Yooper Rocketman

I downloaded it to YouTube and was able to set it for private access. It corrected the orientation. Thanks everyone for the help. Tom

Looks really nice Bob! I like that the tail has "Different" messages on each side, both appropriate too! I looked at your Flight Aware track and looks like you had a little weather at the departure end getting out. I'm sure it's nice to have it back in the hangar. I look forward to seeing it in person at OSH. Tom

I have a video of a flyby taken last night of my Lancair I want to use for a hangar party/open house I'm planning for August. It was taken on an Iphone and looks fine on the phone, but when sent to my computer it is sideways. I don't have a conversion program to fix this, and all programs I've looked at to perform this procedure require Windows 10 and I have Windows 7. I tried an "on line" service but that didn't work either. Probably doesn't help I am so computer challenged! I really don't want this circulated publicly, but would forward to someone willing to fix it for me. Tom

Hey Paul, You still stopping in the U.P. on your way through? Just spoke with the wife and we would be glad to host you and your wife overnight if that works too. We have a guest bedroom with it's own bathroom and are out in the country (normally really quiet at night). Could even get your plane in a hangar too if you want. Tom nine zero six - four five eight - 6989 (cell)

I flew over to Lakeland County (Woodruff, WI) this afternoon for their Hamburger Social. I took a friend of mine and his grandson. He really enjoyed it. I'm struggling with my A/C yet, although almost perfected and should be up soon (waiting on parts). We roasted going over and my fresh air vent didn't seem to be working (seemed like just recirculating the cabin air). With pressurization, I have both a cable operated "door" on the NACA scoop vent tube AND a gravity "paddle" door inside the cabin to seal the inside for pressurization. I was having problems with it sealing last year but found some duct tape put on it during testing was hanging it up. During this past winter, I installed a tab to hold it closed just to be sure I didn't have further problems. My painter/upholstery shop was supposed to take a little aluminum tab off the locked the door (during the the upholstery work and I suspected he didn't. I pulled it apart and sure enough, the lock tab was still there. So............I had to go up again just before dark to see if the vent was letting in cooler outside air (it works great and still pressurizes as well). Anyway, it was just at sunset so I headed north and got a couple nice shots of the very tip of Michigan, the Keweenaw Peninsula, with the sun setting and some pretty clouds. Thought I would share. Tom )

See! My policy works!!! Tom

Wisconsin started a flying activity a couple years ago called "Wisconsin Flying Hamburger Social", where the state is divided up into 5 regions that have airports within each region sign up and host a hamburger dinner gathering, with each region having a different evening of the week for their events. Some regions have repeat locations, and some are so tightly scheduled airports within that area can only host one per summer (this is a summer only type of activity). I attended several last year while trying to build hours on the Lancair so I could send it off to paint. Now that the plane is back with new paint and interior, I attended one last evening as well as today. Yesterday's was at Merril WI (KRRL) and I met a fellow Lancair owner. He has a 320 with 500 hours on it since completion. Very nice paint job too. I took a picture of it in his hangar last night. So, I headed over to Prentice WI, (5N2) this afternoon and my new found friend flew in as well. Here's a picture of our two Lancairs on the ramp. My local airport hosts 3 socials per summer but, unfortunately, because he's the only one in "Michigan" none of the Wisconsin pilots look past the Wisconsin schedule. Despite his hard work, his turnouts have been rather disappointing compared to what I'm seeing in Wisconsin. Ironically, we are 1/4 mile from the Wisconsin border at the thresholds of 3 of our runways. Anyway, these look like a great way to fly out and meet up with neighboring community pilots. The last photo is what happens when you're fat, dumb and happy, passing some friends in a Cherokee (N237CS, seen on the map) that left 20 minutes before me from Merril for the short hop to KIMT. A few minutes after I passed them, talking with them on the radio, still in glee about my ground speed, I happen to look at my VSR (vertical speed rate) required to land at my home drome and realize I'm not going to get down at my usual 1300' to 1500' per minute (a few minutes after the picture, once I discovered it, I needed 2200' per minute to land). So much for the joke being on the Cherokee drivers. Tom http://www.moonlightflight.com/flysocial/index.html

Not that I do it very often, but I have a self imposed rule I never post on forums after I've had a few drinks...................just saying.............. Tom

While clearly not a fan of spray paint in a can, in our manufacturing part of my dealership we routinely need to touch up modifications on new or nearly new equipment. Our manufactured product (3 to 8 axle log trailer, log racks for chassis's, hitch and plate assy's, lift axles and other frame attached products and related brackets) is all painted with automotive quality paints (not industrial grade). If it's a standard color (black, white, or other) we stock a high quality "Lawson Products" high solids paint. Customers find it hard to find the area we've modified once painted with this product. The other option is with special paint colors we either have a "profit" done (a special scanning machine to give the automotive paint store a code to exactly match the color, even if faded) and have them mix a batch (pint or smaller) or we are supplied with some left over paint from the painter. Since most paints we are using are two part epoxy, the left over must be stored in the freezer to stop (well, slow) the curing process. The paint will generally last 3-5 days before being rendered "unusable". We then apply with a small brush or a small spray gun, depending on the size of the repair. Tom

I use a small artist’s brush.

