Who Knew The 'T' In T-Craft Stood For Thermaling? (Video)

 As we still deal with the shock and confusion (and for many, the pain) of the Galloping Ghost tragedy at Reno last week, I figured this recent video about flying a Taylorcraft with the engine shut down in some strong thermal lift would be a great way to be reminded of the simple wonder of flying. There's something very special about leaving the surface of the earth and being airborne.... and it's why one of the taglines for AirPigz is: Love To Fly.

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Comments

[seerjfly]

Schweet ! I'd heard stories of people doing this in Cubs and T-Crates but seeing is believing. Thanks for breaking the tension...there has been enough of that, at least in this house, for the past disturbing week.

[Martt (admin)]

seerjfly- I appreciate the tension-breaking feedback... that's exactly what I was hoping it might accomplish.

[Rod Stoddard]

When doing this activity over West Texas inn the early 1950's I learned that there is a good procedure for restart of Continental A-65 engine. After finding a satisfactory thermal one should idle the engine for a minute or two to cool the cylinders and pistons. Then go about your thermal riding and enjoy, knowing that by shallow-diving you will be able to cause the engine to re-start without effort. If one stops the engine when hot and not allow a cooling period it can take more speed and more altitude loss to re-start. It was not at all uncommon in those days, to climb for 10 minutes and fly dead-stick until one became tired and bored and to need to leave the thermal or be sucked up into a cumulus cloud! ---Great fun!

[JohnCFord]

Next time I'm in the Champ I guess I'll have to wander on over to the practice area and work on some engine out maneuvers... ;-)
~J~

[Jim Way]

And I've had the extreme pleasure of doing this myself in a Cessna 150!

My old boss at the National Aeronautic Association, Steve Brown, and I went up for a ride in his worn-out looking 150 over Frederick, MD. He's got some serious soaring experience, so, as we're flying along, we hit a bump and he says "turn around!" So, I did and after a little more left and right, he tells me to start circling. Next thing I know, climb rate is jumping and he pulls back the throttle. Up we're going at 700-1,000 fpm with engine idled. Nice. One of those flights I'll never forget.

jw