Udvar Hazy Museum on 16 June

[Drew]

I will be taking my Cozy MKIV to the Udvar Hazy Museum on 16 Jun for display.  The Museum has invited a cadre of pilots to participate in this event for the past three years (and this is my 3rd time to go).  It is called "Be a Pilot Day."  Land at IAD, taxi the service road to the museum, and park out back.  The museum opens the back door to let the crowd out at 1000.

Before they let the crowd out the back, they have to participate in a safety brief which is very well done.

The most often heard comment---which I was very surprised to hear---was "look!---there is a baby seat in back."  Keep in mind that my wife and I are sitting in folding chairs underneath the wing with a then 8 month old.  Never did figure out (nor ask) whether the surprise was that we flew with a baby-----or that we would actually put a baby in a baby seat in a plane.  That comment way outbeat "why is the plane sitting on its nose?"  Many times when I go to airshow/fly-ins, I leave the gear down (or partially retracted) just so I don't get that question----plane is set up for solo flight upfront---wife and baby in rear).  However, if I am trying to get out of the shade, I'll put the chairs under the wing and retract the gear to get some more headroom.

Even in the Tomcat, we would do a little trickery to not answer some questions that we preferred not to answer.  For example, normal shutdown in the Tomcat would leave one exhaust nozzle open and the other closed.  So we would shutdown the Tomcat in an abnormal way that would leave both nozzles looking the same.

We love talking about our machines---Tomcats, Cozys, Longezs---whatever.  But if I can steer the questioning to some of the more fun aspects, I will.

And with the Cozy and Longez, I will never escape the "why is this airplane backwards?"  And of course I always answer that the Wright Brothers also flew with the tail upfront, the wing and propellers on the back.  "I think all the other airplanes are backwards."  That's when you see the gears turn, get a smile, and they say, "you're right"!

Who ever comes out to Dulles on this day---see you there!

[cloudman]

Drew,
I can appreciate your remarks about questions that are asked about our canard," backwards flying airplanes without a nose gear".
Since I completed my Varieze in 1981, I know where you are coming from.
My approach to questions has always been very honest and direct. My logic has been that my answering 'silly' questions was nothing compared to what Burt Rutan was undoubtedly going through. So I could understand his shortness at times. Now 26 years later, I am still occassionaly getting the same questions that I got long ago.
I have found it amusing to know what question was coming as someone approached my plane. If their head was tilted to one side the question related to either the lack of a nose gear or what speed did the nose come up. If they stood back and looked for a while their question was which way does it go. I just smile and say 'Hi ".!
I got caught once when a fellow came to the hanger and asked what speed does the nose come up. I told him about 55 mph........and then realized he was asking when it stopped sliding on the ground !
There will always be those that are first timers.......enjoy!!
Wayne

[Drew]

I very much enjoy going to fly-ins/airshows and talking aviation with whoever wants to strike up a conversation.  There is always a lot of curiosity with these weird looking machines.

On the east coast you are normally assured "Rock-Star" parking at airshows---so that's always a plus!