Man, how I love my Butterfly. Flew solo this morning, nil wind. Took off and landed both ends of strip. Took off about 7.30 am and climbed to 350 feet, flew some tight patterns over flying the strip at 100 feet, then fifty feet, 20 feet. Then landed her. Awesome! After a cuppa tea and good chat, out for another flight. I found myself at 50 knots and had no tail wiggle at all like Allan got. I flew straight and level at about 5700-5800rpm at 35 knots. After a few months of feeling a little apprehensive and thinking this might never happen, I was amazed at how totally relaxed and calm I was as soon as she left the ground. Granted I smiled to myself on first climb out and thought "Now all you have to do is get her down". It was such a magical experience. I was a little worried how I'd handle the altitude but I just love to fly and being up there on my own was fun and man what fantastic view. To actually have been pilot in command of an aircraft and have done it in a craft such as Butterfly, has fullfilled a life time dream for me. Geoff said first landing was text book, it felt great, felt right. Second time out I was back at 25 knots at 20 feet, added some power, kept the stick forward, picked up 30knots at about 5 feet, eased back the power, let her settle in and put her down. Not quiet as nice as the first, but both smooth and as Chris would put it "pretty much a non event." Nil wind conditions will be all my flying for the next 15 to 20 hours. Well, I'll make no excuses for raving on, I'll be excited for weeks.Getting some high resolution pics reduced so as I can post them. The pic below was taken after both flights, I still can't wipe the grin off my face.I thought I was hooked on gyros, now I know it for sure.Thanks to everyone on this forum, it's been a great place to learn and interact with members. Special thanks to , Allan Wardill, Geoff and Keith Jamieson and Larry Neal.Fly Safe.Mitch.[][][][][]Image Insert: 70.45
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Today I Soloed Butterfly.
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Sad to hear you've become a total gyro tragic now Mitch, unfortunately the prognosis is extremely poor as few recover once this stage is reached.[xx(]Seriously - congratulations on a great achievement, we look forward to seeing you at Cooma.[][^]John EvansThink logically and do things well, think laterally and do things better.
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Never had any problems 'getting it up' Nick. There'll be no crowing from this little rooster. I fully appreciate as Tim Mc keeps reminding us all, that the first solo flight simply is a marker for the begining of the rest of ones learning curve.As far as I am concerned I have graduated from a Wannabe to a Newbie and there I shall remain. The only thing I would say to anyone preparing for solo, is, if you think your hooked on gyros now, you will know it for sure, the first time around the paddock. Fellas, it's totally worth the long haul. Art, I'm putting together a little something for you Mate, see you there. Again, Thanks Boys!www.thebutterfly.info
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