The last warm seasonal flight
At the time, December was only two days away and the temperature was 70 degrees in south central Kansas! Wind was less than 10 mph and variable, sky was blue with one lonely wispy cloud. As I write this on December 1, 2021, the prediction for tomorrow is 76 degrees. 7 Degrees above our previous record high of 69 degrees way back in 1955! Unbelievable!
Monday's weather was enough to demand that I go flying. I hopped on my Honda 650 motorcycle and rode the 6 miles to my hangar at Cook Field (K50). After a pre-flight, I taxied to the fuel pumps and topped off with 3 gallons of mogas which I mixed with one pint of oil.Soon I was off flying for 1.3 hours. There is just nothing quite like cruising around between 50 and 70 mph (depending on wind direction at 1000 feet AGL) and looking at the changed terrain below. For some reason after such a flight, I always sleep better that night---and I did.
My landing was one of those greasers (I do make them on occasion) but there was no one around to see and judge it. Damn! After touchdown, I taxied tail-up to the end of the grass runway where I let it down. Soon my AirBike was tucked away in its hangar, I patted the engine cowling, and closed the door.
The ride home on the cycle was another pleasurable experience to top off the flight. As dusk fell and the sun sank below the horizon I scanned the ditches for deer who might decide to cross the road when I approached. The terrain varied only about 50 feet in altitude on the undulating ride home, but that was enough for me to experience significant temperature changes and observed some fog developing. I love riding my cycle and flying my AirBike, to do them in concert is pure heaven!
The weather promises to be better this coming Thursday, yep, I will make another flight. Then winter sets in with continuous temperatures in the mid 40's.
Paul Fiebich
a.k.a.
More photos on next page.
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