Scott (L) and Troy (R) helping out Rob Reece on his RV-8 build.
Guys day out at theVanCave last Saturday.
RV-10 Status ...J Twilbeck Fuel Tanks tested and installed....no leaks!
At 750 hours starter solenoid ...Vlad Starter solenoid quit on me in the middle of a
wonderful weekend before a glorified crowd what a shame.
It was still operational later but I had to knock on it or press
the start button several times.
Autopsy revealed similar to Paul's problem here are Xrays
Advanced Flight Systems Support Story
I wanted to share a very positive support experience, simply because I
believe good support should be, in turn, supported. I purchased
an AFS-5600 a number of years ago, and have had it in the plane
for a while waiting for me to finish and get flying. (I'm
getting close ... I swear.) Recently I noticed that from time to
time the AHRS would not initialize. It would go into a loop of
trying to init over and over again. Annoying, and worrying.
I communicated with Rob about this, including sending and getting text
messages over weekends. Eventually we decided the first step was
to see if the magnetometer might be the culprit (based on some
of the behavior) and he sent me a new loaner to check out. No
joy. He then suggested that the AHRS could/should be switched
out as a next step....
Alaska via Inside Passage
Just got back from a 4 day trip to Alaska via the coastal route. Words or
pictures cannot describe the raw beauty of the area. My Alaska
trip was a dream come true for me, and knocked off #49 of the
states. Hawaii is next.
...
GoPro on the tail
That is just my first experience in camera usage in flight. There is a
nice follow-me car on fashion wheels at the end.
Father's Day Weekend Mountain Flying
With a full-day pass in my hot little hands from the lovely Missus for
all of Saturday, which happened to be forecast CAVU all day, I
fueled up the Goodbye Girl and flew over to Butte to pick up my
youngest son for a day of mountain flying, airstrip
volunteering, and...fishing. First route was Missoula to Butte,
picked up the little feller (now 21 and 6'3") and launched for
Meadow Creek (0S1) for the annual work party sponsored by the MT
DOT/Aeronautics Division.
...
Back in the saddle... (long)
So… some quick background.
I bought an RV-6 in late 2010. Awesome plane with an O-360-A1A and
Hartzell CS prop, smokin’ paint job and well built (A&P second
build) but a very basic “4 pack” panel (and the turn coordinator
didn’t work). Flew it for a year, and at the end of 2011 took it
down for a panel upgrade.
...
The first year ...Brandi
Today marks the first anniversary of our first flight! In the past 365
days we've flown 239 hours, gone to 59 different airports in 14
different states and 2 other countries.
Welcome:
www.VictoryGirl.com
World's Foremost Source of Original Aviation Nose Art
...ad in the previous day's news section
The Annual Free Speech Email...dr I got an email over the weekend from Los Angeles
regarding how, in the sender's opinion, VAF stifles first amendment free speech
- assuming it had to do with recent FAA/EAA/AirVenture threads that were
closed.
"If I want these type of restrictions I will move to Russia. It is
your site but freedom of speech is not your choice," were
his exact words.He
requested I delete his posts and refund his donation from last December.
We seem to touch on this cyclically - I guess it's time again.
This website is an American private business, and free speech laws do not apply
to private businesses here. But, for
the sake of argument let's say I would allow talk about government
agency this and association that. We can't forget this would have to extend to EVERY country.
RVs are globally enjoyed, it's not just a U.S. thing. Lots of RV folks who contribute here live in countries
outside the America. Tens of thousands, actually. Data point: countries in
shades of blue below visited the VAF forums in the past 30 days, so says GoogleAnalytics.
Click to enlarge. Lots of different governments and GA associations
in that blue. Depending on the source,
there are between 189 and 196 independent countries on planet Earth, all
with governments and small planes (and issues between the pair).
The U.N. recognizes 192 governments. The U.S. State Department 194.
That's an awful lot of non-RV pro-this and anti-that to cloud up the 'New
Posts' results, wouldn't you think? You couldn't possibly be so shallow as to assume only the
U.S. citizens would be allowed to complain on VAF about their government
and GA issues, would
you? Go
Google 'aircraft associations'. You'll get over 11 million
hits. 'Aircraft Advocacy' returns over 3 million hits.
