(Spencer)– Ever wonder what it’s like to pilot a specially-designed open-air cockpit airplane known as a biplane? A Tucson, Arizona woman can tell you. As a matter of fact, Ann Hopkins has written a book about it. She says riding in such a plane is an experience completely different from riding in any other type of airplane.
She says piloting such a plane presents some special challenges. For one thing, it’s difficult to see because the pilot sits about half way back from the nose of the plane. As a result, Hopkins says you have to constantly be twisting and turning the plane to see what’s directly in front of you.
The design of Hopkins’ plane, which she purchased in the 1970’s, is based on one built in 1929.
Hopkins and her plane flew into the Northwest Iowa Regional Airport in Spencer Wednesday afternoon and gave rides to reporters…including KUOO’s George Bower and Steve Schwaller. The rides came complete with a few sharp turns and even some “barrel rolls”.
Hopkins says her book, titled “Sticks, Wires and Cloth”, details some her experiences of flying the biplane and some of the more unique things she’s seen from the air.
“Sticks, Wire and Cloth” is available at local book stores or at Hopkins’ website at www.tebooks.com.
