Flying for the pure fun of it

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Archive 2009 · Flying for the pure fun of it

Charlie Shugart
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p.1 #1 · Flying for the pure fun of it

Being in a jumbo jet at 35,000 feet isn't real flying. It's more like taking a really crowded and very large bus through the air at rapid speeds.
You want the thrill of flying, go up in a single-engine plane and watch the damn wings flap around. Strap yourself in so that a sudden drop of 50 feet won't eject you. Don't bother with a parachute because the fun of flying small planes is being close enough to the ground that you wouldn't have time enough to open the 'chute anyway. And hit the restroom before takeoff- you don't want to get so excited that you pee in your pants.
Yeah, flying in a small plane is REAL flying. I did it once.
Never again

But while walking around local airports in the Portland, Oregon region I found a lot of really cool airplanes tethered to the ground, waiting to scare the hell out of their next victims.
I didn't go flying in this plane shown here, but a guy offered me a ride in his helicopter. "Can't be as bad as a small fixed-wing plane," thinks I.
1,000 feet above the ground I realized all that was keeping us up were the wings, and they were spinning around like a whirling dervish.
Luckily, I had used the restroom before takeoff.
Note- color versions on Cities Forum a few days ago.

2012 © Charlie Shugart

Jul 07, 2009 at 04:02 PM

Wingspar
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p.1 #2 · Flying for the pure fun of it

I like the color versions better. Is this Hillsboro?

Being a pilot of a small single engine aircraft with well over 1200 hours, I fail to understand peoples fear of small planes. Never jumped out of one tho.

--------
Gary
Will Fly for Food... and more Nikon stuff

Jul 07, 2009 at 04:42 PM

yogi3939
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p.1 #3 · Flying for the pure fun of it

I friend of mine once owned a Pitts S-1. The difference in the S-1 and the S-2 is the number of seats. The S-1 is capable of some amazing stunt flying and, like you, I am very glad that he only had one seat. My first, and only, small plane experience was in an Army L-19 which is a military version of the Piper Cub but with an engine that is way too heavy and powerful for civilian use. I left my stomach about 1000 feet above where the damn thing finally settled down after we hit an "air pocket" and dropped that 1000 feet in less than the length of a city block. The air pocket was probably a micro burst downdraft and it was one of the milder parts of the experience of flying with an insane pilot.

Jul 07, 2009 at 04:50 PM

m. goodwin
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p.1 #4 · Flying for the pure fun of it

This is a very interesting subject.
I like #3 best.
Flying in a small plane is very different. It certainly takes getting used to, especially the cramped quarters.

marty

Jul 07, 2009 at 06:00 PM

Charlie Shugart
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p.1 #5 · Flying for the pure fun of it

Thanks for the feedback, Gary, Yogi and Marty.
I also like the color version better, especially with the dramatic paint scheme of this wonderful plane.
Good eye, Gary- yes, that was in Hillsboro. (Non-Oregonians, Hillsboro is one of Portland's satellite towns- to the west).
Okay, I exaggerated a bit- I've flown in small planes several times and twice in helicopters. They still scare the doodoo out of me, but flying low over the Grand Canyon, Juneau Icefield/Tracy Arm, and Kenai Fjords National Park were worth it. Well worth it.
Charlie

Jul 07, 2009 at 06:06 PM

Tim ONeill
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p.1 #6 · Flying for the pure fun of it

Cool shots Charlie. Nicely done on the contrast.

Jul 08, 2009 at 12:45 AM


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