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Posted 7/25/2010 @ 3:31:43 pm by pilotornot.com
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Unfortunately, during the 4 days I was gone, the temps were in the 90s everyday and no rain at all. Basically the new seed just stagnated for that period from the lack of water, because there was not even a noticable difference when I retuned home.
Day 12, after returning home, pretty much the same as before I left and
looking very dry.
Also Day 12
The next morning I checked the weather and although there was a small
storm in the area it didn't appear as though it was going to hit me, so I went
out to give the new seed some much needed watering. Just as I'm finishing, the
skies begin to get dark and Mother Nature reminded me who's boss and
watered on top of my watering !
The result, 20 minutes after I watered for the first time in 4 days.
Unfortunately, the next day I noticed that the little downpour I got yesterday
has re-exposed the top of that rock ! That is about how much was showing
when I first saw it. Interesting that the area I disturbed seems to be the first
of the seed to really get started.
Day 14 for the new seed and here I have cut the first area with my lawn tractor
set a little lower than I normally use, and I still have 3 more selections to
get lower, but I'm a little hesistant to do that at this point. I'm very happy with
the way this is looking though.
Another shot.
Day 15 the new seed slowly merging towards the first section.
Day 17, another area merging slowly together.
Day 19, the "rock " area again, filling in nicely, hopfully that will cover the
area around that rock enough that when it is grown you won't be able to see
it.
Day 20, a shot from the south end of the runway.
More later.
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Posted 7/15/2010 @ 6:12:06 am by pilotornot.com
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So I am just doing my nightly watering of the new seed, I am on Day 3, when I look down and notice what looks like a rock just under the surface of the dirt. I begin to lightly kick at it with my foot to test just how solid it is. I wish I would have taken a picture when I first saw it, but after kicking up some dirt around it, this is what I discover. As you can see, it is right in the middle of the runway.
This now demands a little more finesse. I get a shovel and I'm determined to
remove this obstruction.
Have you ever actually seen a "can of worms" ? Well, this is what it looks
like :
I continue to kick at it to determine it's rigidity, it's not showing any signs
of moving !!
I remove more dirt and the rock just keeps getting bigger !! This does not look
good and I have already seeded this area.
It's at this point, that the wisdom of my 50 years kicks in and I ask myself,
"is it really that big of a problem, I could barely even tell it was there before ?
So, I developed "selective amnesia" and covered it back up !!
After a little clean up work and reseeding, WHAT ROCK ???
This is Day 7 and it's starting to sprout ! I have to leave town for 4 days,
should be interesting to see what has happened when I return home .
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Posted 7/13/2010 @ 7:07:14 am by pilotornot.com
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For the second time in as many weeks, a Red Bull Air Race has been cancelled. Last week the final round of the Championships, which was scheduled for Sept. 5 in Lisbon, Portugal, was dumped stating unexpected delays in reaching a revised host city agreement.
This week the "new" final round of the series, Budapest, Hungary on Aug. 20, took a dive as well. Also seemingly paperwork related, the reason is reported as lengthy delays in the permissions process.
Budapest has been on the schedule for every season of the 6 year history of the sport, and it seems they should have the processes well in hand at this point.
That said, the final round will now be the next race which is in Lausitz, Germany at the EuroSpeedway on August 7 and 8. This is also a new venue on the schedule this year as was the last race in New York. Strange how these new cities don't seem to have any "paperwork" problems.
The leader in the Championships at the moment is Paul Bonhomme (Britain) with a 5 point margin over 2008 Champion Hannes Arch. who has won 3 of the last 5 races. Obviously this narrows the field for the Championship, but I'm sure it will be exciting as always.
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Posted 6/30/2010 @ 5:27:40 pm by pilotornot.com
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Day 29 and the weed killer is starting to work, you can see the tips of the
leaves are turning white.
Day 30 after mowing with my lawn tractor, clipped off the tops of most of
the weeds.
Day 32 , think I am done with the Box Blade for a while, I am graded all
the way to the halfway point. Time for some dragging with the tractor
and my chain link fence.
Day 34
Day 35, weeds are starting to retract.
Later , I studied the weather and could see the next few days were going to be
in the mid 70s with no chance of rain, perfect for sowing grass seed !!
So I quick made some passes with the dragging rig the got some more
seed on the ground.
Here I have added about another 50 feet worth and have wet it down.
View from the South end.
Day 37, I have added an additional 40 feet on to what I laid last night, and
wet it all down.
Also Day 37. If you have been following along, you'll remember I put down
a second section of about 40 feet early on, well, in the switch to using the
tractor and box blade for grading, I ended up ruining part of that section
in an attempt to make a clean transition line. So, with that in mind, the
sections I have added the last two nights, now makes the total length that
is under seed, as 135 feet, which is long enough for me to start flying some
of my planes from. Now I just need to keep up with the watering every night
while Mother Nature takes care of some nice mild sunshine.
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Posted 6/23/2010 @ 5:29:57 pm by pilotornot.com
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Round 5 - New York City, New York, USA
first time ever !
Eventual winner, Paul Bonhomme on track in New York. What a view !!
The Fifth round of the Championships took place on June, 20 under the watchful eye of the Statue of Liberty. Yes, for the first time in Red Bull Air Racing History, New York was the host city for a race and many felt is was one of the best venues ever. The 5.5km track made up of 13 gates was laid out over the Hudson River between the Statue and the Manhattan skyline.
British pilot, Paul Bonhomme, with some impressively consistent times, finally put an end to the string of victories by Hannes Arch. Although it has to be said he was aided by the pylon strike by Arch which incurs a 6 second penalty. Later, Arch exclaimed "It was just a couple of centimeters that made the difference. I would rather lose here like that in style, going for it, than completely screw it up. So I think those guys in front of me owe me a beer.”
The crowd of 75,000 watched Arch push it to the limit and beyond, only to fall to 4th place. Two seconds behind Bonhomme was Nigel Lamb in second place and just a fraction behind him American Kirby Chambliss grabbed his second straight podium in his home race. Chambliss, the 2006 champion, later said, “As an American, I’m very, very proud,” he said. “It’ll sink-in in a while. I have to personally thank Hannes for hitting that gate. Thank you Hannes!”
The victory marked a record breaking 12 straight podiums for Bonhomme, and leads the championship with 53 points to 48 by Hannes Arch. Nigel Lamb is currently 3rd with 47 and Chambliss is 4th with 35 points.
The next race in the series is Aug. 7-8 at the EuroSpeedway in Lausitz, Germany.
For more info as well as pictures and video, visit the Red Bull site.
