Minnesota/SteinAir trip

[crabandy]

I've been bugging the guys at Steinair long enough and finally ordered the rest of the avionics for my panel. Instead of "wasting" money on shipping I started thinking about picking them up myself, and visiting some family up north in the process. The weather doesn't get much better across three states in October, so I invited my brother (non-current pilot) and we headed up north. Crossing the Missouri River in the morning.

Not many other pics on a clear day at 9500, except over southern Iowa we saw a gourgeously groomed grass strip that really got my attention. More on that little gem later...

My aunt and uncle met us at Lake Elmo (21D) , it felt much colder than the forecasted upper 50's.

A must stop when in the TwinCities for my Aunt/Uncle is CandyLand for a giant bag if their popcorn to take home to my girls.

 

[crabandy]

Staying under the class B from Lake Elmo to Airlake KLVN we went by this lone windmill. Funny name, with all the lakes in MN I didn't see one near Airlake.

Like the slogan on their shirt says, nothing but large RECIEPTS in this wallet!

Thanks to everyone at Steinair, all of you that have dealt with me. Stein, Chris, Jed, Mike and everyone else, I really appreciate you guys putting up with me and I really like the way you guys do business! I'll apologize now for all the phone calls to come! I only managed to sneak a single photo in the top secret operations area...

Somehow even the wife thought she got her money's worth!

 

[crabandy]

I totally forgot to get a pic on the ground at Airlake, I was too busy trying to fit my box of avionics in the back of the 7. I had to lean the seats forward but it just fit under the canopy and into the baggage are with enough space on the side for a backpack misc airplane stuff and an enormous bag of popcorn.

A few more clouds on the way home, I really can't wait to get this thing IFR certified!

Plenty of in-flight snacks for the ride home, it's amazingly addictive.....

But it also makes you really thirsty wich leads to an unexpected potty stop. We just happened to to able to make an awesome 500 FPM descent to find the awesome grass strip in southern Iowa. Even from 9500 feet it looks like the outfield of a baseball stadium.

On final to RWY 18, the wind really caught me off guard. The windsock was only 3/4 out and 130-100, I was expecting up to 15knts of crosswind. Maybe it was being on top of the hill and the windsock was Really stiff but I found full deflection on the rudder for the first time keeping it on the runway. On takeoff the wind at 1000 AGL was 130@38.

There was someone mowing who directed us to the facilities. Pretty sure the FBO was a previous 19h century school house that was repurposed as FBO and clay pigeon shooting clubhouse.

We finally made it home, not sure how the box that barely fit in the baggage compartment is going to fit in my panel but I'm sure I'll find out how!

 

[rockwoodrv9]

My question is did you see them (Nick) working on my panel!!!
I would love to visit Steins. Thanks for the inside look.

 

[Vlad]

Andy thanks for early morning smile. Good job!

I am still planning to pick up the rudder cable covers you have for Tony's RV8.

 

[LettersFromFlyoverCountry]

I think Candyland has caused more MN pilots to fly above gross weight than any other factor.

Not sure what shop that is though. It's not Saint Paul.

 

[crabandy]

Rockwood, lots of panels and wiring going together there. My head was spinning trying to decipher my wiring diagram so memory on some specifics are a little fuzzy.

Vlad, the fairings are patiently waiting and in no rush!

Bob, it's the new CandyLand Stillwater location.

 

[MarkW]

Nice trip, blah blah blah What is in the box?

 

[krw5927]

Nice trip, blah blah blah What is in the box?

YES! Inquiring minds want to know!

 

[LettersFromFlyoverCountry]

Nice trip, blah blah blah What is in the box?

The invoice.

 

[Paul K]

I have one of those shirts! Mine says "The best all your money can buy". And it's correct! But worth it.

 

[crabandy]

I finally had time to open the boxes, this is the gist of it:
GTN 400W
GTR200
GMC305
GTX23ES

Along with connectors, wiring, fittings, extra tools and a couple T-shirts. Now that minor task of hooking it all up.....

 

[krw5927]

That is going to be one SWEEEEEET panel!

Isn't it crazy you flew all the way to Minnesota to pick up stuff that was made in Olathe, less than 30 miles from you?

 

[rdoerr01]

That is going to be one SWEEEEEET panel!

Isn't it crazy you flew all the way to Minnesota to pick up stuff that was made in Olathe, less than 30 miles from you?

That is totally true, but since this way it is an out of state purchase there is no tax.


Ray