{"id":8562,"date":"2013-09-06T12:59:11","date_gmt":"2013-09-06T17:59:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/fitzvideo.com\/sky_surfing\/?p=8562"},"modified":"2013-09-06T12:59:11","modified_gmt":"2013-09-06T17:59:11","slug":"when-pigs-fly-mcpherson-kansas-the-prairie-powerhouse-by-brian-fitzgerald","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fitzvideo.com\/skysurfing2\/2013\/09\/06\/when-pigs-fly-mcpherson-kansas-the-prairie-powerhouse-by-brian-fitzgerald\/","title":{"rendered":"“When Pigs Fly” – McPherson, Kansas – The Prairie Powerhouse by Brian FitzGerald"},"content":{"rendered":"

Once A Year<\/h4>\n

The saying<\/strong> is to the effect “Such and such will happen when pigs fly<\/strong>“<\/em>. Well, I can tell you “it”<\/em> happens<\/strong> once a year<\/strong> and I was there! The Annual “When Pigs Fly” event in McPherson, Kansas<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Ever since the McPherson Chamber of Commerce<\/a> started this event over a decade<\/strong> ago I have wanted to attend<\/strong>. During that time any number of unremembered\u00a0exigencies<\/strong>\u00a0conspired to keep me away<\/strong>. Finally, Saturday 24 Aug 2013,<\/strong> I made it. It was a lot of fun, I met some great folks<\/strong> and was treated to a tour of the town by Jet Pilot Gary Roper<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Hangar mate Paul Fiebich<\/strong> – The Airbike Ace<\/p><\/div>\n

Early Start<\/h4>\n

It is my habit to leave on Fun Flight Missions<\/strong> before or just at sunrise<\/strong>. All season<\/strong> I have not seen anyone<\/strong> else<\/strong> in the hangar at that time<\/strong>. Rounding the corner to the hangar door that Saturday<\/strong> I was impressed<\/strong> to see The Airbike Ace<\/strong> had beat<\/strong> me to the field and was even to the point of engine start<\/strong>. Paul<\/strong> was heading to the McPherson event<\/strong> also<\/strong> and wanted to get\u00a0going early<\/strong>. Even though the conditions<\/strong> were not propitious<\/strong> for photography,<\/strong> I shot the picture above as a testimony<\/strong> to the earliness of his departure.<\/p>\n

Paul<\/strong> was going around Wichita<\/strong> to the East<\/strong> to join up with Belite<\/a> Founder James Wiebe<\/strong> who was going to fly his latest creation – the “UltraCub<\/a>” – to the event. I had planned to fly around town<\/strong>\u00a0the West<\/strong> side. Even though akin to a “Race of Turtles”<\/em>,\u00a0Fiebich<\/strong> having gotten the jump on me<\/strong> naturally put me in “hurry-up mode”<\/em> to do my best to beat<\/strong> the two man flight to McPherson<\/strong>…<\/p>\n

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Airbike<\/strong> dust was still in the air when I rolled the Quicksilver<\/strong> out.<\/p><\/div>\n

Riding The Wave<\/h4>\n

Checking the weather<\/strong> the night before I knew the prevailing wind would be from the South<\/strong>. Since McPherson, Kansas<\/strong><\/a> is North Northwest<\/strong> of Wichita<\/strong><\/a> this would reverse<\/span> my normal Fun Flight Strategy<\/a><\/strong> of flying into and under<\/span> the wind on the way out and riding the wind home<\/strong>. I would make good time<\/strong> heading to<\/strong> the show<\/strong> but it would be a slow journey home<\/strong>. The forecast of 9 mph<\/strong> from the South Southeast<\/strong> was accurate for people on the ground<\/strong>. Winds aloft were quite higher<\/strong>, though, as I found once I climbed to about 600′ AGL<\/strong>…<\/p>\n

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The Sunrise as seen through my back window.<\/p><\/div>\n