Plenty of places for people to discuss how their government and GA
associations interact with their country's small plane owners.
I hope now you can understand why here at VAF we're just gonna stick with talking about building and flying
and enjoying Van's RVs. Not governments, or aircraft associations, or government
agencies and their alphabet soups.
If you simply can't live with that, you don't have to. Nobody is
forcing you to either sign up or stick around.
The posting rules are short, and quite similar to tens of thousands
of other forums online. Go Google "free
speech and online communities" if you don't believe me.
Nothing out of the ordinary in the VAF posting rules. Further
research will reveal that online communities that allow any topic under
the sun, with no rules, quickly self-implode. Godwin's Law and all
that...
Feel so passionately about your government, its GA agencies and/or
associations that you just have to type about it somewhere? I'd suggest
going to blogger.com or any other number of free hosting solutions and
set yourself up a free spot on the web. All the free speech a
person could want is only a couple minutes away, if you agree to their
terms of service (which means you can't talk about ANYTHING you want).
All the big GA association sites have online forums themselves, and
interacting with local government on behalf of pilots is in their
respective mission statements.
I appreciate and read all private feedback emailed to me, but these free
speech emails always make me roll my eyes to tell you the honest truth.
It's not just your country we're talking about here. An
RV-8 took flight in Thailand for the first time last week.
Thailand! I recall reading they've had some political tension in
the past, but that doesn't mean it should be hammered out here on VAF.
Take the government talk somewhere else, please. I'm good with keeping VAF discussion focused on one specific activity.....the
hobby of building, flying and enjoying Van's RVs. Something
that is figuratively, and literally, uplifting.
Sometimes though, people can't deal with that, and that's fine.
As for the SoCal individual, I deleted his posts (as requested), his
forum account (as requested) and PayPal'd him his 2012 donation back (as
requested). He complained later how I sent the refund (via PayPal
check). I wish him well.
I happen to believe this site offers a good product, one worthy of its
reader's yearly
donations.
I strive daily to continue earning your trust, friendship and financial
support. I truly believe we have something special here, so much
so I bet my family's financial future on it.
Yours in Van's RV construction and flight,
(and family)
PS: Want to
email me your
feedback? I'll read it, then move it over to a
folder called 'Feedback' so it can be reflected on periodically.
Fri Jun 14 1202Z ....some
interesting tidbits plucked from the
VAF forums (posting
guidelines) Wishing you and yours a happy, safe and
RV-filled weekend. dr
First RV Flight in Thailand ...Gary McNair
After 6 years building from a basic kit I made the first flight of my
RV-8, HS-GMC out of NOK Airfield in Chiang Mai, Thailand. This was under
a test flight permit and all went well. Waiting for final paperwork to
do more flying. Superior XP-360, Sensenich Prop, Dynon Skyview with
transponder, EMS and Autopilot, Icom A210 radio & VP-50 for electrical
panel. To my knowledge this is the first RV flight in Thailand. A RV-9
is also being built at Nok Field.
Class of '61 UofPortland
I have a hangar buddy, Greg Fuchs, who is an alumni of UP and showed up
with this journal from UP dated 2008. Yes, this is RV related!
Polish thought ...Bob Collins You know, it's funny. I haven't been out to the
hangar in about a week or so and the last few times I was there,
I'd get frustrated at looking at some of the areas I want to
polish better than they are... generally wondering if the whole
polish thing was worth it.
But, like I say, it'd been a few days since I'd been out there.
So last evening I opened up the door without much thought and looked at
the plane and my first reaction was " DANNNGGGG, that thing is
shiny."
So there's that.
First flight, N456HL ...Hakan Langebro
I did the first and second flight on Tuesday. All went well, with some
minor issues, such as high (425F) cylinder temp during climb, even with
the cowl flap fully open. Transponder didnt work properly and the OAT
was intermittent, but apart from that everything was great!
Cylinder temps were find during level flight, around 370-390 depending
on how much the flap was open!
Van’s Fans- More Than Ever, NationAir And I Are Here for You ...Jenny
at NationAir Hello, Van’s RV enthusiasts –
Thanks to the many of you who have offered congratulations on my new
position as NationAir’s Light Aircraft Sales Manager. I want to reassure
you that I’m still a contact for all things Van’s. I value your
community too much to say goodbye to you! While my new position means
additional responsibilities, I still oversee the Van’s RV program. I’m
still here to help, here to answer your questions, and I’ll still see
you at all the Van’s events I enjoy attending.
