AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2023 - 90

family and continued west to Colorado
for some off-season skiing. Another trip
brought them to EAA AirVenture in
Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Lake Placid, New York, is one of their
favorite airplane camping spots, and
they've made multiple climbs to the top
of Mount Marcy, the highest peak in the
state. Their bikes come with them just
about everywhere. It takes about 20 minutes
to disassemble and pack them in the
airplane, and about the same amount of
time to put them back together. Cape
Cod is another frequent destination, and
it turns a stressful five-hour drive into an
enjoyable one-hour flight.
Upgrades
Last summer, Lincoln had the airplane
converted to its tailwheel configuration
One of the most surprising aspects of
owning the airplane for Lincoln has been
the friendship he's formed with Leclair,
the builder.
" He's kind of a taciturn guy, we're from
different generations, and we'd appear to
have little in common, " Lincoln said. " But
the more I learn about the airplane he
built, the more impressed I am with the
thoughtfulness and the skill that went into
every piece. I've really come to like and
respect the guy, and he's been supremely
patient with me. "
Leclair helped with the tailwheel conversion
and quips that he wasn't aware at
the time of the sale that he'd also be providing
" lifetime support service " for the
aircraft. Yet he also says he's glad the
airplane went to an owner who flies it
regularly, maintains it well, and enjoys it.
Low water levels in September
2021 and the GlaStar's taildragger
configuration allowed for landing on
the eastern shores of Flagstaff Lake in
Maine. Marion smiles as Benedict flies
near Mount Washington, the highest
peak in the Northeast, returning from
Vermont. Calm winds allowed for
lovely sightseeing.
" It allows me to land on frozen lakes and beaches
that wouldn't be suitable for a nosewheel.
I get a lot of satisfaction from tailwheel
flying, and it just feels right. "
and put on larger (8.50) tires for off-airport
explorations.
" I'm totally loving the tailwheel, " he
said. " It allows me to land on frozen lakes
and beaches that wouldn't be suitable for
a nosewheel. I get a lot of satisfaction
from tailwheel flying, and it just feels
right. Plus, I won't lie, I really like the way
the airplane looks. "
Lincoln has flown the GlaStar about
500 hours in the three years he and
Jessica have owned it. It has a groundadjustable
Sensenich propeller and
cruises about 125 KTAS at 2,400 rpm.
Upgrades include a pair of Garmin G5
all-in-one attitude instruments, a Garmin
GNX 375 navigator/transponder, and a
TruTrak autopilot. The airplane carries
enough fuel to fly about 4.5 hours with
VFR reserves, but Lincoln says his longest
legs are about three hours.
90
AOPA PILOT / January 2023
Future upgrades are likely to include
29-inch Alaskan Bushwheels and perhaps
IFR instrumentation. For now, however,
Lincoln said he intends to keep refining
his tailwheel skills while bringing Jessica
to the endurance competitions in which
she excels.
" The airplane is a way we come
together, " he said. " I love flying. She really
likes running-and reinforcing how much
faster she is than her husband. We both
get something we want. " The only potential
change on the horizon for the couple
is the possibility of children, and they, of
course, alter everything.
" We may start a family, and if that happens,
perhaps there's a Sportsman in our
future, " he said. " But I'm very proud of this
airplane. Leo did a tremendous job building
it, and it really doesn't need anything. "
dave.hirschman@aopa.org
NATHAN HURD
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2023

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