Milestone Day

AstroGimp01

Space Marshal

Jun 4, 2016

#1

So WifeyGimp and I are taking the Yak up to Big Bear (L35) a little later this morning to join several friends for an Eagles' tribute band concert at a place called The Cave tonight.

I have had the Yak for 16 months, this will be her 2nd flight in it, first overnight trip. Flight plan says just under an hour compared to 3-3.5 hour drive. One couple had to drop out due to air system issues with their Yak, one of my friends who works for me drove up with his wife yesterday in their new RV, and another couple will fly their Super Cub up later this afternoon.

Hopefully she enjoys it, all told she has only flown with me a dozen or so times in the 23 years we have been married, she didn't use to like it but lately seems to be trying so I figured why not try for a fun, easy trip.

We flew to Vegas for our anniversary year before last in a really nice Cutlass, and she tolerated that, but we ended up in the air almost 40 minutes longer than planned thanks to Obama's arrival at the same time (I knew he was coming and I was on a flight plan per the Temporary Flight Restriction but we still ended up getting diverted all over hell's half-acre). Recommend everything about Henderson Airport (KHND) by the way, they treated us great including after-hours rental car help.

'Gimp

Reactions: hardroc77

marctek

Space Marshal

Donor

Jun 4, 2016

#2

That looks like fun.

Reactions: Blind Owl

AstroGimp01

Space Marshal

Jun 6, 2016

#3

Trip went great. Climbed straight to 8500 feet, saw 140 knots average over the ground on the way up (160 mph) and air was smooth. 48 minutes flight time vs 3 hour drive. Picked up rental car on the field, checked into hotel, picked up a couple who flew in afterwards, had a great dinner and really enjoyed the show.

Flight home today, left just after noon, 80 degrees on the ground (airport ground level is 6700 feet), Density Altitude was 9100 feet (plane thought it was flying much higher due to thinner air). The Yak has an altitude compensating carbeuretor and is lightly supercharged. Off the ground in 13 seconds (normally 5) but managed to climb out at 350 Feet Per Minute average which is about twice as good as my T-34 buddies get. 55 minutes enroute on the way home today at 7500 feet, averaged about 125 kts over the ground (140 mph).

WifeyGimp noticed sitting on the chute and with the submarine strap (aerobatic seatbelt) is not super comfortable, on flights like this we'll try cushions in the future instead of the parachutes but she did not outright say no joy and did remark on how much faster a trip it was. I think a 2 leg flight will be the max, but not bad for the big ol' Yak.

As a funny aside, I won tickets for another show in July, so at least one repeat trip coming up next month.

Here is a quick selfie, level at 8,500 feet and 160 mph, WifeyGimp in the back seat