Thunder Over the Valley Air Show.

[Vance]

I will be flying The Predator in the Thunder Over the Valley Air Show August 27th and 28th at the Santa Maria airport, SMX.

The announcer is going to try to do a better, more informed job of promoting the act this year.

I have been asked to give him some information on the aircraft and what I am doing so he can get the crowd more involved.

I would be grateful for input. The first bit is about The Predator and Autogiros and the second is taken from my knee board with explanations about why I am doing things.

I would be grateful for input on how to enhance the description or what I might do to better demonstrate The Predators capabilities.

I have been asked by the FAA to keep banks less than 60 degrees and not to spin her.

I do not have smoke.

When demonstrating slow flight I slow until she begins to descend and when I cut the power she turns into the wind and begins a vertical descent with a little bit of a tail slide.

The air show box is 1,000 feet deep by 1,200 long.

We will spend the rest of the day taking pictures of kids in the pilot’s seat.

Take off on 30 and climb at 50kts

HS to E box at 400 feet

W 45kts best angle of climb across box just to show she can fly

R 180 to E HS flight to end box to show she is not slow

L 180 turn climb full power W to get some altitude

R slow 180 S turns to E to show she is maneuverable

L 180 W slow flight, pull power, recovery 300’ to demonstrate slow flight and to show what happens when the engine stops

Figure eight at show center finish E to demonstrate maneuverability

L 180, slow flight to end of box W in case they missed the slow flight

Climb L spiral inside box to 800’ to demonstrate maneuverability

720 degree steep spiral full power to remind them that she flies.

Exit east and land

Taxi to air show

Thank you, Vance

[Richochet]

I'll be there Vance, perhaps selling hot dogs or working a gate, but regardless, I'll look forward to your show. Thanks for the heads-up, and congratulations on becoming part of the show.

Jerry

[scottessex]

Hey Vance, I know a few things about how to build and install a smoker kit! :)
Kudos to your airshow routine, you are a great ambassador for the sport.

[Vance]

Thank you Jerry,

I enjoyed flying in the air show a lot.

The kids seem to be drawn to the Predator and Ed is good at getting them to keep away from the switches.

Thank you Scott, I suspect at some point I will need to have smoke. If I get my way I will be flying in more air shows with Mariah Gale.

I was hoping to get some advice on what to tell the announcer or how to demonstrate the capabilities of a gyroplane. The Predator was very well received last time. I have flown her in 3 air shows and been the sort of warm up for two others. I would like to continue to improve.

I have been practicing my power off vertical descent and the timing seems very important as the ground seems to rush up to greet me. There is no place in the air show box to take off again if I land so I am limited there. If I do it high enough to be comfortable it is not in the box.

I like the spiral of death but the fellow from the FSDO is not comfortable with it. He feels it is an aerobatic maneuver and would require an aerobatic license and a parachute.

I am looking for a way to demonstrate precision flying but there is nothing to reference to so everything I have tried so far has fallen flat. If I get too close to the ground and screw up it would take a long time to get her out and mess up the show.

Most of the spectators at the show have never seen a gyroplane fly except for mine so they are pleased to see her do things I don’t normally do.

Thank you, Vance

[JEFF TIPTON]

Vance this a little crude but should give you some ideas.

Ladies and Gentlemen: coming up next is Vance Breese and his one of a kind Gyrocpter called the PREDATOR.

Vance is a former motorcycle racer and Bonneville record holder turned pilot after crashing the Streamliner at Bonnyville at about 265 mph and tumbled end over end when the parachute came out but did not open. As a result of this accident Vance lost sight in left eye and suffered extensive brain damage. With much help and encouragement from friends, Vance received his Private Pilot gyrocopter license.

A Gyrocopter is a type of rotorcraft that generates its lift via the principle of autorotation where the propeller at the back powers the gyro forward, and the rotors on top turn automatically as air rushes through their underside.

As these rotors turn they create the vertical lift that is required to keep the gyrocopter in the air. One of the real strengths of the gyro is that this autorotation means that if the engine stalls the rotors are still turning, allowing the pilot to gently guide the gyrocopter towards a safe landing area.

Vance is starting his takeoff now and is accelerating to demonstrate a short field takeoff and climbing to 400 feet. Vance is turning and will across the box giving you a good look at his unusually aircraft in flight.

Vance is turning around and accelerating the aircraft to the end of the box.

Again he is turning the aircraft and climbing to gain more altitude and his slowing the aircraft and performing S turns to demonstrate the maneuverability of the gyrocopter.

Vance is now turning the aircraft reducing power and demonstrating slow flight and continuing to reduce the engine to idle, simulating an engine out, to show you that the aircraft can still be controlled.

Continuing into a figure 8 and slow flight for one last look continuing into a spiraling climb back to 800 feet following into a 720 decent to land.

While taxiing in.
Ladies and gentlemen the PREDATOR will be on display this afternoon for photo opportunities And Vance will be available to answer questions.


Perhaps Ed might consent to being the commentator.

