I come from a long line of pilots. My grandfather was a pilot licensed in 30's. My uncle (same same grandpa's son) was licensed in the 60's. Dad wanted to earn his license in the early 60's and could have learned for $100. But at the time he was a Captain in the Army with a wife and two kids and earned $108/month. The license was just not in the cards at the time. Dad later earned his certificate some 40 years later at age 60. I earned mine in 1989.
Years ago I was at my uncle's place the night before an early morning departure for Oshkosh. Iron Eagle was on the vid. The race scene between Doug and his high school rival came on:
My uncle paused the movie to explain something to the effect of "my sons know if they ever pull something like this they will be grounded for life". I suspect that speech was as much for my benefit as reinforcement for my cousins.
No need, but no offense taken either... I have a strong sense of self preservation. Altitude is my friend. Altitude is time and distance should the engine quit or some other emergency. Today that self preservation expands to the immediate family. My worst case scenario is a crash that takes out the family. 2nd worst is a crash that takes me away from them.
Fast forward to present day and today's stupid pilot tricks. Via AvWeb. A pilot crashes attempting low level aerobatics in a plane not certified for aerobatics. Takes out himself and a cousin. NTSB report here.
Said pilot was apparently 34. One thing that is really tough to teach is "judgement".
Some of my best flying memories were flying with my good friend Steve in his Yak. One day we were flying along and he called over the intercom "OK, give me a loop".
Me: "ok... how? I've never even tried it on Flight sim."
"Well easy, Put the nose down until airspeed reaches 90 potatos*... about there."
"then pull back on the stick until you see 3 1/2 G's."
"ease off over the top....and add more stick as we round out on the bottom."
Even better were the stall turns.
"Full power as you pull vertical, look out at the wingtips to see your angle to the horizon. As the airspeed drops through 40 kick hard rudder and opposite aileron and it piroettes nicely over the top."
Except when the kick is late and there is insufficient airflow over the control surfaces doesn't give control authority to complete the maneuver. That leaves the aircraft hanging at about 120 deg pitch and 20 degrees yaw. Ok, that didn't work... reduce power to idle and wait for the heavy end (the engine) to come down first. Now recover from the resulting dive. And try again.
Fun times.
This all works just fine and is as safe as swimming in your backyard pool as long as there is altitude below to effect the recovery.
These guys started their fatal maneuver at 220 AGL. They had no room.
Aerobatics are fun in a proper aircraft and with plenty of altitude below for the recovery. Starting a roll at 220 ft AGL in an aircraft not certified for aerobatics is.... stupid, insane, ill conceived...
And potentially... Fatal.
* the rear cockpit still had Rooskie gauges and we never quite figured out the airspeed units. It was easier to assign arbitrary units and just go with the number on the face. We called said units "potatos".
12 June 2013
05 June 2013
May e-Postal results posted
The SCSon has posted the May results. Thanks all who entered, hope you enjoyed the match.
Couple interesting points about the match...
* All entries were .22LR (excluding the left field entry). That's probably a commentary on the availability of ammo these days.
* Most went for the 10 shot 10000 point option. Meaning it wasn't really a 20 shot match but "what remains after 10 hits" match. Still an interesting scoring scheme. I applaud the out of the box thinking.
I shot a couple other targets that don't show on the score sheets, but I think they all scored 0. I really should have sent in those targets as well.
This has been a learning experience for the SCSon (and that is why we do these things)... The results show several class 3 entries at 25 YARDS. I questioned the SCSon and he insisted. As a spot check, I pulled up Billll's targets. Sure enough his class three target reports range: 25'. Tonight the SCSon learned a single tic is feet, a double tick is inches. And that led of course to "This is Spinal Tap" reference.
He exclaimed "but they don't teach us this stuff in school". Fine, NBD, that is why we are teaching you now!
He should get those fixed up tomorrow. Also, the original postings didn't post well as the actual scores were cut off. He had to figure out a way to keep all the info in the required screen dimensions. It works for me now... let us know if you have problems!
Check out EJ's match for June! The SCSon has already inquired about a weekend range trip (knowing the weekend forecast is for 106, 107F). The range is up in the hills and covered so it's not so bad. The name of the game is pre-hydrate and keep hydrated!
See you on the firing line!
18 May 2013
Range Day
Temperatures here in the Sonoran Desert are still tolerable but we are about to start the steep climb into serious triple digit territory. But today held in the mid-90s so we were good to go.
We hit the range with the mission to shoot some ePostals. This target was shot with a Ruger 10/.22 with an 8x optic sight. This is something of an easy call at 25 yards. OTOH, it's also there to set up an "easy" class to give noobs a good score with scoped rifles.
