The Isaan Aviator

January 3, 2008 |

The sun was up, and the wind…well just a tad too much. But I simply had to get out there and try out the Flying Fox. This time with both props pushing it forward.

So I went out into the Putthaisong Aerodrome (Somchais rice paddy) and launched it. Lo and behold, it flew! Yup, and I could make it turn as well. That would be a mistake. As I had launched into the wind. And when I turned it so it got a tail wind, it simply flew straight and level, straight into the row of Eucalyptus trees by the road.

Luckily it was just caught by some low branches, so it was a piece of cake fishing it out of there. So I tried again. The wind had died town, And this time I could fly in circles. Just letting it glide, and using the left or right propeller to steer it. Marvelous!

But then the wind picked up, and the plane was struggling now. It would either try and turn it’s tail to the wind. Or gain height rapidly if I gave it throttle. So I gave up trying to hold it against the wind. And also fearing it would hit the power cables by the road. So I turned it, and it glided away into the paddy fields. I tried to turn it back again, but the wind was to strong, and I was scared I would stall it.

And in the end, well, it disappeared behind a huge tree, and did not come out the other side. A quick run, and well, it was perched on the top branches. So I found a couple of poles, tied them together, and managed to get it lose. Only to see it thud to the ground, and breaking of a wing.

The wings are made from Styrofoam. So that was easily fixed with some tape, and shrink wrap. And the plane is now ready to fly again. But the wind has picked up. It should die down in the afternoon though…

Nan however is not so impressed with my new hobby. So I am threading the ground quite carefully around her. But so far she has treated the matter with complete silence. Else she is behaving normal, as long as I do not mention the plane. Then she just stares daggers at me, and goes off doing something.

Well, well…

That’s it!

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