Around Lake Michigan on a weekend

Fencer said:
Did a short trip last weekend. Weather was stellar. Met two JC heavyweights.






On the way to GRR stopped at Wynkoop aerodrome for a bite and gas.











Then to KGRR. Was escorted to an undisclosed location and shown some serious hardware. No pix of that.

Lake waters like Bahamas. Chased a jet ski or two.








Race of the Dunes.





Montauk of Michigan - Woolsey 5D5.





Private runway of South Fox Island. A slice of paradise. I called the phone I yelled the radio I waived I rocked my wings shish no welcome.









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Pretty awesome! I have been pretty obsessed with Michigan lately, especailly with this guys and their Island up on Lake Superior, now all they need is a Seaplane!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/robgorski/sets/72157627863808902/
 
Fencer said:
Did a short trip last weekend. Weather was stellar. Met two JC heavyweights.
Click to expand...

Isn't Washington Island great?! Did you go swimming at School House Beach?
Last time I was there, this guy landed and I had to go pull him and his concussed noggin out of his aircraft.
That's what happens when on tries to turn one's Mooney into a rototiller.
Mooney Rototiller.jpg

Mooney Crash 2.jpg

Mooney Crash.jpg
 
Ouch! A lot of grass damaged Mooney looks totally flyable. What was the cause btw? It's a smoot-n-pretty field...






 
Fencer said:
Ouch! A lot of grass damaged Mooney looks totally flyable. What was the cause btw? It's a smoot-n-pretty field...
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Proximate cause was a botched go-around. 310hp + no right rudder = 50° departure of the runway with 3 separate gound-effect stall stacks. The guy was very lucky. He never got high enough off the ground for the plane to completely roll over. He never got high enough off the ground to cause fatal impact loads. But he hit very hard. That almost new Mooney took a pounding. First bounce everything held together. Second bounce, the main gear sheered off. Third bounce, the nose gear sheered. The powerplant had been doing yeoman's duty, but at that point it gave up. I ran to my plane, grabbed the fire extinguisher and sprinted across the field. The pilot was semi-conscious and not quite cogent. His dog had a wagging tail and big, panting grin. Seemed like the dog thought it was just a really great amusement park ride and wanted to go again.
Bigger picture, I think the guy was new to grass, intimidated, and nervous. He bounced a little on the initial landing. Instead of riding it out, he freaked out and tried to go-around. Woulda been fine if he'd just ridden it out. Everyone was ok. Plane was a total. Check the warping near the tail to see why. Big-time airframe and wing damage all around. Too bad...otherwise it was a sweet, sweet summer day in Wisconsin. The water at School House beach was fine! You're a lucky man to have visited the island. My great-grandma's farm is right across the road from the airport. She taught at the school house after which the beach is named.
 
Hey, Fencer. BTW, what two JC heavies did you have the pleasure of meeting?
 
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