[PW_Plack]

...I like the spiral of death but the fellow from the FSDO is not comfortable with it. He feels it is an aerobatic maneuver and would require an aerobatic license and a parachute...

Vance, I believe there's a discrepancy between FAR 1.1, which describes aerobatics as “an intentional maneuver involving an abrupt change in an aircraft’s attitude, an abnormal attitude, or abnormal acceleration, not necessary for normal flight,” and the FAA's internal guidance, which appears to want a parachute for anything over 60º in roll or pitch axes.

This stuff is all pretty grey. The "death spiral" could also be a routine emergency technique for maintaining or increasing rotor RPM before landing in a confined area. Putting the nose down steeply is what you do if the noise stops. Neither requires being "abrupt." Since acceleration is measured in Gs, and a gyroplane can only make about 2.5 Gs in flight no matter what you do to it, this all seems like they're applying fixed-wing limitations without considering gyroplane capabilities.

If you want to develop a less restricted routine for Mariah Gale, there are steps you could take. One would be to make sure your operating limitations are issued with a specific allowance for aerobatic maneuvers. You'll have to request it, and include testing to the expanded envelope in your Phase I. I don't have the FAR reference handy, but I believe experimentals are not allowed to perform aerobatic maneuvers unless it is specifically added to the op lims. For a gyros, you might have to get something worded along the lines of, "any maneuver not requiring sustained negative G."

The other thing would be to take the next step personally and get an aerobatic competency evaluation. The FAA didn't have enough demand for this to make it worth training its own inspectors, so it now issues a letter based on recommendations from groups such as the International Council of Air Shows. I don't know what the process is, but it would probably start with educating ICAS about why a 90º bank in a gyro still doesn't exceed 2.5 Gs, and why a "death spiral" isn't a name reflective of the actual risk involved. The organization has lots of resources available here (http://www.airshows.aero/Docs/6).

Jim Vanek has been through this process to get approval to do loops and rolls at airshows. He's told me he's required to document a certain number of repetitions in a practice area within 90 days before a show, and he's limited to a floor of 800' AGL during those maneuvers. Less aggressive maneuvers might be allowed down to the deck.

From my limited experience announcing at airshows, I can tell you that most spectators will be holding their breath and clutching loved ones while watching to see if you survive the dead-stick landing, while they'll be chattering away and not paying attention while you do the stuff that's really difficult or risky.

A couple of years when I announced for Jim's loop/roll routine at Hillsboro, I called out specifically to helicopter pilots that Jim was about to do an inside loop while in autorotation. That got some attention!

Don't underestimate the interest in your personal story. The most amazing thing about your performance for most people would be knowing that you were told you'd never walk or speak in complete sentences, yet not only became a pilot, but a Private Pilot with a medical, whose now flown 7XX safe hours.

As for a chute, would you ever dare use it unless the blades had come completely off?

[Vance]

I feel that is very well done Jeff.

I am probably going to need to give him more latitude.

I will run it past him with a little less Vance and a little more Predator.

I feel the Predator is not a Gyrocopter.

Thank you again for sharing your insight on IO-470s.

Our time together was one of the highlights of Mentone for me.

I feel confused on a higher level.


Thank you Paul,

I have not run this up the flagpole with the FAA because they have cut me a lot of slack already. I flew the air first air show with very few hours as a private Pilot.

That is important information for Mariah Gale and the operating limitations.

I have met Shawn Tucker several times as I pass through the King City airport where he is based. He has always been very kind and helpful.

I know a couple of other air show performers that might help and one of the more popular Air Bosses.

I am just trying to make the Thunder Over the Valley air show as good as I can make it.

I wish you were reading Jeff’s lines Paul, you are the voice of excitement and humor.

You have given me a new set of things to work on and I appreciate it.

Mariah Gale will have more complete flight testing and more rugged flight controls.

Thank you, Vance

[Minnesota_Mike]

Hello Vance...
Nice job with the colorful text....I like it (though Yellow is a bit tough to read from the screen).
:)

M-M.

[Vance]

Thank you Mike,

I agree on the yellow.

The copy I am giving to the announcer has yellow highlights and it is easy to read.

I should have previewed the post. I am not good with computers.

I tried to change it to another color and gave up. I should have used some sort of funny print like to seperate my kneeboard stuf from why I was doing it. That didn't work very well either. I didn't want to do underline.

I am running around trying to get ready for Bonneville, I am leaving at O’dark hundred tomorrow morning.

Two motorcycles that I had a hand in building are running this year. An open Harley Davidson XR 750 on fuel and a 1937 80 cubic inch Indian. We also have a 61 inch engine for the Harley. I have set records on both but I will not be riding them. I did bring my leathers and helmet just in case.

I wanted to go flying today as soon as the fog cleared. It never really left the beach but I had a nice flight up to SBP and then following the hills to Lompoc. It was shirt sleeve warm and just bumpy enough to hold my attention.

Thank you, Vance

[Arnie Madsen]

Vance ... I like what Jeff said in post #5. ... Also, if you pre-rotate in front of the audience , mention that is the only time power goes to the rotor.

