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 Previous Item - Tool Definations
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Forget Florida.... Come 'Winter' in Canada! (g) |
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Larry Woods - Dec 19,2006
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Canucks are nothing if not tenacious. Having been 'shut out' on Saturday, and with the current weather still holding above freezing (during the afternoons), I called good pal Doug Hysert to enquire if there was any ice along the shore line at his home on the Grand River. 'Not a bit', Doug replied. 'Ok Doug, then let's set a bit of a record for water work.... meet me at the airport at 2:00pm'<br /><br />Doug flies a nifty Volmer, so he showed up at the appointed time, life vest in hand. A couple of pilots emerging from a hangar did 'double takes' when they noted the life vests, but quickly retreated (shaking their heads) back behind closed doors when we pulled the little A-24 out of its cozy nest. <br /><br />A brisk, 'coolish', (one degree above freezing) 12 -15 knot breeze swept our only runway and for a moment I contemplated the cross wind factor. Hmmm.... 60 degrees off the runway..... Let's stay sharp for this one.<br /><br />Following a lengthy warmup, Doug and I taxiied to the threshold of '22', completed the checks and vaulted into the turbulent air. We climbed hard to clear the mechanical thumps and settled in for the flight over to the Grand, the 'steam' marking our breathing patterns, disappearing as the cabin heater worked its magic. A few minutes later, the river appeared, snaking its way through the grey/brown rural fields, easily defined by the leafless trees that huddled in patches along its shoreline. <br /><br />Sullen grey clouds marched across the landscape, darkening the river's surface. We carved down through the bumps to complete a careful 'surface survey', noting the well-defined gusts modulating the spume-streaks. <br /><br />'All looks good...like you said, no ice'. We swung around, swept down the shore on a bumpy downwind, confirmed the check list and lined up for the approach. Crossing the waving tree branches, we settled into the A-24's customary 60 mph approach and slid down towards the waiting chop. Seconds later, we 'kissed in' and allowed the hull to slow into full displacement. Chugging upstream, we checked out Doug's shoreline, then circled back for takeoff. I removed a glove, placed my hand low down against the inner hull, noting its icy temperature..... 'Darn,... I forgot my bathing suit,....no swimming today', I grinned. <br /><br />This being Doug's first experience in 'The 'Immigrant', he queried me with respect to the expected takeoff run. I grinned and pointed to a nearby boathouse.... 'should be off by then with this wind'. He rolled his eyes with a grin. <br /><br />Lining up, and pulling full elevator, the 912S was given the whip. A brief mist of spray for a second or two, then forward stick as the A24 slipped effortlessly up onto the step. A few more seconds and we lifted off, thin streamers marking our gentle banking turn towards home base. We were several feet in the air as we passed the boathouse.<br /><br />Arriving back home, we studied the windsock. The wind had veered and strengthened slightly during our absence, increasing the cross wind factor. Hmmm.... <br /><br />'We may have to go over to St Catherines with this wind, but let's at least see what it looks like on short final.' Minutes later we slid down towards the threshold, the right wing well down and the rudder pedals dancing. Delightfully, the air mass smoothed out as we flaired and the landing proceeded peacefully. <br /><br />A few minutes later, we rolled the A-24 back into its nest, noting the temperature and time in the logbook. <br /> <br />Log book entry.....'December 19, 2006 - local flight - WATER landings on Grand - Temp - 1 degree C (34 F)..... 55 minutes airborne....... heh, heh, heh'<br /><br />very best,<br />Ontario tourist promoter,<br />Larry <br /><br /><br />
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John Robert Dunlop - Dec 20,2006
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Love it!
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Dave Edward - Dec 20,2006
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Got a bed waiting for you Larry. The wind was WNW @25 kts this afternoon and good sized waves and whitecaps out front. Picton ( CNT 7 ) r/w 35 was right into wind..sooo.. come on down! The OAT was 8* C and the water temp was 34* F.No ice yet.
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Larry Woods - Dec 21,2006
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Hi Dave:<br /><br />I am up to my armpits for the next week or so with Christmas-related activites as well as completing some last minute market-related stuff. If the weather is decent during the holidays I would love to scoot down for a morning. I will keep you posted.<br /><br />Best, Larry
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