I kind of expected the 10000 point cyberdemon to be a big draw and if you score, it's worth the 10 shots. I lost count of my hits and ended up with 12 on target. Then I went for the BFG-9000 and cyberdemon. Missed the BFG and only scored 1 on the cyberdemon so no scores there.
If you do the value per shot calculation, and take into consideration the target size, there are some targets well worth aiming for, and some that are not.
BTW, The SCSon is turning into something of a recoil junky. In his early days he was rather recoil sensitive. But now with better understanding of shooting and how recoil ties into that, he now seeks it out as something to be tried... and conquered!
A few months ago he asked about shooting the .30-06 so we took the M1 Garand to the range, and he liked it. Today he wanted to try the .44 Magnum. Here he is firing full 240gr, 1300+fps rounds. He tried a couple singles first, then moved on to a full cylinder.
Next stop... .300 Win Mag! And he's already asking about that. After that, anyone have a .50 cal he can shoot? (I'll buy the ammo)
Unfortunately this range day had a little more drama than usual. I was trying to figure out why my 10/.22 wouldn't feed when I heard a range master asking a few benches down "Are you shot? Are you hurt?" Then he got on his radio to call for a cease fire "...we've had a gun blow up down here". Apparently while walking up and down the line, the range master noticed someone sitting back on a bench bleeding enough to cause notice.
We cleared the weapons and held back behind the safe line.
The shooter was ambulatory but obviously in need of some medical attention for a bloody right hand. "We need to get some pressure on that wound" called out the range master. The injured shooter returned a few minutes later with the hand wrapped in paper towels from the bathroom. I am surprised the range didn't have a better first aid kit with at least some sterile gauze. Then again accidents are rare events. I mentally reviewed the contents of my bag for 1st aid... Couple bandaids are probably the best I could conjure. Felt a pang of regret having been forewarned by other bloggers. (after all, learning from others is one reason for following blogs). Note to self... procure a reasonable 1st aid kit and keep it in the range bag!
Putting together other evidence, it appears a round went off out of battery. The SCSon reports he saw a piece of splayed brass and I found a mangled projectile. I had the camera handy but this is one time I chose not to get the shot. Blood & gore is not my game.
We hit the range with the mission to shoot some ePostals. This target was shot with a Ruger 10/.22 with an 8x optic sight. This is something of an easy call at 25 yards. OTOH, it's also there to set up an "easy" class to give noobs a good score with scoped rifles. I kind of expected the 10000 point cyberdemon to be a big draw and if you score, it's worth the 10 shots. I lost count of my hits and ended up with 12 on target. Then I went for the BFG-9000 and cyberdemon. Missed the BFG and only scored 1 on the cyberdemon so no scores there.
If you do the value per shot calculation, and take into consideration the target size, there are some targets well worth aiming for, and some that are not.
 |
| Recoil Therapy |
A few months ago he asked about shooting the .30-06 so we took the M1 Garand to the range, and he liked it. Today he wanted to try the .44 Magnum. Here he is firing full 240gr, 1300+fps rounds. He tried a couple singles first, then moved on to a full cylinder.
Next stop... .300 Win Mag! And he's already asking about that. After that, anyone have a .50 cal he can shoot? (I'll buy the ammo)
Unfortunately this range day had a little more drama than usual. I was trying to figure out why my 10/.22 wouldn't feed when I heard a range master asking a few benches down "Are you shot? Are you hurt?" Then he got on his radio to call for a cease fire "...we've had a gun blow up down here". Apparently while walking up and down the line, the range master noticed someone sitting back on a bench bleeding enough to cause notice.
We cleared the weapons and held back behind the safe line.
The shooter was ambulatory but obviously in need of some medical attention for a bloody right hand. "We need to get some pressure on that wound" called out the range master. The injured shooter returned a few minutes later with the hand wrapped in paper towels from the bathroom. I am surprised the range didn't have a better first aid kit with at least some sterile gauze. Then again accidents are rare events. I mentally reviewed the contents of my bag for 1st aid... Couple bandaids are probably the best I could conjure. Felt a pang of regret having been forewarned by other bloggers. (after all, learning from others is one reason for following blogs). Note to self... procure a reasonable 1st aid kit and keep it in the range bag!
Putting together other evidence, it appears a round went off out of battery. The SCSon reports he saw a piece of splayed brass and I found a mangled projectile. I had the camera handy but this is one time I chose not to get the shot. Blood & gore is not my game.
09 May 2013
May ePostal
If you've ever played First Person Shooter (FPS) video games, you've probably played Doom, the game that started it all. The SCSon presents an ePostal match based on the original: Doom!
