Ground Effect Extends All The Way To Starved Rock
Article by Zero Romeo Juliet [a.k.a. Roger Kellogg?]
This morning I
rose at 04:15 and drove to 0C8 to check on weather conditions in the middle
atmosphere. It was 72 degrees and clear at the surface with a 5 mph wind from
the SSW. After preflight, I took off and climbed to 2000 feet, where the wind
was 35 mph from the southwest, and the air temp was 60 degrees. As I hovered
over 0C8, I noticed below that Papa Lima Papa was approaching the airfield in
this four-wheeled conveyance. Traveling southwest at a 7 mph groundspeed, I
watched as Papa Lima made his way innocently to his hanger, wondering if this
was the way U-2 pilots felt as they observed silently from a distance. I pulled
the power and entered the pattern to confirm flying plans. It was agreed that
Starved Rock would be a fitting destination for quick trip on such a wonderful
day.
Sometimes flying seems like hard work, it takes a lot of preparation, planning, and training to make it a reality. Sometimes it feels like too much like work, and not enough like fun. Sometimes you realize how many things are not right enough. Sometimes it feels like you are always investing and never seeing the payoff.
A heading of 240 degrees put us square into the headwind, and by default, we soon set up a journey of hedge hops toward Starved Rock. After crossing the Fox River at a glide-safe altitude, the fields opened up to an almost contiguous carpet of corn, soybeans, and wheat. We traveled southwest, flying low over the crops, adding power to cross power lines at a safe altitude, then settling back to crop level where the air was still and friendly. We flew for a mile at a time in ground effect, savoring the morning as we meandered toward an arbitrary destination. The morning cup of coffee held out almost until we reached our destination. Note to self: need a better cup holder.
Here’s a new lesson: In training, I learned that one always crosses power lines over a pole (to improve focus on the obstacle) and at 45 degrees (so that a engine-out requires only a 45 degree turn to a safe landing). As I was crossing over an intersection it suddenly occurred to me that an engine-out here would require a 135 degree turn to stay out of the cable company’s investment, as wires were paralleling each highway. Thereafter, I charted a course that avoided crossing at intersections.
As we neared Starved Rock we climbed to 1800 feet to provide a satisfactory glide cone in the event of an engine-out. Circling the park, it was easy to see the major features of the rock formations, and some of the network of hiking trails. Barges and powerboats were scaring the river, which quickly healed itself. Eagles were circling below, catching breakfast. Before we became a nuisance at the park we turned to the northeast and headed toward home base.
Normally in this situation, one might climb to 2500 feet or so and take advantage of the tailwind boost to make it home in record time. However, with satisfactory fuel reserves and a beautiful morning to enjoy, we again resumed the low and slow hedge-hop toward home. The air was warm and friendly, carrying the summer fragrance of new-mown hay at times. It was the kind of morning on which, if you were born naked and screaming, the elements wouldn’t immediately conspire to put your existence to the test. The sky above was soft blue, the fields were luscious and green below, and we had invested enough in training, planning, and equipment to enjoy the wonderful morning in royal style. Adventure, Camaraderie, Education. This was a payoff day!
After 2.2 hours of surveying northern Illinois crops, we landed again safely at 0C8, and prepared to return to the real world.
Where To Now?