2006 Jackpot Canard Aircraft Fly-in/R.A.C.E.

Here are some comments and pictures taken during the Canard aircraft R.A.C.E. (Rutan and Canard Enthusiasts) event at Jackpot, NV on 02 Jul 2006.  In years past this event was truly a race but now it's more of a "cruise" -- a social gathering with an excuse to fly.  If the route we fly happens to use the old race course's turn points, well, that's OK.  And if all of the aircraft fly overhead in line abreast at the same time and someone happens to start a stopwatch, that's OK too.  And if someone calculates speeds, presents certificates, and organizes the  get-together, that's wonderful (thank you, Char!).

The course starts and ends at the Jackpot airport (06U).  It's about 120 miles long with two 90-degree turns near Wells, NV.  The terrain is high and most of the race is flown above 6000 MSL.  It was already HOT at 9AM and my density altitude calculations put it at over 9000 feet.   Because the engine cannot develop full power at this density altitude, it's OK (sorta, kinda) to run wide open throttle and lean for maximum power for the duration of the race (assuming engine cooling is maintained).  It's OK with me anyway <g>.

 

Downtown Jackpot
Downtown Jackpot
This is what the greater metropolitan Jackpot area looks like from a left downwind to runway 33.  Cactus Pete's Casino is the tall building in the center of the photo; the airfield is to its left below the oval running track.  The blue swimming pool in the foreground of Cactus Pete's is where everyone hangs out when not flying.

taxiing out for start
Taxiing out for Race Start
Here's what taxiing for takeoff looks like from the back seat of an aircraft in the middle of the pack.  There were eight of us -- just right for one heat.  Of course, that put my O235 Long-EZ in the same heat as Klaus Savier's VariEze and Gary Spencer's Ford-V8 Long-EZ (not to mention the very fast O320 Long-EZs and O200 VariEzes) but that's OK.

Forming up for the Start
Forming up for the Start
Five EZs on my left (and two not pictured on my right) transitioning from trail formation to more-or-less line abreast.  After takeoff in 5-second trail, we flew a big circle and wound up over the runway again.  The race starts when the timekeeper on the ground sees us passing directly over the start point in line abreast formation.

That's Klaus's VariEze (I believe) furthest right leading the formation.  During the briefing Klaus was asked to lead the formation; he also led the race <g>.

Relaxing around the Pool Afterward
Relaxing Around the Pool Afterward
There weren't any more pictures to be had from my vantage point during the actual race (20 miles behind Klaus) without a very good telephoto lens but here's one taken while relaxing by the pool at Cactus Pete's Casino afterward.

I'm the one with the day-glo swimming trunks, front and center.  Yes, the photo features ME but after all, it is MY girlfriend who took the pictures <g>.  (If one of the other attendees will send me a better photo, I'll replace this one with it.)

Certificate of Speeding
My Speeding Ticket
This is what you get for your participation.  (Thank you very much, Char -- without your hard work this all would not have come about).

I'm happy with my speed -- it's 5 MPH faster than last year and I didn't do any work on my airplane.  At this rate, I'll be faster than Bob Eckes' Long-EZ after one more year and faster than Klaus about the time I move into the rest home <g>.

Incidentally, my O235 Long-EZ is pretty much a stock Long except for the large tires and wheelpants, gear leg fairings, a Van's airbox to replace the plans airfilter on the firewall, and a Hertzler Silver Bullet (painted white) prop.  If I want to pick up more speed, the next areas of improvement would probably be doing something about the standard Featherlite cowl and the lower winglets. 


Flying Home over Central Idaho
Flying Home over Central Idaho
And you thought your commute was bad!  Jackpot's the closest R.A.C.E. to my Lewiston, ID location but there's a lot of high terrain with no suitable landing sites enroute.  Of course, one could fly the valleys where the population is (and the roads are) but at 12,500 MSL I'm not too uncomfortable.  As long as the Lycoming keeps purring, I sneer at the Seven Devils (foreground) and the Wallowa Mountains.


Home