Wind And Haze<\/h4>\n

I took the picture<\/strong> above after descending in order to get out of the wind. \u00a0The extreme haze<\/strong> in the air contributed to the pleasant<\/strong>\u00a0coloration of the sunrise<\/strong>. I also like<\/strong> the way the camera<\/strong> caught the propeller arc<\/strong>. Anyway, before heading North<\/strong> I needed to circumvent the traffic control area of Mid Continent Airport<\/strong><\/a>. Rucker Airfield<\/strong><\/a> is a private residential airport on the Southwest<\/strong> edge of this control zone, so I use it as my marker<\/strong>. That morning the wind from the South<\/strong> was strong enough at 1,000′ AGL<\/strong> that it was an impediment<\/strong>\u00a0even to my crosswind progress. After passing over<\/strong> the habitated areas South<\/strong> of Haysville<\/strong>, I dropped down to a low level<\/strong> over the farm fields<\/strong> until I could make my turn North<\/strong> and “catch the wave”<\/em>.<\/p>\n

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Cat Claw Mimosa? Western Ironweed? Wild Alfalfa? The Hangars<\/strong> at Rucker Field<\/strong> are in the distance.<\/p><\/div>\n

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The Hangars At Rucker Field<\/p><\/div>\n

Prairie Wildflowers<\/h4>\n

As I approached Rucker Field<\/strong> I passed over a great expanse of the purple flowers<\/strong> you see in the two previous photos. It was still a little too dark to get a perfect shot but I think you get the idea.<\/p>\n

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Turning North<\/strong>, the Rising Sun<\/strong> makes for another interesting color study<\/strong> under my right wing. This was from 600′ AGL<\/strong> as I climbed to “catch the wave”<\/em>.<\/p><\/div>\n

Surf’s Up!<\/h4>\n

Earlier I alluded to the stronger winds aloft<\/strong>. They were MUCH stronger<\/strong> than I would have guessed. During the flight<\/strong> to McPherson<\/strong> my tailwind averaged 32 mph<\/strong>. The Sky Surfer<\/strong><\/a> loves a boost like this even if it is\u00a0“on the way out” <\/em>but it would likely mean a very slow return<\/strong> to base that afternoon…<\/p>\n

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Holding an airspeed of 38 mph<\/strong>, the ground speed reading of 72 mph<\/strong> means I was getting a 34 mph tailwind boost<\/strong> at that moment.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Colwich, Kansas<\/strong><\/a> was the first small town on my path.<\/p><\/div>\n

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East of Colwich<\/strong> is this Westar Electric<\/strong> generation plant. Steam rises from heat exchangers.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Colwich<\/strong> also has a large “Antennae Farm”<\/em> East Northeast<\/strong> of it. These are Broadcast<\/strong>\u00a0TV antennas<\/strong>. KAKE’s<\/strong><\/a> antenna is 1016′ high.<\/p><\/div>\n

Bogs<\/h4>\n

A bog<\/strong> is a wetland area<\/strong> I associate with Ireland<\/strong> and Scotland<\/strong>. As I passed Burrton, Kansas<\/strong><\/a> I saw this area Northeast<\/strong> of it I had not been familiar with. It didn’t look<\/strong> like it was resultant from the heavy rain<\/strong> we have been experiencing all Summer<\/strong> prior to this flight. I asked my Buddy Gary Foster<\/strong> who farms 30 miles<\/strong>\u00a0West<\/strong> of here and he said this area is always wet. I took the next few shots from 1,500′ AGL. <\/strong>They give you a look<\/strong> at the area even though\u00a0the haze<\/strong> attenuated<\/strong> them somewhat. On the trip home<\/strong> I flew much lower<\/strong> over this area<\/strong> so you will be able to see it better<\/strong> then.<\/p>\n

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How about that?! Straight down from 1,500′ AGL<\/strong> at a small cabin on a lake.<\/p><\/div>\n

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This is Pete’s Puddle<\/strong><\/a>. It is a recreation spot and they also raise catfish<\/strong> here.<\/p><\/div>\n

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After leaving the bog<\/strong> area I saw this\u00a0“curved”<\/em> harvesting<\/strong> method I have never seen before.<\/p><\/div>\n

High Humidity<\/h4>\n

This is why most all my shots<\/strong> have been to the West<\/strong>. With the thick haze<\/strong> in the air, shooting into the Sun<\/strong> is a waste of time. I did continuously scan<\/strong> that direction, though, for air traffic<\/strong>. I also had my wingtip strobe lights<\/strong> on.<\/p>\n

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Haze. From 1,500′ AGL looking East Northeast.<\/p><\/div>\n

