Joined: Mon Feb 16, 2004 1:22 am
Posts: 12063
Location: Calgary AB, USA, Argentina
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Author Tales of an Old Aviator...The Big Chill
Duke Elegant
Joined: Nov 28, 2002
Posts: 264 Posted: 2003-01-24 11:02
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250 KTS ON FINAL:
The long runway sure was coming up fast.
I had to decide where to cut the mixture.What happens WHEN I cut the mixture? I see smoke on both sides of the cockpit..puffs.WOW! Look at all those fighter jets lined up, canopies open.
NOW! I pulled the mixture....
Two thousand horsepower to zero...I wasn't prepared for what happened next. With a violent yaw, my helmet banged the side canopy..hard..my body slammed forward into my harness as the prop hissed loudly on its way to fine..She dived..SHIT!..It was all those trims cranked in that took over.
The silence was deafening. The tongue of flame that shot down both sides of the airplane was gone.
The prop was discing lots of drag so I had to push hard on the stick...airspeed decreasing RAPIDLY...full forward...
I'm gonna be short..shit!
I reach for the mixture..worth a try..slam it forward...
ZERO HORSEPOWER TO 2000 HORSEPOWER!.. In a heartbeat!.I wasn't prepared for what happened next.
The noise,incredible..with a violent yaw my helmet bangs other side of canopy .YAW..youv'e never seen anything like it...Flames along with a whole shitload of POWER.She pitches up then BAMM! She came apart...GRIIIIND! and the prop stops just as I flare over the numbers..NO SHIT!
I had flared high and she came down hard. I had 650US gallons of poison onboard. Even though I had MILES of runway ahead I tried jamming the brakes but my rubbery legs wouldn't work.It stopped..the clicking sound could be heard over the noise of the approaching helicopter...it was cooling down.
I grabbed my helmet and stepped out onto the wing just as everybody showed up.
Even a photographer. Well you all know how shy I am around cameras and microphones.
A van load of excited young fighter pilots came and took me to the mess for coffee. They laughed..and laughed..they had seen nothing like it in their lives. They joked that I was seen on radar..coming in low..AND FAST. Was I some sort of target?
More to follow...over.
[ This Message was edited by: Duke Elegant on 2004-02-15 13:28 ]
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Duke Elegant
Joined: Nov 28, 2002
Posts: 264 Posted: 2003-01-24 12:04
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Well that was it for the season...or so I thought.
I thought of Frank, last seen flying slowly around my plane when I was getting out onto the wing and then droning off in the direction of Dunphy.
They flew me back to Dunphy in a Bell206 and I got to retrace my flight path over trees, small lakes and meadows.
I had decided to retain my load of chemical, remember. I got out of the helicopter with my helmet bag and maps poked into my flightsuit, to be greeted by most of the base personell. And Frank: in my fuckin' face, gesturing wildly towards Farrell's plane sitting beside his still loaded TBM.
It was still cool enough to spray.
Another hundred bucks.
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182driver
Joined: Jul 14, 2002
Posts: 75 Posted: 2003-01-24 13:56
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Duke;
Your story touched me too, I stood and gave you a crisp, firm salute any soldier would be proud of, sir. I was pinching off those tears, too......uh oh......here I go again!
Good....writing.
Keep it com.....coming.
Sorry.
'sniff'
'whewwww.'
'Be...strong.'
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Just Curious
Joined: Nov 06, 2001
Posts: 654
From: Frozen North
Posted: 2003-01-24 14:20
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As all this was transpiring, a half dozen air cadets had shown up to start the summer.
As they sat out on a picnic bench beside the hangar, I gave them the flying is inherently safe speech, you know the one: checklists, appropriate clothing, practice of emergency drills until they get routine, and statistically likely nothing will ever go wrong.
It was a beautiful afternoon, the 416 squadron guys were pretty much stood down for the day, and dead quiet. Just as the droning from my speech is about to lull the kids off to sleep, the crash Klaxon starts to wail, the fire trucks roll, and the base rescue guys flash up the helicopter. Big honk'in TBM goes down the runway, still at flying speed seemingly forever... down this two mile long runway, and stops just before the highway (well, paved road, we're talking New Brunswick here!).
