Justin’s Pilot Reports (PIREP)

Awestruck. Mesmerized.

Two words that still fall far short of describing my experience today. Flight in a LongEZ. An amazing airplane…just one of many representations of the genius of Burt Rutan.

When I got the email from Charlie McDougal that a seat had opened up, I was ecstatic. We’d been trying to hook up so that he could make me an official GIB. You know… Guy In the Backseat…

I met Charlie at Castroville Municipal Airport where a Mass Canard Fly-In had been planned by Skip Barchfield, another EZ pilot. The plan was to fly as a group from Castroville to the Texas Fly-In (formerly known as the EAA Southwest Regional Fly-In) to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the EZ series - May 5, 1975 to be exact (that in itself amazes me…this futuristic design first flew in the mid 70’s!!).

After a pilot briefing we were soon in the air on our way to Hondo. I spent my entire time shooting video and helping Charlie keep the other EZ aircraft in sight (there were five of us).

After a few hours of enjoying the fly-in and eating the EZ birthday cake (…very good by the way…), we launched into the sky once more. On the way to Hondo we had maintained a very slow speed for safety (due to the other 4 EZ aircraft in close proximity) but when we launched from Hondo it was time to experience the EZ in all of its glory.

We climbed at 120 knots…through an amazing deck of clouds that streaked by…to a lofty perch of 8,500 feet. 85 in no time at all. Climbing at a speed that I’m lucky to get in the Skyhawk while cruising…this was just beginning.

At 8,500 Charlie turned the plane over to me. The controls were incredibly sensitive. Slight movements…almost mere thoughts to head in one direction resulted in a change of attitude. It was like having the brain connected directly to the flight control surfaces. I could see, looking at the elevator just in front of the cockpit, that tiny deflections resulted in changes to the flight condition. It was a learning experience. The visibility was amazing…with nothing but a bubble canopy separating me from a deep blue sky above.

I rolled us into steep turns left and right. The world, the clouds below past by. I was under the EZ’s spell. Enchanted. Looking in every direction. Feeling at times that I was not in an airplane at all, but sailing under my own power with arms outstretched.

Our ground speed in level flight was an unbridled 190 knots– the EZ was in her element. She was showing off and I was loving every, single SECOND of it.

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. We descended for our return to Castroville and Charlie brought us down to earth(video) in no time.

This was a flight I won’t soon forget. Thanks Charlie…

Sincerely,
GIB