Low , and slow , and highly maneuverable flight is where a gyro shines .... the audience will be impressed by a display of normal gyro flying , aerobatics are not necessary and not always safe in front of a crowd..

I wish I could be there to watch you and Predator in action.. You are one of the best representatives of the sport.

[vickijohnk]

MM, If you "select" the yellow text it turns to blue. John K.

[Vance]

Hello Arnie,

The runway is quite a way from the air show box and hard to see from the viewing area so I don’t get to demonstrate anything to do with landing or taking off. I would like too at least do a steep power off approach.

Last year the things most people commented on were the steep climb and descent and the maneuverability at high speeds. I made several 180 degree turns inside the box at 120kts in a descent.

People seemed to like the precision as we would come to the edge of the box in different attitudes and speeds without going outside the box

I had enough wind last time to fly her backward relative to the ground.

People liked the sound when I would point the blades at the crowd and load them up with the power pulled back.

I cut the power at a little under 20kts with the nose high and several people commented on how out of control we looked.

Thank you John, I didn’t know that.

Thank you, Vance

[gyroplanes]

Since acceleration is measured in Gs, and a gyroplane can only make about 2.5 Gs in flight no matter what you do to it

Ken Brock once flew some trials in a heavily instrumented KB2 for the US Navy. Ken said he was being followed by a Seaking(?) Helicopter (Navy CH53) when they asked him to pull 2gs, he said he tried everything and couldn't get close to two g units.

I saw Ken exceed 90 degrees of "bank" on several occasions. Ken said that gyros are not capable of 2 gs. due to the solidity ratio of the rotors

[PW_Plack]

...Ken said that gyros are not capable of 2 gs. due to the solidity ratio of the rotors...

Tom, if that's applicable to the bigger chords in common use on some of today's blades, better still from the standpoint of Vance's position on bank angle.

[Vance]

Thank you Tom; would you add something to my limitations about aerobatic flight when you do the airworthiness certificate for Mariah Gale?



Thank you Paul, I feel that I have a solidity ration of around .03 with the Predator at that weight.

I have the 8.5 chord Sport Copter blades.

She usually flies between 315 and 330 RRPM. I have not seen more than 390 RPM on my rotor tachometer. That would suggest less than 2 Gs to me.

When I was flying with Chris in his Snow Bird at Mentone he felt I exceeded 45 degrees of bank so I may not be a good judge of angles.

John is going to loan me his G meter when we are test flying Mariah Gale.

I was trying to deal with the FSDO and his understanding of the FARs.

He cut me a lot of slack.

Thank you, Vance

[SgurlEd]

Vance,
I was wondering if I might be able to fly this time around. :violin:As I recall last year we were not too sure if I should because of the fisdo.

I think people would really like to see that you can take passengers it's one thing to see but quite another to show it being done...also I'd love to get pictures of the crowed. The view is much different from up in the air!

Just something to think on...
Love, Ed

BTW Are you being good at Bonneville. I bet your just itching to ride that Indian again.... ;-P Love you so much Snooky!:D

[Vance]

Hello Ed,

I don’t have my FAR/Aim with me so I don’t know the specific number.

As I recall our friend at the Van Nuys FSDO was quite obdurate about not flying in the air show with non essential personnel on board.

You are essential to me but he may not see it that way.

We can ask if you can ride along and take pictures of the people taking pictures of us.

Love, Vance

[ckurz7000]

Hi Ed, here's my take on this:

I would never take anyone up in an airshow situation because I want my head and thoughts totally focused on flying. Anyone flying with me -- even if they didn't utter a single word -- takes away some of my attention, whether I want it or not.

Secondly, the performance of the aircraft is noticably better with only the pilot on board. All manoevers will look crisper, the slow flight will be slower and the climbs steeper.

Thirdly, I strongly believe that legally it is just as Vance suspects: all non essential personnel (in the eyes of the FAA) on board is prohibited during this kind of flying.

Greetings, -- Chris.

[Vance]

Thank you Chris,

As usual you are the voice of reason.

I do not have my FAR/AIM with me.

It may be on the edge of several things.

We are performing in an air show but we are not doing aerobatic maneuvers.

Ed is always a distraction to me because I love her. I would not want to explain to her children that I had killed their mother.

I hope to give my paper to Mike, the promoter of the Thunder Over the Valley Air Show on Friday.

Thank you, Vance

[JEFF TIPTON]

Vance this should give you some interesting reading, along with others if they are so inclined.

http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgAdvisoryCircular.nsf/list/AC%2091-45C/$FILE/Contents.pdf

http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgAdvisoryCircular.nsf/list/AC%2091-45C/$FILE/Chap1-4.pdf

http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgAdvisoryCircular.nsf/list/AC%2091-45C/$FILE/Chap5-7.pdf

http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgAdvisoryCircular.nsf/list/AC%2091-45C/$FILE/Appx1-3.pdf

[MarkG]

Vance

Congrats on doing the airshow!! :whoo:

First and formost BE SAFE!!!, have FUN!!! and take alot of pictures for us!!!

