BKlott

Did you hear the one about the guy who bought an airplane so that he could save some money?

You’ll need to win twice to cover the Insurance premium too.

Congratulations! That is quite an achievement. I remember wondering if I would ever fill my first Log Book and now I am well into #3. Owning versus renting is a big factor in filling up the pages.

Every time I read of some plan to use hydrogen to power some type of vehicle, I can’t help but think of the Hindenburg.

I had some interesting dates in my youth, but none that were that interesting.

Special thanks to Eight8Victor for his recommendation of Phil Bracken as an IA. I met with him yesterday and he took care of my airplane issues so I can start flying again. Phil was GREAT!

Thank you for the recommendations. Another member sent me the contact information for a local mechanic. I’m going to give him a call today. My new tire arrived in two days but the tube has taken a full week, that is, assuming it does arrive today as scheduled.

Yes. After flying last Saturday with no apparent issues, we returned to the field Tuesday to find the left main tire flat. Removed the wheel pant, added air, inspected the tire and found a cut in it. It did not appear to be leaking from the cut, however, but within 15 minutes of adding air, it was obvious that it was losing pressure and going flat again. I’ve ordered a new tire and tube. The tire arrived today but the tube won’t get here until next Tuesday. I also need my nose gear oleo serviced with nitrogen and my VOR antenna rods replaced. (One lost two thirds of its length in flight). I have the replacement antenna rods. Time to find a new mechanic to take care of my ship. It is a 1975 M model 172.

Can anybody recommend a good IA that is in the Zephyrhills area? I relocated my plane here in September, my prior IA won’t make trip, need to find a new to me, GOOD IA for maintenance and Annuals. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thank you!

Lots of in State flying in Florida for me. Revisiting airports that I haven’t been to in a very long time, shooting a landing then returning home. A nice activity to share with my Wife. Gives her a chance to get out of the house as she is an on-line School Teacher.

Another reason to go BasicMed, if you can.

Would a gear swing be warranted following this maintenance event?

Avoid East Coast at Deland.

I know of a guy whose engine driven fuel pump was not putting out the rated fuel flow / pressure. He didn’t want to spend the money to get this fixed. He also, reportedly, had developed the bad habit of not using his checklist. One day, while taking his new girlfriend for her first flight In his airplane, he neglected to use his checklist and failed to remember to turn on his electric boost pump. On climbout, his engine was burning more fuel than his engine drive fuel pump was supplying to his carburetor, which caused his engine to quit. I was up in my airplane at the time when he made his “mayday” call. Let’s just say that it got his attention. Fortunately, he had enough altitude to return to the runway for a downwind landing. He told his IA to fix his fuel pump.

The Aircraft Insurance premium increases are significant but there are a couple of other insurance related issues which concern me and may also impact the affordability of flying. What is going to happen to Homeowners Insurance premiums as a result of the massive fires out west and what about Health Insurance premiums in the wake of COVID-19? Those two things keep me up at night.

Tim Preston at Preston Aviation at KGIF Winter Haven, Florida does tailwheel training in a Cub and has a Stearman as well. I flew with him for my tailwheel endorsement back in 2000 (where did those twenty years go?). Tim is a great Instructor, experienced and fun to fly with. His nice wife, Peggy, runs the office. Vacation in Florida and fly with Tim.

Is Ground Coverage available to protect the airplane while it is not being used? In addition to your Liability coverage, that would protect your airplane most of the time and further reduce your exposure.

There are many variables involved with this. Is the covering material Grade A fabric or one of the newer, synthetic materials that have been developed over the decades. I’ve been told by those from that era that Grade A fabric could go bad in just a year or two. The newer coverings have demonstrated 25 years or longer when properly maintained. Most experts recommend that wood and fabric aircraft must be hangared. Being left out in the weather, sun, UV exposure, rain, etc. is not conducive to long life for wood and fabric. Additionally, we are told that these planes need to be flown regularly to “air them out” and you need to keep the drain holes open in the wings as well, otherwise the moisture in the wings can lead to deterioration in the structure. How the previous owner(s) of the wood and fabric airplane you are interested in, used and maintained the airplane, will impact how long the wood structure and fabric covering will last. As a buyer, I don’t know how you can readily evaluate all of that.

Purchase a Sky-ox portable oxygen system with the pendant cannula. You can enjoy the benefits of oxygen while flying high and easily eat and drink while you’re at it.

I think it was Richard Collins that said something like “the only hour that matters is the next hour”.

It is a Wing Derringer.

Here is the twin that I have wanted since 1983. It was parked on the North side of Torrance Airport, behind the Hi-shear Rivet factory. As a Student Pilot, I used to gaze at it, longingly, from the other side of the field.

Did you factor in the cost of an engine overhaul? 1350 + 1500 = 2850 hours. How many hours on the prop?

I lived a good portion of my life in the South Bay Area in California and then we moved to West Central Florida in 1984. There are some noticeable differences that stand out between the two places. From a flying perspective, the scenery was more interesting and varied in California. I can remember departing from Torrance on days when the LA Basin was smoggy, flying up to the San Fernando Valley where it was crystal clear, seeing snow capped mountains in one direction, brown desert in another, then flying around the Palos Verdes Peninsula with the Pacific Ocean below and Catalina Island off in the distance while returning to Torrance. I could accomplish that with one hour in a Piper Tomahawk. You are just not going to replicate that experience here in Florida. Another difference I noticed was that there were fewer airplanes at the airports and fewer airports within driving distance. From our homes in Santa Monica, Rolling Hills Estates and Torrance, we could easily drive (and did, while shopping for Dad’s Mooney)to the following airports: Van Nuys, Whiteman, Santa Monica, Hawthorne, Torrance, Compton, Long Beach, Meadowlark (now gone), El Monte, Fullerton, Orange County (now John Wayne), Cable, Brackett, Riverside, Chino, Corona, Burbank, etc. You get the picture. You’re not going to have that same opportunity in Florida. Weather is another item. We have something in a Florida that you do not have in California, humidity. You enjoy a much more comfortable dry climate. While our temperatures this week have been in the low to mid 90s, our “feels like temperatures” have been around 106, thanks to the humidity. In some places you can experience the four seasons. In Florida, we have two; more Summer and less Summer. The discomfort caused by high humidity detracts from what could otherwise be a very nice living environment. Don’t get me wrong, there are days in the Fall and Winter months where the temperatures and humidity moderates. Those are fabulously wonderful days. Unfortunately, there are far too few of them to make up for the rest of the year, in my opinion. Some years, it seems, you can count those days using the fingers on one hand. Get used to staying indoors, enjoying the A/C or taking frequent showers to remain clean and dry. As a general comment, there seems to be fewer things to do and experience in Florida, compared to California. Housing costs are lower in Florida. You will be able to acquire more home for less cost here, than you can in California. That is a benefit of living here but I believe that would also be true in many areas in the East and Mid-west. Good luck and best wishes for your retirement. I’ve been retired a few years now and if I had known it would be this much fun, I would have done it forty years sooner!

Thank you for the kind words. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I hope that your cross country adventures will be as memorable as mine.