Caught a King Air

mark manda · #1 11-05-2007, 09:50 AM

This sounds silly; I told this story yesterday at EAA one's meeting where we had three Harmon Rockets on display.

I took off out of a small airport and headed south for a climb up to 9 or 11k and I asked for a IFR clearance to get on top.

The controller said "I'll have to turn you, you're catching a King Air." (climbing and heading the same way.) Come on, I was thinking. So I said, " Are you sure I'm going to catch him?" Yep.

They turned me for a 1/2 minute or so while I was in the clouds-- good practice.

That's one for the mental funny pages scrap book!

We gave three rides in the Rockets yesterday. And flew formation off of my just sold Cessna 140.

Great way to end the week. Kinda funny, huh?

pierre smith · #2 11-05-2007, 03:34 PM

It's easy to believe.......King Airs don't like dense air and Rockets do. When he gets to 25,000 or so ,you'd be history I reckon, with those two PT-6's sucking around 50 GPH each!

Reminds me of leaving Sun 'n Fun two years ago, caught a Mooney climbing parallel to me, then a Comanche

....I knew I'd built the right airplane..

Pierre

rocketbob · #3 11-05-2007, 07:13 PM

A friend of mine flew alongside a C90 King Air with his HR2. Much to the astonishment of the C90 pilot the HR2 stuck right with him...

Linedog · #4 11-06-2007, 06:47 AM

OK...not to one up you at all Mark, but I went over to KAUS on an early test flight to see if my ILS was working correctly, and pretty well booking downhill into the Austin area. The controller asked me what approach speed I would fly. I told him I could fly anywhere from 80-160..."what do you need?" His reply was, "well you are overtaking a Southwest 737 8 miles in front of you, and at this rate you are going to catch him before I turn him in, reduce airspeed to 180."

Oh the joys of ownng a rocket...

We had a blast at the Memphis 100 last weekend. We had 9 Rockets together! Fastest speed went to Wayne Hadath at 245 mph down low on a 100 mile sprint course...with a standard "sport" wing rocket. He was faster than two EVO rockets! (Of course the EVO is optimized for flying up higher...). We got a great shot of the Rockets together...If I can figure out how to do it here I will post it for all to see...

RDOne · #5 11-11-2007, 08:34 AM

Hey Pierre (or anyone else), I noticed you do transition training. I'm looking at buying a Harmon Rocket but I've only flown 172's and 182's. Have about 500 hours and IR. There is an aerobatic school near me that trains in an Extra 300. Do you think this would work well to get me up to speed on tail wheel and Harmon capable?

David

larryj · #6 11-13-2007, 05:40 PM

I fly a Super Decathlon while my Rocket is being (slowly) built. I have Extra 300 time; and I think a good data point would be that my acro instructor will not sign off a tailwheel endorsement in the Extra - it's too easy of a tailwheel aircraft to fly. I'd say a Decathlon / Citabria / Cub / or the like would be much better to prepare you for a tailwheel (Rocket). My wife has been working on her primary training exclusively in the Super Decathlon (soloed 1-1/2 months ago) and is doing fine. I'm no expert on this, but I would seriously consider lots of "real" taildragger time.

frankh · #7 11-14-2007, 10:20 AM

Stop talking about Rockets!

Its gonna get expensive if you guys keep this up...

Frank

RDOne · #8 05-06-2008, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RDOne

Hey Pierre (or anyone else), I noticed you do transition training. I'm looking at buying a Harmon Rocket but I've only flown 172's and 182's. Have about 500 hours and IR. There is an aerobatic school near me that trains in an Extra 300. Do you think this would work well to get me up to speed on tail wheel and Harmon capable?

David

Just an update for anyone who might be in my old shoes.

Did my tailwheel in a Supercub. About 6 hours total. Bought the Rocket and spent four days with a very experienced Rocket pilot. I feel very comfortable landing the Rocket. I'd rather take the rocket into a big crosswind then the cub.

I've got about 50 hours on it and it's the most enjoyable flying I've ever done. Couldn't be happier and I feel bad for all the pilots who have never flown in a plane like this and don't know what their missing.

N941WR · #9 05-06-2008, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RDOne

Did my tailwheel in a Supercub.

So RD1, do you miss flying along at 90 MPH with the door and window open cruising down the beach?

I sure do!

fstringham7a · #10 05-06-2008, 06:06 PM

You might want to call me a rookie rocketeer. I got my first ride/stick time/acro in a rocket yesterday. I helped the owner rotate the tires/wheel maintenance ...... so when we were done what ya going to do....go flying.

What a blast.............

This is a picture of my good friend and rocket owner Wayne........

Is there a Rocket in your future....$$$$$$$$$$$$$$....Fun Fun Fun......

Frank @ 1L8....RV7A.....Last 995 details.....