[Vance]

As always Jeff, you are a wonderful source of knowledge and wisdom.

It sounds to me as thought the inspector in charge gets to call the shots.

It is interesting that there is a greater distance required from the crowd for aerobatic helicopters.

I am in Hollister and about to visit with Vince and Mike.

I am hoping to visit Shawn Tucker in King City on my way home.


Thank you Mark,

I had a lot of fun last time and the performance was well received.

I was probably not ready the first time but it was exciting never the less.

As I feel the strain on the machine I find myself wondering if you considered abrupt maneuvers when you designed her.

I know you did not anticipate her current level of performance.

My GPS read 122kts last time and the VSI was at 2,200 in both climb and descent.

I have a low fear threshold so I will be very cautious.

Thank you, Vance

[PW_Plack]

...It is interesting that there is a greater distance required from the crowd for aerobatic helicopters...

Ever seen one come apart?

When an airplane wing hits the ground, about all it can do is some combination of crush and bounce, limiting the size of the debris field. But when a helicopter hits the ground, the blade tips are moving much faster than the overall speed of the machine, and parts of the blades can tear loose at high speed and unpredictable trajectories without ever touching the ground. The size of the "pattern" is limited only by how aerodynamic the scraps turn out to be.

[Vance]

I stopped by the Tutima Academy of Aviation Safety in King City on the way home from Hollister.

Ken Erickson spent a lot of time explaining to me about the International Council of Air Shows, Aerobatic Competency Evaluator, wavers, having a commercial license and compensation.

We spoke of what gets you invited to and invited back to an event.

We spoke of what gets you not invited back.

We also spoke of the phase one evaluation for amateur built aerobatic aircraft.

We even covered ADs as they apply to experimental amateur built aircraft.

We shared our passion for aviation and the joy we find in performing in an air show.

He felt that the announcer should mention my handicaps and background.

Ken would not accept payment for his time.

In my opinion it was three hours well spent and I still got the rental car back on time.

I feel like a have a friend in the air show business.

Thank you all for your input, Vance

[Vance]

I have been up since 5:00 AM Pacific time.

The air show pilot’s briefing is at 8:00 AM at the Hilton.

LIFR, 1 mile visibility in mist, vertical visibility 200 feet, winds Calm.

The terminal forecast says it will be nice. From 11:00 AM winds 290 at 10kts, visibility greater than 6, scattered 15,000 (VFR).


I saw my friend Dave Volker from the Van Nuys FSDO, Friday and he said he would check The Predator and my paperwork Saturday and reminded me to be on time for the briefing. He was making a lot of jokes that didn’t seem funny to me. I think we have six FAA officials.

I have been practicing engine outs from show center to the runway because I feel that will be a nice exit. It is almost a half mile and I don’t want to land short. I have been trying different speeds and altitudes. The control tower has been very accommodating. Curtis from the Santa Maria tower will be the Air Boss during the show.

Ed worked on cleaning up the Predator after my practice yesterday.

We purchased a step stool to help the kids climb up so they can have their picture taken in the cockpit at the controls. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before. It is hard for a vertically challenged person to climb over the seats and it is hard to keep them from stepping on the wrong thing. We padded it on the side that will be against the side of the Predator.

There has been a lot of last minute shuffling and I still don’t know when I am going to fly. The incoming storm on the eastern seaboard has some military aircraft redeployed. The program is focused on 100 years of naval aviation so the Predator did not make it.

I am hoping to meet with the announcer today and I have an extra copy of what I wrote just in case he didn’t get it or lost it.

Thank you for your help in writing that.

And now it begins, Vance

[Timchick]

Good luck, Vance and we look forward to your debrief.

[Vance]

I wish I had a good de-brief with challenges and resolution. I do not.

The biggest challenge was the weather delay that caused me to idle for almost a half hour. She flunked the magneto check, I leaned her out and ran he up and in less than a minute she passed the magneto check nicely.

The PA system didn’t work very well unless you were in the center so Ed didn’t hear the announcer.

A friend sent me this from his iphone;” Vance,

Thank u for the gyroplane show. The announcer did a good job of describing ur gyro and how it flew, and u did an excellent job of demonstrating what it could do.

The whup whup on one turn was great but otherwise the flight was relatively quiet. We got to get them to allow a low pass so ur gyro can be heard and seen up close.

Thanks for the show,

Jerry

The FAA allowed me 15 more degrees of bank compared to last year and I probably used it all.

Ed felt that I looked more in control and more precise. She said my banks were steeper and more aggressive with no hesitation. She went home to rest and change for dinner so I haven’t seen her pictures. Hopefully she will post some tomorrow night.

When I road raced the best laps always felt the most relaxed. If that applies here then it was a good show because I felt very relaxed and it didn’t feel like I was straining the aircraft or was forcing her to do things that she didn’t want to do.

