David and Silas (and sometimes Amelie) have been going out, as able, to the Mack Mesa Airport northwest of Grand Junction for a project with the local EAA chapter that involves rebuilding a Dakota Hawk plane. This past Saturday there was supposed to be a Fat Tire competition involving short field take offs and landings on a grass strip. For those unfamiliar with the fat tire term, it's in reference to the fat "donut" tires some planes are equipped with for more bush style landings and take-offs. It was too windy, unfortunately (a common problem at that airport), but we did get to watch one pilot do several touch-and-go landings, along with some approaches where he just flew low over the runway. The best part is that a small airport equals a great view!
A "modified" Learjet serves at the airport's identification sign.
The windsock had some pretty good fill. This pilot had to do some pretty good "crabbing" (holding the plane at a slightly sideways angle to maintain a straight landing) to compensate for the wind.
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