Thought I'd post a 6 month update ... and again thank those who provided advice.
Goals accomplished:
- Instruction and Flight review completed in Tampa in a 172. Very useful to get the surface corrosion off the pilot in a familiar (and predictable) airplane. Good instruction helped a lot with local airspace familiarization also.
- Tailwheel endorsement earned ... got some great instruction in a American Legend Cub
- Completed a very comprehensive Condition Inspection on the RV6 with help from ChrisMallory in Houston. Ended up replacing a balky Mag, and an immobile Vernatherm, and fixing a fuel tank leak (dryed out inspection panel gasket) but so far no issues have surfaced from the well rested O-320 with some 25 hours of recent exercise to date. The upcoming oil analysis should provide additional valuable data.
- Found the vacuum system lacking (deteriorated coupling disk in the Tempest pump-easily fixed), suction gauge flaky, and a permanently tumbled AI (not yet addressed).
- Insurance bound (with lots of good advice from this thread)
- Got 10 hrs of dual with Bruce Bohannon in Houston in the now airworthy airplane. Extremely valuable ! I now can get the plane on the runway safely, and appreciate how much more this vehicle has to teach me !
- Ferried the plane to Tampa (again with help from Chris!) in a delightful VFR XC. Foreflight was quite useful!
- Have flown another 15 hours or so "turning avgas into smiles" from the new base at KZPH. Getting in 1-3hrs/week, gradually expanding my personal limits-- long way to go.
Still to do:
- VFR Xponder check
- Better (permanent) installation for the Stratux
- Work to improve Comm Rx sound quality
- Fix or replace the AI (maybe with a D10A or G5?)
- Mount the wheelpants
- Finalize a rudder trim solution (either replace the temporary trim tab with a permanent one, or install adjustable spring based trim system)
- Redo/validate much of the Phase I testing and upgrade the POH
- $100 hamburgers, Young eagle flights
I'm beginning to understand that with experimental aviation the building/upgrading/improving never ends ... you just add flying to the experience -- there is always more to do !
Future goals:
- ADSB Out - GDL82? uAvionix ?
- Panel upgrade
- Install Landing/Taxi lights
- Aerobatic training
- Return to test phase to allow clearance of "No Aerobatics" in the current Op Lims
- Formation training ?
- Fly my own plane to Oshkosh (last years arrival challenges notwithstanding) -- I guess this has to be on every EAB owners list ...
- Learn how to post pictures on VAF
Meanwhile ... I've absorbed more help than I could have imagined from the good folks of VAF.
I will be re-upping my contribution in 2019, I hope you will too so Doug can keep this thing going.
Peter
Here's what the plan looked like back in June. Didn't go exactly to plan, but I have no complaints! (Someone smarter than me said "Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans.")
Quote:
Originally Posted by pjc
Hi all,
I am a longtime lurker who finds myself with more free time than I?ve had in years ? time to (finally!) once again become proficient, well equipped, and start chasing some long-deferred dreams.
First the pilot ? I earned my ticket 30 years ago, flew a hundred hours or so, then jobs, family, houses, moves, kids in college happened. Now ? newly retired, with the last kid a senior in college I have the time and money to reconnect with the wonderful world of aviation. I have recently earned a Glider rating and am having fun learning to fly again. I have virtually no tail-wheel time and will be essentially starting over with an instructor in power craft soon. I live in Tampa, FL.
Next, the plane ? a very nice, basic, RV-6 with an fixed pitch 0-320 and a full panel of lovely steam gauges inherited from my father. Its an original slow build constructed lovingly by my father and a partner ? both now ?gone west?. First flight ? and Phase I flown off in 2009 and 2010. My father?s medical condition prevented further enjoyment. The plane has been in (careful) storage since ? pulled out occasionally for a ground run to move the oil around. It was maintained in annual until 2016, but now needs a battery and Condition Inspection (and I hope not too much else other than a pilot!). The plane lives (for now) at an air park near Houston. Documentation is complete in all respects.
Finally, the plan?
1). Get the future pilot (me) competent with an instructor in/near Tampa ? ideally in a tailwheel equipped trainer.
2). Complete a condition inspection in Houston. Ideally with someone well experienced with RV?s. While I provided occasional help bucking rivets, my father built the plane (his second after a previous Long-EZ) with a building partner. I see the workmanship as good to excellent, but don?t feel either competent or well positioned to judge. My primary interest is to be sure the plane is safe and also possibly learn what improvements might be made (or more modern options may be beneficial).
3). Have a competent pilot ferry the plane from Houston to Tampa.
4). Complete transition training in an RV6 ? Ideally this one (!) if there is a willing and competent instructor in the area ? or in another RV with an instructor experienced in transition training.
5). Hours consumed VFR happily turning avgas into smiles, pursuit of the $100 hamburger, maybe share the RV grin with a few young eagles.
If you?ve bothered to read this far, you can help with:
a). Any advice, suggestions, or encouragement ? I appreciate fully that I have MUCH to learn.
b). Recommendations for an instructor near Tampa ? bonus points if he/she would be interested in ferrying the plane, double points if willing and able to provide transition training in it once here.
c). Recommendations for someone to do an (extensive) Condition Inspection in Houston and make recommendations ? beyond clear airworthiness needs if any ? on how the plane could be improved/made safer/more reliable. Major enhancements (eg Glass panel) not anticipated.
d). Recommendations for transition training in/near Tampa. Is it feasible to find an RV experienced CFI that would be willing to do instruction in my plane? Is this insurable? Is a LODA required?
Recommendations of third parties appreciated via the forum for all to see, interested principals are welcome to PM me directly if preferred.
Thanks in advance,
Peter
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