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To the North<\/strong> I knew it was McPherson<\/strong> because of the Oil Refinery<\/strong> on its Southwest<\/strong> side. It still wasn’t very visible even though this picture was taken only 5 miles out<\/strong>. The airfield is barely visible<\/strong> to the West<\/strong> (left)<\/em> of town.<\/p><\/div>\n

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I climbed to 1,800′ AGL<\/strong> before entering the traffic pattern<\/strong> which at McPherson is a “West Pattern”<\/em>. While scanning for traffic I took this picture to once again show the extent of the haze that morning.<\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a0The Airplanes<\/h4>\n

I know a lot of guys come to Fly-Ins<\/strong> early in the morning, eat breakfast and then leave. So, as soon as I landed<\/strong> I took pictures<\/strong> of most of the planes<\/strong> that were there.<\/p>\n

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A Fairly New Aviat A-1B<\/p><\/div>\n

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An RV-6<\/p><\/div>\n

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A Stearman<\/p><\/div>\n

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A Mooney Ovation 2<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

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A Rans S6ES<\/p><\/div>\n

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A Diamond DA 40<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

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The Belite ULTRACub<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

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Fiebich’s Airbike<\/strong> with the ULTRACub<\/strong>. By the way, in The Great Turtle Race, I won!<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

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A 1971 Cessna 310Q<\/p><\/div>\n

The Pulsar<\/h4>\n

I recognized this homebuilt<\/strong> right away. It is a Pulsar<\/strong>. A number of years ago I did a movie I call “Take a Look at the Pulsar”<\/em><\/a>. My Son Jack and I spent 2 days in Lawrence, Kansas<\/strong><\/a> interviewing pilot\/builders of the Pulsar<\/strong> during their annual Builder’s Meeting<\/strong>. I have plans to put the movie on My<\/strong>\u00a0YouTube<\/strong>\u00a0Channel<\/strong><\/a> in the future. Below you can see the tail of my Quicksilver<\/strong><\/a>. I take so many pictures of it, I spared you seeing yet another of it on the ramp.<\/p>\n

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Owner Dave Glaves<\/strong> posing with his Pulsar XP<\/strong>. It has a Rotax 912ULS<\/strong> motor and he has had it for 5 years<\/strong> and likes it a lot.<\/p><\/div>\n

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A Rutan Long-EZ from Shawnee, Kansas<\/p><\/div>\n

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A Whittman Tailwind<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Seen One Of These Before?<\/h4>\n

I doubt it. This is a “one of a kind” called The Piranha<\/strong>. It is one of 7 made in 1966<\/strong> to interest the U.S. Air Force in a small, close air support aircraft. The other 6 are gone. An interesting discussion of it from 2007 is HERE<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

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A Rans S6S<\/p><\/div>\n

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Paul Fiebich<\/strong> in front of his Airbike<\/strong> smiling even though I beat him in the race he didn’t know we were having.<\/p><\/div>\n

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A Titan II<\/a> From Loveland, Colorado<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Great Breakfast And Lunch<\/h4>\n

An unexpected benefit<\/strong>, the organizers of the event provided a Free Breakfast and Lunch<\/strong> to pilots. I had a great time<\/strong> sharing that\u00a0breakfast<\/strong> and company with Dale Weinhold<\/strong> and Jim Homolka<\/strong> of Ellsworth, Kansas<\/strong>. We talked about airplanes<\/strong>, trucks<\/strong> and life in general. Dale<\/strong> keeps his Cessna<\/strong> looking really nice.<\/p>\n

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Dale Weinhold<\/strong> and Jim Homolka<\/strong> in front of Dale’s 172<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

Cars, Too!<\/h4>\n

“When Pigs Fly”<\/em> is a BarBQ Contest<\/strong>, Airplane Fly-In<\/strong>, Parachute Jump, Helicopter Rides<\/strong>,\u00a0Car Show<\/strong>, Tractor Pull, Horse Exhibition<\/strong> and more. While I was talking to Gary Roper<\/strong>, The Wichita Model A Club<\/strong><\/a> entered the scene so I shot pictures of them as they drove by.<\/p>\n

