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Sporty

There was an (I assume) very occasional reader y-clept Doedo who used to drop in on me in PM whilst I was working on my tailwheel qual to offer encouragement and advice. Mentioned that the Travelair I hope to someday fly was something of a dog contrasted to his own machine, the Bücker Jungmann Bü-131. Which, given the video he sent along – from right here at Gillespie – I’d have to agree.

Not that they’re giving away Bü-131s, or anything.

Deodo and his wife Gail, I was happy to see, got a story on his plane in the Pacific Flyer recently.

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15 comments to Sporty

  • What a Great Vid! How could anyone watch that and not want to go strap on a BiWing!

  • Snake Eater

    Nice aircraft…great/appropriate music…thanks. Best

  • I have a question… in the footage shot from the cockpit of the blue aircraft, what is the vertical tube directly in front of the wind screen? It looks like a sight or level tube, Is it some kind of vertical speed indicator?

  • Idaho Joe

    What kind of aircraft were those Buckers flying? Nope, doesn’t have quite the same ring to it.

    Beautiful video, makes you want to take a run out to the old airfield.

  • Mike B

    Lex,

    If you EVER get a chance to fly the Bücker, DO SO. Trust me on this one. It’s like dancing with the perfect partner. She knows exactly what you want to do, but doesn’t lead… instead goes there instantly and gracefully at your slightest hint or touch.

  • Daryle LaMonica

    Can someone tell a non-pilot…is that considered formation flying and does formation flying require a special credential?

  • JoshG

    Yes, that was form.
    No, you don’t need special credentials. But, you have to have previously briefed what you will do. You can do this on the ground (good idea) or over the radio in the air (acceptable idea) I’ve never done it myself, but it looks like great fun. Lots of supervised practice recommended!

  • JoshG

    Forgot to mention, in the RV world, (RV as in Vans RV, a type of kit built airplane), they do a formation clinic (or two) every year. They use the T-28 formation manual for instruction material. There are many hand singnals and head nods you must learn to be able to communicate with your wingman or lead without speaking. Very interesting.

  • JoshG

    Heres a link to an RV pilot’s blog. He went to a formation clinic and then wrote a story about it. Great reading.
    http://www.papagolfchronicles.com/2007/05/formation-clinic.html

  • Glad you like the video. We had a lot of fun flying and making the video.

    No special licence or endorsement needed as far as the FAA is concerned.

    FAR section 91.111: “Operating near other aircraft. (a) No person may operate an aircraft so close to another aircraft as to create a collision hazard. (b) No person may operate an aircraft in formation flight except by arrangement with the pilot in command of each aircraft in the formation. (c) No person may operate an aircraft, carrying passengers for hire, in formation flight.”

    We had briefed the flight, the lead pilot is a former navy pilot (A4′s S3′s). The plane makes it easy as it is super responsive and light on the controls.

  • Dust

    Outstanding vid!

  • Ron Snyder

    Great video with excellent music.

    Thought the music was from the early Big Band era. Thanks to GoogleMagic, it sounds like Elsie Carlisle with Burt Ambrose and the Mayfair Hotel Orchestra (1933) http://bit.ly/cJUL4l.

    Definitely Elsie (I think). :)

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