From: Tony Texeira tonytex@cox.net

From: dfcullum@aol.com [mailto:dfcullum@aol.com]
Sent: Monday, August 20, 2007 7:37 PM
To: Tonytex@cox.net
Subject: August Fly-in

Well, we all managed to find our way to Big Bear without the guidance of
Tony, who was enjoying convalescence on his patio recliner after a few laps
round the pool.

Five airplanes showed up, with nine intrepid travelers: Jerry Jackson, Jeff
Cary and his daughter Elayna (extra cute) in a 172: Robert Werve, Don
MacManus and Norm Erb in the Skymaster, Bret Strain in another 172, Bert
Dade in his Great Lakes and Dennis Cullum in the RV-3. The flight up from
San Diego was smooth, with a little tailwind to help us along. The climate
at Big Bear was great as usual, a little warm, but dry and breezy.

Robert (who arrived first) decided that it would be better to eat at the
airport restuarant (food reputed to be better than Thelma's), so we didn't
have to walk as far although the wait for a table was lengthy. We managed to
prevent any of the late-comers from starting out for Thelma's. Breakfast
conversation covered the usual topics, with Bret and Jeff discussing the
methods of applying Proseal and other airplane building problems. I don't
think Elayna was too fascinated by it all. We have some photo shots which
will appear on Chris Claiborne's website.

Next month, by popular vote, the destination will be Fullerton on 16
September - an exercise in negotiating the Orange County Class C and LAX
Class B airspaces.

See you there, and keep 'em flying.

Banger 1


 

  from Bert Bade <bertbade@cox.net>       
         
  date   Aug 20, 2007 2:32 PM  
  subject   Personal report on Big Bear breakfast flight  
         

 

 
I went to Big Bear in the Great Lakes by myself.  I had never taken it in there before, and I wanted to see how it performed.  I didn't want an extra 250-300 pounds along on the test.  I took off at 0820, early because of my low cruising speed.  In a long, steady climb, I was at 8000' over Hemet before I heard anyone else on 123.45.  They were just leaving the MYF freq.  The Great Lakes quit climbing at about 8500', until I leaned it out some more.  Then, it did quite well up to 10500', where I quit trying. 
Weather was smooth as glass until I let down into Big Bear Valley, where I encountered a few bumps over the ridge.  It wasn't crowded, and I took a long final over Baldwin Lake.  Those trees on final made me feel like staying high, though there was no need.  I slipped off the excess altitude and made a smooth wheel landing just past the numbers.  No one was on the ground to see it.
We had a good breakfast at the airport cafe.  Thanks, Robert.  The fellowship and lies were flowing so good that we had to be chased out to make room for others.
I did not elect to refuel with the cheap, $3.85 gas.  The big red numbers at the runup pad said the density altitude was 9000'.  I leaned for max rpm on the takeoff run, and was off in about 1500', had 600+' altitude at the end of the runway, and had 1500' AGL at the dam.  No sweat.  I should have brought a passenger.  I would not have fueled, anyway.
Rialto was in sight when I cleared the dam, and I let down to 4500'.  No one at Rialto would answer on Unicom, so I circled.  There were 10000 people and cars there.  Big airshow.  I diverted to Flabob, which was deserted.  I narrowly averted colliding with terrain as I turned base (normal for Flabob) and refueled for $4.05.  All of that flying only took 19 gal.
I returned to MYF and made a really good one-wheeled landing on the short, skinny runway in a direct 9kt crosswind.  No one was there to see that one, either.  I guess I am my own best fan.
It was a good fly-in.  Too bad more of us could not make it.  I hope you are feeling better, Tony.  Be ready for the next one.
 
Bert Bade


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