Got the kids attention!
The machine sat on the EPA ramp for quite a while. As the season wound down someone from FPL came up and started pulling jugs for the flight out. As it happens, METO power takes quite a bit out of engines that only run six weeks a year. Got a nice ash-tray out of that one. A piston you could stash a dozen big Cubans in.
Subsequently the kids were really aces when it came time for reviewing emergencies, so Duke, 22 years later, thanks for keeping them on their toes.
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BushDriver
Joined: Jan 24, 2003
Posts: 5
From: The Land That Time Forgot
Posted: 2003-01-24 17:44
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Duke,
You'll beat this one, just like the last, with a style and dare I say it (a grace) all your own.
Still need you here in CYPE, we'll be waiting for your return.
Our thoughts are with you and the Mrs.
Fight the Good Fight.
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Duke Elegant
Joined: Nov 28, 2002
Posts: 264 Posted: 2003-01-24 18:16
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182driver
Yeah! I was army. And it reminds me of something...
My tales have attracted people here who were there.
Can you believe this?
Three years ago.
As a clinching touch in the courtship of my wife I took here back to Australia.
We got off the plane and bought a car within a few hours and got the hell out of the big city, Sydney..
... it was the millenium
We drove to a small town called Tarree.
I wanted my wife to share in something important in my life.
1966
Six of us had been chosen from the Officer Training School of the Army to march down the streets of Taree alongside the body of a young officer (drafted) on top of a gun carriage (105mm Howitzer). The coffin was draped in the Australian Flag. We went to the gravesite and fired a salute.He had been killed in Vietnam.
We went back to the school and studied the Battle of Long Tan in which Sharpe was killed. In a rubber plantation...twelve survived out of his platoon of thirty.
"Study it" they said.....'you young fellows are next".....
We were all trained platoon commanders.
Then my application to be a pilot came through....whew!!!!
Well about two months ago, the missus and I were wathching the History Channel.
"Battle of Long Tan"
Oh man... I couldn't believe it.
A picture of Sharpe just before he got it between the eyes.
My wife was there with me to experience this.
[ This Message was edited by: Duke Elegant on 2003-01-24 18:48 ]
[ This Message was edited by: Duke Elegant on 2004-02-16 01:05 ]
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Duke Elegant
Joined: Nov 28, 2002
Posts: 264 Posted: 2003-01-27 20:10
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I came out of the briefing with a much clearer idea of the target.
I was impatient to go and bomb the f**k out of it.
With CHEMO that is......
Well at least the doc told me how big the tumour is....just a little bugger..about an inch by an inch and a half.
At least I'm still as good looking as I tell people I am....and healthy too!
Mid Eightees...not many fires around except in the NW corner of Alberta. In fact we left High Level under low cloud to bomb some fires around Steen River.We hated Steen airstrip because it was some grass, some sand, a few holes and some horses darting around. They don't hear too many Douglas Invaders around there.
Easy bombing out in the flat country and four A26's contained the lightning strikes with ease. Orders were to return to High Level empty and hold.
NOW GET THIS!
A four thousand horsepower WW2 attack bomber, empty. A half hour to get to High Level, A HUGE ego,and a highway cleared on both sides
just enough.....
I reckon I was slow cruising at 210 knots when I pulled up and half rolled her till I was pointing straight at the ground....aligned with the highway.
Speed builds up quick in the A26 and the controls get heavy so you have to tug lots to
get her level and the three hundred fify knots bleeds off to 210.....below the tree line...she fits ..trust me.
HELL! The landscape just bluurs by on the side but looking ahead is where the thrill is. OOOOhhhhHHHHHH! At first I though it was premature ejaculation.....but it wasn't.
The props going out of sync was the first sign...then the trembling and a big yaw>Nothing makes sense..I see the left engine shows a decrease in RPM....maybe failing...maybe I can save it so I pull back on the throttle. Looks like it is feathering...can't be. I haven't touched anything.Then a big scream as the prop goes flat and the forward speed of the airplane makes it overspeed...BIGTIME!
