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This is really a great community of
flyers/builders. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Sue and I have been
overwhelmed with the response to our little bird hunting adventure. We've
received dozens of phone calls and emails offering help and suggestions as
well as comments on our survival (running about 50/50 for and
against)
There have been a few questions about the
circumstances of the bird strike. It was at Chesapeak Airport in southeastern
Virginia. The bird strike occured on climb out at about 2 or 3 hundred feet.
Gear and flaps were up, airspeed probably about 125-140kts. We remained in the
pattern (after declairing an emergency and asking the other traffic to give us
priority, which they did). We made a wide pattern to keep bank angles down
and kept the speed around 150. We added flaps a little at a time to about 1/2
flaps, kept the speed up and touched down at around 110-120 kts.
We parked, took a few pictures and then pulled it
over to the FBO and borrowed their hose. We spent about an hour hosing out the
leading edge cavity and collecting minced road kill. IV builder Ed Smith flew
over and gave us a ride home in his Bonanza, thanks Ed!
Yesterday, 235 flyer Rich Williams,
loaned us his van. We drove to Chesapeak, removed the right wing and drove
it home. Our hope is to be able to repair the wing, drive it back to Chesapeak
and fly the airplane out. Last night, 360 builder Angier Ames offered to make a
mold of his wing for us to use in making new skin, thanks Angier, we owe you
one. Rick Argente, Bob Pastusic, Bill Rumburg and many more of you have
called with offers of help.
You can begin to see what we mean about this
being a great community. We are truly honered to be among your
ranks.
Bill & Sue Harrelson
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