Swift Flying
I have mentioned previously that I am a fan of the Globe/Temco Swift. I think it is a classic airplane with great looks and performance. I was recently offered my first ride in a swift and it really exceeded all my expectations.
Swift GC-1B, N3783K, owned by Nate Andrews is a fantastic example of the type. Nate is an A&P and restored his aircraft himself. The care and precision that he took really shows in the aircraft. It has a great paint job the skin is very straight. The seats and cockpit are immaculate. It was love at first sight.
Nate’s swift sports a 200hp engine, which really pushes you back into your seat on take off. Flying out of Harvey, we flew west bound. The swift was a very stable flyer. After getting it trimmed up you could go hands off and it would fly right where you pointed it.
I had the opportunity to take the controls and found out that it’s not the typical C-172 that I am used to. All the controls were a lot more sensitive than what I was familiar with. I just tapped the rudders and started the tail swinging. The same happened on the ailerons and elevator. Any light control movement and the aircraft jumped to respond. Naturally one starts to wonder what is possible with all that responsiveness.
As Nate told me. “The Swift likes to roll.” And indeed it does.
Nate also demonstrated a power off stall for me. It was a very positive break with a nice and pronounced shudder right before the stall. Either Nate is a better pilot than I am (likely) or the aircraft likes to maintain a level attitude in the stall, because there was no wing drop at all.
After we landed back at Harvey, I thanked Nate for the experience and grinned all the way home. Thanks again Nate!
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