Back to basics..

[Timebuilder]

I had the occaision today to rent a 172 for a short(?) hop over to Morristown to drop off some papers. I had no idea how "different" it would feel compared to the flying I've done over the past four months. Almost all of my single engine dual given is in the 172 or the RG. Up until today, I had about six hours in the machine since January.

What an odd feeling, I thought, climbing at 800 fpm.

I looked at the airspeed indicator, and realized that my cruising speed was the same as my landing speed in the 35 with 3000 lbs of fuel!!!

What was a 22 minute trip in the jet took a whopping 1.2 on the hobbs meter. 2.0 for the round trip. How quickly we forget...

Landing. Let's see, I've done this before, right? 70 knots gave me a leisurely approach. No yaw damper. Rudders, that's right. I think I remember. Threshold, power out. Hold it off. Not bad, on the mains, but not as pretty as I remember.

I had decided to make this flight last night, but it wasn't a moment too soon. I'd almost forgotten the most important part.

I'd almost forgotten how much fun I'd had doing this.

 

[mar]

I'd probably kill myself

Nah, I take that back. I'd *definitely* kill myself.

I haven't logged one hour in a single engine piston since June of 1998!!

 

[avbug]

Last week I took the dromader back to it's home base after the contract ended. It took almost four hours. I normally cover that distance in less than an hour. My bladder is set at three hours, and that airplane doesn't fly level or straight for more than a second after you let go of the stick.

I hadn't flown that airplane straight and level for any period of time before, and soon found that leaning very far, especially forward, caused the airplane to react...it affected the CG that much. That became a factor as hour three was reached, and I discovered that the only relief container aboard was a bread sack (which required lots of leaning and helmet banging. None of that has anything to do with distance or speed, but somehow it seemed a natural progression of...never mind.

Worse was a drive to see family earlier this year. I flew a route that passed over the relatives, that morning. It took 1/2 hour to pass over their place after takeoff. That evening I drove, and it took seven hours in my little suzuki. Talk about excruciating. I used to fly with a gentleman who complained of "learjet butt" after a couple of hours. That's nothing compared to suzuki samurai butt. Much better to fly.

 

[Timebuilder]

Learjet Butt!!!

I thought that I was an isolated case because of the lack of extra padding in that area (all of my extra weight tries to make me look pregnant. Who says God has no sense of humor...) but it's good to know I'm not the only one. After four months, the pain has subsided to a dull ache. One of the guys I fly with sits on a 'roid pillow for extra padding. I may try that.

Seven hours in a Samurai? Yikes. That would hurt.

 

[TurboS7]

I havn't flown anything small in 4 years an then it was just a ride in a Citabria. I just drove the family from FLL to north of EAU, we'll call that Dodge VAn 1500butt. It all feels the same.

 

[LR25]

Learbutt!!!

I didnt know it had a name.

I thought it was only me that it happened to.

I used to take the Jepp trip book (the thin one) and slide it in and adjust it all through the 3 hours you could only fly the thing.

Usually I am opposed to the words slide it in when I discuss my anatomy but, Learbutt is not cool.

I was hoping for a quick upgrade to the left seat so I could give my a$$ a break.