The governer failed to catch it and might I hint that the noise of an overspeed is incredible..and then another big shudder...it seems coarser..why?
Then a whiff of smoke gets my attention. It came in through the wing root.
Another YAW and BANG>>the engine fails and leaves me to deal with it...bloody well windmilling. The drag was fantastic...all of the trims never dealt with it so I rassled it hard over.
Up out of the trees only got me into the cloud layer above me....I have a problem!
More to follow .....OVER
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phillyfan
Joined: May 08, 2002
Posts: 652 Posted: 2003-01-27 20:31
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I can't wait!!!
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bohica2000
Joined: Aug 20, 2002
Posts: 49 Posted: 2003-01-27 21:13
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keep em coming!!!!
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Duke Elegant
Joined: Nov 28, 2002
Posts: 264 Posted: 2003-01-28 00:50
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The United States Airforce manual for the A26 states that you need 170 MPH on final with one windmilling if you intend to put the gear down.
Anyhow, I'm scorching down the highway low level scud running just above the highway.... all trims maxed out and still have to use most of the aileron into the discing prop.
I didn't want to do much turning this close to the ground so I elected to approach and land straight in. The quatering 20 knot tailwind never helped neither.
I braked the Invader heavilly and noticed out of the left side canopy that the prop was stopped.
"Well" thinks I, "no big deal..probably my third engine failure in a Twenty Six."
It's what happened three days later that pissed me off. The engineers had found that the left prop decided on it's own to go into feather and they showed me the feathering solenoid that had welded itself shut and ran the feathering pump till it burned out. I had mistaken the reducing RPM for an engine failure and what convinced me most was the shuddering as the pump worked hard against cruise power. I am lucky it never caught fire but the paint had cooked off. The engine came out of feather and it oversped and blew up OK? This had never happened to anybody before that we knew over fifteen years.
So anyhow, we were coming out to base three days later when Bhudda, the group manager, came up with the answer. "Why didn't you shut off the master switch therby isol...."..."
That's about all he got out. I was on him like ugly on an ape.
There are lots of times when things go for a shit and you are on your own. If you don't know what you are dealing with its harder to come up with a solution and then take the appropriate action.
I guess I was mad at him because I had come up with the solution already.
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Howey
Joined: Jan 19, 2003
Posts: 8
From: NWO
Posted: 2003-01-28 06:44
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Awesome stories!! Keep em coming.
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operator
Joined: Jan 29, 2003
Posts: 1 Posted: 2003-01-29 00:28
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Duke - you're fuckin' best !
keep 'em stories coming, the whole crew down here in Africa loves them and loves you.
We know that if anybody is gonna kick the shit out of this 'c' thing its gonna be you.
Cheers, mate
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a300guy
Joined: Sep 30, 2002
Posts: 81 Posted: 2003-01-29 08:09
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Maybe the "Johnny-come-lately" with all the answers didn't know his systems very well. If the A-26 is like the DC-3, the feathering pumps are connected directly to the batteries. No circuit breakers, not connected through the master switch at all. Just hot wired directly to the batteries. If the feathering button welds closed the only way to stop a feathering pump is to land and disconnect the batteries! Or wait for the feathering pump to burn out!
Great stories!
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Duke Elegant
Joined: Nov 28, 2002
Posts: 264 Posted: 2003-01-29 11:59
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a300 Guy.
The twenty six is only slightly different.
We found out later that the fx pump doesn't go through the master switch . You have to turn off the generators. WHOODA THOUGHT?
(Scud running down the road with lots of loud shit goin' on...and I hadn't touched the button)
Then, how the hell do I get the electric flaps down?
Try doing a flapless in a twenty six one day.
Nose high and slightly faster. We practised them all the time in the spring for the ride.
But not with one windmilling in shit weather.
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Flashman
Joined: Nov 28, 2002
Posts: 28 Posted: 2003-01-30 11:07
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Hey Duke. Like I said . Write a bloody book.
LOOK AT ME WHEN I'M TALKIN' TO YA BOY!!!!!
Tell them about flying the gold out of Bronson Ck or I will.