I think you meant to reference me, not @gsxrpilot on the quote above. I've ordered 4 systems for used planes, one was a FIKI system. You would not be able to get a FIKI system installed on a modified plane but you CAN modifiy a FIKI plane and keep the FIKI. It's up to each STC holder to determine if their "new STC" will compromise any prior ones (been there, done that). I HAVE seen 252 Rockets with FIKI. Tornado Alley Turbo-normalized planes are disqualifying too to Bonanzas. We have one with FIKI and the mod. Just have to know how to do it. Tom

There ARE Rockets that are FIKI, converted 252's. I don't know how much experience you have flying with TKS but can share mine (19 years in 4 different airplanes) I have had a total of 2 TKS failures in IMC/Icing, both in FIKI airplanes. Ironically, my hours in non-FIKI planes vs. FIKI airplanes is about 10 to 1 (and were talking several thousand hours). Call me lucky, but I've not had a failure in my Mooney 231/Rocket, which 90% of my time is in. I believe it has more to do with maintenance and procedures. Too many single point failures? The only actual " dual" icing equipment is the second pump (the alternator is nice, required for FIKI, but does't effect the reliability of the actual icing system). The entire remaining TKS system is the same in FIKI and non-FIKI. The substance of the difference after that is basically which models Mooney and TKS spent the time and money on getting certification. They didn't go back any further than the 252. Failures such as leaks (most common), plugged filters, electrical problems, and running out of fluid are just a susceptible in either case. If you want certainty your icing system will work, change your "icing system" to "icing program"; stay out of any possible icing. I've seen failures on boots too, and both times one worked while the other didn't (yes, a FIKI system). That will get your attention, especially when you realize the protocol for that is turn off the working one as well! Tom

Our local EAA chapter did our Annual Young Eagles June event this morning. When I get smaller kids, and we are buried with them standing at the registration table, I have no problem getting 3 across the back seat. I think these kids had fun today. I got phone numbers when we landed and sent the pictures to the kids parents and grand parents. They really enjoyed it. I imagine those may have ended up on Facebook today. Tom

They are located in a small community near Marquette / Gwinn, MI (KSAW). They got an order for a Seneca a few months ago and the guy and his wife drove down to Iron Mountain to measure up the Northwoods Airlifeline Seneca (a 4 hour round trip), offering us a free cover for letting them do that. We declined the free cover, but told them they could donate one at our next fund raising event. Seem like really nice people. Tom

I used to lease two tanks and had a cart with a home made filler system. I eventually sold it to a small start up FBO with the agreement I got the first 5 fills for free, and all future ones for $25. Well, over time that crept up to $50 per fill so I bought the fill adapter again, made the hose, grabbed a spare O2 gauge out of my weld shop, and I haul a full tank out when ever I need to top off. A bit of a hassle, but I am always filling off a brand new "full" O2 tank. I don't drop 50 pounds off the 1700-1800 PSI tank to fill the Mooney. The filled tanks cost me $21.25 (largest size) so the actual cost for the O2 is about 65 cents. Seems any of you could work out a deal with a weld shop to do the same thing and pay them $5 (a 770% mark-up) for using their tank to top off. That would be much cheaper than paying for the bottles or the lease on the bottles AND the O2 to top them off. Tom

Yamaha RX1 140 HP with a Luga prop

I’ll have to introduce you to my sister. She lives in your back yard! Tom

Ice came off our local lake the first week of May. My son and 2 of his friends (and my wife) wanted to take our water ski boat out over Memorial Day weekend (no water skiing or tubing, just get out on the water). It was 90 degrees so the boys jumped into the lake to cool off, baiting the old man (me) to do the same. Not being known to pass up a challenge, I jumped in not once, but twice. Felt good to cool off but it was really evident the ice had only been off for 3 1/2 weeks. Took your breath away when you went in! Tom

I've been helping a friend looking to do some carbon fiber work on his experimental airplane (guess he thinks I can do carbon fiber?). Anyway, he decided to send me some pictures of his Kitfox flying adventures this winter. These were taken on Lake Superior, two on the ice and one just after the ice broke. I really like the last one of the light house. Tom

I read that this morning too. Enjoyed the piece of history. (Actually, I enjoy almost all history. Probably because I'm OLD). Tom

I should be there, hopefully with Steve Phillips, my hangar partner and a Mooney pilot, and my sis (Cheryle Sullivan) from Port Angeles, WA, a pilot as well. Tom Sullivan

Appleton, Fondulac, and Green Bay would be your options for alternate airports. You would want to check daily ramp fees and rental car options. I stayed 2 years ago at a hotel maybe 30 minutes north for around $200 a night. Get closer and they get real expensive. I found it best to reserve “on line”. The one I found I called on and the desk clerk said they had no rooms (suspect she was going to call someone on probably a opening due to a cancellation). I reserved it on line right after hanging up the phone and saved some money and had no issues. Tom

Had I known in 1999 where the safety record / insurance was going to go on this model, I would have saved me money and done the same as you. By the time that all happened I was too far vested to turn back. Unfortunately, the safety record has a lot more to do with owners resistant to training, and recurrent training than the actual air frame. Too many guys with too much money that thought they were too good to need training. The results on such a high performance bird, with that attitude, regrettably were predictable. Tom

YES. Almost as cool as the sound of it starting. :>)

NOT!!! Three factors. My local A&P / IA maintained a fleet of Garrett’s and said a prop strike would render the entire engine scrap metal. My Walters engine shop was half the price, with affordable pricing for all future issues I might run into including my next OH “. The last one was when my engine guy showed me 10 years ago an engine that the owner had called from South America needing a starter/generator mount. John told him he had a prop strike because that was the only reason it would break. The owner denied it but was flying up to Sun & Fun the next week so John told him he would only send the new mount if he stopped at his shop in Deland when flew up to Florida. John showed me the bulge in the engine case from the prop strike failure, yet the engine stayed together all the way over the Gulf of Mexico, getting this guy to John’s shop. That sure beats a recip failure! Tom