A Sequel to Bad Day at Goose Bay
by Al Rolland
Preface
In our last episode, we left our five intrepid R/C pilots, Azevedo, Carlson, Huggins, Swift, and Rolland, at Goose Bay in
a state of shock. Four of them had flown (sort of) and three of them had caused significant damage to their hapless
aircraft. Only Swift had defended the honor of the squadron with a relatively successful flight, only missing the runway
on landing by 100 yards. Rolland never got off the ground offering some excuse about a broken propeller.
There was serious doubt whether the crashed aircraft could be repaired or whether their pilots still had the will to fly
after such humiliation. Fortunately, these people have declining memories (among other things), and their
embarrassment and despair quickly evaporated. The cry "Let’s wait for Harry" (the squadron instructor) was no longer
heard. The fact that they had nothing better to do was also a major consideration. In any case, the planes were
repaired in few days and pilots were eager to grab the stick again.
Another Day of Infamy
The Airfield
Tuesday, May 29 was another beautiful day in Northern California, bright and sunny with only a few wispy clouds in
the sky and almost no breeze. The squadron had chosen a new field for today’s operations; a place called Mountain
Meadows, about 18 miles from its Almanor West sleeping quarters. The pilots were hoping to show that that the less-
than-perfect runway conditions were responsible for the Goose Bay debacle, at least in part.
Mountain Meadows is a wonderful place, a wide open area for flying with the reservoir, forest, and Mt. Lassen forming
a gorgeous backdrop at a safe distance. The only evidence of human intervention was cattle serenely grazing in the
adjoining meadow and gravel quarry a few miles away. The old runway had emerged from the winter with the expected
animal burrows, exposed rocks, and weeds. Several passes dragging a 12’ section of railroad track behind Azevedo’s
SUV eliminated the serious obstacles including numerous cow pies. It was definitely better than Goose Bay but still
well short of runway 25L at LAX.
The Pilots
With the exception of Kent Huggins, the survivors of Goose Bay were present and accounted for. Huggins and his
spiritual advisor Marilyn were still away on some sort of retreat hoping to exorcise the Goose Bay demons. Speaking
of Marilyn, no evidence has yet been found to support the rumor that she had given Huggins the ceremonial toast of
sake prior to his alleged kamikaze attack on Carlson’s SUV. Azevedo, Carlson, Rolland, and Swift were ready, if not
pumped! The overconfidence of Goose Bay had been replaced with a quiet determination and an unsaid wish that
Harry were here.
The Aircraft
The aircraft too were ready. Azevedo’s Patchwork Quilt had risen from the watery depths of Goose Bay to fly again.
More, unattractive, but colorful patches had been added to the Quilt and some new wrinkled protrusions from the
fuselage were further evidence of the plane’s ill-fated past. Not visible was a replacement nose wheel control rod
fashioned from a coat hanger a silent tribute to Azevedo’s creativity, or so it was hoped.
Swift’s Ugly Duckling was back. Even having suffered no significant damage at Goose Bay, Swift’s plane was still the
least attractive, but Patchwork Quilt had definitely closed the gap. Miraculously, Carlson’s airplane returned looking
none the worse for its major accident at Goose Bay. Unlike the more flamboyant, perhaps color blind Azevedo,
Carlson had elected to use the original color covering in his repairs. Rolland’s no-name plane looked almost as if it
had just been rolled out at the factory. The skeptics had dismissed the alleged 20-30 flights in Las Vegas as rumor.
Today’s flights would add to their skepticism.
The Flights (Deja Vu All Over Again)
As at Goose Bay, Rolland was the first to test the newly-dragged Mountain Meadows runway. The plane roared down
the still bumpy, but firm runway, looking as if it might actually fly. Looks can be deceiving. The plane left the ground,
but immediately veered left catching a wing tip and nosing into the ground. With an expression that said "How did that
happen?" Rolland went to retrieve his craft fearing the worst (as usual). Instead he found only a broken propeller
(again!) and a detached wing tip both which could easily be replaced. Allright!!
