A Plane He Built - Petit Jean Part One

[Capt Sandy]

Hello Friends and fellow RV’ers,
For many years, I’ve posted blog entries about RV adventures my hubby and I have taken in the beautiful RV-7A he built. All of these story write-ups were trip reports intended to inspire and foster connection. In an extension of that desire, I’ve compiled the blog posts into a story - with a story arc - what our flying adventures meant to me, to Roy, and how the RV changed how I see myself, and therefore how I see the world. Here is a link to a recent chapter titled "Petit Jean Part One." To be sure, I am following the rules; our RV-7A is a leading character in every chapter I will post here. I hope you enjoy the story!
A Plane He Built - Petit Jean Part One

 

[scrollF4]

I have been very fortunate to keep up with Sandra's posts. I can't wait to read the next edition, because Kelli and I met Roy and Sandra at her first PJ visit.

 

[graywoodworking]

Hello Friends and fellow RV’ers,
For many years, I’ve posted blog entries about RV adventures my hubby and I have taken in the beautiful RV-7A he built. All of these story write-ups were trip reports intended to inspire and foster connection. In an extension of that desire, I’ve compiled the blog posts into a story - with a story arc - what our flying adventures meant to me, to Roy, and how the RV changed how I see myself, and therefore how I see the world. Here is a link to a recent chapter titled "Petit Jean Part One." To be sure, I am following the rules; our RV-7A is a leading character in every chapter I will post here. I hope you enjoy the story!
A Plane He Built - Petit Jean Part One


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Nice article. Thank you. I need to get my wife flying with me more.

 

[esco]

Hey Skipper: Bravo Zulu!

 

[Walt]

Nice article. Thank you. I need to get my wife flying with me more.

Plan a nice weekend trip somewhere that she would enjoy going to, this is the key to success, forget the 'hamburger' runs.

 

[Biggiesauls]

Great story and looking forward to the next part!

As for my wife and flying, she is a reluctant new girl to small planes. Her second ever trip in "our" build was a two night stay at Petit Jean in 2025. She did NOT opt for tent camping, the Rockefeller Lodge made her happy! She says she will go again.

 

[Biggiesauls]

Plan a nice weekend trip somewhere that she would enjoy going to, this is the key to success, forget the 'hamburger' runs.

I agree Walt. My wife's first trip in the RV was to Natchez, Ms last year. Antique Stores can be expensive bait but I had to reminder her of the 100# baggage limit, often.

 

[Capt Sandy]

I have been very fortunate to keep up with Sandra's posts. I can't wait to read the next edition, because Kelli and I met Roy and Sandra at her first PJ visit.

Hi Scroll, I remember that meeting well. Kelli was one of the first people I met. I couldn’t believe this beautiful, confident woman wanted to have a conversation with nerdy me.

 

[Capt Sandy]

Nice article. Thank you. I need to get my wife flying with me more.

Hello Larry, Your wife may enjoy reading the previous chapters in the story - when Roy and I first met and he was flying (a different) plane he built.

 

[Capt Sandy]

Hey Skipper: Bravo Zulu!

Thank you!

 

[Capt Sandy]

Plan a nice weekend trip somewhere that she would enjoy going to, this is the key to success, forget the 'hamburger' runs.

Agreed! Clear Skies, someplace for a NICE lunch or dinner. Weekend trips that involve a comfortable hotel, and good food are recommended. (Please read the chapter entitled First Flight as a reference). Not a futon in a FBO, or crackers and canned tuna. I respectfully declined that offer in the early days of our flying together. Since then I’ve slept in more FBO’s than I care to remember - but have managed to avoid the tuna and crackers. Come to think of it - there was a reconstituted freeze dried dinner in some FBO in Nebraska… I must love my husband… ;-)

 

[Capt Sandy]

Great story and looking forward to the next part!

As for my wife and flying, she is a reluctant new girl to small planes. Her second ever trip in "our" build was a two night stay at Petit Jean in 2025. She did NOT opt for tent camping, the Rockefeller Lodge made her happy! She says she will go again.

Maybe we’ll see you there in 2026!

 

[graywoodworking]

Plan a nice weekend trip somewhere that she would enjoy going to, this is the key to success, forget the 'hamburger' runs.

Yes. We had a couple nice cross-country trips, with multiple stops to visit friends, in 2024. We weren't able to do any in 2025 due to weather and scheduling conflicts. Hopefully 2026 will be a better year now that we are both retired.