Last weekend I went out to Ridge Soaring to fly the Mini Nimbus. The weather conditions were basically unsoarable, but I got a chance to get to know the ship better. I also installed our new airspeed indicator. As promised, the terminal velocity trailing edge dive brakes are impressive. As soon as you pull to full extension the speed goes away, you have to drop the nose, and you’re coming down right now! I also explored stalls and steep turns at different flap settings. The ship is well mannered and fairly easy to handle all around. I’m still having a slight bounce on takeoff. I start at -3 flap setting until I get positive aileron control during ground roll, and then switch to 0-flap. The transition makes the ship want to fly, and the trim is a little different. I think after a few more tries my takeoff will look a lot better.

I got in a bit of trouble on the way home.  On 99S just north of Altoona I hit a deer at about 75mph (didn’t even see it, though I was looking straight ahead).  The animal apparently launched into the air and smashed the windshield of the van I had just passed.  My dear old Saab tracked straight and true.  It was more of a wet “thud” than a crash.  Fortunately, nobody but the deer was hurt.  (The deer was more “exploded” than “hurt.”)

Now by beloved glider tow vehicle is at my mechanic.  I’m deciding whether to scrap her and buy a pickup, or to spring for the repair (I didn’t get collision insurance, as this is an older car with low blue-book value).