My Best Piper Cub Impersonation
October 26th, 2009. Filed under: Local Flights.
Piper Cub in a majestic "low and slow" flight
The Piper Cub is an iconic light airplane that’s perfectly suited for flying “low and slow” (less than 200′ above the ground (AGL) at 65 knots). Almost 20,000 of them were built between 1937 and 1947 and a flight in one time-travels you back to the barnstorming days of early aviation. I long for a ride, or perhaps even a shared ownership in one someday. In the mean time I’ll have to make due with the Cessna 172’s I have available to me.
I was really in the mood for some low and slow today. The sun was streaming in my office window, warming my back and beckoning me to come out and play. By 2:00 I couldn’t resist anymore. I wrap up my work and head out to the airport.
Wow, what a lovely autumn day. The air is still. The bright gold, yellow and rust colored leaves of autumn are a beautiful sight against the deep blue cobalt sky. I can’t wait to get up in the air. Preflight goes smoothly and I’m up in the air before long.
First thing to do… fly along the ridge of mountains that border southern Dutchess County. It’s a very majestic ridge line that I’ve never flown near. I always seem to fly over the west or east end so f it. This time, I’ll intentionally go check it out. Heading south, I look for interstate I-84 that runs along the base of the mountains. Running along the top of that will give me maximum altitude AGL and, if needed, an emergency place to land.
Turning east I align with I-84, level off to about 1,000′, power back to 85 knots and take in the sights. I keep the mountains just off my right wing, weaving in and out along the serpentine ridge line. Ahead, to the east, the mountains curve north and I follow that path.
Turning away from the southern ridge line, the land becomes low and flat… farm country from generations ago. Following an old railroad freight line north I look for a low area to cut over the low mountains to continue my trek east. Ah HA… what’s that cut out? Banking firmly I turn about 120 degrees to the right and follow US-55 through natural cut out. What fun!
Tracing along the narrow valley over the wealthy estates and golf course of Sherman CT, I run into the Housatonic River. A hard left bank takes me north. Following the river, I sight a magnificent waterfall. At Bulls Bridge CT, the river splits and flows over some large rock formations. At about 800′ I circle for a longer look. Fantastic! What a discovery. I must come back to this place via car someday and explore. It looks like a peaceful place so not to overstay my visit with my noisy engine I level the wings and continue my trek along the river.
Floating along at about 800′ MSL, I have mountain ridges flanking both sides. A bit uncomfortable, but there are lots of spring flood plain fields in front available at a moment’s notice. 
Not five minutes after leaving the waterfalls, another treat comes into view. A quaint little town nestled into the nook of the valley – Kent CT. I wish it had an airfield nearby because I can imagine it must have at least one friendly breakfast/lunch spot that serves up a huge stack of pancakes with friendly attentive staff for price that won’t break the bank. I’ll have to check Kent out too, maybe for lunch after enjoying the waterfalls of Bulls Bridge.
Continuing on north, the sun is getting low and the ground was getting rough. Gone were those nice landing spots as I enter Kent Falls State park. It’s pretty much scraggly woods for the next 10 miles. 1000′ is added to my altitude.
Forty five minutes have passed and it’s time to start at least heading in the direction of home. Even though I just added 1000′ to my altitude, I’m still too low to just swing left/west over the mountain ridge. I’d rather not power up and over. Maybe there’s another opening somewhere. A few minutes pass and… ah ha! Perfect. A nice valley cutting through the ridge line. A gentle left bank (and some climb) has me following Rt-4 westbound. I gaze over my left shoulder and say good bye to the Housatonic valley. “I’ll be back to see you again” I say to myself.
Now past the ridge and over the Harlem Valley, it’s time to figure out where I am. Scanning the area, I recognize the town of Amenia and Wassaic Developmental Center and point the plane in the general direction of home.
On my way back southwest, I feel like I want to do more. Realizing that I haven’t landed at Sky Acres recently, I decide to bop over and do a couple of circuits. 20 miles out, I start listening to 122.8. It’s surprisingly quiet. Lots of calls for far away airports, but none for The Acres. 10 miles, quiet. 5 miles, still not a peep. Then just as I’m about to key the mic for a 3 mile announcement, someone else chimes in with a 4 mile call.. Then as I make my call, a helo on the field announces that he’s going to take off. And then a fourth call from someone about 1 mile behind me calls in. Sheesh! Quiet for 20 minutes and then we ALL converge at the same time.
We all sort things out. Though I become a little unhappy about the guy behind me cutting me off in the pattern… grrrr. Unfortunately, there’s rude and/or ignorant people everywhere and aviation is no exception. I key the mic, give him “permission” to go ahead then reach for the throttle to add some space. A decent landing, I make the first turn off – which is always a self respecting goal at 44N.
I taxi back and get ready to launch but wait for yet another plane that is in the pattern. All this traffic all of a sudden remind me of a flock of crows coming in to nest as the sun sets. Watching this plane land is a treat… a Mooney all lit up with wingtip lights and alternating/flashing lights on the wings (oh, I love that look).
The sun is low and the Mooney pilot calls clear of runway 35 and I power up to go home.
November 20th, 2009 at 9:57 am
Wow, Bob, what a nice write-up. You had a fantastic afternoon flight for sure. Reading that makes me just want to head to the airport – but, alas, today that is not to be. Next week I’ve got to take two days to go play.
It is, indeed, a shame you have not had the pleasure of flying in a Cub (or similar tail-dragger of that era). I’ve got three Cub flights and about 40 hours in Champs and Citabrias – a “Joy of Aviation” not to be missed.
December 14th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
Great writeup Bob. I have never flown low and slow before. Always sticking to the higher altitudes, but you make it sound like a lot of fun with the proper planning of course.
December 21st, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Mike, It’s so much fun. If you have a plane that will comfortably float along at 90 or 100kts, you’ve got to try it. It’s like getting back to your roots. Back to basics.