Course of fire:
Download and print target here. (do not use the image above, it probably won't print correctly)
Download and print scoring here. (this is the part that's delayed the posting)
Each target icon only scores once. That is if a target icon requires one hit to score, additional hits score as misses. If a target icon requires n-hits, anything >n scores as a miss.
20 shots.
Pistols: 25ft/10 yds or range minimum which ever is greater. Standing unsupported, one or two hands. No time limit.
Rifles may be shot any position including off the bench, but rests such as sandbags and bi-pods are disallowed. The fore end of the rifle must be supported by the offhand elbow. No time limit.
(see linked document)... This section will be filled out in the future but for now I just want to get the match up.
Shoot as many times as you like with as many weapons as you can lay your grubby hands on.
Classes: You got it? shoot it and we'll find a place to record the score. (I reserve the right to draw the line at tater-guns & scatter guns).
Score submissions: scan/photograph your target, fill in the gun info (make & model & caliber), distance, class, on-line identity (name/pseudonym as you want it on the score sheets, blog reference for linky love) however you want to be remembered on the score sheets... email to
smallestconservative-at-hotmail-dot-com. Might as well cc: me at
SandCastleScrolls-at-msn-dot-com so I can backstop him and make sure no entries fall through the cracks. linked document
All target submissions will receive a return acknowledgement. If you send in a target and don't hear back within 48 hours, raise the red flag.
Update 10May 1336: Target updated. Should print correctly now. Also clarified "each Target icon" only scores once. Obviously there are many target icons on each target.
Course of fire:
Download and print target here. (do not use the image above, it probably won't print correctly)
Download and print scoring here. (this is the part that's delayed the posting)
Each target icon only scores once. That is if a target icon requires one hit to score, additional hits score as misses. If a target icon requires n-hits, anything >n scores as a miss.
20 shots.
Pistols: 25ft/10 yds or range minimum which ever is greater. Standing unsupported, one or two hands. No time limit.
Rifles may be shot any position including off the bench, but rests such as sandbags and bi-pods are disallowed. The fore end of the rifle must be supported by the offhand elbow. No time limit.
- Rimfire, both iron sights and scope: 25 yards.
- Centerfire iron sight & scope: 50 yards
(see linked document)... This section will be filled out in the future but for now I just want to get the match up.
Shoot as many times as you like with as many weapons as you can lay your grubby hands on.
Classes: You got it? shoot it and we'll find a place to record the score. (I reserve the right to draw the line at tater-guns & scatter guns).
- .177 cal air pistol, iron sights (air or C02 powered)
- .177 cal air pistol, optic sights (air or C02 powered)
- .17/.22 cal rim fire pistol, iron sights
- .17/.22 cal rim fire pistol, magnified optical sights
- center fire pistol, iron sights
- center fire pistol, magnified optic sights
- .17/.22 cal rim fire rifle iron sights (25 yds)
- .17/.22 cal rim fire rifle magnified optic sights (25 yds)
- center fire rifle iron sights (50 yds)
- center fire rifle magnified optic sights (50 yds)
- other (anything that doesn't fit the above categories)
Score submissions: scan/photograph your target, fill in the gun info (make & model & caliber), distance, class, on-line identity (name/pseudonym as you want it on the score sheets, blog reference for linky love) however you want to be remembered on the score sheets... email to
smallestconservative-at-hotmail-dot-com. Might as well cc: me at
SandCastleScrolls-at-msn-dot-com so I can backstop him and make sure no entries fall through the cracks. linked document
All target submissions will receive a return acknowledgement. If you send in a target and don't hear back within 48 hours, raise the red flag.
Update 10May 1336: Target updated. Should print correctly now. Also clarified "each Target icon" only scores once. Obviously there are many target icons on each target.
08 May 2013
shots fired...
... too close to home.
This is the scene within a quarter mile of the Sand Castle on a road I drive every day:
The SandCastle Son came down stairs asking "Did you hear that?"
"hear what?"
"pop pop pop pop pop"
"pop pop"
"pop pop pop pop pop"
"pop pop pop pop pop"
The SCSon thought it sounded like a .22. But given the distance and all the obstacles in between it could have been anything.
Currently we have helicopters over head. Film at 11!
Update 2150: [3rd hand rumor] Neighbor talked to the officers manning the road block. They told her someone shot a police officer at the Hospital. This is the scene where other officers caught up with him. He's dead.
Update 2228: Apparently the Jody Arias verdict was more important than the shooting around the corner. The helicopters departed at 2202. No Film at 11.
