Corkey's Plane Talk

This was a great trip sprinkled with a bit of sadness. I flew from Dallas to Urbana, IL with a stop in Quincy, IL heading to Rudy Frasca’s fly-in. This flight took me right over Missouri and the terrible flooding along the Mississippi River. Looking at breached levees and flooding fields I watched people fighting Mother Nature in a futile attempt to save what they could. I thought of my home area, South LA. What will happen when they open the spillway into the Atchafalya Swamp? It won’t be pretty. While fueling up in Quincy, the FBO was telling me how busy they have been because of the flood. Taxing out I passed two Mig 29s that live there. I had to laugh thinking “where else in the world could an individual own a Mach 2.5 fighter? What a country – those Migs are better than anything most countries have.”

Rudy Frasca is an old friend from my Warbird days; a humanitarian who has helped many, a great pilot and businessman. A self made man, he is the king of simulators for private, commercial and military use. Frasca Field, C16, is next to the Frasca factory and is different in that it caters to tail-wheel airplanes. Every Tuesday is celebrated as Tail-Wheel Tuesday with an afternoon cookout at the clubhouse. Let me set the scene for you: lush green farmland, a 4000 FT hard surface runway and 5000 FT turf cross runway, three large hangars, which house the museum and clubhouse, and a short distance away, more hangars and FBO. The clubhouse has a large open grass area adjacent to it with trees, picnic tables and a kids play area. A large covered porch with tables and rocking chairs makes a great seating area for watching airplanes and hangar flying. Now reach down and hold on to your socks ‘cause they’re about to be blown away when you walk into the clubhouse. Built like an old barn with open rafters, large models, pictures and memorabilia hang everywhere. It would take you days to discover it all.

In the museum Rudy has many unique airplanes, all with their own story. Among his collection are a P-40, two Spitfires, Wildcat, FW-190 being built up, Stearman, PT-23 and many more. This place is definitely an airport to visit.

Tom Frasca, Rudy’s son, runs this operation and events. An instant friend and good pilot, Tom makes things tick. He had this show well in hand and I must say I had a flashback of the early days of Oshkosh. Paul and Audrey Poberezny were there along with Vern Jobst. Paul in his golf cart was out in the field directing and parking aircraft. Yes a flashback to my first visit to the EAA convention at Rockford in my P-51. Paul had no sooner parked me than he came to me, put his arm on my shoulder and said, “I have five press people I want you to fly.” He smiled, winked and was gone to park more airplanes. This was that kind of show; everyone pitched in to make it great. Curt was enjoying himself, locked in conversation with many people and enjoying the atmosphere. He even flew Rudy’s PT-23. Hahahahah, he looked great in the open cockpit complete with leather helmet.

What did I do? Well, I had no choice. I was showing and answering questions about the Fury, film flying, warbirds and Fury flights. I need to get someone to fly the Fury so I can see it and hear it go by on a 235 KT (270 MPH) pass. They all tell me it’s fast and has a pleasant, unexpected sound. Any volunteers? Maybe I can talk Curt into it.

Vern Jobst, retired United Capt. and check pilot has a long history with the EAA, he used to run the airshows at Oshkosh and toured with the Sprit of St.Louis. Vern is busier now than when he had a real job. Still involved as a check pilot for the EAA and other corp. flight Depts. He strongly hinted to me that he should get a ride in the Fury. Hahahaha, he was one I was planning to take. I gave him a quick brief of the Fury, we strapped in and taxied out. Vern kept complimenting the unique features such as the camera system, the Innovation data recording system (RJ’s IPOD genius) and how the Fury sat like a P-51. I saved the best for last. As we lined upon the runway, I started the IPOD. As we gained speed, Vern looked at me, clapped his hands and laughed as Frank Sinatra came on singing “Come Fly With Me.” “Class, that’s classy I love it” was all he could say. Heading north, away from Frasca field, I turned the Fury over to Vern. He exercised all the control movements commenting on the unbelievable authority, smoothness and balance. He turned the Fury back to me as we headed back to the field to make a few passes. I made the first one. Vern was laughing like a kid. As I started the second, he asked “May I?” I smiled and said, “Did I pass my check ride? Sure, pal.” Vern made the next two passes laughing like a teen who had his first kiss. I remembered my first Fury flight. I was the same way. The Fury Fever is infectious, hahahahaha. I made the last pass, a low 360 overhead landing out of the turn. As we taxied back, Vern looked at me with a serious face and said, “This airplane is a little fighter, boy, Roy sure had it right with the Fury.” I thought to myself, yep, enough said.

Roy had it right with the Fury.

Check 6,
“Corkey”

This entry was posted on Monday, June 23rd, 2008 at 1:58 pm and is filed under Fury Flying.