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Our Ryan PT-22 Flies
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Updated May 18, 2005 |
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In August of 2001, our beautiful Ryan
PT-22 suffered an "off-field" landing near Camarillo, CA. No injuries;
however, the plane was significantly damaged. It is currently being
repaired - and will be back in the air - "looking better than ever!" according to
Col. Doug Schuster, seen here in the front seat, with Col. Richard Colton at the
controls. This photo was taken at Gillespie Field in San Diego. |
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Update:
April 22, 2005 - Here's the latest from
Doug "Bushwacker" Schuster: |
"news from the front.........
Sat afternoon at somewhere just before beer
thirty, the statement was made..."aint no reason this sob shouldn't
fire.........so, what are we doing just standing here looking at it..."
so, out "it" went, and reluctantly, after a 4 year
hibernation...........it fired.........stubborn, cranky, and little unsure
of "itself".........but seemingly eager to live again..........with rags
and screwdrivers, and opinions aplenty, adjustments were made and we fired
it again.....not much better, "it" was pissed off at the anxious
interruption .................so, we let "it" sit overnight, and when
nobody was looking "adjusted some more stuff......(some beer for
medicinal purposes, .....the strain of it all..............), ah, but the
promise of a new day....."contact"...."switch on"......"cracked,
brakes..." ..... on just the second pull, with just the hint of
insecurity...."it" fired with eagerness....almost excited to be a machine
again.....no doubt a new attitude was erupting from within...........all
the vitals, perfect.....and the smoke, that glorious blue smoke....a
vibration in the controls just sitting there that could tell
stories..........and the sound, what can I say, "aint no sound like KINNER
round."...............bushwacker........ |
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"Dateline: Cable Airport,
Upland, Calif. May 17, 2005 |
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Shortly after 6:00 PM Tuesday, May 17,
2005 Terry Freedman lifted off in the gleaming silver and yellow PT-22. After
about 45 minutes gracefully circling over the field he made a near perfect
landing. After a short meeting he changed places with Doug Schuster, who took
off into the Sun with the Ryan Recruit. A thrilling sight to say the least to
see this great little airplane again in the sky. I'm sure that Terry and Doug
were thrilled beyond speech over this triumphant moment. A few more things, a
little more flight test time and the plane will be ready to be at home again.
Bud Ukes"
May 18, 2005
And from "Bushwacker" Schuster : "flew
well..........were 4 flights down and no squawks.......at least any major
ones......terry finally got to complete the flight he started 3.5 yrs
ago.........know that it was a big relief to him...."mission completed" kind of
thing.........cant tell you how excited i was to push the "go kinner, go" lever
and return to a place that only an open cockpit can take you...........terry's
first landing was so smooth it surprised him...mine reminded me of why i love
this old plane so much.....we are inching our way deeper into the envelope, have
some minor adjustments to make.......not so sure about this prop......but I am
sure it has some tricks to teach us, so will go with it for
awhile...........looks better than it ever has........and fly's better than it
looks...........if the damn thing could cook and clean, and take out the trash,
well, need i say more......? "
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Here she is - At the Chino Air Show
2005 - look-in might pretty!!
Thanks for all your work, Terry and Doug! |
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