From: pablo@sisters.cs.uoregon.edu (David A. Cohn)
Newsgroups: rec.aviation
Subject: Yellow and blue on blue and green
Date: 25 Aug 92 23:20:59 GMT
Organization: University of Oregon Computer and Information Sciences Dept.


   "Yellow and blue on blue and green. Two hundred and fifty horsepower
    from the Jacobs radial contentedy dragged the Waco's wire, wood,
    steel and cloth 1500 feet above the carpet of evergreen laid out
    below. It's not so much the noise as the wind. Even in the cavernous
    rear cockpit of the trainer, I hunch a little lower, eyes on the
    letters "USN" embossed on the leather helmet of my instructor, three
    feet ahead, and an infinity away.
    
   "I was told it would be like this. His hand goes up, palm down, fingers
    raised.  The index finger then crooks left and down, and, after a
    pause, his thumb jerks back toward me to indicate that I should
    attempt the maneuver described. I rack my brain: what maneuver *is* it
    that I'm supposed to be doing? The best in 1937 communications
    technology, and I can't do a thing with it. The preflight briefing is
    now a blank.  Perhaps an accelerated stall to the left? I bank hard
    left and come back on the stick, watching for a sign from ahead. The
    stick practically jumps out of my hand as my instructor's signal that
    that was *not* what he had wanted.  I recall hearing of cadets being
    washed out of flight training for not being up to snuff on a bad day
    with an instructor. But today is a good day for Wally Ohlsen. With
    Wally, all days are good. His hand goes up again, finger pointing at
    himself. He'll demonstrate. Ah, lazy eights, high and steep. I don't
    remember *that* from the briefing, but hey, they look easy enough. The
    stick shakes to get my attention, and Wally's thumb is pointing back
    at me again. My turn. The big radial drags us up and into the bank almost
    effortlessly, and a light touch of aileron brings the nose around. The
    Waco practically completes the maneuver itself, like a horse trotting
    itself home at the end of a long day's ride. Two, three more, and I
    get the "straight and level" signal from Wally. A pause. Left hand up
    this time, thumb and forefinger touching. A-Okay. I'm not washed out
    yet. It *is* a good day.
    
A navy cadet's journal from 1937? The first chapter of a
(badly-written) WW-II pilot's novel? No, just me, two days ago at
Evergreen Field, in Vancouver, Washington. Wally Ohlsen, living legend
and all-around nice guy, still gives dual in his ex-Navy Waco UPF-7.
His cabin-class Waco UIC and Curtiss Jenny don't fly much anymore, but
the half-dozen Champs and Taylorcrafts keep Evergreen's turf and paved
runways warm.

After two years of "good intent," I finally signed up for an hour of
dual during my pilgrimmage to the annual NW Antique Aircraft Fly-In.
"Sure, just give us a call a few days in advance, and we'll see if we
can go flying," Wally told me. As simple as that. Five days later,
there I was, living out a fantasy I've had since I was a kid. As Ron
will tell you, the leather helmet is a necessity: it keeps you from
being beaten to death by your own hair. Big radial engine, open
cockpit, in a genuine antique Navy trainer, with a genuine antique
Navy instructor. Sheer heaven. I'm going back next week.

Now, here's the good part: As the late-night TV commercials would say,
"How much would you be willing to pay for this adventure?" Wally
gives dual in the Waco for... $70/hour. Yup, that's what it would
cost you to get dual in a 172 spamcan in most places. Solo price is
also $70.

"Wait," you say, "Solo price?" Yes, once you're checked out in the
Waco, you can rent it for $70 wet. Take your friends up and show 'em
slow rolls over the Columbia river for $70/hour. With absolutely
nothing over their heads. If you want to learn taildraggers in slightly,
um, quieter atmosphere, you can get dual in the Champs and Taylorcrafts
for what you'd pay to park your car in some places of this country.

As you may gather, Evergreen is not an ordinary FBO. It's Wally Ohlsen's
FBO, and has been for the last 45 years. This man is, at 87 or so years
old, a living legend who has committed his life to teaching people how
to fly. He's not about money, and not about business; he's about flying.
If your dream of flying is made of wood and cloth and the sound of wind
in the wires, give Evergreen a call. You'll thank yourself. They're at
(206) 892-2155.

[Note: I have no connection with Evergreen Flying Service other than
 being a customer who has decided that his flight with them was something
 as close to a religious experience as he's had since his Bar Mitzvah.]

-David "Pablo" Cohn
 dreaming of the wind in the wires
From: rjc@hpfcso.FC.HP.COM (Rich Carr)
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 1992 13:43:04 GMT
Subject: Re: GLIDER: stall landings (Was: Transition Glider to Power)
Organization: Hewlett-Packard, Fort Collins, CO, USA