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Duke Elegant
Joined: Nov 28, 2002
Posts: 264 Posted: 2003-01-30 19:33
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OK FLASH.....Will do!
but remember, I have dirt on you too.
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casacopilot
Joined: Feb 02, 2003
Posts: 1
From: Morocco
Posted: 2003-02-02 04:40
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keep them coming
keep fighting
Aviation needs more people like you!
It would be nice to here a couple more of them over some beers again someday!
the crew here in morocco all wish you success in your fight!
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Duke Elegant
Joined: Nov 28, 2002
Posts: 264 Posted: 2003-02-02 13:18
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G'DAY MOROCCO!!
I like the title of "co-pilot".
I prefer it over "First officer".
"Co-pilot" exudes more of an inference that there are TWO pilots in the cockpit...and that we are all in this together.
Tuesday should be an interesting day.
I think I am going to hand my licence over to my family doctor for safekeeping. I have to focus. The last time I was sick with surgery and chemo, I smoked doobies.
When I was 130lbs and had no appetite after surgery....just didn't want to eat...scary shit!
My wife and family doctor suggested Guiness dark beer. So I sat around the pool under a tree and drank....then I was handed a doobie..Stand back....munchies yeaaaah!I was like a Tazmanian Devil.
After chemo I was 170 lbs and went to Iowa and Denver to re-erect two log homes so I was already clean crossing the border into the US. I was clean when I got my medical back, albeit, a restricted medical where I was required to have a co-pilot.
I intend to self medicate again, probably Tuesday night.
FEB 11 I am booked for a CT Scan and a biopsy done with a LOOONG thin needle. I hope I don't start laughing whilst thinking of the Baffin Island Yacht.
"CAUGHT UP IN THE MOMENT"...four months ago..
A confession to Transport Canada.
It was always pleasant to show up at the coffee shop every Saturday morning, you know, a few lies and oft repeated tales of daring-do. A sunny day it was. My friend Dave and I strolled the ramp recalling the days when gas was cheap and so was his Harvard Mk2. Snarling loops, rolls and cuban eights.
We looked at his friend's sleek Lancair...one day thinks I.
Across to the big hangar where Dave keeps his single seat Pitts ...and up come the doors. It had a thin layer of hangar dust. Hell they're small...tailwheel as big as a hockey puck. It had a narrow stance and a powerful little snout on 'er. You can't blame Dave... he is always late getting home on a Saturday but he wants to go.. and go now. We rinse the little slut off and Dave briefs me on the three separate harnesses,parachute icluded, how to wobble pump,and one important point.
A light small battery is all she has and REALLY high compression. You only get one shot at the start...The prop comes up hard on the compression and she just gets through .
She shakes like a dog shedding water and then smooths out.
Off he goes weaving down the taxiway. Zero vis in the Pitts.
He rolls her ever so slow after take off.Beautiful... It has a fully inverted system.
I watched from afar as he yanked and banked and had a good time.
Here he comes weaving back to the hangar.
He jumps out and shouts, "Take 'er up!"
I cannot believe it. Sixty grand...un-insurable...cranky little slut on the ground and a hard ridin' whore in the air.
He straps me in and here I am weaving off down the ramp, yanking on a cable to unlock the tailwheel.
I had pointed at the windsock as I was getting in, "a crosswind" says I.Was I looking for a way out?
He laughed at me. " You won't even notice the crosswind because of all the other trouble you'll have. You'll be airborne before you get half power on..but then, don't slam the power on or she'll torque roll on ya." ...
I am about to go aviating...
More to follow, over.
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Zatopec
Joined: Jan 26, 2002
Posts: 280
From: Hyperspace
Posted: 2003-02-03 07:04
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Casacopilot, check your PM's.
Thanks,
Zatopec
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Brian
Joined: Nov 22, 2001
Posts: 722
From: From: From: ^C
Posted: 2003-02-03 09:16
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Wow - great war stories.
My only objection is the characterization of a Pitts in the air.
When the tires are on the pavement, it can indeed be quite unforgiving, and a Pitts landing can be mindblowing to a pilot who has only previously flown nosewheel aircraft
But in the air, it is sweet and light on the stick, and actually very simple to fly aerobatics in, far easier than the lower-performance aerobatic trainers.