She was always in motion, always changing direction and altitude. I saw a little over 100kts and 2,500 feet per minute of climb and almost 3,000 feet per minute of descent. I slowed her to less than 15kts and cut the power. She always seemed happy and willing.

I loved the exit and several people commented on it. I flew to the east at 1,000 feet agl, pulled the power back and flew across the box and landed dead stick 10 feet before my taxiway with very little roll as nice as could be. I found I could manage the touchdown point by extending my down wind.

The hard deck for everyone today was 500 feet AGL. After the show my friend David from the Van Nuys FSDO told me that I could use 200 feet AGL tomorrow. I take that as high praise.

My other friend from the Van Nuys FSDO that had come up to inspect the engine installation said that they would be happy to come up and inspect the new aircraft whenever it was convenient for me.

The new stairs worked great and Ed was kept busy all day managing kids. This little girl was typical. She was tentative at first but after Ed talked her though some flight maneuvers she was waiving to friends.

I answered questions as best I could all day. I am hoarse from it.

The A 10 put on a nice demonstration with some high G maneuvers and lots of mist off the wings. He did one maneuver where I could feel the force of the air he was pushing.

War Dog did his usual smooth competent show.

The air show was a little bland.

They didn’t let a P51 Mustang because he did not have the original airworthiness certificate. He had a copy of it.

A friend of mine with a T6 locked a bake and was stuck in the non movement part of the airport as I taxied back to the hangar. Apparently there was very little damage.

I had a lot of fun and I think Ed did too. She is exhausted and sun burned.

I look forward to the morrow.

Thank you, Vance

[Redbaron]

flying is awesome! flying a gyro is more awesome! reading your flight reports gives me chills! you and edna are awesome! :peace:

I wish I had a good de-brief with challenges and resolution. I do not.

The biggest challenge was the weather delay that caused me to idle for almost a half hour. She flunked the magneto check, I leaned her out and ran he up and in less than a minute she passed the magneto check nicely.

The PA system didn’t work very well unless you were in the center so Ed didn’t hear the announcer.

A friend sent me this from his iphone;” Vance,

Thank u for the gyroplane show. The announcer did a good job of describing ur gyro and how it flew, and u did an excellent job of demonstrating what it could do.

The whup whup on one turn was great but otherwise the flight was relatively quiet. We got to get them to allow a low pass so ur gyro can be heard and seen up close.

Thanks for the show,

Jerry

The FAA allowed me 15 more degrees of bank compared to last year and I probably used it all.

Ed felt that I looked more in control and more precise. She said my banks were steeper and more aggressive with no hesitation. She went home to rest and change for dinner so I haven’t seen her pictures. Hopefully she will post some tomorrow night.

When I road raced the best laps always felt the most relaxed. If that applies here then it was a good show because I felt very relaxed and it didn’t feel like I was straining the aircraft or was forcing her to do things that she didn’t want to do.

She was always in motion, always changing direction and altitude. I saw a little over 100kts and 2,500 feet per minute of climb and almost 3,000 feet per minute of descent. I slowed her to less than 15kts and cut the power. She always seemed happy and willing.

I loved the exit and several people commented on it. I flew to the east at 1,000 feet agl, pulled the power back and flew across the box and landed dead stick 10 feet before my taxiway with very little roll as nice as could be. I found I could manage the touchdown point by extending my down wind.

The hard deck for everyone today was 500 feet AGL. After the show my friend David from the Van Nuys FSDO told me that I could use 200 feet AGL tomorrow. I take that as high praise.

My other friend from the Van Nuys FSDO that had come up to inspect the engine installation said that they would be happy to come up and inspect the new aircraft whenever it was convenient for me.

The new stairs worked great and Ed was kept busy all day managing kids. This little girl was typical. She was tentative at first but after Ed talked her though some flight maneuvers she was waiving to friends.

I answered questions as best I could all day. I am hoarse from it.

The A 10 put on a nice demonstration with some high G maneuvers and lots of mist off the wings. He did one maneuver where I could feel the force of the air he was pushing.

War Dog did his usual smooth competent show.

The air show was a little bland.

They didn’t let a P51 Mustang because he did not have the original airworthiness certificate. He had a copy of it.

A friend of mine with a T6 locked a bake and was stuck in the non movement part of the airport as I taxied back to the hangar. Apparently there was very little damage.

I had a lot of fun and I think Ed did too. She is exhausted and sun burned.

I look forward to the morrow.

Thank you, Vance

[JEFF TIPTON]

Vance when you have time, could you post a copy of what you wrote for us to see?

[Vance]

Thank you Jeff S, It is nice to imagine evoking emotions in others. We are having a lot of fun and it is nice to share that fun.

Hello Jeff T it is pretty much what I posted originally. I was just not comfortable with expanding it as people suggested. This self promotion still seems very challenging to me. I talked to the announcer tonight and he is hoping they will improve the sound system tomorrow.

We had an interesting time at the air show dinner tonight.

I am doing two shows tomorrow, one at 11:00 and one in the afternoon.

I talked to a videographer and he felt he got some good footage. He is going to get back to me in a couple of weeks.

