Proof at last

Who needs M3 when it’s PFA? 😉

I do. I have to drive down it to get to Popham!

Who needs M3 when it’s PFA? 😉

I’ll bet you know more about that machine now than any M3 maintenance organisation in the country. Nice to see it really does fly, I reckon some of us thought you were delusional.

No, I am delusional. I thought I could afford it!

Thanks Tim, that is much appreciated. When you are over next you can come and show me how to fly it (actually we will sit at Popham and be a clique . . .)

Today I got to fly in it for the first time. PaulC was there and he may have piccies but he had buggered off by the time I got down (lightweight).

It was a strange experience. I know every single nut, bolt, split pin and washer in that aeroplane and it was exciting to take off in it as I have looked forward to it for twelve years. As soon as Stuart handed me control (he needed to check the speeds on the GPS) it all became more familiar. It was an aeroplane over an area I know well and it handled OK. It is not a Pitts but it is not a dog. It needs a fair amount of rudder in turns but that is typical of its era. Visibility is not good but not as bad as some other aeroplanes. We flew around for a while and checked the speeds and full weight climb and then went back for a landing.

Most of the test flying is now done and we just have the final “test flight” stuff to do. Once the paperwork is back we need to convert me on properly. Then there is some more checking, some time building and then, if we got it done in time, a tiny trip to France.

Oh yes, here is a pic of Stuart and I landing.

Melv

I’ll bet you know more about that machine now than any M3 maintenance organisation in the country. Nice to see it really does fly, I reckon some of us thought you were delusional.

I would like to point out that I am not sitting in the aeroplane in picture 2. It is on a slope. The angle has nothing to do with the heaviness of any potential flight test observer.

You can see my ear in picture three though.

M

just a couple of pics

Melyvn,

was good to see it fly for the first time – I will try and post some of the pics this week

Thought not – apparently the first one is the most difficult though.

JC

Fancy doing a Dak now? 🙂

JC

Eerrrrr,

No

I’m late as usual, but what they all said. Fancy doing a Dak now? 🙂

JC

Fabulous news Melv, I’m delighted for you. 🙂

All jokes aside (and there will be plenty more) it must be the best of moments when you get your own hands on the controls and feel the aeroplane doing what it should. Pay back time for those 4 years. Well done.
mmitch.

Thanks Tim, that is much appreciated. When you are over next you can come and show me how to fly it (actually we will sit at Popham and be a clique . . .)

Today I got to fly in it for the first time. PaulC was there and he may have piccies but he had buggered off by the time I got down (lightweight).

It was a strange experience. I know every single nut, bolt, split pin and washer in that aeroplane and it was exciting to take off in it as I have looked forward to it for twelve years. As soon as Stuart handed me control (he needed to check the speeds on the GPS) it all became more familiar. It was an aeroplane over an area I know well and it handled OK. It is not a Pitts but it is not a dog. It needs a fair amount of rudder in turns but that is typical of its era. Visibility is not good but not as bad as some other aeroplanes. We flew around for a while and checked the speeds and full weight climb and then went back for a landing.

Most of the test flying is now done and we just have the final “test flight” stuff to do. Once the paperwork is back we need to convert me on properly. Then there is some more checking, some time building and then, if we got it done in time, a tiny trip to France.

Oh yes, here is a pic of Stuart and I landing.

Melv

As I was slashing the paddock the other day on our vermillion (well red) old Fergie tractor, the only excitement I get (or, sadly, need) these days, I wondered when we would see photos of Melvyns delightful red (vermillion?) aeroplane in the air. Lo and behold, I turn on my ancient computing machine, and there they are!
Congratulations Melvyn. On your world tour, we have an excellent paddock, freshly mown! Lots of cold fizzy, and excellent Oz red.

Tim

Well done , I might even get to see it in action one day?

So might I if this weather lets up.

Well done , I might even get to see it in action one day?

Well done Melv mate, excellent, keep it up 😉

So you werent worrying about the aircraft then 😉

Bravo, my man. I’m very impressed.
So who gets the credit for the photos?
So where were you then?
And, never ever fit a propellor (sic) to your aeroplane. You will find a propeller works much better. 😀

The man in charge of the airscrew was Stuart Goldspink. I was standing in the field wondering which bits would fall off.

M

Bravo, my man. I’m very impressed.
So who gets the credit for the photos?
So where were you then?
And, never ever fit a propellor (sic) to your aeroplane. You will find a propeller works much better. 😀