It's been an interesting winter, with a pronounced lack of deicing, snowstorms, holding, divert fuel calculations, or icy Saskatoon layovers. Of course, being on medical leave also means I haven't had any nice sunny San Antonio layovers to help cope with the Minnesota winter doldrums, either. I've been able to stay surprisingly busy - medical treatment, chasing down paperwork for my special issuance medical application, a few weekend trips to warmer locales like LA and Alaska, a few paid writing assignments, and the various duties of a hausfrau haven't left too much time for moping. In two weeks I leave for a long-awaited dirtbike ride down Baja with my friend Brad, and I expect to get an answer on the medical shortly after I get back.
I'm looking forward to it. I've started to really miss flying - hassles and ennui of modern button-pushing regional airline flying included. I miss being part of a crew, I miss being useful, I miss going places and having some variety in my week. I miss just being in the air.
At least I have the Cub to fly. It falls under Sport Pilot rules, so I don't need a medical to fly it - only a driver's license and self-certification that I'm fit to fly when I take it up (my medical wasn't denied or suspended - don't worry, I checked with EAA Legal to make sure I was ok first!). Mind you, Minnesota winters aren't quite the Cub's element - if it's not snowing or blowing stink, it's usually too cold for comfort - but I've been able to sneak in a few very enjoyable days aloft. I think I'm actually the only club member that has flown it since November!
A few days ago, I took my friend and fellow NewCo captain Dan up in the Cub to try his hand at taildragger wrangling. I brought along a GoPro Hero HD camera I recently scored off craigslist for the upcoming Baja trip, and a roll of duct tape to secure it to a strut. The footage came out pretty decently for my first effort, and I made an amusing little video on iMovie out of it. Enjoy!
I'm looking forward to it. I've started to really miss flying - hassles and ennui of modern button-pushing regional airline flying included. I miss being part of a crew, I miss being useful, I miss going places and having some variety in my week. I miss just being in the air.
At least I have the Cub to fly. It falls under Sport Pilot rules, so I don't need a medical to fly it - only a driver's license and self-certification that I'm fit to fly when I take it up (my medical wasn't denied or suspended - don't worry, I checked with EAA Legal to make sure I was ok first!). Mind you, Minnesota winters aren't quite the Cub's element - if it's not snowing or blowing stink, it's usually too cold for comfort - but I've been able to sneak in a few very enjoyable days aloft. I think I'm actually the only club member that has flown it since November!
A few days ago, I took my friend and fellow NewCo captain Dan up in the Cub to try his hand at taildragger wrangling. I brought along a GoPro Hero HD camera I recently scored off craigslist for the upcoming Baja trip, and a roll of duct tape to secure it to a strut. The footage came out pretty decently for my first effort, and I made an amusing little video on iMovie out of it. Enjoy!
8 comments:
One nice thing about combining a Cub and a GoPro camera, you don't need 200 mph tape to do it. Home depot 90mph duct tape will suffice just fine.
Thanks for sharing.
Nice video Sam!
I know you miss a lot of the daily airline routine, but it looks like you're enjoying the not having to shave every day look
Sam,
Whats a good deal on a GoPro?
I would use it to record some student pilot training to help new students with the final to touchdown picture. I have used an iphone with audio conected to headsets but your video looks a lot better.
Thanks
Derek
Love your choice for the video soundtrack!
CV
Was that Dan Drexler?
Hi Sam,
I’ve been reading your blog for a few years and have really enjoyed it, particularly comparing some of the nuances on your side of the fence to the 135 world on my side. I even referenced some of your motorcycle-round-the-USA posts for a week-long ride last year through the Appalachians. Well, I’ve been living with Crohn’s for the last nine years and just wanted to tell you it is not the death-knell to your career that it used to be. A good scare, yes but a manageable one nonetheless. Having dealt with the prescriptions, diet changes, and surgery myself, if you have any questions feel free to contact me. I’d love to be of some help.
-Jeff
Sorry to hear about your woes. I know what it's like to have the fear of losing a medical. Last week, I had to call 911. I knew as soon as I pushed the last button, that I was ending a flying career. Or so it seemed at the time. We'll see.
Good luck.
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