Author Topic: A long days flying. (Read 932 times)

Habu · « **on:** June 15, 2006, 08:52:26 PM »

I thought I would post some pictures from a recent days flying I experienced. I am building up multi engine time on a twin Cessna so I can hopefully get a job flying fire patrol next summer. I decided to go visit on of the bases to see what I was getting myself into.

So Monday morning I woke up at 4:30 am and headed for the airport which is an hour from where I live. I was up before the sun but saw it come up on the way.

At the airport I rolled the Skymaster out of the hanger and gave it a thorough preflight.

After taking off I headed south through the Toronto control zone as I had heard they were going to demolish the four sisters, the very tall chimneys of a disused power plant on the water front. Luckily I timed my flight to see the event take place.

Going..............

Going......................

Gone.......................

After seeing this historic event I headed north to a local airport to buy some fuel and grab breakfast.

Habu · « **Reply #1 on:** June 15, 2006, 08:54:03 PM »

While there I met some men who restore old biplanes. Had a chance to check out this flawless Tiger Moth.

Took off after a bit and decided to head up north. Passed this ferry on the way, it runs between Manitoulin Island and Wiarton Ontario.

Decided to head to Wawa to get some more fuel and check out Wawa's claim to fame.

The big Wawa goose at the side of the Trans Canada Highway.

After seeing beautiful Wawa International Airport decided to head east. On the way another plane east of me reported seeing a small forest fire. I decided to land at local airport that is used as a fire base and report the fire.

After confirming that there was a fire burning the local water bomber started up its engines.

And taxied out to take off.

I took off half an hour later and had to fly past the fire. As it is illegal to get close to a water bomber in action I had to pass quite far away. But I took these two pictures as I flew by. In this one the triangular white stuff that looks like smoke is actually water being dropped on the fire. You can't really see the water bomber though as the smoke hides it.

He is a second shot snapped a few seconds later. The water bomber is visible but small turning left to grab some more water at a nearby lake. He made 2 more runs that I saw before I was too far away.

Finally I headed back home for the day. Total time logged in the air was just over 11 hours. A very long, but very fun day.

Mr Big · « **Reply #2 on:** June 15, 2006, 08:57:12 PM »

Very cool!

Mr Big · « **Reply #3 on:** June 15, 2006, 08:58:53 PM »

btw, is that plane a "Bronco" in some form?

Habu · « **Reply #4 on:** June 15, 2006, 09:05:45 PM »

It is the plane they used before the OV-10 Bronco. It is an O2-A Skymaster.

It replaced the O-1 Birddog as it was faster, had a longer range and two engines for better survivability. However the Bronco was purpose built for FAC work and had turbine engines and better visibility and was introduced about 2 years after the Skymaster.

Debonair · « **Reply #5 on:** June 15, 2006, 09:11:30 PM »

Nice post.
11 hrs in one day is impressive too.
Fire fighting from the air is one of my dream jobs...
...I noticed your power settings are the same on both engines, why are the fuel flows so different?

Hawklore · « **Reply #6 on:** June 15, 2006, 09:16:10 PM »

Wish I could fly, I just don't think I could ever memorize all those instruments..

Let alone the sound of a prop engine running smoothly would quickly put me to sleep.

ROC · « **Reply #7 on:** June 15, 2006, 09:21:45 PM »

Geez Habu, when you hit and run, knocking over what appears to be a pretty expensive stack system, you Never take Pictures!!

hehe looks like fun, great flight!

Habu · « **Reply #8 on:** June 15, 2006, 09:23:12 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Debonair
Nice post.
11 hrs in one day is impressive too.
Fire fighting from the air is one of my dream jobs...
...I noticed your power settings are the same on both engines, why are the fuel flows so different?

I lean the rear engine a bit less to help with the cooling.

Debonair · « **Reply #9 on:** June 15, 2006, 09:43:09 PM »

I was gonna guess that:mad:

moneyguy · « **Reply #10 on:** June 15, 2006, 09:51:23 PM »

i want an O2-A. im jelous!

coool flight though

Sparks · « **Reply #11 on:** June 16, 2006, 12:18:19 AM »

That's a nice picture story board there Habu

RAIDER14 · « **Reply #12 on:** June 16, 2006, 12:28:59 AM »

hmmm.....stacks collapseing and missile or rocket rails on the wings???

Sparks · « **Reply #13 on:** June 16, 2006, 12:53:10 AM »

LOL - of course !! we don't know the order is as Habu says .. revised order of events -

1. "what's this switch for ??" ...... "ooops .. ooooh look a fire .... hey wait a minute "

2. At local power station Yeeeeehaaaaaa !!

eagl · « **Reply #14 on:** June 16, 2006, 06:25:48 AM »

Those O-2s are neat. I've read bad things about their single engine performance (especially rear-only performance) but they do look pretty cool. Plus that one still has the pylons and it looks like they even have all the hardware necessary to make them functional again. Most people don't realize it, but dropping/firing stuff from airplanes is perfectly legal as long as you don't hit anyone or break anything without permission