This Saturday, Merlin folks went to visit with a couple of our VASA counterparts. Eric and JD met up with Tidewater Soaring Society and enjoyed a day of their warm hospitality. They were met later in the day by Vince. Eric and JD were able to attend the TSS member meeting, where there was some great information on tow rope material and dangers of knots in poly line. The soaring day was windy, with 10-13Kt pretty steady, but generally right down the runway. It was great practice for JD and Vince to fly with Eric in such conditions. JD provided the picture of the 'TSS Grid' - we enjoy our slow pace at Merin, but it is great to spend time with the well oiled machinery of TSS!
Dave and Pete met up at Shenandoah Valley Soaring. Pete did some spin training in SVS's ASK-21. He emailed the following report: "I did the weight and balance for Paul and myself to get the CG aft enough to spin the ASK-21, screwed the 9 steel plates to the tail and up we went to 6500 ft MSL. The first spin is the most intense. The plane literally does a cartwheel as it drops a wing. This feels feels similar to cresting over the top of the first big drop on a rollercoaster. Once it settles into the spin it oscillates from nose up to nose down orientation. I had to hold the spin for 3 full rotations before attempting to recover. Slow opposite rudder to get out of it (that takes about 3/4 turns to slow the rotation down) and then a little forward stick pressure and she recovers. We repeated the exercise 3 times and then did some spin entry as if we were turning base to final." We definitely need to arrange an MSA field trip for some spin training at SVS!
We got good news on our 2-33, it looks like the wing outriggers are repairable and parts will be enroute this week. We should have our 2-33 up in the air behind our new 150-180 within the next couple of weeks! Weather permitting, we expect to be flying the 1-26 this weekend - a member ship too??? Who knows!
Dave and Pete met up at Shenandoah Valley Soaring. Pete did some spin training in SVS's ASK-21. He emailed the following report: "I did the weight and balance for Paul and myself to get the CG aft enough to spin the ASK-21, screwed the 9 steel plates to the tail and up we went to 6500 ft MSL. The first spin is the most intense. The plane literally does a cartwheel as it drops a wing. This feels feels similar to cresting over the top of the first big drop on a rollercoaster. Once it settles into the spin it oscillates from nose up to nose down orientation. I had to hold the spin for 3 full rotations before attempting to recover. Slow opposite rudder to get out of it (that takes about 3/4 turns to slow the rotation down) and then a little forward stick pressure and she recovers. We repeated the exercise 3 times and then did some spin entry as if we were turning base to final." We definitely need to arrange an MSA field trip for some spin training at SVS!
We got good news on our 2-33, it looks like the wing outriggers are repairable and parts will be enroute this week. We should have our 2-33 up in the air behind our new 150-180 within the next couple of weeks! Weather permitting, we expect to be flying the 1-26 this weekend - a member ship too??? Who knows!
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