bonal

As we move through life we must suffer the pain that it brings. Your loss makes me think of my closest and life long friend and how much it would hurt were he to pass can't even imagine how hard that must be for you. Nothing more important than those closest to us. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your dear friends family. God bless

You should be Okay Browning is still producing the M2, finest MG ever made

Lampson field closed for three weeks, power off for three days now at home with at least two more likely to go. And another major F ing wildfire burning just west of us. At least we haven't had to evacuate. I'm going out of my mind.

I don't think it possible for a balloon to have a head wind or a tail wind or even a cross wind...just sayin.

One freedom domino after another, sooner or later it's going to be one that impacts you or me. Everyone of us already knows how much the media loves to cast us as wealthy adventure risk taking nuisances. Just wait and see how long before we will be taking a back seat to drones when it comes to access to our airspace. Only time I got to ride in an old aircraft other than the one I fly was many years ago I got to go for a ride in an old radial powered Sikorsky helicopter. The ride was a blast but watching them start that beast was even more entertaining. Keep them flying.

My heart just sank like a shot. He fought hard and I pray for all that knew and loved him. Rest in peace pilot.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_electricity_crisis not sure if this link will open but this is a pretty good indication of what happens when govt tries to make things better. It also was where PGE's problems really began. Prior to this PGE was considered one of the leaders in the industry and had a very high public customer satisfaction and approval. Before the so called de regulation PG&E was able to operate as it needed and the only real regulations were the amount of money it could bring in as revenue and that was determined in the once every three year rate case hearings with the CPUC. Back in the day PG&E leadership was comprised of people that had a long history within the company. Now it imports its leaders from outside the last to go was Giesha Williams who came from Florida and made a real mess of things at PGE. as I said in an earlier comment the rank and file are as frustrated as the customers they serve.

Thank you Anthony I know this isn't aviation related but seems like there is an interest by some of us and it's not often I can provide many bits of knowledge based on experience here on MS about aviating and being an instrument pilot and such so it's nice to be able to share something I actually have a lot of experience with.

After this latest power shut down there was over 100 locations documented where damaged equipment was found in the post inspections. No one knows for sure if they might have sparked a fire but the fact is there was no fire. However, Sothern cal Edison is being blamed for a fire from a transmission line that was not de energized during this same red flag event. I think that one hit 10,000 acres which sadly around these parts isn't that big.

I'd be more worried about the up coming closure of Lampson for re surfacing the contractor is still trying to get the asphalt to pass FAA requirements and we can't get a solid date on when they are going to shut it down.

Under rule two description of service PGE cannot discontinue service for any reason other than non payment and there are no requirements to force a customer to allow trimming. Once the line is energized only qualified trimmers can work within the vicinity of the conductors. It's a real catch 22 California is not an easy place to do business in.

Lots of variables regarding easements right of way and franchise space. In the urban areas the lines exist in the franchise and PGE pays millions every year for the right to occupy this space. Tree trimming is not an access or permission issue here as govt agency does not in most cases prevent trimming. The problem occurs in the rural areas that are heavily treed and often the line may only serve a single property but that property may be hundreds of acres and there is no easement or ROW that has any tree trimming provisions in place. When a new line is installed a 30 foot corridor must be cleared by the customer before the pole line is installed. Once the line is energized it then becomes PGE responsible for keeping the line clear of trees. It is in these cases where they encounter refusals to allow trimming. The other common rights are when the lines pre exist before a large property is subdivided this is called prescriptive rights and even though PGE has the right to remain in place there are no provisions for forcing the property owner to permit trimming. PG&E service territory is probably one of the most diverse geographical economic political environmental areas on the planet.

You make several good points, especially about how solar reduces revenue and puts a greater financial load on maintaining the system. I don't know what the laws are in Idaho but i can tell you that in CA there are people that would just as soon shoot you as let you touch their trees. And PGE has no legal authority to force them to permit trimming. One big fire that happened in Butte country that was blamed on PGE a few years ago was started by a broken tree top that was over a hundred feet from the wires and the high wind blew it into the wires. When is tree trimming and clearing going to be considered far enough to say PGE is not to blame. my opinions are not based on an indirect assembly of information I worked for PG&E for 35 years in both the line and engineering departments retirement just last year. During part of that time I was the tree trimming coordinator in the Oakland east Bay Area overseeing our tree trimming contractors for that region.

100% correct. And let's not forget in almost every case PGE equipment did not fail on its own but was damaged by a tree that is not owned by PGE but they always go for the deep pockets.

Or better yet a DC2, Fate is the Hunter

Just emerged from the dark yesterday evening after three and a half days. Thankfully we have propane for stove and water heat. Well there is quite a bit of misinformation about this. Safety is certainly one of the drivers of the shutdown but also financial concerns as a result of massive law suits against PG&E. Look up inverse condemnation in the California law. This was originally created for the ability to sue government but was somehow expanded to apply to privately held utilities. It states parties may be held liable even if no negligence is found. Maintaining tree clearance from power lines in California is no easy trick many of them are on private property and if a property owner refuses to allow trimming which happens a lot the utility has no authority to mandate the trimming or removal of the trees. PG&E spends hundreds of millions on tree trimming every year and it must have the money provided in the rate case hearings every few years with the CPUC. If the budget for trimming is not enough based on the CPUC approval then only so much clearing can be done. Another problem is for many years the state has stopped the deforestation clearing and controlled burning on the off season. Add to that the amount of dead vegetation due to bore Beatle makes for quite the tinderbox. Sadly they have to rely on NWS predictions and the declaration of a red flag warning and these really don't nail down small geographical areas so some people get shut down and no wind ever happens such as where we live during this latest event. Many transmission lines cross over hills and mountain ranges which do receive high winds and sadly these circuits feed large areas of distribution so when they open the transmission it affects large amounts of customers. There have been some serious problems with the officers and senior management at PGE over the past several years to be sure. One of which is due to the company bringing in people that often don't have any experience running a large utility from other executive positions in other business lines IMHO the utility is way to top heavy in management . The men and women that work tirelessly on providing reliable gas and electric service on the crews and in engineering are as frustrated as the customers they serve.

Hey dude can I ride your motorcycle...end of discussion

Apologies, I felt that an airport closure might be safety related. To update the closure has been moved out to Oct 14 as there was an issue with the asphalt test during the FAA inspection.

I was under the impression that the factory wing tip lights have a two wire connection positive and negative wires

I will be in contact with the successful bidder and confirm its ok to post the name on a public forum. I was informed that they raised a total of 11.5 AMU's from all the silent auction items. Nice work every one

Well seems like the wing mounted unit might be less hassle. I liked the idea of the tail as it would keep my wing tip lights matching I know they sell a match for the other wing but not sure the cost.

Just an FYI and I'm sure not necessary since I know your all checking your NOTAMS but Lampson Field is closed until Oct 25 for runway and taxi way re surfacing

Nice thing that the early models have the position tail light on the empennage not the movable rudder

Some stuff can be replaced but as Scott has pointed out there are things we have that are deeply personal that cannot. As someone that lives in an area that has been surrounded by some of the worst wildfires in history and with friends and co workers that have lost everything I can relate to how this can affect someone. Thankful they were unharmed and all the critters are safe but this creates and enormous emotional stress and the process of rebuilding is going to be challenging to say the least. in my job I was tasked with restoring electricity to the people that we're rebuilding after these fires and had contact with thousands of people and to experience the stories first hand made it very personal for me. My best wishes go out to the Maxwells.

Pretty sure Scott's E is a fine airplane and reasonably priced. This is an example that not all sales that fall through have to be bad experiences. Good luck to both of you.