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WDYDWYRTW? May 2-3, 2026

Replacing frozen aileron rod end bearing. Unbelievable amount of torque to get the bearing to move.
 

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Went to pull the RV out for a flight today and found a puddle of brake fluid under the tail of all places. The left master cylinder was leaking like a sieve, dripping on the floor, running to the center of the floor well, then through a seam in the bottom skin, then ran all the way down the belly nearly to the tailwheel spring weldment before dripping on the ground. So I got to pull the master cylinders which I’m sure you all know is an absolute peach of a job. Got an order in with matco for new master cylinders as well as rebuild kits, I’ll replace them with new and then rebuild the old ones to keep as spares.
 
Short flight to check up on our rivers. The Mighty Mississippi River is slightly flooded passing 3,897,000 gallons per second at the St Louis river front. That is 2.5 times the normal 1,500,000 gallons per second. Picture is of the Mississippi River at Lock and Dam 25 upstream from STL just before the Illinois and the Missouri River join. Second picture is the Illinois River just north of where it merges with the Mississippi.
Fun fact I learned yesterday reading a book on early history of STL: the Mississippi was originally called the St Louis River by the early merchants and fur traders in the late 1600s about 100 years before the first build was built in the City of St Louis.
 

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Went to the Utah Back Country Pilots fly in. My first off pavement landing. Was super easy on a big flat lake bed. RVs were well represented.


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Had to get a glamour shot with mine as well.

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I spent Saturday morning flying the Rans S-7 into some places where runways don't exist. That little 80HP machine is a whole bunch of fun and provides some very hands-on flying. I cruise at 80 knots and if I lean forward and paddle I can get that up to about 90 knots WOT. It's teaching me some lessons and I'm loving it.

Then, on Sunday the wife and I jumped in the RV-6 and flew to Dunedin to visit our daughter who is finishing off her CPL at the local Aero Club. Climbing out at 120 knots and bouncing up to 6,500 feet to cruise at a TAS of 157 knots was such a blast and served to highlight why the RV-6 is such a beautiful plane to fly. The contrast between the two aircraft couldn't be more stark and each has it's place and time. I feel so priviliged to be able to enjoy them both. In all I did 2.5 hours in the S-7 and 1.7 hours in the RV-6, but in the "6" we covered twice the ground, in double the comfort, with half the effort.

:D

Photos:
A temporary beach at a reservoir where the dry summer has resulted in low water levels.
A constant companion in the air since we first met, my wife enjoys flying places in the "6" and gets FOMO if she's not invited.
Heading up the east coast from Balclutha to Dunedin with Dunedin Harbour coming into view.
 

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That's some pretty countryside you have there Vlad. Cleary there must have been some rain recently as the river looks high.

That's a great location for a camera. Any photos of the rig?
 
Took the RV9 (mistress) and Ms Nancy (wife) on her first “$100 hamburger” flight today. First we flew to Mid America Flight Museum in Mt Pleasant, Tx and took a pic with Lou IV, their P51 Mustang. Then off to Sulphur Springs to eat at Red Barn just a short walk across from the airport. Nice trip with tonight ending in a concert in Bossier City. Collective Soul!
 

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Biggiesauls said:
Took the RV9 (mistress) and Ms Nancy (wife) on her first “$100 hamburger” flight today. First we flew to Mid America Flight Museum in Mt Pleasant, Tx and took a pic with Lou IV, their P51 Mustang. Then off to Sulphur Springs to eat at Red Barn just a short walk across from the airport. Nice trip with tonight ending in a concert in Bossier City. Collective Soul!
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Haha. Collective Soul played a concert two miles from my house. My wife told me to tell the neighbors to turn it down the kids were in bed.
 
Thursday I got to fly the newest airplane in the fleet, and one that has made the news lately with the 1776 commemorative paint job. I just showed up at the gate and it was there. The sun angle was terrible for photos and by the time we landed in MCO it was dark.

Saturday I got another formation lesson in, and Sunday I replaced my original harnesses with a new set from Crow.