...
A Tale of Two Trips...Paul Sometimes, logistics get complicated. I needed to be in
Carson City to approve the placement of our new house and hangar on our
lot, and I wanted to get the Valkyrie out west (the beginning of a vast
migration). Our Four-Runner was parked in our Big Bear hangar in SOCAL –
and I needed it in Reno for the week. Hence – fly to Big Bear, and drive
to Reno the next day. Two trips, two modes of transportation. Guess
which was faster?
...
First Flight...stinson46
N184RM AKA "Crazy Woman" has seen the air for the first time
today 1.3 hrs---and what a great day it is--The flight was
amazing and uneventful with the handling and speed that the RV's
are known for. I am a very happy man and can't wait to continue
the phase 1 testing and see where my wonderful aircraft will
take me.
N984AW takes flight ...AF_Alan
After 2,692 man hours over nearly 7 years (both irrelevant), I realized a
flying dream come true on 2 May 2013 at Creswell, OR.
Hat Sighting ...Bob Hill I just got back from the US Open and have a hat sighting of
Mark Santoleri RV-9a Builder/Pilot/VAF member having lunch with
the president of Merion Golf club, host of the 2013 US Open,
wearing his VAF hat. I was ejected by security after I got this
shot, as I had busted the TFR of the club house dinning tent
overlooking the 17th green. Sorry it wasn't a straight on shot.
[ed. 'A+' for effort!!! dr]
"The Big Cut"... on a -4
So this past weekend was a big milestone for me in my (re) build. I got
my sliding canopy frame operational (which is actually the HUGE
milestone) and I cut the canopy down in the back and then for
the finally... "The Big Cut"!
Finally got G-RVGO in the air in the UK after a 2 year build
From outside (video)
From inside (video)
Dave (Dave
Stephens)
Cavanaugh Bay(66S) RV friendly
As soon as I decided to build my RV, I had the vision of it on a smooth
green grass runway. We've got a dirt strip(8U9) 6nm away which a few
folks fly over and get ice cream...I drive not wanting to chip up my
plane. I couldn't take it anymore when Stephen and Melissa said they
were going to Cavanaugh Bay (66S) in Northern Idaho, it was high on my
list for destinations which look RV friendly, So I invited Kris and
Myself along....
Info for Van's Homecoming
Update #2 on the Aircraft Specialty Wheel Chock Group Buy
"Demand has been good, and we ran two batches of wheel chocks this past
week. Due to your requests, we have added orange as a color option for
the wheel chocks, and they also look very nice.
Also, we have updated our website to include the group buy option. If you
go on there, select "Group buy grey, black or orange." You will receive
2 pair of chocks. Also, notice that the pricing is $76.....when you
checkout $8.95 will be added to your purchase for shipping, bringing it
to $84.95 total with free shipping. Also of note is that you can order
another $73.95 worth of merchandise before you bump into the next
shipping level...so if you want a set of flap handles, custom engraving,
or some other items, we can send them to you at no additional shipping
cost with this wheel chock group purchase.
One last note...PLEASE CLEAR OUT YOUR BROWSER CACHE to make sure that all
the new items on the website load when you go to it.
Have a great day, and thank you again for allowing us to earn your
business"
So I sat in one today . .
I even sat in the back first, hoping to ease the effect. This might
get expensive. Curse you all!
Ring gear placement
I just want to verify before I safety the prop and spacer on that I've
got the ringgear support on correctly.
My finger is pointing to the lug on the crank that has a shoulder on it
that is .03 larger diameter. The 0 hole on the flywheel support
goes on this oversized lug.
180 degrees to the shoulder lug is a shorter lug that is flush
with the ringgear support.
A few pics of the -12 SB
A few pics of the modification. I ended up spraying it with White Rattle
can. But a small amount will show under the wing. My fairings
cover most of it, but you can still get the idea.
Hat sighting
Alaska, Denali National Park ....flytoday
3 am, Mount McKinley, Alaska, 40 miles in the background. Highest peak
in North America, 20,320' MSL. 25th Anniversary Trip.