I talked to a fellow who makes his living flying air shows and he was very encouraging and supportive of getting my commercial license and making some money at it.

I looked as some of Ed’s pictures and I do not have the software to edit them but here are eight of them that I liked. She was having a little trouble with her camera. They are interesting in sequence, I feel like they show what I felt.

Ed will post the whole set on flicker when she gets a chance.

Thank you, Vance

[SgurlEd]

Good Sunday Morning to Ya'll

BTW....all these photos are just as I took them. I couldn't believe the steep angles....last year this would've made me nervous but this year there is a confidence that is there in Vance's flying.

I think I could compare it to his old road racing skills...it was like he was one with the aircraft all such amazing fluid movements!

I'm heading off to the airshow I had to down load pictures to the computer so I could start fresh toady and the software companies computer is quicker than home. I am now sending them off to Flickr which will probably take a couple of hours as I took 312 photographs.

I will post again a link if you would like to view the pictures watch for it this evening!

Be Well and God Bless! Cheers! Ed

This is a friend of mines little boy his name happens to be the same as my son's Name Ryan James! He couldn't stop smiling.

I also want to give Mark Givens a "Special Thanks" for letting Vance and I have this wonderful joy of sharing the Predator with others...it is indeed a treat to watch those little faces all enthusiastic about something you envisioned and then created! Hoping we are as luckey in that regard with Mariah Gale!

[j4flyer]

Ed be careful with what you write. Marks' head may not fit inside his corvette after reading your post ha ha.

[Vance]

The wind started to come up so I did not feel as comfortable as Saturday flying. I caught a cold and got very little sleep Saturday night.

I did maintain a casual attitude and I can see from the pictures that I was doing some cranking and banking. The first flight was cut short to let an airliner depart. The dead stick exit worked great and was the thing most mentioned by the visitors.

I was more aggressive in the second set and saw 116kts and some climbs and descents that had the VSI pegged in both directions. I used the extra 300 feet to see 116kts indicated air speed. I had to modify one of the S turns because I started to get blown over the 500 foot line. Ed never turned the camera sideways; I am climbing as steeply as it shows in the pictures.

I just didn’t feel as in control as Saturday and one of the pull ups from a high speed dive felt like The Predator wasn’t happy.


The second set worked out well and we had kids lined up until an hour after the show closed.

I heard from several people that the announcer did a good job and the PA system was much improved.

Joe AKA Rifle was flying the A10 in the show and we went for some gyroplane time after the show. Ed has some pictures that she will share after I post this. He did very well with throttle control and altitude/airspeed management. He is Captain Paul Brown’s replacement and he gave me a little instruction. I felt he could land but he decided against it. I miss Captain Paul Brown who is now Major Paul Brown in the National Guard. SMX was very nearly IFR as we sort of snuck in. When I called in from 10 miles the tower told me that the fog was rolling in fast and I should hurry. I took the controls and ran her up to 90kts indicated airspeed to beat the fog. I imagined Rifle was yawning but he was nice enough to say it was a lot of fun.

I am exhausted and headed for bed. I suspect that it affected my flying.

I just wanted to let everyone know that I cheated death once again.

Thank you, Vance

[SgurlEd]

Hello Everyone,
I have been trying all evening to post pictures from my tablet without any success so tomorrow in the am I will post the pictures.

Thanks so very much for your patients and understanding it is appreciated!
Cheers! Ed

[okikuma]

Hi Vance,

You're description of flying during the airshow is fantastic. It's unfortunate for me that I had to work and was not able to head up there to KSMX to attend the airshow and watch you fly.

I hope you said hello for me to David, George, and the rest of the staff from the Van Nuys FSDO that attended the airshow.

Hi Ed,

You're photos as always are fantastic. Claire likes the photo of the little future aviation sitting in the command seat of the Predator.

Wayne

[SgurlEd]

Well Another Happy Monday!!

Here are some of the Pictures from Sundays Flying and Vances' flight with Captain Joe 'Rifle' Shetterly The A-10 Demo Pilot!

Capt Joe Was a really sweet Guy he took a picture of Vance, Himself and I and sent it to Major Paul 'Harb' Brown

1st pic: The first picture is Vance & Capt. Joe doing a Pre-flight...what I thought was interesting that no other Pilot has done Capt. Joe did his own Per-flight which I thought was smart he was very interested and focus on safety of the flight!

2nd pic: The Presidential Shake

3rd pic: Ready to Rock and Roll!

4th pic: Gentleman we have lift-off

5th pic: Heading towards the sky!

6th pic Finally in the Sky!

7th pic Heading towards the Beach!

8th pic Off into the Sunset

Here are two links to all the photos of the Airshow and other Miscellaneous Photos I took While we were there at the show!
Thanks for Following our Adventures...with Vance there is never a Dull Moment! Love to All...Ed♥
Thunder Over the Valley on Saturday:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/94595406@N00/sets/72157627417737257/
Thunder Over the Valley on Sunday:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/94595406@N00/sets/72157627546254648/

[MarkG]

Ed

Thanks for the kind words!! So what did Capt Joe think of the Predator??? Not quite an A-10 but the Teeth and eyes are very similar!! Glad to hear that you are enjoying the Predator so much!!!

