Abby Likes Loops

There's not been much time for flying lately.  I just got back from India, and work seems to double-down on the return.   The weather is not really cooperating either, but that didn't stop me from heading out to the airport with Abby yesterday.   It was a gusty and rainy, but I could always hope for an opening.

When I got to the airport, I was surprised to see that EAA690 was doing the Young Eagles thing.  Once per month, the chapter will line up a bunch of pilots to take kids to the air as part of the Young Eagle program sponsored at the national EAA level.  It's completely free.  The chapter recruits schools, scouts, and anyone with a kid between 8 and 18 to come out, see the planes, and go for a nice ride with an experienced pilot.   It's a wonderful program with a goal to introduce kids and parents alike to the fun side of aviation.

Abby was so excited to go flying today that I jumped on the chance for her to experience her first RV flight in Jamie Painter's nice RV-7A.    Jamie's been flying Young Eagles for a while, so I knew he'd give Abby a great flight.  The clouds were starting to show a few breaks here and there, and I knew Jamie and his 7A would handle the gusts well.   I gave a parental thumbs up for inverted flight if Abby consented.   That's not typical for Young Eagles, but I've flown with Jamie, and I knew he'd insure that priority one was a good flight for Abby.   Thirty minutes later, Abby was back at the hangar with a big grin on her face.   As it turned out, Jamie was able to get up above the clouds, giving Abby a nice Sunny Day experience on a day that was anything but sunny.  Abby was a little apprehensive about inverted flight, so Jamie kept things upright.  

The first flight 

only convinced Abby that she wanted another flight with me all the more.  I was harassed to no end that I had to take her flying.  Twist my arm, sweetheart.  After lunch, I granted her wish.

Our first mission was a bombing run at the Ashway Drive intelligence post.   We laid down many lines of fine smoke as Mom, Allie, and the grandparents scattered for cover, waving haplessly at our assault.  Thereafter, we climbed for the clouds, up into the sunshine above a layer of cotton.  From there, with Abby helping at the controls, we exercised my vast repertoire of aerobatic maneuvers, which can be summed up in two words: loops, rolls.  Oh, and maybe a cuban or two.    I pulled the stick back, and the RV quickly climbed through vertical and then the world starts to go upside down, followed soon after by a window full of green as the G's come in at the end of the loop.   Somewhere in the departure from straight and level,  Abby decides that a 5-point harness is not enough, and she is hugging my arm.  Ironically, the very person who is causing her world to be topsy-turvy is also able to give her comfort and security.   I realize that my decision to build a plane with side-by-side seating was just completely validated.   We eventually lose count of the loops and rolls, and it's time to descend.    We swirl downward through the layers of clouds, and as Lake Lanier rotates around, I'm picking out the shoreline that will lead me to Gainesville.  It's a windy day, and a touch-n-go landing at Gainesville will give me a good test of the cross-winds before heading back to Lawrenceville.    

The crosswinds at Lawrenceville had settled down, but it was still a nice test of my taildragger skills.  I score the landing an 8.   I score the experience a 10.   I have so much still to look forward to now that I can bring the RV flying experience to my family and friends.  Will my kids loving flying?  Will they get a bug for aerobatics?   Only the future will tell.  But today, I can tell you that Abby likes loops.