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Rare Studebaker<\/h4>\n

I also met Don Steuber<\/strong> of McPherson<\/strong>. Don<\/strong> is retired from the McPherson<\/strong>\u00a0Refinery<\/strong> and has lived in McPherson<\/strong> since 1956<\/strong>. Even though Studebaker<\/strong> went out of business in 1963<\/strong>, they issued some 1964 model cars<\/strong>. Don<\/strong> has one and it looks great<\/strong> and still drives fine<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Don Steuber & 1964 Studebaker GT Hawk<\/a><\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

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Gary Roper – Professional Pilot<\/h4>\n

Early in the report I told you I met\u00a0Gary Roper<\/strong>\u00a0at the Fly-In. Actually he was the\u00a0first person<\/strong>\u00a0I spoke to after landing. He was standing near his\u00a0Model A<\/strong>\u00a0and I asked him to pose for a shot. Because the\u00a0sun<\/strong>\u00a0was\u00a0glaring<\/strong>\u00a0into the camera too much we took\u00a0two<\/strong>\u00a0pictures. In the ensuing\u00a0conversation<\/strong>\u00a0I also learned he is a\u00a0corporate pilot<\/strong>\u00a0stationed at\u00a0McPherson Field<\/strong>. I told him what I was doing and he told me to let him know when I was ready and he or his\u00a0Daughter Cynthia<\/strong>\u00a0would give me a\u00a0ride<\/strong>\u00a0around town so I could\u00a0photograph<\/strong>\u00a0some of the sights. That’s what we did.<\/p>\n

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Powerhouse On The Prairie<\/h4>\n

Initially<\/strong> I was struck with the “Powerhouse”<\/em> subtitle<\/strong> to this piece because of all the activity<\/strong> I witnessed when Gary<\/strong> and I pulled up to the corner of Kansas Avenue<\/strong> and Main Street<\/strong>. Action! It was a Saturday<\/strong> morning and the place was bustling. All the parking places<\/strong> were taken<\/strong>. People were in the breakfast spots<\/strong> and cars were backed up at the stop lights. It was by far the most business\/retail activity<\/strong> I have seen in any of the smaller towns<\/strong> I have visited this Flying Season<\/strong>. By the same token, I must note that McPherson<\/strong> has 13,000 people<\/strong>, while most<\/strong> of the towns<\/strong> I visit are about 1\/4 to 1\/3 that size.<\/p>\n

After thinking about it \u00a0I decided what I was reacting to was a “small town atmosphere”<\/em> with “big town energy”<\/em>. I discovered that one of the keys to its general prosperity<\/strong> is just that: Energy<\/strong>. McPherson County<\/strong>\u00a0(McPherson Board of Public Utilities<\/a>)<\/em> provides electricity<\/strong> to its residents at a much lower cost<\/strong> than anywhere else in the State of Kansas<\/strong>. So, now I see that my use of “Powerhouse”<\/em> was apt in more ways than one<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The Furniture Store of Kansas<\/h4>\n

The first place I asked Gary<\/strong> to stop is a client of mine, The Furniture Store of Kansas<\/strong><\/a> (TFSOK)<\/em>. They were not open yet that morning or I would have asked Randy Hoffman<\/strong> to step out front for a photo op. In a couple of months it will be a decade that I have had the great fortune to do Television Advertising<\/strong> for these fine folks<\/strong>. From their start – selling used furniture in a one room storefront<\/em> – to now retailing the biggest names in furniture<\/strong>\u00a0– Randy<\/strong> and Lori Hoffman<\/strong> have made TFSOK<\/strong> the Furniture Powerhouse<\/strong> of the region<\/strong>. Their fleet<\/strong> of trucks<\/strong> course throughout the state making deliveries<\/strong> every day. Let it be known that The American Dream<\/strong> is\u00a0Alive<\/strong> and Well<\/strong> in McPherson, Kansas<\/strong>!<\/p>\n

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The Furniture Store of Kansas in McPherson<\/strong><\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

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McPherson Board of Public Utilities<\/strong><\/a>. When I first saw it, I took this picture<\/strong>\u00a0just because I\u00a0liked<\/strong> the way the building looked<\/strong>. Little did I know it would figure large<\/strong> in my story line<\/strong>…<\/p><\/div>\n

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McPherson County Courthouse<\/strong><\/a> is famous throughout the land. The stonework is magnificent<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n

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The Center of Downtown McPherson – Kansas at Main – looking Northeast<\/p><\/div>\n