[SgurlEd]

Ed be careful with what you write. Marks' head may not fit inside his corvette after reading your post ha ha.

J4Flyer,

If I know Mark it's probably Topless Like the Predator...so no wories...LOL

BTW....he should revel and bask in all the attention the Predator gets it is a rare thing to take something from the mind and put to paper but really quite another to bring it to fruition! ;-P

Cheers! Ed

Here's his baby Looking Fabulous! ;-*

[SgurlEd]

Hi Vance,

You're description of flying during the airshow is fantastic. It's unfortunate for me that I had to work and was not able to head up there to KSMX to attend the airshow and watch you fly.

I hope you said hello for me to David, George, and the rest of the staff from the Van Nuys FSDO that attended the airshow.

Hi Ed,

You're photos as always are fantastic. Claire likes the photo of the little future aviation sitting in the command seat of the Predator.

Wayne

Wayne I sure wish you and Claire could have come up...though we were quite busy it would've been Great to see you both. Those kids keep me on my toes...and my face is pretty well fried too. ;-P The price we pay for being the popular Aircraft at the Air Show, but it was all worth it as Vance would let's put on our Race Face...suck it up and Just Do It!

Best to you and Claire Wayne!
Love & Hugs! Ed

[SgurlEd]

Ed

Thanks for the kind words!! So what did Capt Joe think of the Predator??? Not quite an A-10 but the Teeth and eyes are very similar!! Glad to hear that you are enjoying the Predator so much!!!

Mark,
To be honest you would probably have to ask Vance about that. All I heard him say was Wow...Cool...This is Awesome!

He did give it a thorough examination and seemed impressed with it's attention to detail. We will see what Vance has to say though!
Love & Hugs ! Ed

[Vance]

Hi Vance,

You're description of flying during the airshow is fantastic. It's unfortunate for me that I had to work and was not able to head up there to KSMX to attend the airshow and watch you fly.

Wayne

Hello Wayne,

I realized that I didn’t take you along as I usually do so I thought I would give it a try.

I was reading my knee board so I put the instructions in a different color. I felt like I had plenty of time to read the card, monitor my altitude, indicated air speed, engine tachometer, rotor tachometer and my position in relation to the air show box and show center. So hop in and off we go.

The start of the show was delayed because of the weather. I was the third act after the war bird fly by. I was anxious and started The Predator prematurely during the 99’s fly by. The 99’s took longer than I expected and the war birds ended up making six passes and the Predator was idling for more than a half hour. I felt anxious but did not want to shut her down. Sometimes she is a little reluctant to start when warm.

I finally received instructions from the air boss to taxi to 30. I stopped at the compass rose and performed a run up and magneto check and the right side dropped 127 rpm and ran rough. I reluctantly decided I would not fly unless she had a good magneto check. I leaned her out and ran her up to 2,300 rpm with a little brake creep. After around a half minute she passed the magneto check with a 62 rpm drop on the right magneto and a 59 rpm drop on the left.

I worked my way down the preflight list carefully so I didn’t let the excitement of the show cause me to leave something out.

Set altimeter to 00 feet at 30

I set the altimeter to 0 so I knew where the ground was and the deck was. SMX is 262 feet but it is easier to read the altimeter when ground level is zero and there is less figuring to do. The hard deck would have been at 762 feet.

As the war birds were landing I found I could not hear the air boss. I could hear them responding to the air boss but nothing from the air boss. He was using a hand held radio and was about 20 feet in the air on a scissor lift. There is a slight hill in the way. I pulled out my squelch knob and could barely hear him over the static, “BZZZQUIS wo Mike SHSH POP olf 30 clear for takeoff!”

Take off on 30 and climb at 50kts

I richened the mixture and advanced the throttle as I pressed the pre-rotator. I saw a hundred rotor rpm as we reached the center line.

The take off was quick and we started climbing at 500 feet per minute and soon saw a steady 1,000 feet per minute climb. I kept her aligned with the runway until I saw 1,000 AGL.

HS to E box at 600 feet

I turned back toward the box and began a descent and reached 90kts as we turned right and climbed across the box to the west.

W best angle of climb across box

I was showing more than 2,200 fpm of climb across the box gradually slowing. We reached 1,000 feet by the west end of the box. I continued to pull the nose up until I saw zero air speed but the VSI showed were still climbing at 500 feet per minute. I moved the cyclic forward and to the right and lost very little rotor rpm as we began a descending turn.

R 180 to E HS flight to end box

She eased around as nice as could be and with the nose pointed at the ground I picked up speed quickly eventually seeing 114kts indicated air speed as we leveled out at 550 feet AGL. I expected her to sag to 500 feet but the level off was crisp.

L 180 turn climb full power W


I turned left so the noise of the blades would be pointed at the crowed. The entrance was smooth and the bank felt steep.