Update 09May 1020: News stories starting to come out but few details:
EvTrib
ABC15
KPHO channel 5
This is the scene within a quarter mile of the Sand Castle on a road I drive every day:
The SandCastle Son came down stairs asking "Did you hear that?"
"hear what?"
"pop pop pop pop pop"
"pop pop"
"pop pop pop pop pop"
"pop pop pop pop pop"
The SCSon thought it sounded like a .22. But given the distance and all the obstacles in between it could have been anything.
Currently we have helicopters over head. Film at 11!
Update 2150: [3rd hand rumor] Neighbor talked to the officers manning the road block. They told her someone shot a police officer at the Hospital. This is the scene where other officers caught up with him. He's dead.
Update 2228: Apparently the Jody Arias verdict was more important than the shooting around the corner. The helicopters departed at 2202. No Film at 11.
Update 09May 1020: News stories starting to come out but few details:
EvTrib
ABC15
KPHO channel 5
05 May 2013
NRA Convention Day 2 (04May)
... We blew it off. Nope didn't go.
We had to drive back out to the airport to swap out the rental car due to a flat on the rental car. We were headed out to the gunbloggerpolloza and took some road damage in a construction zone. A piece of rebar or something punctured the sidewall,
We changed to the spare within a couple minutes due to good teamwork among the SandCastle Crew. Suddenly I was very apreciative of the having the LDW coverage! That extra C-note looks cheap as this is probably a $250-$350 tire. And they'd probably assert they need to replace them in pairs if not as a complete set.
It was noon-ish by the time the new rental was squared away. Rather than head back into town to fight traffic, exploitative parking fees and gridlock in the aisles, we chose to visit NASA Johnson Space Center and take a tour.
I looked up JSC on the web the night before. The tour is normally $22.99 but if you book online they knock $5 off each ticket. We swung by a nearby McD's to use their free wi-fi (from the parking lot). Less than 5 minutes later (while the SCQueen scored some much needed nourishment) the passes were stored on my tablet*.
We selected the blue tour which visited the Apollo era control center and "rocket city". The control room tour was far more popular than the astronaut training facility by a factor of at least 10:1 maybe 20:1.
The control center was something to check off my "To Do This Life" checklist. I'm glad we took the tour as being there brings more to the subject than reading about it in a book or on the computer. For example, history books generally don't mention it's on the third floor with an 87 stair steps to reach from the ground floor. I'm glad we spent the time and $$$ to do it.
But it's amazing to see how far NASA has fallen. The first YGBSM moment hit us waiting in line for the tram out to the comtrol room. Some hip new rapper performed a NASA rap apparently on-site, and accompanied with dancers decked out in NASA logo'd apparel.
Rocket city: consisted of 1 Saturn V rocket and one other rocket test vehicle. The Saturn V is on it's side but at least now it's covered where it sat outside unprotected, corroding back to base elements. Two engines (one an F-1 monster), and a tunnel used to take the astronauts from the gantry too the capsule. Compared to other "Rocket Cities" (Orlando, Dayton, Smithsonian), this is more like a "Rocket Ghost Town". Without the Saturn V, we wouldn't have even stepped off the tram.
The visitor center has a few historical items: Space suits throughout the years, Pictures of every flight crew the from the first manned Gemini mission to the last Shuttle flight, and a Shuttle mockup again for that 1st hand experience. Also there is an exhibit documenting Felix Baumgartner's leap from ~120k ft. There is a capsule here but it is not clear if this is the actual capsule or a replica/mockup.
The rest is a space themed kiddie park & souvenir shop. An "Angry Birds" themed Habitrail playset occupied a quarter of the space. Flight simulators and other pay-to-play rides took a bunch more space. And there is not one, but two souvenir shops. Calling tourguides "cast members" completed the Disney-fication of NASA" I am so disappointed.
Is this what NASA is reduced to? Trying to appeal to a younger demographic that has no meaningful recollection of America flying space missions? What is your mission these days? "Castmembers" wore jumpsuits with Project Orion shoulderpatches. Ok, what is Orion? We didn't see anything in the visitor center to explain. Click the link if you're interested.
Mission control was worth the trip. The rest... This isn't the NASA I remember.
* my Tablet is a Nexus-7 with only wi-fi connectivity, by choice. I do not need another phone bill.
We had to drive back out to the airport to swap out the rental car due to a flat on the rental car. We were headed out to the gunbloggerpolloza and took some road damage in a construction zone. A piece of rebar or something punctured the sidewall,
It was noon-ish by the time the new rental was squared away. Rather than head back into town to fight traffic, exploitative parking fees and gridlock in the aisles, we chose to visit NASA Johnson Space Center and take a tour.
