Conclusions

Dispite the unfortunate situation with Lawrence's plane we both enjoyed this trip to Manitoba. The weather didn't co-orperate as much as we would have liked but that is the nature of travel by air in these ultralight aircraft. We saw some interesting and amazing country and I hope to do this same trip again someday.

We flew approximately 1650 miles in about 31 hours. My (Marty) fuel burn was about 3.45 gallons per hour with an average speed of 53.5 miles per hour based on ground speed including all run up time and takeoffs and landings. All in all not too bad for the RX550 Beaver and a 503 Rotax engine. Lawrence's fuel burn in the Mini Max on the Herth engine was more like 3.0 -3.2 gallons per hour with the same average speeds.

After a quick check of the engine, Lawrence may have been forced down by fouled sparks but it is too soon to be 100% certain at this point. He will need to get a new prop and check the engine out first. Despite the damage we are all optomistic that the plane can be repaired and fly once more. The main damage appeared to be the landing gear on the left side, with the left wing needing to be checked at the strut mounting point for any hidden damage.

Lawrence is physically fine, the plane did as it was designed to do, protect it's passenger by taking the hit. I am confident we will all fly again together another day.

Special thanks go out to Larry Oddan and Brian Wilson for the day spent disassembling and transporting Lawrence's plane, and to George Brackenbury of Maple Creek for helping us out as well. Thanks also to Debbie Bauer who was the landowner and helped with the plane.
I would also like to thank Harv's Air of Steinbach South for making our stay comfortable, Darrell Nordstrom of Steinbach for providing a vehicle for us to use in Steinbach, and Tom in Weyburn for his hospitlity.

I would also like to thank my wife, Lauretta for the numerous weather briefings, as she was our flight itinerary contact person throughout 90% of the flight.


I especially wish to thank Lawrence for coming along on my adventure to Manitoba and look forward to future adventures with Lawrence and all my flying friends from the Lethbridge Sport Flyers in Lethbridge, Alberta and surrounding communities. Visit us often at http://www.lethbridgesportflyers.com/


Marty Nordstrom / Lawrence Van Egmond