Had one of those discouraging flying days today. While flying my Stinger 90 at my favorite field ther winds have been variable the past couple weeks, take off in the wind and does a complete 180 before landing - keeps you on your game. Anyway I was flying the pattern for landing cross ways to the soccer field due to winds which is unusual. The topography for final in this configuration is open rock and grass fileds with a 25% upslope from the soccer field with various large oak trees in the path. Basicly have to follow the terrain down slope to landing, missing trees and a couple chain link fences. I found out the hard way when they say it only takes a few seconds to get behind on your stick. Turning crosswind noticed the bird was further away than usual - note to self " when in this situation throttle up and close the distance as fast as you can. That was the first literal second of my mistake. I tried to hold the pattern and turn final and somehow lost altitude, as a result the second second I found myself behind one of the large oak trees and lost sight. After muttering to myself Im f------- now I tried to turn and climb hoping I would see my Stinger rise above but no such luck.
After inventing some new vocabulary I proceeded to climb a couple wire fences and the hill. Keep in mind it is a Hot June day in Northern California in the open fields where the Western Diamondback calls home, with no more than shorts and tennis shoes. It is bad enough to lose one of your pride and joys to pilot stupidity, but is even worse when after an hour of searching I could not find a trace, and to add slat to the wound, was using a near new 6s 5000 pack. I walked back to my car without a plane I came with and was pretty dejected.
After refreshing at the house with a new pair of shoes with socks this time, I proceeded to make another search and rescue effort, having mapped out in my head the possible crash sites. 15 minutes and bingo! found my broken bird and 6s pack , looks like a new fuse is going to be my dumb pilot lesson/cost for this day.
CT
After inventing some new vocabulary I proceeded to climb a couple wire fences and the hill. Keep in mind it is a Hot June day in Northern California in the open fields where the Western Diamondback calls home, with no more than shorts and tennis shoes. It is bad enough to lose one of your pride and joys to pilot stupidity, but is even worse when after an hour of searching I could not find a trace, and to add slat to the wound, was using a near new 6s 5000 pack. I walked back to my car without a plane I came with and was pretty dejected.
After refreshing at the house with a new pair of shoes with socks this time, I proceeded to make another search and rescue effort, having mapped out in my head the possible crash sites. 15 minutes and bingo! found my broken bird and 6s pack , looks like a new fuse is going to be my dumb pilot lesson/cost for this day.
CT
Comment