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It was a busy Saturday morning.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Kansas @ Main Looking Southwest<\/p><\/div>\n

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Nice Brickwork<\/strong>. This strikes me as being from the Art Deco Period<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n

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A brick<\/strong> building with lots of character<\/strong>. I appreciate the way the builders<\/strong> turned ordinary columns<\/strong> into artistic works<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n

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There is much<\/strong> to like about this corner building<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Because I was shooting into the sun<\/strong>, the camera was hard pressed to deliver the vibrancy<\/strong> of these color<\/strong> schemes. I have not checked to see if Downtown McPherson<\/strong> has a covenant<\/strong> for paint and building ornament. Regardless, I commend<\/strong> them as to how the different businesses have adopted paint schemes<\/strong> and ornamentation that is at once complimentary<\/strong> to the whole, while at the same time maintaining each business’ individuality<\/strong>. This contributes<\/strong> greatly to the quality of the McPherson<\/strong>\u00a0downtown<\/strong> area\u00a0appeal<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n

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The tall windows<\/strong> and crown work contribute to the elegance<\/strong> of this building.<\/p><\/div>\n

The McPherson Opera House Company<\/h4>\n

In the small towns I visit, the stone<\/strong> and brick<\/strong> buildings that capture my attention<\/strong> are the result of much money<\/strong>, time<\/strong> and dedication<\/strong>. In most cases, these elements<\/strong> are brought to bear<\/strong> by the buildings’ owners<\/strong>. In other cases, it is the local<\/strong> government<\/strong> with the assent of the people<\/strong> who undertake the burden<\/strong>\u00a0of keeping these classics presentable<\/strong> for others to enjoy. In the case of The McPherson Opera House<\/strong>, it is a dedicated ensemble of volunteers<\/strong> laser focused on maintaining this Prairie Jewel<\/strong> to the state of perfection it is. While my mission<\/strong> is to take external pictures<\/strong>, I have seen photos<\/strong> of the inside<\/strong> of The Opera House<\/strong> and it is no less magnificent<\/strong>. You can peruse their website HERE<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Once again, the sun<\/strong> was not<\/strong> in the best position<\/strong> for all the angles I took but regardless, the\u00a0edifice\u00a0is well served by this next series of shots.<\/p>\n

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An iconic product logo<\/strong> that has withstood the Test of Time <\/strong>decorates the North Side <\/strong>of The Opera House.<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

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The McPherson Opera House<\/strong> Main Street Side And Entrance<\/p><\/div>\n

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The South Side Entrance<\/p><\/div>\n

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\u00a0Over One Hundred Years Old<\/h4>\n

I can imagine people in Europe<\/strong> and Asia<\/strong> roll their eyes at this, but here in America<\/strong> buildings of this age (West of the Original Colonies anyway)<\/em> are a rarity<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Shared Tastes<\/h4>\n

As we moved about the downtown area<\/strong> I asked Gary<\/strong> if he could think of some nice older homes<\/strong> and Church Buildings<\/strong> I could photograph. He laughed<\/strong> a little bit because as it turns out<\/strong>, he and his wife Karen<\/strong> very much prize this type of architecture<\/strong> also. We didn’t have much time<\/strong> but we were able to get a good representative<\/strong> sample of what McPherson<\/strong> has to offer in that genre<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Notice the two “stacked” windows! Also, the intricate paintwork in the eaves.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Silver Buckle Drill Team<\/a><\/h4>\n

I would have liked to see the Silver Buckle Equestrian Drill Team<\/strong> perform but they started while Gary<\/strong> and I were running around town taking the previous pictures<\/strong>. Regardless, as we approached I saw them in the distance<\/strong> and asked Gary<\/strong> to stop his pickup<\/strong> so I could jump out and do my best with the telephoto<\/strong> lens to photograph<\/strong> them leaving the field. The following are the results.<\/p>\n

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The Final Maneuver<\/p><\/div>\n

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The wind was just under 20 mph<\/strong> from the South<\/strong>. They had to hold tight on the flags.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Pilot Time<\/h4>\n