Cleaveland Aircraft Tool is holding their first online Tool Chat next
Thursday, 6/20 from 7:30-8:30pm CDT. The event will be recorded, and
it's an opportunity to see owner, Mike Lauritsen, demonstrate both
beginner and advanced techniques, as well as field a few questions.
Register on the Cleaveland Aircraft Tool Google+ page:
http://bit.ly/11dXO6q
I brought air blast tubing
I brought air blast tubing from my right ramp and attached a
plastic pipe cap with silicone tape. Tubing has slots which blow into
diode cooling window on alternator. Cap is lower than slots and has 1/8"
hole for water drainage. Not flying yet so take it for what it's
worth...
Slider rear skirt help
I'm on my second try for this rear skirt and I'm just curious what
people think and if it is good enough or fixable with some rubber
insulation. The gap at the center top is about 1/4 in and about 3/8 at
the side. Also I cut this piece even bigger than the Van's one so it
needs to be trimmed but I hope that doesn't ruin the part that is
sealing. What is a good way to trim the aft part without exceeding what
is covered? This is my second try because I miss drilled a hole in the
other one but it was pretty close at the top and the sides like this one
until I messed it up. I know my frame isn't perfect so this might be
about as good as it gets.
There could be no other top story today...
Audrey Reeves, High School Graduate.
(walked across the stage last night)
Various things around her neck represent:
National Honor Society
National Merit Commended
Science Honor Society
Distinguished Achievement Program Recipient
French National Honor Society
College at
SMU starts in three
months...
(biomedical engineering and/or chemistry)
We love you so much, and are so
proud of both what you have achieved,
and who you have become.
Mom and Dad ()
Audrey and RV-6 tail kit in 1996.
PS: Several of you helped pay for this wonderful
child's upbringing via ads and donations, and for that both
Susie and I thank you so very much. dr
Airworthy!
N1769K received its Airworthiness Certificate today from the
Indianapolis FSDO. First flight will happen as soon as the
weather and my test pilot's schedule permit.
Ken Indianapolis RV-12 #359 N1769K
Pilot n Paws Sunday
It was a pretty nice Sunday afternoon. The Wife decided to fly a PnP
mission with me. It would have been a pretty mundane trip except
for the weather. We flew three legs. KXSA to KCHO to get the
dogs. Another pilot Kay (flying a Columbia 400) brought the dogs
to Charlottesville from Logan, WV. We took the dogs from KCHO to
KCPK, then made the quick hop home.
...
Don't Rely On Radio Only!
SO, I had a near mid-air with a twin Cessna yesterday on landing at my
home airport (KAWO). As I was on very short final, about 30 feet
in the air just over the numbers I transferred my gaze from the
touchdown point to the far end of the runway and had my canopy
filled with twin Cessna. Fortunately he was above me and
climbing, but it got my attention. Good thing I didn't have to
go around.
Arlington (WA) is a non-towered airport with two runways. 16/34 is the
primary runway with 11/29 as an auxiliary. The wind yesterday
was all over the place. 34 was active when I left, but an hour
later when I returned 16 was a (slightly) better choice. I was
listening to the frequency for about 15 minutes before I
approached and a few airplanes had been using 16 there was then
silence for a while.
...
Insert witty "scared me death, learned something new" title heree ...Sig600
I debated on whether to share this. I really just want to bury this in
the recesses of my brain and experience tool box. It's not so much a
bruise to the ego, as I am angry at myself for getting to this point.
But figured if it can save a flat lander who heads west on some windy
day, then here goes...
Quick back ground, 99% of my GA flying experience is all east of the
Mississippi. Most of my mountainous flying experience is in turbine
aircraft with the structure/power/wing loading to make mountainous
turbulence a non-issue. I've been doing a little charter flying on the
side recently in and around the Sierras, mainly just for the fun of it.
I've got the exposure, education, experience that I should've seen this
one coming... but didn't.
