Cow Manure

It was a solo day when I spotted 6 dots in the distance. The area was sparsely populated and I knew there was a small ultra-light airstrip nearby. The dots weren't moving very fast so I figured they must be ultra light aircraft. I turned in their direction to get a closer look. Soon enough it became apparent that these aircraft weren't ultra lights at all but a flight of tail-draggers that included four J-3 Cubs, a PA-12 Super Cruiser and a Citabria.

As I approached the flight I managed to raise the pilot of the PA-12 on air-to-air frequency and asked him if I could join up. He enthusiastically agreed. Initially, I had a little trouble slowing the Tri-pacer to match the J-3's but finally matched their 65 MPH cruise after extending one notch of flaps.

After a few miles the leader of the loose formation announced their intention of landing at a small dirt airstrip nestled in some rolling hills. It was a one-way in arrangement and any decisions for a go-around had to be made early on in the approach. There were hills hugging the base leg so a tight, fairly slow approach was required. I was last to land which gave me a chance to observe all of the other 6 aircraft as they landed. Piece of cake.

My landing was uneventful but I'm sure all of the other pilots were quite amused to watch a nose-dragger drop into their midst. The ribbing started within seconds after introductions but I neatly quelled it by pointing out that my aircraft was one of the few that lacked the fresh road-apple trim scheme that decorated their mounts. They had to admit that there are times when the superior over-the-nose visability provided by the tri-cycle landing gear of the Tri-pacer has an advantage; I obviously had no trouble avoiding the cow pies. Actually, I thought the dark green cow manure looked pretty festive on the shiney Cub Yellow paint. Especially when it dripped.

All too soon it was time for the group to start for home so, one by one we departed the small strip. Again, I was last in line but had no trouble catching up. I flew along with them for a bit, enjoying some rare (for me) low-level flying. What a beautiful day it was.

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