This past weekend I was doing my weekly trips around the pattern at
the Covington, GA airfield (9A1.)

While I was there, an experimental was doing some general flying
around, including turning base, and then final as though landing but
simply flew down the runway and never actually touched down. My CFI
didn't know what it was (though he did say he'd seen it at a couple of
airshows) but that it has been around for a while. The only thing I
know about it is that it is fast for its size (the pilot overtook and
overflew a C172 that was on final and appeared to be flying at almost
twice the C172's speed) and it is most definitely a true delta wing
configuration with a high tail. I was never close enough to see the
engine but I'm pretty sure it was a piston plane because I don't
remember hearing a turbine that day (though if it was a prop I can't
even tell you which end it was on.)

Sorry I can't provide more details but I am still curious to know more
about the plane.

On Mon, 18 Feb 2008 07:12:03 -0800 (PST), es330td > wrote:

> While I was there, an experimental was doing some general flying
> around, including turning base, and then final as though landing but
> simply flew down the runway and never actually touched down. My CFI
> didn't know what it was (though he did say he'd seen it at a couple of
> airshows) but that it has been around for a while. The only thing I
> know about it is that it is fast for its size (the pilot overtook and
> overflew a C172 that was on final and appeared to be flying at almost
> twice the C172's speed) and it is most definitely a true delta wing
> configuration with a high tail. I was never close enough to see the
> engine but I'm pretty sure it was a piston plane because I don't
> remember hearing a turbine that day (though if it was a prop I can't
> even tell you which end it was on.)

Sounds like a Dyke Delta...

http://www.pilotfriend.com/experimental/acft2/56.htm

The one in the picture doesn't have a horizontal tail, but some examples have a
small horizontal surface near the top of the vertical stabilizer.

http://www.ne.jp/asahi/eiji/home/main/delta.gif

Ron Wanttaja

On Feb 18, 10:35*am, Ron Wanttaja > wrote:
> On Mon, 18 Feb 2008 07:12:03 -0800 (PST), es330td > wrote:
> > While I was there, an experimental was doing some general flying
> > around, including turning base, and then final as though landing but
> > simply flew down the runway and never actually touched down. My CFI
> > didn't know what it was (though he did say he'd seen it at a couple of
> > airshows) but that it has been around for a while. *The only thing I
> > know about it is that it is fast for its size (the pilot overtook and
> > overflew a C172 that was on final and appeared to be flying at almost
> > twice the C172's speed) and it is most definitely a true delta wing
> > configuration with a high tail. *I was never close enough to see the
> > engine but I'm pretty sure it was a piston plane because I don't
> > remember hearing a turbine that day (though if it was a prop I can't
> > even tell you which end it was on.)
>
> Sounds like a Dyke Delta...
>
> http://www.pilotfriend.com/experimental/acft2/56.htm
>
> The one in the picture doesn't have a horizontal tail, but some examples have a
> small horizontal surface near the top of the vertical stabilizer.
>
> http://www.ne.jp/asahi/eiji/home/main/delta.gif
>
> Ron Wanttaja

Thanks. That looks right. It looks like a fun plane; I wonder how it
behaves in flight.

es330td wrote:
> This past weekend I was doing my weekly trips around the pattern at
> the Covington, GA airfield (9A1.)
>
> While I was there, an experimental was doing some general flying
> around, including turning base, and then final as though landing but
> simply flew down the runway and never actually touched down. My CFI
> didn't know what it was (though he did say he'd seen it at a couple of
> airshows) but that it has been around for a while. The only thing I
> know about it is that it is fast for its size (the pilot overtook and
> overflew a C172 that was on final and appeared to be flying at almost
> twice the C172's speed) and it is most definitely a true delta wing
> configuration with a high tail. I was never close enough to see the
> engine but I'm pretty sure it was a piston plane because I don't
> remember hearing a turbine that day (though if it was a prop I can't
> even tell you which end it was on.)
>
> Sorry I can't provide more details but I am still curious to know more
> about the plane.


Could be a Dyke Delta. It is pretty quick but it isn't like it takes
that much to out run a 172 on final.