Our current SOP is to cancel anytime the wind is higher than 25 knots. I
had a quick out/in charter to do, literally one hour total. When loading
passengers for the flight out, there were thunderstorms in the area
moving through however I had a clear path there and back. The storms
were never a player, and out here 80% of all the radar returns are virga
that dry up above about 9K feet anyway. So we taxi out, and launch. The
wind is a stiff 15-20, but nothing unmanageable. However I can see a
dust plume rolling towards the airport and the turbulence tells me the
upper air is a lot more active than I thought. I should also add this
leg requires clearing a mountain range that's at 8700'. Quick hop over
going out, nothing worth noting, it was a nice flight. I land, and am
curious/concerned with what looked like a gust front (minus
precipitation) approaching where we now had to go back too. On the
ground about 20 minutes, and I'm calling home to the ASOS every 3-4
minutes when the winds start picking up. By the time my pax show back up
for the return leg ASOS is reporting 25G33 but it's only 30 degrees off
RWY heading. If it's too bad, I've got a VFR divert with calm wind, not
too worried.
...
Three of a Kind
3 RV12s met up for breakfast at S37 (Smoketown). Dave & Linda, Mark &
Paul ( aka Daryl and Daryl) and Peg and me. Great time was had,
along with a photo op for VAF. There were a lot of onlookers
providing many nice comments from the locals at the airport.
Red Cube FF drop outs to zero flow
My fuel flow indication from a red cube transducer to a Skyview
system have just started to intermittently display a zero flow
drop out. No fluctuation of the flow is observed, just an
apparent complete loss of signal to zero for several minutes
then back to normal.
Mysterious Intermittent Vibration (long)
Stock ELSA RV-12, 173 hours, current on all SB's, firewall mod
accomplished.
Over the past couple of flying hours I have noticed a slight change in
the spinner "picture" (edge of spinner/ edge of cowl) as viewed
from the left side of the cockpit in different flying regimes.
F'rinstance: at idle, some movement is seen, at run-up the
spinner appears motionless. It stays "frozen" all during
climbout at 5,000 RPM, no vibration felt.
...
N59LG Update
I finally have a plane! Well, I've had one for a while now, but when its
based across the country its easy to forget. Chris Kleen flew it
from Philly to SF last week in 3 days and around 18
hours....without auto pilot and barely enough extra room in the
cockpit for a granola bar. Here is a pic of 59LG in its new
home.
RV-12 Engine Simulator
have not yet ordered my engine or avionics, but I do have all of the
airframe and finish kits. I wanted a way to get the airplane on
its gear (so I would not have to continuously support the tail.
To accomplish this, I used 1.5" stainless angle and schedule 40
stainless pipe and welded together a mount that bolts directly
to the airplane in the same points used by the engine mount.
Once in place, I used two 50 lb. barbell weights. The resulting
100 lbs is approximately in the same place on the datum as where
the engine will be, and allows for the cowl to be installed with
plenty of room to spare.
...
First ride in an RV
I had caught wind of a special day that had been planned by a member of
EAA Chapter 240 at New Garden Airport (N57). One of the older members,
Jim (whose last name escapes me at the moment, but he's a gentleman and
a scholar!), had arranged to have a P-51D visit the field to give rides
to the first 10 (which turned into 12) people to get their names on the
list. Before you get the wrong idea about where this story is headed, I
was not one of those 12! In fact, that's not what this thread is about
really (although seeing the -51 in such a low-key, uncrowded environment
was every bit as cool as you think it was!).
...
June Sport Aviation Online
....note James Clark and Doug Crumrine running for office on p119.
We don't do the whole politics thing here, but these two guys have been
members of the VAF forums for years (screen grab below).
Here's a link
to the EAA forums for the political back and forth discussions. dr
Fri Jun 7 1155Z ....some
interesting tidbits plucked from the
VAF forums (posting
guidelines) Wishing you and yours a
happy, safe and RV-filled weekend. dr
Gotta Love Mile-Stones during the build!!!
...Daniel S. This may not be a huge mile-stone but my -7 wing
panels are finally free of the wing stands / jigs after 300+
hours of work. It feels so awesome to have the first "bigger"
pieces floating around my shop. I could not be happier with how
well the top skins came out. We used a mushroom set & bucking
bar method & low gun pressure while riveting the top skins &
they came out absolutely flat & looks like a mirror.
A big thanks goes out to fellow RV -10 builders / bucking
partners Bill & Gordon!!!
