We departed 25R on a left downwind departure towards New Jerusalem and just as we took off, Steve pulled the power without warning. Srinath did the right thing by “flying the plane” and landing it back on the runway. Steve then pushed the throttle in and we took off. This was a lesson in emergency procedures since the engine could quit just at takeoff. In that case, the best place to land is straight ahead. Never try to turn back to the runway because that effectively requires a 270 degree turn in one direction and then a 90 degree turn in the opposite direction to line back up with the runway. At low altitudes with engine out this turn is almost always impossible to make. In the heart-thumping moments, getting into a stall spin accident becomes likely and with grave consequences. No matter what is ahead, the best bet is to land it almost as straight ahead as possible with minor corrections.

Once at New Jerusalem, Srinath practiced soft field landings and takeoffs as well as a maximum performance takeoff. We next headed to Byron to fill up gas because the new gas station at Livermore isn’t fully functional yet. On approach to Byron, Srinath did a straight-in landing and this time a precision landing on the numbers.

After re-fueling, we taxied back to runway 30 and heard a heads-up that skydivers (jumpers) were heading down from 10,000’. It was incredible that they came down in no time at all, well before we completed the run-up checks and were at the hold short line for runway 30.

We waited for a tricycle geared Maule to land. Steve referred to this as a “quintessential bush plane”. Normally they are tail draggers so it was interesting to see one in a tricycle gear. There was a lesson in not hurrying to the threshold for takeoff because the Maule hadn’t yet turned off Rwy 30 on a taxiway. Just as we got ready to  takeoff, more jumpers were getting ready to unload at 13,000’.

Just as we were over Brushy Peak heading in to Livermore, I noticed gas gushing out of the fuel vents like crazy. Never seen so much fuel come out in such volume continuously. Steve asked if the fuel caps were on, which they were. In measuring the fuel after the flight, we estimated about a gallon was lost! Not sure what caused this…