Hi Doug,
Yes, I flew today.  It was a severe clear day here in Central Texas.  I took off from Lockhart,
Tx (50R) and climbed out at 1300fpm with a mighty roar that only a 3-rotor can make.  I didn't have anywhere in particular to go, so I decided to fly out over Lake Travis, one lake in the Highland Lakes chain of lakes near Austin, staying just south of KAUS airspace.   I plugged Spicewood airport into the GPS, settled into a slow climb of 900fpm with the c/s prop set at 1900rpm and leveled off at 4500 agl.  Letting things settle out, I cranked the prop rpm  down to a cruise setting of 1700rpm and closed the cowl flap.  The engine settled down to 5200rpm, burning 9.0 gpm.  OAT was 53F, oil temps in the green, water temps in the green.  Life was good.  It wasn't long and I was overlooking the Highland Lakes. 

Remembering that my good buddy and fellow rotorhead, Bob Darrah lives in the vicinity, I decided to see if I could find his house.  Bob living on the river really helped, sure enough I found his house.  I pulled back the throttle and descended to 3000agl and made a couple of 360's over Bob's house,  thinking that he would surely recognize the distinct rotary sound.  OK, mission accomplished, so I pointed the nose south and headed back toward Lockhart.

Being a beautiful weekend day, there was lots of chatter on the radio.  There were guys in their Cessnas doing touch-n-go's and others coming and going.  Time to turn on the wig-wags and keep my eyes peeled.  My landing on runway 18 was acceptable, not my best, but considering there was a crosswind, I was ok with it.  I taxied in and shut her down.  Total Hobbs time was 59 minutes.  Another beautiful flight in a great airplane.  The rotary performed flawlessly as expected.  As I exited the cockpit, I could hear the exhaust system creaking as it cooled, as if to thank me for the chance to go for another flight.  Yes, I'm looking forward to next weekend's BBQ fly-in in LaGrange.  The rotary's distinct sound is always good for a few questions. 

BTW - I talked to Bob later in the day and he heard me and identified the distinct rotary sound  and came outside to see who it was.  He had figured out that it was his Lockhart buddy.

Mark S.
N/A 20B Lancair ES
Lockhart, TX