On Feb 20, 6:28*pm, Ernest Christley > wrote:
>
>
> It was beige, with a couple stripes, wasn't it?
>
> Sounds like Bernie Schaknowski, just outside of Atlanta. *It was built
> by his father (Bernie Sr) and has been flying about 25 years. *It is a
> tractor design, that will do over 200mph. *Bernie uses a 180Hp Lycoming.
>
> http://www.ronpaultimeline.com- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Sounds right. It was a nice plane to watch. As a fan of the
unconventional aircraft (my current dreams lean toward a diesel
Velocity/Cozy type airplane) even knowing that plane exists is kind of
exciting.

On Feb 20, 6:28*pm, Ernest Christley > wrote:
> es330td wrote:
> > This past weekend I was doing my weekly trips around the pattern at
> > the Covington, GA airfield (9A1.)
>
> > While I was there, an experimental was doing some general flying
> > around, including turning base, and then final as though landing but
> > simply flew down the runway and never actually touched down. My CFI
> > didn't know what it was (though he did say he'd seen it at a couple of
> > airshows) but that it has been around for a while. *The only thing I
> > know about it is that it is fast for its size (the pilot overtook and
> > overflew a C172 that was on final and appeared to be flying at almost
> > twice the C172's speed) and it is most definitely a true delta wing
> > configuration with a high tail. *I was never close enough to see the
> > engine but I'm pretty sure it was a piston plane because I don't
> > remember hearing a turbine that day (though if it was a prop I can't
> > even tell you which end it was on.)
>
> > Sorry I can't provide more details but I am still curious to know more
> > about the plane.
>
> It was beige, with a couple stripes, wasn't it?
>
> Sounds like Bernie Schaknowski, just outside of Atlanta. *It was built
> by his father (Bernie Sr) and has been flying about 25 years. *It is a
> tractor design, that will do over 200mph. *Bernie uses a 180Hp Lycoming.
>
> --
>
> http://www.ronpaultimeline.com- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

I found Bernie's email and we exchanged email. He also sent me a
couple great pictures of it. He's based at D73, Monroe-Walton County,
not too far from my home airport and invited me to come visit
sometime. Thanks for the help.

On Fri, 29 Feb 2008 23:13:53 -0500, Ernest Christley
> wrote:

>es330td wrote:
>> On Feb 20, 6:28 pm, Ernest Christley > wrote:
>>> es330td wrote:
>>>> This past weekend I was doing my weekly trips around the pattern at
>>>> the Covington, GA airfield (9A1.)
>>>> While I was there, an experimental was doing some general flying
>>>>
>
>>> Sounds like Bernie Schaknowski, just outside of Atlanta. It was built
>>> by his father (Bernie Sr) and has been flying about 25 years. It is a
>>> tractor design, that will do over 200mph. Bernie uses a 180Hp Lycoming.
>>>
>>> --
>>>
>
>>
>> I found Bernie's email and we exchanged email. He also sent me a
>> couple great pictures of it. He's based at D73, Monroe-Walton County,
>> not too far from my home airport and invited me to come visit
>> sometime. Thanks for the help.
>
>If he gives you a ride, I will be beside myself with envy.

I'm halfway thinking about calling the designer and asking about
purchasing a set of plans. If I do I'll definitely call Bernie and
tell him that I am looking into building one.

"Matthew Speed" > wrote in message
...
> On Fri, 29 Feb 2008 23:13:53 -0500, Ernest Christley
> > wrote:
>
>>es330td wrote:
>>> On Feb 20, 6:28 pm, Ernest Christley > wrote:
>>>> es330td wrote:
>>>>> This past weekend I was doing my weekly trips around the pattern at
>>>>> the Covington, GA airfield (9A1.)
>>>>> While I was there, an experimental was doing some general flying
>>>>>
>>
>>>> Sounds like Bernie Schaknowski, just outside of Atlanta. It was built
>>>> by his father (Bernie Sr) and has been flying about 25 years. It is a
>>>> tractor design, that will do over 200mph. Bernie uses a 180Hp
>>>> Lycoming.
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>>
>>
>>>
>>> I found Bernie's email and we exchanged email. He also sent me a
>>> couple great pictures of it. He's based at D73, Monroe-Walton County,
>>> not too far from my home airport and invited me to come visit
>>> sometime. Thanks for the help.
>>
>>If he gives you a ride, I will be beside myself with envy.
>
> I'm halfway thinking about calling the designer and asking about
> purchasing a set of plans. If I do I'll definitely call Bernie and
> tell him that I am looking into building one.