Rather than becoming tedious<\/strong> so as to rate one over another, suffice to say not only do I appreciate<\/strong> fine old architecture, I love<\/strong> looking at airplanes<\/strong>. \u00a0Gary<\/strong> had given me a great tour<\/strong> of some of McPherson’s sights<\/strong> and it was time for us to return<\/strong> to the airfield<\/strong>. Since we had talked a bit about his Aviation Career<\/strong>, I asked if he wouldn’t mind showing me his “ride”<\/em>. He was most happy to oblige<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Gary Roper<\/strong> and his 1979<\/strong> C-182Q<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

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We took a couple shots of this handsome Cessna<\/strong> so you could see the gold striping<\/strong> and “N” number<\/strong>. I also wanted a shot with Gary<\/strong> wearing his signature<\/strong> straw hat<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n

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The McPherson Airport Terminal Office<\/p><\/div>\n

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The Pilot Lounge<\/p><\/div>\n

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Even though she was very busy with the show, we grabbed Gary’s Daughter Cynthia<\/strong> (Peterson)<\/em> for a photo op next to this nice display she made featuring key events in her Dad’s Flying Career<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n

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After that we strolled over to another hangar to look at Gary’s<\/strong> pristine 1947 Cessna 140<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Then as if on cue, Fellow Pilot<\/strong> and Wife Karen<\/strong> walked up just in time for a portrait<\/strong>\u00a0with Gary<\/strong> in front of the distinctive McPherson Logo<\/strong> on the side of the terminal building<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n

Windy<\/h4>\n

Finally it was early afternoon. The tailwind<\/strong> that was so beneficial<\/strong> to my flight that morning<\/strong> would now be my adversary<\/strong> for the flight home<\/strong>. After filling my gas<\/strong> tank to the brim<\/strong>, I pre-flighted the plane<\/strong> and with the help<\/strong> of airport manager Tom Chandler<\/strong> eased the MXL<\/strong> loose of its moorings<\/strong>. It was windy<\/strong> enough that I asked Tom<\/strong> to hold my windward wing<\/strong> until I was in the plane and taxiing<\/strong> into the wind. In that breeze\u00a0Takeoff<\/strong> was quick<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

McPherson From The Air<\/h4>\n

Because it had been so hazy<\/strong> upon my arrival that morning<\/strong>, I did not have any aerials<\/strong> of the town<\/strong>. In order to accomplish this, as I left the airport I circled North<\/strong> and then around the East<\/strong> side of McPherson<\/strong> before heading South<\/strong> to Selby Aerodrome<\/strong><\/a>. That series is next.<\/p>\n

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Just after takeoff I turned downwind and shot this out my back window so you can see the proximity of the Refinery<\/strong> to the airport.<\/p><\/div>\n

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This shows the tie down area better. Most of the planes had already left. The windsock is straight out.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Northwest McPherson<\/strong> From 1,000′ AGL Looking Northeast<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

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The Center of McPherson<\/strong> From 1,000′ AGL Looking East Southeast<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

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Same As Above But A Wide Shot<\/p><\/div>\n

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Telephoto Of Main Street – 1,000′ AGL Looking Southeast<\/p><\/div>\n

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A Nice Housing Addition On The North<\/strong> Side Of Town<\/p><\/div>\n

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This is as much of the city I could squeeze into my wide angle lens from the position I was on the Northeast<\/strong> side. We are looking South Southwest<\/strong> from 1,200′ AGL<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n

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A Long Shot With The Downtown<\/strong> Area Backgrounded By The Airstrip<\/strong> – 1,200′ AGL Looking Southwest<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

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Football Practice<\/p><\/div>\n

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Looks like they have the Cheerleaders or Marching Band out, too!<\/p><\/div>\n

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Hwy 56<\/strong> Heading West<\/strong> Through Town<\/p><\/div>\n

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National Cooperative Refinery<\/strong><\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Back To The Bogs<\/h4>\n

In the morning<\/strong> I had passed over this unusual wetland area<\/strong> at higher altitude. Now battling the fairly strong headwind<\/strong> I was flying lower<\/strong> to try to get under it. Naturally<\/strong> I took some more pictures<\/strong> of the area<\/strong>.\u00a0This\u00a0is about 7 miles Southeast<\/strong> of Buhler, Kansas<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Looking Southeast<\/strong> From 100′ AGL<\/p><\/div>\n

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Ahead I saw some white cattle<\/strong> fellowshipping with a large flock of cranes<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n

