Biplane – Eskildoodle Photos and Feelings

Mountain High

It’s better not having to take off from a high altitude when you’re flying light aircraft. The thin air at higher altitudes robs the engine of horsepower and limits the airplane’s performance. This lengthens the takeoff roll considerably and decreases the rate of climb. Cruising speed is also decreased a bit. Even so, this lightContinue reading “Mountain High”

Art of Aviation

This beautifully restored Stearman biplane, named “Old Crow,” rested brightly in the morning sun as well as in the mind’s eye on canvas. Thanks to the tender care of Hans Nordsiek of the Netherlands, “Old Crow” has served as his messenger to share the love of flying with children, young and old, in both EuropeContinue reading “Art of Aviation”

That Magnificent Man and His Flying Machines

Dad (center) at Oshkosh Fly-in and EAA Biplane on Farm Strip It arose from a set of blueprints, a collection of steel tubing and wood, and sheets of fabric and aluminum. After years of careful craftsmanship and perseverance Dad brought this EAA Biplane to life. It first flew in 1969 with my oldest brother, Bruce,Continue reading “That Magnificent Man and His Flying Machines”

Carnivorous Cockpit

I remember well my open cockpit biplane flying days and occasionally having to go headfirst into the cockpit to retrieve whatever or do some maintenance. The flailging, protruding legs resembled a person being swallowed by a man-eating beast, much to the amusement of onlookers. Generally, however, the person emerged unscathed with minimal abrasions and muscleContinue reading “Carnivorous Cockpit”

A Fairy Tale

This was the beginning of the flight of my life. It was March, 1971, and I was ready to depart the farm near Lexington, Nebraska, to go to Lincoln and then on to Mineral Point Wisconsin a day or two later in the EAA Biplane that was built by my dad. Though temperatures hovered justContinue reading “A Fairy Tale”

The Presence of the Past

Round engine, open cockpit, two sets of wings, tail on the ground. When it comes to airplanes nothing says blast from the past more than those factors. This plane isn’t an antique, however, but rather a homebuilt 3/4 scale replica of a biplane designed and flown over 60 years ago. Having flown similar airplanes, IContinue reading “The Presence of the Past”

Pull Up To Go Down

It is often said on TV programs that to make an airplane go up, pull back on the control stick and to go down, push forward. That only works in a very narrow range of flight attitudes. Keep pulling back and the airplane slows to a point that the wings suddenly quit producing lift andContinue reading “Pull Up To Go Down”