Wednesday September 14, 2005

Reno Diary 9/14 Got back into town 11pm last night from MSP. Qualified in this morning's short session at 187 mph, slower than last time by 4 mph. Hmmm what's up with that? That put me 2nd in Silver as far as pairings

Our first race at 1405 had me starting in the last row due to the inverted start we all voted for last season (it makes for lots of passing and therefore better racing). It was a total cat fight. I passed about 5 airplanes and missed winning by 0.2 seconds over the 6-lap (~20 mile) race. Another 100 yards and I would have had it. No Maydays, no sketchy moves. Just good racing.

We really have to think about incentives and inverted starts. In the semifinal, noone will want to win because it places them in the back of the starting grid for the finals. Already talking about handing out the money in different ways to prevent people from just flying around at MCA hoping to lose.

Just got back from our banquet tonight. Basically another excuse to drink beer and tell "There I was flat on my back" stories. Wayne Handley was there talking about crashing the ag-cat in the box canyon and his various other crash experiences. Overhead someone else telling their midair supersonic F104 ejection over Vietnam story. There's so much aviation depth in this group I wouldn't even dare to try. "uhhhhh, one time my dipstick fell out...." ( Sep 14 2005, 09:03:44 PM PDT ) Permalink Comments [0]

Reno Diary 9/12/05 Briefing at 0700, fly at 920. Was able to fly in the first group because I had to get to RNO for a Northwest flight to MSP (Minneapolis). Meeting in Eagan.

With all the mods and the new prop, the plane went all of maybe 2 mph faster. It's always a bummer when lots of work only nets a couple mph. I'm seeing 3100 rpm and 190mph on the straights, whereas I should have seen 3160rpm and 193mph. People are qualifying today and tomorrow, and I know there are 4-5 airplanes right in the 190mph range. I could very well qual out in the Silver class (the field of 24 is broken down by speed into 3 groups of 8 planes; gold, silver, and bronze). Half the prize money comes from qual position, so qual'ing in Silver costs me money, but on the other hand I have a reasonable chance of winning Silver and getting a ride in the fire-truck.

I'm at RNO waiting for the MSP flight. Do they serve meals on this one or do I have to eat? ( Sep 14 2005, 09:02:59 PM PDT ) Permalink Comments [0]

Reno diary 9/11/05 Mandatory briefing was at 0800 and course time at 1030. Managed to get the wing root fairings on before heading out. The wheelchair tug as usual drew a lot of stares and cameras, especially now that it was playing music. My wife was right, "Ride of the Valkyries" was the right tune.¬† 

I was a little rusty on the pylons but managed to get in some good lines. Steve Dari and myself put the double pass on Marilyn. With the cruise prop I was running I could only get around 3020 rpm and 189 mph on the GPS. Looks like things are a little slower than 2 years ago when I last raced :-( Ok, the fairings are going on!

So I spend the rest of the afternoon going the rest of the way with race mods:
- Changed out props back to my 76/64 akro prop to get some more RPM
- removed h-stab struts
- removed slave struts
- bolted up top ailerons and taped gaps
- Added induction intake scoop


Feeling kinda burned out, went for a quick bike ride out Red Rock Rd, but only got 10 miles before cold rain opened up on me. I wasn't dressed for that, but at least the 40 minute ride felt good.

Returned for a beer with Frank and the gang, then back to Carrows for dinner, and to the hotel ( Sep 14 2005, 09:00:29 PM PDT ) Permalink Comments [0]

Reno Diary 9/9/05 Friday 9/9
Took a WFH day today and ferried the Pitts up to Reno Stead (4SD), the home of the National Championship air races. Andrew joined me in his S2B so I could get a ride home. LVK was 2K overcast and most of the central valley south of Sacramento was overcast. We went under then over, which is a little disconcerting in a single engine airplane with the glide ratio of a 2x4. Few buildups over Donner Summit, lots of showery activity East of Stead, but the airport was fine.

Registered, got my annual graft: 1 "participant's plaque", 1 Breitling cap, a Breitling t-shirt, a race program, badges, wristbands, parking passes, Chairman's Club tickets, banquet tickets, the usual silver coin (this year with a T6 on it), and a copy of the waiver. The waiver of course is your ticket to violate every "no-fun" FAR regarding altitude, speed, aerobatics, and 'assembly of persons'.

Uneventful flight back in the B, and spend most of the afternoon filling the car with tools, propellers, chargers, wax, creepers, tape, oil, fairings, and my electric tug vehicle.

Saturday 9/10
Drove up with my stuff. Went straight to 4SD to dump all the airplane stuff, then back to the Days Inn by 8pm. Dinner at Super Burger. Ummmmm. ( Sep 14 2005, 08:58:05 PM PDT ) Permalink Comments [0]