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As I continued I came upon some dark cattle<\/strong> and deviated to the right to go around them. The birds took flight.<\/p><\/div>\n

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I dropped down to 30′ AGL to test the wind there. It was 20 and gusting.<\/p><\/div>\n

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After finally passing over the wetlands<\/strong>, farming activity resumed. I liked the look of their grouping of storage bins<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a0Plogging Along<\/h4>\n

Ultralight Flying<\/strong> is not about speed<\/strong>, it’s about being airborne – Flying<\/strong>. The destinations<\/strong> are interesting and I enjoy them but unlike some<\/strong> see it, the flying part is not “time wasted between destinations”<\/em>. I love being in the air. \u00a0Nonetheless, flying into a substantial headwind<\/strong> over time poses the potential of fuel starvation<\/strong> prior to destination arrival. After a couple of hours<\/strong> I was under that pressure<\/strong>. Good thing that “Momma Didn’t Raise No Fool”<\/em> because I had brought my pony tank of extra gas<\/strong> strapped behind the seat. The only challenge was to find a suitable landing spot<\/strong> in order to transfer it to the main tank.<\/p>\n

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The Arkansas River<\/strong> 23 Miles Southeast<\/strong> of Hutchinson, Kansas<\/strong><\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a0A Suitable Spot<\/h4>\n

So what is a “suitable spot”<\/em> for landing. Normally it is any clear, flat spot<\/strong> where the surface can be seen. The main concern is not to hit\u00a0large rocks<\/strong>\u00a0hidden in tall grass<\/strong> that also might be hiding deep ruts<\/strong> or animal holes<\/strong>. On this day, though, because of the high wind<\/strong> there was another requirement<\/strong>. I needed a “wind shade”<\/em> to protect my plane from the breeze<\/strong> once I stepped out of it. Ultralights<\/strong> are so light<\/strong> they can tip over<\/strong> or motivate independently<\/strong> across the ground without the pilot<\/strong> when propelled<\/strong> by a wind gust<\/strong>. To avoid that, I taxi<\/strong> to the downwind side<\/strong> of a tree row<\/strong> after landing. Fortunately<\/strong>, in this area finding a flat field<\/strong> with a tree row<\/strong> was no problem.<\/p>\n

As a\u00a0demonstration<\/strong>\u00a0of this principle in practice, I took the next series<\/strong> of shots<\/strong> to show you the perfect field<\/strong> I found.<\/p>\n

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The Field Is Fallow<\/p><\/div>\n

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The Windbreak<\/p><\/div>\n

What is not obvious from the pictures is how hot it was. It was over 90 degrees<\/strong> and because I was so wise as to position myself out of the wind<\/strong>, it felt much hotter<\/strong> than that.<\/p>\n

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Since I have not been seen near enough in this report, I set up the cam on timer. After 4 times trying to get the shot I wanted, maintaining the smile became a real effort.<\/p><\/div>\n

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This was growing in the hedgerow. Note the Ladybug<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n

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I also saw this little guy scurrying<\/strong> around on the ground. It took about 6 tries<\/strong> to get this picture because he was moving so fast. After I chased him about 20 yards<\/strong> he got tired and slowed down. I figure that was the human equivalent of him running about 5 miles.<\/p><\/div>\n

The Journey Continues<\/h4>\n

After adding 2 gallons<\/strong> of fuel to the tank I was ready to continue<\/strong>. I taxied downwind, turned and lept<\/strong> into the air<\/strong>. Because I was entering a more populated area<\/strong> and because it was so hot<\/strong> down low, I flew a little higher<\/strong> during this final stretch.<\/p>\n

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This\u00a0huge building<\/strong> caught my attention. I didn’t see any activity, though, so I am not sure<\/strong> what they would be raising<\/strong> in it.<\/p><\/div>\n

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A Radio Beacon<\/strong><\/a> Northwest Of Wichita<\/p><\/div>\n

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I always like a well-contoured field<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n

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After crossing Highway 54<\/strong> I looked East<\/strong> and saw this. It is still a bit hazy<\/strong> through the telephoto<\/strong> but it gives you a view of the Wichita Skyline<\/strong><\/a> from 2 miles East<\/strong> of Goddard, Kansas<\/strong><\/a>. I was at 1,500′ AGL.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Another Nice Contouring Job<\/p><\/div>\n

