I have owned the same Beech 18/UC-45J for 33 years. Need I say more?[/quote]

All those planes and you missed the B60 Duke? How did that happen?[/quote]

Just never crossed paths with one. The only Duke that I ever even looked inside of was Howard Pardue’s Turbine conversion.

THIS:

and that:

Charles I'm drooling at the planes and the fact there are no clouds, rain or snow/ice in your pictures. IN really s@cks this winter with bad weather.

Ditto:

Charlotte has been soaked for two months....My Citabria is on a grass field and thinks I have abandoned her.....or croaked.

If I had to flip a coin between a Beech 18 and a T-Bone I am pretty sure when coin was at top of the arc I would be hoping for Beech 18.

A freind is working on getting a Waco back to flying........
with a gorgeous Beech 18 that needs next to no work waiting in line...

Fingers crossed

Dang biplane threads always turn into -18s or TwinBo
I hate it when that happens

I might taxi the Starduster this weekend,,,,,,
MC
Great plane talk gents, they are all good

Yeah it warmed up enough to fly without the heated suit, cross wind 8to 10 straight across the runway so no fly . I don’t know if my landings are better or I just got used to the landings.
Those who fly the Pitts what are your crosswind limits, in my G 35 I have no issue at 20 but am afraid of a slight breeze across the runway, is this a warranted fear. I know it’s different for everyone just want some input.

Thanks for the comments

The Pitts comes down short final like it's on rails in a crosswind. The biggest issue is running out of clearance for the wingtip because it's so low. You'll see a few of them around with scuffed wingtips or a scuffed aileron. Strong gusts or a crosswind >15kts would make me think twice. A steady 8 to 10 knots across the runway generally won't upset a Pitts. Just make sure you're not drifting laterally when you touch down. It certainly doesn't hurt to take things slowly as you learn the airplane.

(BTW, all my Pitts time is S-2B and S-2C so I can't speak to the specifics of an S-1)

Thanks Martin. I will move my top to 8 kts and see how she does, having only one seat sure does make you doubt your ability’s, it would be nice to have a crosswind runway when you chicken out .

Yeah, I don't have a crosswind runway at LVK but I have other airports nearby and I wouldn't hesitate to use one if the need arose. I also have a few Pitts go-arounds in my logbook, too, and I don't regret a single one of them. Have fun! I love the Pitts.

My S1 I have no issue with 12kts direct XW. That does not mean I always fly with a 12kt XW. Depends on my mood. Gusts are the bigger issue. Around 15ktns I sometimes have to put one wheel down to prevent me from drifting with the wind... Any more correction and I might scrape a wing tip/aileron. I have been told that the plane is good for 20kts, but I see no point in risking it.

All that said, I started my flights in the Pitts with a grass runway that was almost always into the wind and a hardball runway that was mostly XW. I would always plan on landing on the hardball and had the grass in my back pocket. It was nice... Till the airport manager took away the grass runway..... Idiot. Now there are days I don't fly since it can get 20kts XW.

Took the Stearman down to the glider port Sunday. Lovely evening.

My kid Leah took her first aerobatics class with Aaron Ham and in his Pitts S-2C at Danbury, CT. Both Aaron's instructional skills (through my own personal experience when getting my spin endorsement) and his plane are excellent!

Here is a quick video and some pics.

[youtube]https://youtu.be/5wImr3JZ_KI[/youtube]

I finally got to fly my Waco UMF 3 for the first time yesterday and today. It's been over six months since my friend Doug Durning ferried it from Corona, California back to OKC. When he got back the Hayes brakes weren't adjusted properly and it was nearly impossible to taxi. By the time we got that squared away it was too cold so I put it up for the winter.

By spring, with the brakes working better, Doug and I made a plan to go fly. It's been six years since I've last flown a biplane after selling my Waco Classic and I wanted to do a check out with Doug was an incredible stick ad instructor with hundreds of hours in Waco's. Unfortunately, two days before we were to fly Doug died in a Westwind crash at KHSD.

That set me back. Then between weather, travel and trying to find an instructor time slipped away.

CK helped make an introduction to a fellow BTer who was to come up and fly with me but weather got in our way. I reached out to a Waco friend in Tennessee who told me about a guy he'd flown with who had just moved here. When he sent me the name not only did I know him but we'd made a trip together in the TBM. So, yesterday we flew the Waco!

It's like riding a bike! Except that this bike weighs a lot less than the old one and just flies and handles better. All the fun, excitement and joy of flying a Waco biplane came flooding back. Dylan and I flew about an hour and half and he pronounced me good to go. So, this morning I spent just under 3 hours on air work, pattern work and just joyriding around. It's a dream. Dave Allen who restored this plane is a craftsman of the first order and the rigging is perfect.

As I flew around the countryside just thoroughly enjoying myself I thought about Doug and Dave. I'm so grateful to have known Doug and grateful to Dave for entrusting this work of art he spent 9,000 hours bringing back to life. One of three flying in the world I'm blessed to be its temporary custodian. I can't wait to fly it again!

Here is a photo of Doug with Dave with NC13571 just before he left Coronado.