My first leading edge!...ConAgraPilot
I was waiting for a time when I could get some help to roll the leading
edge of my rudder. I have worked ahead on the elevators and just
finished bending their trailing edges with my new brake.
...
Can you feel my pain?
...DonFromTX
Old guys should have a trained monkey or grandkid to do this. Oh how it
hurts to get back in there! (Just getting there and back out
again is pure misery)
In-flight Self Portrait ...pmccoy Waited a long time to have a photo of me flying MY RV9A. Phase 1 out
over the SoCal desert
Note: I started putting SUN SCREEN on after these flights. Getting a bit
of a burn with all the light coming in the canopy.
Speechless...Flyguytiki
No words can describe just how simply amazing these machines are. I have
only been flying the airplane for 4 days but I have already
found the most relaxing thing you can every do. After work I
quickly changed and headed straight to the airport, pulled the
cowls real quick to check everything was still in order from
yesterdays flights, put everything back together and launched.
The plan was to head 40 miles south to KTDO (Toledo) then over
to KCLS (Chehalis) and back home, planned on about an hour of
flight time.
more pics
Why we fly
I know I don't need to convince anyone on here about WHY we love to fly,
and why we love our planes, but had to share one of those "ah
ha" moments from last week.
...
Flight Time Milestone ...Craig Taylor Today, while participating in formation training with Falcon
Flight instructor Roy Geer, I crossed a flight time milestone - 700
hours RV8 time in four years! What a great airplane; it does everything
well: Cross country, Formation, Aerobatics, Instrument, and even ACM.
All at a very low cost of operation. The RV8 has provided for me the
most fun of any aircraft that I have flown. Thank you, Van!
Wed Jun 5 0247Z ....some
interesting tidbits plucked from the
VAF forums (posting
guidelines) Sorry for the
earlier-than-usual edition push today - driving my Mom to a doctor
appointment Wednesday in Waco. I'm waking up at O'God thirty and
spending most of the day in the car. Upside is I'm out of summer
housecleaning duty for the day (heads up to our kids - Mom is looking
right at you). dr
Pancake Breakfast's 2013
Attended my first pancake breakfast flying in my own RV-12 N470MB into
Gettysburg Regional Airport W05 1-June-2013. Followed my friends
Dave in an RV-12 and Scott in an RV-8 from Heritage Field KPTW.
...
What a 12yr old and 13yr old should be doing
...playing w/motorized things and spending the day at a GA airport.
Tate and Alex putting around our home field last weekend.
Future aviators, maybe (fingers crossed). dr
NationAir Aviation Insurance Announces New Public Entity Group
"Publicly funded aviation programs have a far greater level of
complexity than those of private aviation, and have additional
budgetary issues as taxpayer funded entities," said NationAir
President Jeffrey Bauer. "With the Public Entity Group, we can
focus on their very specific requirements."
Once Again ...Ron Hasenbeck
I'll start this with an apology up front, but please bear with me while I
rant a bit:
Do you wish to remain alive? How about your passengers? Maybe your loved
ones...they'd probably like to see you on this earth a while longer.
Well, if you do, and if you come down to Key West, then STAY OUT OF
R-2916!!!!!
Let me tell you a story of what happened an hour ago, and maybe everyone
will be able to understand my frustration and dismay. We got a small
break in the weather (right now, small breaks is all we're getting, so
we'll take 'em). I made the decision that we'd go out and fly the
aerostat and try to get our customers some data while we could...EZPZ.
So, out to the pad we go, get set up, come off the tower, begin
outhauling, when one of my crew members shouts over the radio, "Airspace
Violation!!!" I turned and looked up just in time to see a single engine
aircraft banking left
(he
was on a direct path towards us) and setting a course towards Key West.
Folks, this aircraft missed us by approximately 1000 ft horizontally,
and no more than 1000 ft vertically. Guess what? Not only would he have
killed all aboard his aircraft, but in this case, the full launch crew
(including myself) were directly under the aerostat (it was at 500 ft
and outhauling) and would have stood a very good chance of being
severely injured or killed by falling debris.
