Told December 22, 2001 by Scott DeGaynor
How about this?! My BD4 tri gear 348ST was crafted by Steve Takas from Texas and the fit and finish is closer to perfection than I could have accomplished. Every time I work on it and make little changes It becomes more mine. I now have to work to a standard set by a very capable gentleman with a great wife as a helper. Deene Ogden checked us out in it then home to Michigan.
Now the journey starts. This plane has won the best BD at Osh. and I try to keep it in that condition. We average 170 knots and have traveled far. Our longest trip was from Grand Rapids Mi. to Huntsville to give the TVAP people their first ride in a BD4. Then to it's home in Texas.
Then Phoenix and Las Crusas to give more first rides to BD there. On to Bullhead City and LasVegas. Carson City Nev. was the biggest challenge with turbulance and High winds. A very eventful mid-afternoon climb , if you can call it that, after departing from a taxiway more into the wind, over Lake Taho to Bakersfield.Ca. Then who can bypass Chino. SanDiego on business and a challenging IFR approach. Back through Phoenix and on to Liberal Kansas. Business in Lincoln NB. and on to 240 mph ground speeds, thanks wind, to Indiana. Thanks wind for all the challenging landings made. They call that experience. Sure handled them well. Yes, large fin and rudder.
Now through icing with the controller not able to let us go up or down. Home at last. To Florida for Sun-N-Fun and a go at the Sun 100. Averaged 218 mph on their course. Beat by a KR and RV4 though.
To date I have given many first rides, am partially through my IFR in it, do a lot of Mackinac Island flights. My kids love it and my 85 year old mother wil get in any time I will ask. She says "it's apart again, it's always broken" she's looking for the next ride. She now understands the term IMPROVEMENTS. She funded my model airplane days and cried with me every time I broke one and rejoiced with every trophy won.
I have made many changes and improvements to a great airplane even though it was good when I got it. I fly it in the realm a BD should stay in. No stalls or spins for me.That's what my RV4 is for. It is 1500 lbs empty with a 180 hp. Lyc. Full IFR. Beauty and instruments have a price.
My tail dragger is a different animal. The extended constant speed prop and a balanced 160 Lyc. inside a custom cowling create a 180 mph cruise. Sssssneaky wheel pants and fairings. Custom cessna type landing gear , glass wings, I made the molds and panels, and a very Spartan interior. Been to Sun-N - Fun several times and have several interesting flights. The 37 gusting to 48 knot crosswind landing, two attempts, was interesting. I was always in control but opted for a second chance at rolling out straight. Yes it has the SMALL fin and rudder. It is powerful way beyond it's looks. This plane has been test flown by an aerobatic competitor and test pilot for evaluation. He wrote up his results and was very impressed.
It literally came from a chicken coop. where many said it should have stayed. After years of total rework it flew. For those on a budget, I did this with almost no money to work with. The point is do what you can and eventually there is a plane there. It is a very responsive but yet hands off plane. Again every thing Bede said and more.
My greatest joy?? Listen up Steve Mahoney. I have gone against 5 BDs in all out speed. All with 180 hp engines. Blew four away, The most memorable was Steve's plane. Steve is an meticulous builder who will do anything to reduce weight and increase efficiency. 180hp fixed pitch prop and even a faired tail wheel. What a great airplane. We had razzed each other so much that we had to race or be laughed out of the group. His fired up with his electronic ignition while I cranked. The whole group at Osh was watching. I knew I had no chance but he wasn't going to stare me down. Yes he had passengers but John and I were a team and we were going to try. Off into the haze and on with the race. Steve said, "make it go as fast as you can and then I will go full throttle." The speed I pull away from you with will be the difference. I gave it all it had and said "OK Steve do it." Like a speeding bullet he came on the power and now he was at top end. Wow did he leave me behind. He had me by at least 3 mph. I don't know what it was like in his plane, but my doors almost popped open from my wide grin. Steve did send me an air to air photo taken from just a little ahead and a nice note. To say he was surprised was an understatement. Since then I have added a modified Mellema windshield [7mph] and electronic ignition. Like the stupid mouse said, "here kitty kitty."
Yes both my planes are slightly modified, but clean up mods. Except for the cowls, stock dimentions and wings. We do have a fantastic plane to work with, but first we must finish them.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!!!
Scott