R U A Real Pilot

[rshubert]

I'm a private pilot with 260 hours, complex, high performance SEL ratings and endorsements.  

A few years ago, the wife and I flew to Gaston's Resort in Lakeview, Arkansas (3M0) from Blytheville (HKA) in a rented 177RG.  It's a popular $100 Hamburger stop right on the White River, close to the Bull Shoals dam, with excellent trout fishing.  The runway is 6-22, 3500 ft long, and you land on 24, take off on 6.

Traffic was fairly heavy for an uncontrolled airport, landings and takeoffs frequent with usually 1 or two in the pattern.  We landed (a beautiful landing, if I say so myself) and had lunch.  Hung around, walked around the resort, and decided to head for home about 4 pm.

Got out to the plane, turned on the radio master, and listened for a couple of minutes.  Some guy announced inbound, turning final, and I saw a plane come in and touch down.  I fired up the mighty Lycoming, and announced departing.  I prudently listened for any more traffic, and heard nothing.  Off we go!  Runup completed, I taxied over to the threshold ( all of 100 yards), looked around, turned onto the strip, and shoved the throttle and prop controls all the way in.

Liftoff!  Gear up, flaps up, OHMYGAWDWHAZZATINFRONTOFME!  Wheredidhecomefromwe'regonnadie!  I pulled over to the right side, barely missing the trees, lowered the nose, got some speed going, and he flew over me, landing, placid as can be.  I don't think he ever saw me, and he certainly never reacted.

I stabbed the PTT, and gave "dude" a piece of my mind.  Then I looked over at the radio, and noticed the frequency was set for 118.000!  WTF??  I tuned back to 122.8, and asked if anybody had seen the near collision on the approach end of the runway.

Several people responded in the negative.  My answer was "that's good".

I snuck back to Blytheville, and mentioned that the radio had gone off channel to the owner/FBO.  He said he knew that happened sometimes.  I asked him why it wasn't common knowledge.  Grrrrrr...



shubie

[airbumba]

Originally posted by Kegger26
Oh yeah, I have flown into Athens plenty of times. Sometimes I take my students out that way when the airspace around PDK gets alittle to heavy for a new pilot.
I have flown into Bridgeport a few times back when I lived in Maryland. I dont go up that way much anymore. If you ever find yourself heading south, stop at THV. There is a place there called Orville's. Another great place to eat. There burgers arnt that great. But I would kill for a bowl of there chilli.
 Just five mins below that is DMW. Another great place to stop and eat. Just off the airport within walking distance is Bullock's Airport Inn. They have pretty good food. The prices are really nice too. You know with all the pilots we have here would could almost start our own hundred dollar hamburger thread.

Man, if i'm ever flying down that way , i'll have to do all those food stops,...probably have to recalculate the CoG by the end of the day tho,hehe.

[Purzel]

I hold a PPL for about a year or so, SEP only. So I'm still a beginner.
Flew Pa22, Pa28, C172, G115. All small GA aircraft. Didnt have any too hairy moments up to now (crosses fingers).

I made some pictures some time ago on one or two of my solo-flights as a student. With the new digital cameras you dont have to spend any attention to taking photos, so I figured it would be ok.

They're here (FYI I'm from Germany, so you might not know the places):
http://de.geocities.com/purzelfly/

For anyone who is interested in this stuff, I can only recommend it. Its great. Really.