Dodge County Dodge-'Em!
Article by Phil "Papa Bravo" Bolenbaugh
The approach to Dodge County Airport found the trio of
Brad, Gordy and myself in line at various degrees of separation and in the order
named. Brad started announcing at about the five mile mark and included the
fact that there were three ultralights involved in this particular approach.
Brad was leading and announcing his progress all the way. Gordy was doing the
same. As Brad turned final, another party asked if we were going to do a full
stop landing. Brad answered in the affirmative. As Brad touched down, Gordy
was on base and I was just dropping into the left-hand 45’. All parties of the
trio were announcing their intentions in proper fashion. Consider now that both
Brad and Gordy are on the ground watching as I both announce and turn on the
base leg.
Just as I turned base, I notice a diamond formation of T-6 Texans heading directly towards me (head-on). They are, however, slightly higher and a little farther out from the end of the runway. But, based on the angle from the ground (as viewed by Brad and Gordy), it appeared that we were on a direct collision course. I announced that I was turning final, but delayed the actual maneuver for a brief moment until I could get a read on what these guys were actually going to do. About that time, I hear (load and clear) that this formation is announcing that they are going to do a high speed, low pass down over the main runway. This just happens to be the runway that I’m intending to utilize. The noose now feels tighter and I’m getting ready to head down and away because I don’t want these guys to use their windshield wipers on my little Quicksilver and the old man. Then someone in the group woke up and said “break-off, utralight in the pattern”. These guys pulled up and away and were never seen again. I continued to complete the turn to final and landed.
I realize that there are lots of potential questions to be raised here about the situation just described. In fact, if the club meetings ever get short for material, we can always address this story and listen to all of the opinions . . . you know that they are out there!
Or we could just say that we all remember when the little Quicksilver ultralight faced down the four T-6 Texans.
For what it’s worth.
Respectfully submitted,
Phil B.
Where To Now?
... So, we go to Rochelle Instead
Paul Sy Invests in Another Seat
Vance Invests in Modern Technology
The Illinois Aviation Museum at Bolingbrook
(386 Kilobyte ".pdf" file: be forewarned)