Oshkosh Airventure 2016 the biggest airshow on earth Oshkosh Airventure 2016 the biggest airshow on earth . FOR MOST IT’S A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME IMMERSION Oshkosh then
For the very first time, I’m sharing my amazing story with a wide audience of never before seen photos and videos of building and flying my Super Seawind. For me, it’s been a time of reflection and research. Reflections of the many great people, builders, owners and non-owners I have met flying my turbine-powered airplane, the wonderful experiences I’ve enjoyed and the treasured friendships I hold to this day.
Now 1,212 feet higher than New England’s tallest mountain, Mt. Washington, and the capability to triple this altitude, It struck me that there was something spiritual about being the captain of this incredible marvel I call a Super Seawind flying high over an amazing Maine landscape. How did I ever get to be this lucky?
Arriving at the Greenville airport (3B1), I landed my Super Seawind on the 1401’ elevation runway 32 and I pulled up next to a Lake Renegade and parked it on the grass near the intersection of the 3001’ runway 3/21. As my turbine engine wound down pilots soon began to assemble to ask…
My Super Seawind What’s great about flying my Super Seawind, N71RJ? There are so many things, but I’ll give you two. Starting with the obvious;
As the nose levels airspeed climbs rapidly from 100 Kts to maneuvering speed, 148 knots IAS. I settle at 181 knots (208 MPH) groundspeed. I activate the Trutrak autopilot for GPS navigation and altitude hold.
Sun n Fun Airshow: What not to miss: First, the presentations by experts in just about anything you can think of related to flying aircraft. Avionics, new ratings, engines, new and older aircraft for sale, adventure planning and assistance, and group projects just to name a few.
Rounding a bend along the winding Pemigewasset River like a mature eagle on the hunt in central New Hampshire on this final landing leg I reduced the power of the Lake Renegade and called out “Gear up!” to my instructor. Just over the trees
Today, all the resources of an all glass cockpit are now available at my fingertips. Starting with my IPAD flight planner, Garmin Pilot, I save time creating and filing my flight plan and managing logs only digitally now. Further, I can plan any flight on my IPAD, I-Phone or desktop, file it and load it to my flight computer via wi-fi. I no longer have to call and talk to Flight Service. Also, these computers log and track flight statistics and maintenance data without me lifting a finger.
Cleared, I lined up for takeoff, held the brakes, placed the engine in high idle and with my heart racing I pulled the yoke full aft. Next, I pushed the throttle to 90% power and then released the brakes. To my surprise N71RJ sprung like a horse I used to ride bursting out of the gate. Jack and I were pinned to our seat backs.
