CC and I had just returned from a nice morning sightseeing flight. As we were putting the plane away my hangar neighbor came by and asked if we wanted a ride. I had given him a ride a while back in the Bonanza and he had promised me one in his classic Waco. His plane was built over 60 years ago but looks like it just came off the production line yesterday.
Of course we said yes. Getting in and out is a lot more difficult. You have to do a bit of gymnastics and a bit of yoga to avoid all the places you can't grab or step. The front cockpit has belts for 2, in fact there are 4 point harnesses.
Once settled in, he fired up the big radial engine and we waited for it to slowly warm. The Bonanza has a nice smooth sound but a radial has a special rumble.
Flying a plane like this requires a special skill, on the ground the pilot can not see directly ahead. This means that the pilot must "S" turn on the ground so as to get visibility. Also when landing and taking off, the visibility is very restricted and the pilot must watch the side of the runway to keep the plane straight.
It is much louder and windier but a total blast!
Of course we said yes. Getting in and out is a lot more difficult. You have to do a bit of gymnastics and a bit of yoga to avoid all the places you can't grab or step. The front cockpit has belts for 2, in fact there are 4 point harnesses.
Once settled in, he fired up the big radial engine and we waited for it to slowly warm. The Bonanza has a nice smooth sound but a radial has a special rumble.
Flying a plane like this requires a special skill, on the ground the pilot can not see directly ahead. This means that the pilot must "S" turn on the ground so as to get visibility. Also when landing and taking off, the visibility is very restricted and the pilot must watch the side of the runway to keep the plane straight.
It is much louder and windier but a total blast!
