn't say anything
about it on the radio.
To be continued...
And April 19th was a hoot, too. At the moment, it seems, I'm too busy
having fun to write about it.
Apr 18, 2008
From the department of the easily amused.
I'm merely on my way to the Enterprise and already I'm amazed.
Being so easily amused sure does prevent boredom.
Ensconced back here in row 20, working on the various projects of my
life, I'm taking a break to watch our progress on the computer screen.
It's a fascinating little window to the world over which we're now
cruising at 35,412 feet. I know that because the GPS tells me so. Even
the guys up front don't now it--they're flying by pressure altimeter,
riding the areas of constant pressure. I'm using the same APIC software that
accompanies me in the Bonanza (4-seater airplane). Would you believe the
software is free to download? It includes terrain maps, airways,
airports and all the little things that cost a small fortune not long
ago. The only part I pay for is airport approach charts.
Location data streams through a tiny GPS antenna/reciever stuffed
under the window shade and plugged into my computer's USB port. I know,
this is severely geeky, but it's still cool. I can see the cities we're
passing over, how long before we arrive, our groundspeed, and absolute
altitude (give or take a hundred feet or so). Even the front office
doesn't have that information. And my display is a lot better
than what the pilots have up front. I've even put up the arrival
procedure and, if they'd let me leave it on, I could watch us fly the
Bitho7 arrival procedure, scoot down the ILS 17L and then taxi to the
terminal gate. Now if only it would sequence the appropriate charts.
Think about this capability. Had you asked me if this was possible 20
years ago I would have laughed. Here I sit, sucking down signals from
satelites in space, showing me within feet where I am while cruising
over the planet at 440 mph on my way to fly paramotors. Wow. I'm glad to
have popped out at this particular time and place.
A lifetime ago while in grade school (and dare I admit high school),
I would daydream over a map of the U.S.--sliding my finger over terrain
and imagining myself zooming along the route, covering hundreds of miles
in seconds, going up and down at will. How lucky we are that 14 year old
can see those dreams to fruition. Maybe not quite that zippy but pretty
darn good, too. We are in a fortunate time.
And what of the trip? It's goal is to move the paramotorhome
northward, flying at sites along the way as always. I'll be making it to
the "Endless Foot Drag" in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. Can't wait.
This is one event I've not yet
gotten to attend. It was funny, when I emailed Britton Shaw about
coming, he sounded concern that there wasn't that much going on but
flying. "Oh" I thought, a hundred of acres of sod and I'm supposed to be
disappointed? Should be a flightabulous time. Lots of fellow
airmen from my northern neighbors are coming, too.
|
Screen shot from the airplane trip down to Orlando.
Here's the story. |
