Years and years ago, I was very into aviation. I still am, but not with the same enthusiasm. Last time I was in the cockpit it was in a Cessna 142. I had flown other aircraft before, 152’s, 172’s, and a 182, along with some other small planes, Cherokee, Arrows and even a V tail Beechcraft. Other than Ultralights, the 142 was the smallest and the most twitchy. In fact, it felt more like an Ultralight than the other aircraft, even the 152 which isn’t really any bigger… the 142 is very basic.
It was a typical spring day in Virginia, meaning it was overcast but we had a high ceiling and the wind was low and steady. Preflight checks all looked good, the plane had been checked out by certified mechanics only a week before. Take off was fine. The little 142 almost jumped off the runway, eager to get into the air. The engine was very smooth for something that I’d put in a Go-Cart.
I flew south from the Hanover County Air Port, heading over Richmond and Midlothian. Then the wind picked up. I felt it through the yoke. Not much, but it was there. I turned west, over Henrico county and Goochland. By that time the wind was strong and made headway difficult for the little kite. Time to turn around I thought. I called the Hanover tower and let them know I was coming back a earlier due to weather and they advised caution because of crosswinds.
I was about a mile out, lined up on a nice glide slope. As I got closer, the crosswinds got stronger. I could see the wind socks at the airport… looked as straight and solid as traffic cones. The nose of the little Cessna was pointing at about 10:30 and that’s when I got nervous… about 5 feet off the deck. But there was nothing I could but go for it. I crabbed in, keeping the wings level as best as I could in the wind. Each wheel touched the ground one at a time as I straightened out and applied brakes. Down safe. The Pucker Factor probably kept me on the ground more than skill. The tower told me that I had made a great landing. I’ve not flown since.
I’ve thought about going back up. Maybe one day I will… when I can afford it again.
Ogre,
I hadn’t heard of a Cessna 142 before. I found the following:
In 1957 the company decided there was a market for a tri geared version of the Model 140. Following their standard tailwheel/tricycle naming convention, Cessna named the new airplane the Cessna 142. Six days later, for reasons now unknown, the airplane was renamed the Cessna 150. A total of 683 C150’s were built between 1957 and 1959, all were sold as 1959 models.
Doesn’t sound like too many people have flown a 142!
The 142 I believe was owned by an outfit called Sundance Aviation. Or it was owned by their Instructor. I don’t remember. Because this last flight was a long time ago.
Ah yes, I know what you mean. Our windsocks are designed to fully extend around 25 knots…I remember my old CFI in high school talking about the crosswind component for the 172 being 17 knots.
He said with anything above 17 and “you’re a test pilot.”
I suddenly remembered it’s been 10 years since my own last flight, got to expensive at school. 9/11 happened, then our insurance costs went through the roof due to a few students landing 172RG’s without putting the gear down first. Reduces landing roll but sure is hell on the plane.
Did Cessna actually sell any 142s under that designation? Six days after announcing the 142, they renamed it the 150.
Well, I flew one and it was designated a “142”. So they had to have sold 1 at least.
There’s nothing like the satisfaction of bucking a wild ride down to the runway, kicking the rudder in at the last second, and greasing the upwind wheel onto the runway at near max demonstrated x-wind.
If only the 50 passengers behind us would appreciate that accomplishment!
That’s funny right there.
I was in one way back in the 1960’s. It belonged to a FBO that rented and did instruction. You learned how to taxi a tail dragger, and the fuel costs were low. I rember the instructor talking me through a cross wind approach. It was wild, left rudder to nose into the wind, drop the right wing to slide straight, then straighten out and level out at the last minute. Weee! I quit taking instruction when I found out I wouldn’t be able to pass the physical to get a commercial license for crop dusting. I was so naive back then. ‘Twas a minor thing that I could have cheated through. Oh well, ifa, coulda, woulda,shoulda, I may have dodged a spectacular auger in.
Don’t know nuthin’ ’bout flying except for the trips me and my old boss use to take up to Detroit lakes. He gave me some quick lessons on instraments, maps, and flight, then after letting me fly for about 10 minutes, he said to wake him up when it’s time to land.
And so it went. I flew while he slept and he did the take off and landings.
George, I love the way you told this story. You are a talented writer. When you gonna finish your books?
Still editing one which is finished – just polishing it up. The other books will follow in quicker succession.