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Unread 09-13-2010, 08:44 AM   #6
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Chuck Heald
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Join Date: Feb 2010
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Dean,
That PGCA BBQ would be great. But my bbq's are a bit small. I recommend that PGCA send an emmissary bearing a variety of libations and of sufficient quantity.

Jeff,
The -51 flight was a true thrill. The operation has 3 TF-51 full dual control airplanes operating out of Kissimmee Gateway airport. They are extremely well maintained. You arrive at the FBO and they have a pre-flight brief of about 1/2 hr or so to get a feel for your flight experience and what you would like to do during the flight. They want you to do most of the flying. They do insist on doing the takeoff for a number of reasons. We did a two airplane formation takeoff, with my brother-in-law in one P-51 and me in the other. I was in the #2 airplane and video'd the takeoff and about 10 minutes of the join up and formation flight while the IP flew. Once we broke off formation for our separate aerobatic areas, I took the plane and did the remainder of the flying and landing. We did about 1/2 hr of aerobatics and then were met by the other plane during the return to the airport. We did a 360 overhead approach, flying over the runway, then breaking off formation to the downwind leg one at a time to allow for landing spacing. The airplane is stable and flies fairly easily. The only quirk is the low speed, high power handling, which he had me fly right into a stall (at altitude) to feel the airplane's characteristics. The airplane feels nimble in aerobatics, but control forces get pretty high with higher airspeed. If you go faster, you need left rudder, slower needs right rudder. You're constantly trimming the rudder with speed changes. That big 11 foot prop is the reason. After the flight, they have a debrief. There are 3 video cameras on the planes. They view the video with you and a do a short critique. The airplane is everything I expected and doesn't disappoint. I highly recommend it!

http://stallion51.com/

Regards
Chuck
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