Keep the stories coming, and I've got my fingers crossed for remission.
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Flashman
Joined: Nov 28, 2002
Posts: 28 Posted: 2003-02-03 11:56
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BRIAN
You have to ride them hard, lad. Legend has it that the Duke has been astride the odd mount at full gallop.
DUKE, do you remember RENO AIR RACES 1978 I think? There were Mustangs roaring around at fifty feet during the day and mustangs out at the ranch at night.
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Duke Elegant
Joined: Nov 28, 2002
Posts: 264 Posted: 2003-02-04 11:43
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Just like the man said.... she leapt into the air way before I got to full power. My overcontrolling on the stick and rudder made her twitch as she rocketed up...thousands of feet per minute. It had only an Airspeed indicator and turn and slip. The ball banged from side to side as I got used to the rudder...it's only a couple of feet behind your head.
Rolls were a blistering thought.
She'd snarl her way around consecutive loops but always wanted to go up. I wobbled off the top of a few upward rolls and partook in a few push-overs...you gotta love these inverted systems eh?
She wanted to do it in many different positions. MMMMMMM.....OOOooooh..
I rode her at full gallop, Flashman.
One thing's for sure, flight into cloud would mostly result an exit out the bottom doing Lomchevacs.
I decided to land before I spewed...but waited cunningly for the circuit to be free of spectators...I had to land her. A curved 100 knot approach with a side slip final works best, bleeding back to eighty....back..back..nose going higher..can't see shit! Take a peek out the side...feel for the ground..is she straight?.
Take a peek through the window in the floor...BAD IDEA.
All I saw was the centre line flashing from side to side....
I squeeked her on.
Man what a ride...I got out and I've been talking about it ever since.
An hour later, a cold chill came over me..I had a restricted licence...shit! I'd broken the law. I lapsed into depression and I felt I was adrift in a sea of despair....only to be saved by a few Golden Throat Charmers..
mmmmmm like an angel crying on your tongue.
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Flashman
Joined: Nov 28, 2002
Posts: 28 Posted: 2003-02-21 12:11
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I warn you Duke!
If you don't tell some more.... I WILL!
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Flashman
Joined: Nov 28, 2002
Posts: 28 Posted: 2003-02-21 12:19
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I warn you Duke!
If you don't tell some more.... I WILL!
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Cat Driver
Joined: Feb 15, 2003
Posts: 1194 Posted: 2003-02-21 17:10
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I wondered where in hell you got to Les, I can't see you not beating the C thing, shit you couldnt kill yourself flying so how in hell can cancer kill you.
Where in hell are you? So hey buddy give me a call, we should head overseas and run some guns and make a buck or two......
Was that GDIK you threw the lobsters out of?
Chuck:
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Cat Driver
Joined: Feb 15, 2003
Posts: 1194 Posted: 2003-02-21 17:11
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:
[ This Message was edited by: Cat Driver on 2003-02-21 17:18 ]
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Duke Elegant
Joined: Nov 28, 2002
Posts: 264 Posted: 2003-03-05 15:46
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I haven't croaked yet.
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DIK & DOG
Joined: Apr 06, 2003
Posts: 3 Posted: 2003-04-06 16:38
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Sorry to hear about the return of the big "C"
Remember there is still MAX power and ground effect.
I often wonder what ground effect would have been like with 30 foot waves. Sure glad we can not provide the answer to that question.
Take care....DIK & DOG
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Duke Elegant
Joined: Nov 28, 2002
Posts: 264 Posted: 2003-04-07 18:13
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Crikey mate!
You must have gone back fifty pages to revive this thread. Sorta like raising me from the dead.
I happen to be on one of my few good days and the chemo is knocking the hell out of me.
The chemo is working, apparently , but it depends on who gives in first , Mr C or me.
We never gave up then did we?
Just for that, there is another story on the way ....now... just let these few beers soak in.
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Cat Driver
Joined: Feb 15, 2003
Posts: 1194 Posted: 2003-04-07 18:21
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Les I think of you often and wish you all the best, I just know you will prevail.
Your friend.
Chuck E. |
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