I looked up JSC on the web the night before. The tour is normally $22.99 but if you book online they knock $5 off each ticket. We swung by a nearby McD's to use their free wi-fi (from the parking lot). Less than 5 minutes later (while the SCQueen scored some much needed nourishment) the passes were stored on my tablet*.
We selected the blue tour which visited the Apollo era control center and "rocket city". The control room tour was far more popular than the astronaut training facility by a factor of at least 10:1 maybe 20:1.
The control center was something to check off my "To Do This Life" checklist. I'm glad we took the tour as being there brings more to the subject than reading about it in a book or on the computer. For example, history books generally don't mention it's on the third floor with an 87 stair steps to reach from the ground floor. I'm glad we spent the time and $$$ to do it.
But it's amazing to see how far NASA has fallen. The first YGBSM moment hit us waiting in line for the tram out to the comtrol room. Some hip new rapper performed a NASA rap apparently on-site, and accompanied with dancers decked out in NASA logo'd apparel.
 |
| From the monitors in the tram line area |
Rocket city: consisted of 1 Saturn V rocket and one other rocket test vehicle. The Saturn V is on it's side but at least now it's covered where it sat outside unprotected, corroding back to base elements. Two engines (one an F-1 monster), and a tunnel used to take the astronauts from the gantry too the capsule. Compared to other "Rocket Cities" (Orlando, Dayton, Smithsonian), this is more like a "Rocket Ghost Town". Without the Saturn V, we wouldn't have even stepped off the tram.
The visitor center has a few historical items: Space suits throughout the years, Pictures of every flight crew the from the first manned Gemini mission to the last Shuttle flight, and a Shuttle mockup again for that 1st hand experience. Also there is an exhibit documenting Felix Baumgartner's leap from ~120k ft. There is a capsule here but it is not clear if this is the actual capsule or a replica/mockup.
The rest is a space themed kiddie park & souvenir shop. An "Angry Birds" themed Habitrail playset occupied a quarter of the space. Flight simulators and other pay-to-play rides took a bunch more space. And there is not one, but two souvenir shops. Calling tourguides "cast members" completed the Disney-fication of NASA" I am so disappointed.
Is this what NASA is reduced to? Trying to appeal to a younger demographic that has no meaningful recollection of America flying space missions? What is your mission these days? "Castmembers" wore jumpsuits with Project Orion shoulderpatches. Ok, what is Orion? We didn't see anything in the visitor center to explain. Click the link if you're interested.
Mission control was worth the trip. The rest... This isn't the NASA I remember.
* my Tablet is a Nexus-7 with only wi-fi connectivity, by choice. I do not need another phone bill.
04 May 2013
NRA Convention day 1
We covered about 30% of the show floor and then headed into the Leadership Forum. The SandCastle Son beat me to the post with most of the best pics of the day*
However he neglected to mention meeting someone more important than every one of those politicians combined. We met a genuine Medal of Honor certified capital-H-e-r-o Hero! Sargent Sammy L Davis, United States Army:
The citation tells of amazing feats under the worst conditions possible. Let me hit the high points:
He signed his photo "You don't lose, until you quit trying!" Great advice
BTW, as the ScSon approached Sargent Davis, an older gentleman also approached at nearly the same time. SCSon offered polite deference to the older gentleman and waved him ahead. The elder insisted "You need to talk to him more than I do. Please go ahead."
* This is as it should be! He is young and energetic, while I am old and slowing down. He should be faster! Now if I can only get him to prove it in a footrace.
However he neglected to mention meeting someone more important than every one of those politicians combined. We met a genuine Medal of Honor certified capital-H-e-r-o Hero! Sargent Sammy L Davis, United States Army:
 |
| Sargent Davis, Sammy L |
- Doing his job defending his base.
- His Howitzer takes a direct hts injuring him and his crew.
- Returns to the weapon (now on fire) to fire on the advancing enemy. Several times.
- Crosses a river, despite an inability to swim to rescue three soldiers injured on the far side.
- Another soldier takes the first wounded across the river while he guards the remaining two.
- Upon returning to the firebase, refuses medical attention and instead returns to duty with another Howitzer crew.
He signed his photo "You don't lose, until you quit trying!" Great advice
BTW, as the ScSon approached Sargent Davis, an older gentleman also approached at nearly the same time. SCSon offered polite deference to the older gentleman and waved him ahead. The elder insisted "You need to talk to him more than I do. Please go ahead."
* This is as it should be! He is young and energetic, while I am old and slowing down. He should be faster! Now if I can only get him to prove it in a footrace.
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