Azevedo was next. Bill cautiously went through his preflight checks. He even asked Swift to observe how the engine
was running. Swift said "Hell, I don’t know anything about engines", but acted like he did anyway. The others gathered
round and grunted their satisfaction with the engine even though they hadn’t been asked and probably didn’t know
anything either. At this point, Azevedo surprised everyone and said "OK, who’s going to fly it?" The control radio was
furiously passed among the pilots like a hot potato finally resting in Rolland’s hands who looked like one who had just
lost in a game of musical chairs. And we called these guys intrepid? Curiously, Azevedo expressed his satisfaction at
this outcome.
Reluctantly, Rolland guided the Patchwork Quilt down the runway, finally pushing the throttle to the wall and leaving
the runway. It actually flew! It wasn’t pretty, but it was flying! The plane slowly gained altitude despite the plane’s
seeming strong desire to return to earth and Rolland’s response of "up’" elevator. The result was the appearance of a
deliriously happy dolphin in the sky. Carlson eventually dampened the dolphin-like flight with some deft trim
adjustments (Rolland would not take his eyes off the plane, apparently one of the few things he had retained from the
Las Vegas instructions). After what seemed like an eternity, Rolland began to worry about fuel (it’s always something)
and suggested it was time for the much dreaded attempt at a controlled landing. This group had experienced many
landings, but not many of the controlled variety. In fact, without Harry’s assistance, none could recall that this aircraft
had ever made a round trip. After several aborted attempts, an acceptable altitude and attitude for landing was
achieved. Rolland cut the engine to idle an allowed the plane to descend to the runway. At 10’, the plane started to
drift left, but recovered and flared to a soft kiss slightly beyond the end of the runway. The Patchwork Quilt had made
a successful round trip unblemished. Wonder of wonders!
Now it was Carlson’s turn. His checkouts proceeded with none of the quality controls problems evident in his prior
attempt. His engine started without hesitation on contact with the starter. He lifted his surging craft to the runway as
taxiing around the cow pies had been judged risky. His takeoff was as smooth as anyone could ask for on the bumpy
runway. His 10-15 minute flight had been nearly flawless as he readied the aircraft for landing. He began a slow,
smooth descent to the runway. Was he good or what? Well, not quite perfect. At 15’, the plane suddenly rolled to the
right and went nose first into the ground! The onlookers were stunned. The plane was severely damaged. Carlson
knew exactly what happened. He had not recognized the control reversal of a plane coming toward him, a common
problem with novice pilots. His attempt to correct a mild roll only accelerated the maneuver. As the cow pies had
portended, Poop happens!
Who would be next? Swift declined muttering something about engine problems. Rolland was not anxious but was
unwilling to endure the scorn of his fellow pilots by allowing a damaged propeller to ground him again. He said without
conviction "I’ll give it a try". Swift offered a new propeller and the wing tip were reattached with glue. No excuses left.
Rolland’s plane thundered down the runway and began its lift-off rotation. It rotated, rotated, and rotated until it was
near vertical behaving now like a helicopter without sufficient power to climb. In airplane circles, this is known
commonly as a stall. At about 30-50’, the nose fell over and with the engine still screaming, the plane found the
shortest and quickest route to the ground. The impact was deafening (slight exaggeration) to the pilot even though he
had withdrawn his head well within his shoulder blades in anticipation. A loud belly-flopping sound accompanied the
snapping of overstressed balsa, basswood and Monokote. Then dead silence. Then Swift, who always seems ready
for this situation, said "I’ll get the dustpan and broom". He was right. There was no need to make a damage estimate
for repairs. This plane had been mortally wounded. The only need to retrieve the carcass was to avoid littering.
The Body Count
After two days of flying, there had been eight flights. (The squadron had generously agreed to define a flight as
anytime the plane's wheels left the ground.) Six of these resulted in crashes including one total loss. There had
indeed had been mayhem at Mountain Meadows as well a bad day at Goose Bay. As for the planes, the Patchwork
Quilt and yes, Huggin’s maroon and black renegade, are flight worthy. The Ugly Duckling needs an engine overhaul
or a new engine. The Carlson no-name has been again returned to the factory for major repairs. The challenge here
will be avoiding the plane's entry into the least attractive plane contest. It is rumored that Rolland has already gone
out to bid for a new aircraft and possibly will be ready to fly after a much-needed three-week retreat to Switzerland
with his spiritual counselor. Azevedo and his advisor have agreed to make the same pilgrimage. The good news is by
that time Harry will be back!