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Random Griz Aviation Musings
- Thread starter Griz882
- Start date
A delayed start from El Paso because of more rain. Here is a picture of the “Guppy” stationed at the NASA facility there.
I fueled up in Van Horn TX and the army was doing drone operations there watching the border. After my departure I was dodging thunderstorms but one caught up so I did an expedient landing in the (wet) desert. Finally I got up again and made it to Pecks where I met the owner of the cool RV below. He used to fly one of the Tora-Tora-Tora birds on the air show circuit.
Last stop for the day, because of weather delays, is Midland TX.
I fueled up in Van Horn TX and the army was doing drone operations there watching the border. After my departure I was dodging thunderstorms but one caught up so I did an expedient landing in the (wet) desert. Finally I got up again and made it to Pecks where I met the owner of the cool RV below. He used to fly one of the Tora-Tora-Tora birds on the air show circuit.
Last stop for the day, because of weather delays, is Midland TX.
Epic. Old pilots will bounce their Grandkids on their knee and tell the Saga of Griz's Crossing. Researchers at Embry Riddle will pour over your papers and flight logs. CFIs will scour the Saga for teaching points. Free beer will be yours at the annual Air Warriors Fly In and Corn Hole Tournament.
It's been 11 years since I've been through there, but does the FBO still look like you walked into a 1970's living room with the long brick fireplace hearth and 20 foot long couches, all in earth tones, of course? I remember the bathrooms were straight out of the 1970's, as well.
Sadly, the journey came to temporary end today. About 10 minutes after taking off from KGYI I suffered a pitch-link failure (the bolt snapped and lost tail rotor effectiveness. I was about 750 AGL and despite the mild spin I was able to manage an autorotation into a rather rough pasture. The landing was a bounce-fest but I kept her upright and on target. She is currently sitting straight and level on the skids with no visible damage from the landing. The FAA investigator said the hole the link bolts through was severely worn.
The cows will be interested in this!
It took Fire and EMS about an hour to find me (I am entirely uninjured) but they were great. Now, sadly, I have to break the news to my wallet.
? Glad you are safe! Outstanding flying, especially with low time in type. And hey, the cow threat is real. They like to rub up against strange things in their field. Had a friend get his elevator all bent up by cows on a ranch strip. Very sorry bud. Hope you are self medicating at the bar. You deserve it.
Full on broke…as for my post, I see auto-correct screwed me. I meant to write that I was uninjured and it changed that to uninsured. The ship is insured.
I was wondering about that. Self insured in a personal helicopter, that's a power move!
No kidding! The FAA investigator told me to buy a lottery ticket. It is being recovered tomorrow. I’ll send picture of the “ride of shame.”Getting the wife in it now might take some skillful diplomacy
Well, you know the old answer when people ask you why you fly…”Because football, baseball, soccer, basketball, volleyball, rugby and golf only require one ball.”I was wondering about that. Self insured in a personal helicopter, that's a power move!