So, what'cha doing while you wait for the hangar to be finished?

I'm flying the Phoenix every day the weather permits (i.e., light winds and no rain), primarily to improve my landing skills, the hardest part of the transition from sailplanes to a touring motorglider. The landings since I got home - about 17 - have been smooth and consistent, so now it's time to fly in somewhat stronger winds, particularly for crosswind landings, because the wind does not always blow straight down the runway.

One other skill remains to be learned: landing with the engine stopped. This is something even airplane pilots learn, though, of course, they have no intention of stopping the engine (emergencies happen!). Since a motorglider is intended soar like a bird, stopping the engine is normal operation, and because there is no guarantee it will start later on (maybe hours later), the pilot must be good at landing with the engine stopped.

I have flown with other Phoenix pilots in soaring conditions, and with Jim Lee, the dealer, in my Phoenix while in Florida. This picture shows where we climbed above the clouds on rising air with the engine stopped. Note how the propeller blade is "feathered" (twisted to align with the air, reducing drag).

(click images to enlarge)