To sum it all up, here's the deal...if you hit the aerostat, you will
die, and all aboard will as well. If you hit the tether that holds the
aerostat, you will die and all aboard will as well. If you hit either
the aerostat or the tether, you have put many innocent folks on the
ground in harms way. If you simply violate the airspace around Cudjoe
Key, we will get your tail number and do everything we can to have the
FAA have a chat with you (as we did in this case and with all others).
I wish I could say I'm overreacting to this incident, but I'm not. This
is truly a life and death situation. I was on shift when the 182 was
brought down after he hit our tether. I never, ever wish to witness
anything like that again. I also don't wish to leave my 3 year old son
fatherless due to a lack of judgment on someone else's part. This is all
very avoidable; stay South of US1 all the way down to Key West and you
will clear us. Simple, huh? That's why it makes me so crazy every time
another aircraft violates the airspace...it is that simple.
Now, here's an offer I will make to anyone who's flying down here...get
in touch with me. I will let you on site...I will give you a tour...I'll
even give you a piece of the tether that the aerostat flies off of. It
will possibly open some eyes as to what goes on here.
Hopefully, I haven't offended anyone, but if I have, I can't apologize
for that. I'd rather have you offended and alive, than happy and dead.
The View From The Treadmill
The family treadmill found its way out to the hangar recently, as
well as a recliner that Susie and I have owned for a quarter century.
That and the wonderful news that the shower has been squared away and
made functional in the last 36 hours. Yesterday made for a
pleasing work environment at 'theVanCave'.
A short flight (.3hr) after pushing out the site, a 30 minute workout
with RVs in the field of view, tunes in the ears and A SHOWER!
Finished off with vmails/emails in a recliner already broken in to fit
my body. Drove home after that without the feeling that I was
behind the curve needing to play catch up.
In the eleven years I've been using this airport, a shower has
never been a real option. What a difference this simple pleasure
has made. I hope my renters enjoy it also. It kinda gets hot
around these parts this time of year - a cool shower ten feet from the
plane is pretty wonderful.
Eagle's Nest (EN-3) / Inaugural Flight
It was a big day for the PLTW Aerospace Engineering students at
League City's Clear Springs High School. It was the day
the Eagle's Nest RV-12 they spent the past 7-1/2 months building
was going to fly!
In attendance were 30+ student-builders, aerospace engineering
instructor, Mr. Roger Elder, assistant school principal, Mr.
Troy Scott, City Council representative, Mrs. Heidi Thiess, ABC
Channel-13, and numerous other news reporters.
VAN'S DELIVERS FIRST FLY-AWAY S-LSA RV-12! ...factory FB page
"We will remember this Memorial Day week for sure. On May 31,
George Longino arrived in Aurora and was presented with the key to
N232VA, the very first fly-away airplane delivered by Van´s Aircraft."
...
(thread
re: this in VAF Forums - if you don't use facebook)
Dave 'cropdusterdave' Johnson -7 Status
Just got my engine back from overhaul yesterday. Hung it by myself in
like 30 minutes! Somebody please tell me there's a light at the end of
the tunnel. I started the emp in 2004. [ed. There is light at
the end of the tunnel!!!!! dr]
It was still operational later but I had to knock on it or press
the start button several times.
Go
Google 'aircraft associations'. You'll get over 11 million
hits. 'Aircraft Advocacy' returns over 3 million hits.
Plenty of places for people to discuss how their government and GA
associations interact with their country's small plane owners.
Let me tell you a story of what happened an hour ago, and maybe everyone
will be able to understand my frustration and dismay. We got a small
break in the weather (right now, small breaks is all we're getting, so
we'll take 'em). I made the decision that we'd go out and fly the
aerostat and try to get our customers some data while we could...EZPZ.
So, out to the pad we go, get set up, come off the tower, begin
outhauling, when one of my crew members shouts over the radio, "Airspace
Violation!!!" I turned and looked up just in time to see a single engine
aircraft banking left
(he
was on a direct path towards us) and setting a course towards Key West.
Folks, this aircraft missed us by approximately 1000 ft horizontally,
and no more than 1000 ft vertically. Guess what? Not only would he have
killed all aboard his aircraft, but in this case, the full launch crew
(including myself) were directly under the aerostat (it was at 500 ft
and outhauling) and would have stood a very good chance of being
severely injured or killed by falling debris.
