MenendezDiego
July 10th, 2010, 01:35
Got to fly this puppy around for an hour a few weeks ago...
12336
To sum the story up, Dr. Dan Serrato (E-2C Hawkeye Pilot), came to my Universities Fly In last year. Before he left, we exchanged contact info, and I was promised a ride whenever I would like. We were never able to meet up throughout the year (conflicting schedules). He was invited back to our second annual Fly In a few weeks ago, and guess who got his ride? ;)<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
I was backseat. After gear up, "Your controls", "I have the controls", "You have the controls". We departed the Class-D airspace, asked him what I couldn't do (no going inverted), DAMN ;)<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
After about 20 minutes into the flight I pointed her towards RWY-02, mashed the mic..."should we take her in?" He replied "not if you don't want to"....you best believe I turned that beauty around! We were flying over the town I live in, Eastman Ga, between 1,500-2000ft msl. After around 50 minutes, he told me to bring her home. <o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
We were south of the field headed west, so I made the right turn to head towards RWY-02. This plane is a thing of beauty. I pointed her at the runway, and she stayed true. I was amazed. I was told to do a low approach, as low as I dare to go lol. About 3 miles out, we pushed the throttle open, hit 220 kts, and hit the deck, around 100 ft. AGL. My father, the director of the flight program (former Nellis AFB Controller, and Afghan Campaign Vet), my ground instructor (Former F-15A/B/C/D/E and F/A-18A/B/C/D pilot), and a few other spectators were parked mid-field in a golf cart, watching.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Abeam my father and my mentors, I pitched that nose to in an aggressive, yet gentle manner, I want to say it was 45%, then rolled the plane in the same manner to enter the downwind....making sure to not go inverted.... ;)<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
I had my fun. I would have loved to land her, but she's not my baby. "Your controls", "I have the controls", "You have the controls".<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
We landed, taxied back, I got out, shook Dan's hand, stepped down, shook my mentors hands, and then gave my father a hug. Best day of my life.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
As for video, there is a video of the startup (on facebook). I'll have to upload it to youtube soon. My father missed the takeoff...low approach...and landing....he had one of those moments where you think you aren't recording but you are, and you think you are recording but you aren't :(
After I had gotten out of the plane, and he taxied out, he told the director of the flight program, 'that boy needs to be in flight training...right now!' Feels good to have an E-2C pilot say I'm a good stick :)
I was just happy he was there to see it :)<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Regards, Diego
Edit: Here is another few photos (low quality...stealing them from my facebook)
http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs639.snc3/32052_10150209090830626_805540625_13083399_1968545 _n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs312.snc3/28282_10150210439170626_805540625_13134523_110731_ n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs639.snc3/32052_10150209090780626_805540625_13083393_7466005 _n.jpg
12336
To sum the story up, Dr. Dan Serrato (E-2C Hawkeye Pilot), came to my Universities Fly In last year. Before he left, we exchanged contact info, and I was promised a ride whenever I would like. We were never able to meet up throughout the year (conflicting schedules). He was invited back to our second annual Fly In a few weeks ago, and guess who got his ride? ;)<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
I was backseat. After gear up, "Your controls", "I have the controls", "You have the controls". We departed the Class-D airspace, asked him what I couldn't do (no going inverted), DAMN ;)<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
After about 20 minutes into the flight I pointed her towards RWY-02, mashed the mic..."should we take her in?" He replied "not if you don't want to"....you best believe I turned that beauty around! We were flying over the town I live in, Eastman Ga, between 1,500-2000ft msl. After around 50 minutes, he told me to bring her home. <o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
We were south of the field headed west, so I made the right turn to head towards RWY-02. This plane is a thing of beauty. I pointed her at the runway, and she stayed true. I was amazed. I was told to do a low approach, as low as I dare to go lol. About 3 miles out, we pushed the throttle open, hit 220 kts, and hit the deck, around 100 ft. AGL. My father, the director of the flight program (former Nellis AFB Controller, and Afghan Campaign Vet), my ground instructor (Former F-15A/B/C/D/E and F/A-18A/B/C/D pilot), and a few other spectators were parked mid-field in a golf cart, watching.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Abeam my father and my mentors, I pitched that nose to in an aggressive, yet gentle manner, I want to say it was 45%, then rolled the plane in the same manner to enter the downwind....making sure to not go inverted.... ;)<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
I had my fun. I would have loved to land her, but she's not my baby. "Your controls", "I have the controls", "You have the controls".<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
We landed, taxied back, I got out, shook Dan's hand, stepped down, shook my mentors hands, and then gave my father a hug. Best day of my life.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
As for video, there is a video of the startup (on facebook). I'll have to upload it to youtube soon. My father missed the takeoff...low approach...and landing....he had one of those moments where you think you aren't recording but you are, and you think you are recording but you aren't :(
After I had gotten out of the plane, and he taxied out, he told the director of the flight program, 'that boy needs to be in flight training...right now!' Feels good to have an E-2C pilot say I'm a good stick :)
I was just happy he was there to see it :)<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Regards, Diego
Edit: Here is another few photos (low quality...stealing them from my facebook)
http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs639.snc3/32052_10150209090830626_805540625_13083399_1968545 _n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs312.snc3/28282_10150210439170626_805540625_13134523_110731_ n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs639.snc3/32052_10150209090780626_805540625_13083393_7466005 _n.jpg