That sounds to me like John Dyke's dyke delta. Plans are still available
from John.

Highflyer
PS
2008 Pinckneyville Rec Aviation Flyin

The annual flyin time is coming around again! I finally got to where I
could find things in the hangar again, which is a sure indication that it is
time to start flyin preparations!

The local motels will be filling up fast again so you may want to get your
reservations in as soon as you can if you want a close motel room.

WHEN: May 16, 17, and 18 this year. Once again, it is the full weekend
prior to the Memorial Day official weekend. This has become the traditional
historical date for the flyin. It allows folks to plan well ahead to this
incredible trek. For many it becomes the cross country trip that they talk
about to everyone that will hold still long enough to listen.

WHERE: Pinckneyville DuQuoin Airport, Pinckneyville, Illinois. PJY is the
airport identifier. Put K in front if you have a fussy GPS. We are about
80 miles southeast of the Arch in St. Louis. There is a 4001 foot ( have to
be over 4000 feet for jets! ) north-south runway ( 18L – 36R ) with an 1800
foot grass runway parallel to the northern half.
( 18R – 36L ) . There is no taxiway. This an access taxiway perpendicular
to the runways. We do have instrument approachs again, but they are GPS
approachs only.

WHAT: The annual t here day get together of the diehards on the
rec.aviation newsgroups. Buddy rides all day and hangar flying all night.
Other entertainment as happens. Beer, soda, and good food. The PJY
barbeque is world renowned, as are the uniquely HOT Italian sausages served
on Thursday night. The Red Lady should be flying this year.

WHO: Pilots, about to be Pilots, wannabe Pilots, and anybody else who is
willing to put up with a bunch of wild eyed folks who talk about airplanes
and flying all day and all night.

COST: This is not one of those "break the bank" flyins. Highflyer and Mary
try to keep the costs in line so that we can have a good time without being
rich. We do that because a lot of people who come to the flyin own
airplanes. We all know that people who own an airplane are not rich
anymore! We try to collect $25 from everyone to defray the cost of the
beverages and the groceries. We do breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day.
Usually we have baby back ribs, steak, and chicken on Saturday night.
Friday night we have something good. No one goes hungry. We do have
something for vegetarians.

ACCOMODATIONS: Pitch a tent next to your airplane if you like. There is no
charge for camping on the field. We have a couple of bathrooms, but no
showers. Generally, if someone really would like to shower one of the folks
in a motel can help you out. We do have a garden hose. There are places
you can park a camper or motorhome near the action. If you are really nice,
we can even run you out an extension cord for an electrical hookup. No
sewer hookups though.

If you want a motel there are several in the area now. The preferred flyin
motel is the Mainstreet Inn, in Pinckneyville. The lady who runs it always
puts up with our group graciously. One year she even shortsheeted every bed
in the place, for a small bribe!
Her phone number is 618-357-2128. The rates are quite reasonable.

A little fancier is the local Oxbow Bed and Breakfast. This is between the
airport and town, right on the edge of town. A number of our folks stay
there every year they come and speak very highly of the establishment.
Their phone number is 618-357-9839.

We always manage to arrange some kind of transportation to and from both of
these places. If they are full there are other motels in the area and
transportation can usually be managed with no particular problems.

HOW: Flying to PJY is the primo way to arrive. If that doesn't work many
fly commercial to St. Louis and rent a car for the last 90 miles from the
airport. Whatever works for you works for us! Pinckneyville airport is
right on Illinois 127 just six miles south of the town of Pinckneyville.
Route 127 is exit 50 off of I-64. The airport is about 30 miles south of
I-64.

Please send an email to Mary at so that she can get some
idea how many steaks to buy for Saturday night dinner! It makes it a lot
easier when we have some idea of how many people to plan for meals.