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Flew across ATL (the city) and back yesterday to take my cousin's son for an intro flight out of KCVC as he wants to be a pilot (doesn't everybody?!).
As apprehensive as I always am about ATL Class B, I thought the "flyway" on the TAC made for easy planning.
Called ATC about 30 miles west of ATL, they granted flight following and told me to remain clear Class B.
I called back to clarify my intent to transit west-east via the flyway, the controller did not understand what I was saying (stating there is no flyway).
He did take time to get us on same page, asked if what I was talking about was on back side of the TAC.
Yes ... OK, Maintain VFR and 3,500 feet.
Light traffic & about as clear and nice of a day as ATL gets ... nice views! Downtown & high rises to left & right.
Approaching Stone Mountain on east side, ATC discontinued FF, with direct CVC, descend below 2500'.
The cousin (technically, once removed) was thrilled with our flight above & about the SE ATL area.
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I hope his enthusiasm continues to pilothood ;).
The flight back home across (under) Class B (east-west) was more enjoyable (since I'd just been there, done that).
 

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When I watched Fifi, the CAF B-29 fly at OSH a few years ago, the little fella in the back of my head said "Dan, we need to take a ride on that thing someday".

Well, it was yesterday.

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Here's a rare sight...

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Me being me, I was interested in the flight engineer's panel. Fellow gearheads may click to open in high-res.

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We are just easing along, sightseeing at 1800 feet. RPM is 2000, manifold pressure is 28", and fuel flow is a economical 100 gallons per hour, per engine. These are mix-and-match engines set up for the CAF mission, supercharged, but without turbos, since they almost never go above 10,000 ft. Definitely not your IO-390!

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Then I went and fired up my escort fighter. Even managed to get into a dogfight with an old friend. A very fine afternoon indeed.

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DanH said:
When I watched Fifi, the CAF B-29 fly at OSH a few years ago, the little fella in the back of my head said "Dan, we need to take a ride on that thing someday".

Well, it was yesterday.

View attachment 116631

Here's a rare sight...

View attachment 116632

Me being me, I was interested in the flight engineer's panel. Fellow gearheads may click to open in high-res.

View attachment 116638

We are just easing along, sightseeing at 1800 feet. RPM is 2000, manifold pressure is 28", and fuel flow is a economical 100 gallons per hour, per engine. These are mix-and-match engines set up for the CAF mission, supercharged, but without turbos, since they almost never go above 10,000 ft. Definitely not your IO-390!

View attachment 116634

Then I went and fired up my escort fighter. Even managed to get into a dogfight with an old friend. A very fine afternoon indeed.

View attachment 116650
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Is that a 4 or a Rocket? And what is the "gun pod"? Almost looks AI like.....
 
planenutz said:
That's some pretty countryside you have there Vlad. Cleary there must have been some rain recently as the river looks high.

That's a great location for a camera. Any photos of the rig?
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Hey Mike!
Yeah, we had quite a bit of rain recently, but now we are finally getting into summer here :)

The setup is actually very simple. As a base I used two ULANZI F38 mounts. The clamps are Tilta Gimbal Tripod Clamps. I accidentally ordered the larger size at first, so I had to 3D print inserts for them. I have now ordered the correct size and they should work perfectly with the camera stick.

The selfie stick is made from aluminum alloy and feels very solid and good quality. I also plan to rotate the mounts by 180 degrees for better safety.

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That's a very interesting setup you've got there, Vlad. It certainly looks robust.

I like the idea of mounts that allow fast install/removal... mind you, mine is as simple as removing two AN3-4A bolts, but of course this means the use of tools. Your video footage looked very stable so either the camera takes out any vertical shaking or the pole is sufficiently rigid that there isn't any.

Nice work. I look forward to seeing some more of your local scenery.
 
Dan, I'm sure that was an amazing flight!!!

I did notice that Torque Pressure for #1 was below redline....:eek: but I honestly don't know what that even means! :rolleyes: But then I see that the # 1 Torque indication is INOP :ROFLMAO:

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CD. said:
I did notice that Torque Pressure for #1 was below redline....:eek: but I honestly don't know what that even means! :rolleyes:
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Short version...
Radial engine torque meters generally tie an oil pressure gauge to a piston in the engine's planetary gearbox. One of the stationary gears is allowed to rotate just a few degrees. It has an arm which pushes on the piston to generate pressure...much like the brake reaction arm on a dyno. Engine torque appears as a number on the pressure gauge.
 
Jimpick said:
Collective Soul played a concert two miles from my house
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They're coming to town on my birthday weekend this fall; wife got us tickets :cool:

Started on my first annual condition inspection while we had some rainy weather. Probably be down 3 weeks or so with Dynon service (backup ADAHRS) as the pacing item. Might do a couple small upgrades like cupholders while I have a chance...
 
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