R slow 180 S turns to E

I scrubbed off a lot of speed in the turn and did steep S turns climbing across the air show box.

L 180 W pull power, recovery 600’

I pulled the nose up and saw 10kts of indicated air speed I pulled the power back and turned right because we were drifting toward the 500 foot line.

Figure eight at show center finish E

I did S turns and some figure eights while climbing to the east.

L 180, slow flight to end of box W

I slowed to 30kts and maneuvered a bit to the west and at show center did a tight spiral climbing to 1,000 feet agl.

Climb L spiral inside box to 1,000’

720 degree steep spiral full power

Exit east and land

When I reached the west side of the box and still pointing west at 1,000 feet agl I pulled her to idle, turned right 180 degrees and waved as we flew the somewhat indirect path dead stick to a nice landing at taxiway echo with about 5 feet of roll. It is just about ¾ of a mile.

Taxi to air show on Echo

I didn’t follow the card exactly but it kept me on track and allowed me to take advantage of the gusting wind from about 290. The air show box was actually oriented south east but I used W and E to keep it simple.

I cut the engine before the no props and rotors line and two workers came out and pushed me to the display area. I did not have time to stow my helmet before we were swamped with people interested in The Predator. Both days it was nonstop. Ed would help the kids in and out as I answered people’s questions and occasionally explained the instruments and controls to the kids in the cockpit who expressed an interest.

Two of the FAA officials came by and told me I could use 200 feet as the deck for Sundays show and approved all of the maneuvers I had done including the angles.

This is actually the first time I have slowed down enough to enjoy the relaxed peaceful feeling I had as I went through the maneuvers. I was pleasantly surprised as I explored her capabilities and saw numbers greater than I expected. The responsiveness and the connection I felt with The Predator was a joy and I suspect I will be reliving those moments for some time.

Sunday the first show was cut short by a departing airliner and I was a little more free form in the second show. I did not know I had her nose up quite that far. Several people asked if I was worried about falling out.

The pull up from the high speed dive in the last show was the only thing I was not comfortable with. I backed off just a little and exited the box to the east. The rule of the day was that we were not allowed to perform aerobatic maneuvers outside the box and for me that was an angle of climb greater than 60 degrees. I turned left instead of right to keep from getting blown over the line by the somewhat stronger winds in the afternoon performance.

I do not have the words to describe the joy I found orchestrating this simple performance. I felt a little like I was watching someone who knew what they were doing and I occasionally would remark to myself, “Wow look at that ______, I didn’t know she could do that!”

Thank you, Vance

[Vance]

Ed

Thanks for the kind words!! So what did Capt Joe think of the Predator??? Not quite an A-10 but the Teeth and eyes are very similar!! Glad to hear that you are enjoying the Predator so much!!!


Hello Mark,

Rifle helped with the preflight and I could tell that he knew what he was doing. He added check rudder cables to my preflight. He remarked several times about the workmanship and attention to detail.

As we were taxiing out to 30 we were going over out plan for the flight. He found he could read the altimeter and indicated air speed. As soon as we got outside the class Delta I demonstrated steep figure eights and slow flight with a power pull back and gave him control of the aircraft at 1,500 feet. In less than a minute he was managing altitude and airspeed well. His throttle controlled improved as he worked at turns. He didn’t go past 30 degrees but came up on it suddenly and precisely.

He felt he was ready to land and I reluctantly headed toward Lompoc.

I pulled the power full back on final and made a very steep approach with a very gentle touch down. We were looking into the sun so I couldn’t watch for rotor reversal well. We were off again quickly and on downwind I gave Rifle the aircraft and he decided not to try a landing.

Rifle gave me the aircraft when the tower told us to hurry to make it before the field went IFR. I ran up the speed to make it before the field went IFR. I did another simulated engine out touching down at near zero at taxiway echo.

As we did a quick post flight inspection Rifle kept saying “cool, that was really cool.” He remarked that he had a lot of time in slow tail wheel aircraft and understood the point.

He was impressed at how helpful the tower was.

Rifle is not particularly effusive so I feel that “cool, that was really cool!” was a high compliment.

Thank you, Vance

[Timchick]

Excellent job, Vance.

[Vance]

Thank you Tim,

I wish you had been there to video it.

When I look at some of the pictures the attitudes seem unreasonable.

I always wonder how close to trouble I am.

Thank you, Vance

[SgurlEd]

Thank you Tim,

I wish you had been there to video it.

When I look at some of the pictures the attitudes seem unreasonable.

I always wonder how close to trouble I am.

Thank you, Vance

Hopefully one day I'll be able to Video Tape it....because I thought you did an amazing Job!

Hope you are feeling better...Love You Snooky! Ed

[MarkG]

J4Flyer,

If I know Mark it's probably Topless Like the Predator...so no wories...LOL

Cheers! Ed

Here's his baby Looking Fabulous! ;-*

Ed The Vette is a Hardtop!! I have the Z06 model and with the 505HP and aluminum frame they say they need the addition rigidity that a fixed roof would add.