It’s All About The Air<\/h4>\n

An interesting thing about airplanes not always apparent<\/strong> to non-pilots is that once an airplane is a millimeter above the ground<\/strong> it has nothing to do with it. By that I mean an airplane’s relationship<\/strong> to the ground<\/strong> is purely incidental<\/strong> once it is airborne<\/strong>. Since that still<\/strong> might sound cryptic<\/strong> to you, here is the gist<\/strong> of it.<\/p>\n

That neat 34 mph<\/strong>\u00a0tail wind<\/strong> that pushed me up to McPherson<\/strong> that morning combined with my Ultralight’s 38 mph airspeed<\/strong> yielded a ground speed of 72 mph <\/strong>when heading North<\/strong>. Coming back to my home airport into<\/span> the South Wind<\/strong> that afternoon, though, produced the negative result<\/strong> of that equation. As you can see in the photo below<\/strong>, my GPS was reading only 20.9 mph<\/strong> over the ground at that instant. That is pretty much how fast (slow?)<\/em> the entire trip back from McPherson<\/strong> was. So, a trip one can normally<\/strong> make in under an hour<\/strong> by car<\/strong> that day took me almost 3 hours<\/strong> by air. But, it was still great fun!<\/em><\/p>\n

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Another Sky Surfing Benefit<\/strong>! I am providing this\u00a0Corn Maze Cheat Sheet<\/strong> for you. You just have to figure out where the maze is…<\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a0Field In Sight<\/h4>\n
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Selby Aerodrome<\/strong> With I-135<\/strong> In The Foreground – From 1,200′ AGL Looking East<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

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Crossing Over Selby Aerodrome & Stables<\/strong> From 900′ AGL Looking East<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

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The Sky Surfer’s Quicksilver<\/strong> Parked Safely Out Of The Wind<\/p><\/div>\n

When Pigs And Surfer’s Fly<\/h4>\n

Even though the trip required me to break my basic Fun Flight Rule<\/strong><\/a>, flying home in a headwind<\/strong> was not<\/strong> that horrible<\/strong>. It was the only way I was going to get to McPherson’s<\/strong> “When Pigs Fly”<\/em> event and I am very happy I was able to make it there finally<\/strong>. Perhaps I will get up there next year, too.<\/p>\n

I highly recommend the McPherson Event<\/strong>. Next Summer<\/strong> go check it out. Airplanes, Classic Cars, Award Winning BarBQ, Homemade Ice Cream, Horse Show, Tractor Pull, Live Music – Something for Everyone<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Blue Skies & Tailwinds!\u2122<\/strong><\/p>\n

Brian FitzGerald – Wichita<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Once A Year The saying is to the effect “Such and such will happen when pigs fly“. Well, I can tell you “it” happens once a year and I was there! The Annual “When Pigs Fly” event in McPherson, Kansas. Ever since the McPherson Chamber of Commerce started this event over a decade ago I […]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9,13,4,3,12,6,11,1],"tags":[29,23,49,51,35,55,54,48,25,22,30,56],"class_list":["post-8562","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-antique-or-classic","category-factory-built","category-fly-ins","category-fun-flights","category-homebuilt","category-show-an-airfield","category-ultralight","category-uncategorized","tag-antique-airplane","tag-aviation","tag-flying","tag-fun-flight","tag-great-plains","tag-mcpherson","tag-mcpherson-kansas","tag-quicksilver-mxl","tag-sky-surfing","tag-ultralight-2","tag-vintage-airplane","tag-when-pigs-fly","category-9-id","category-13-id","category-4-id","category-3-id","category-12-id","category-6-id","category-11-id","category-1-id","post-seq-1","post-parity-odd","meta-position-corners","fix"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fitzvideo.com\/skysurfing2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8562","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fitzvideo.com\/skysurfing2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fitzvideo.com\/skysurfing2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fitzvideo.com\/skysurfing2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fitzvideo.com\/skysurfing2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8562"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/www.fitzvideo.com\/skysurfing2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8562\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8760,"href":"https:\/\/www.fitzvideo.com\/skysurfing2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8562\/revisions\/8760"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fitzvideo.com\/skysurfing2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8562"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fitzvideo.com\/skysurfing2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8562"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fitzvideo.com\/skysurfing2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8562"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}