Another AirPrayer??

On By The Flying DutchmanIn OpinionLeave a comment

So I have this comment in my moderation queue (that’s where comments are held before they show up on the site) from someone at a site called AirPrayer.org !  I may post the link once I figure out their theology and make sure it doesn’t hold anything counter to my own.  I never thought I had the market cornered on this domain name but I picked it because 1) it wasn’t in use, and b) it was not likely to be used.  Now, it’s being used.  Oh well, when your site is about prayer and it has to do with airplanes, how many names can you possibly pick?  I read a post on his site that details the origins of AirPrayer.  I’ve never done that so I guess it’s about time.

So… Why AirPrayer?

If you know me, you know I’m into airplanes.  You know, real ones.  Not remote controlled models.  I’m into flying airplanes.  I’m into building airplanes.  It’s borderline idolatry.  (Elders, if you’re reading this I am trying!)  So, several years ago I was still building my RV-4.  It took 5 years to complete so many people had a chance to take a look at it while it was being built.  I remember one person in particular asked me if I was going to pray before I flew it.  I told them I’d be praying while I flew it!  Since all airplanes need a name and since my wife ruled out 4-play as a possible name, I chose Air Prayer.  It was the name of my first airplane.  I never had the name put on the plane but everyone knew.

And those of you know know me, yes, I’m building Air Prayer II right now.  The planes will always be Air Prayer and I will always pray in them.

Self-sacrifice

On By The Flying DutchmanIn Opinion1 Comment

There couldn’t be two more dissimilar types of people than soldiers and politicians.  I have never been a soldier, nor have I ever been a politician.  However, I’ve observed both enough to see the marked differences.  The solder, does what he promises to do, to follow orders, to remain loyal and give his life if necessary to protect his country.  He is the model of selflessness.  The politician breaks his promises, is loyal only to those who will keep him in power, and is willing to do anything to keep that power.

The day is coming when these same politicians will order these same soldiers to secure the politician’s power. My only hope is that the soliders remember to protect the American people when this day comes.

Soldiers, sailors, airmen, for what you have always done, and always will do… thank you.  One small family in California remembers the fallen and are grateful for the freedem they have purchased with their lives.

Final panel design

On By The Flying DutchmanIn Rans S-6ES Coyote1 Comment

This is what I have settled on.  I have a buddy from church who’s itching to try out his new machine equipment and see if he can tear me some holes in my panel.  I need to clean up the measurements a little and get them to him.  But here is what I have finally decided on.

In the air again

On By The Flying DutchmanIn AviationLeave a comment

Spent a really nice evening yesterday getting acquainted with N7160L, a Grumman Traveler. Some friends own it and have agreed to allow me to fly it while I am building my aircraft. I went up with an instructor who had been working with my friends on their checkouts and some flight training. Really great instructor that I recommend highly. Mike Liese. Shoot me an email if you want his contact info. We spent about 30 minutes on the ground and one hour doing air work. I am now cleared to fly the Grumman!

Pitching a pre-fit

On By The Flying DutchmanIn Rans S-6ES CoyoteLeave a comment

Pretty good day full of aviation today.  Scotty and I went out to the airport to direct aircraft parking at Oakdale (O27) this morning.  We had a nice breakfast cooked by members of EAA Chapter 90 and then spent the next hour and a half parking airplanes.  As in, guiding them to their parking spots.  The event is our first annual poker run.  The object of the game is to fly to different airports where you pick up some cards.  When you land back at the first airport you check your poker hand that you’ve created picking up the cards at the airports on the route.  The pilot with the best hand wins a prize.  It is a fun event and brought pilots in from as far away as Watsonville.

The second half of the day was spent pre-fitting some parts on the airplane.  I would pre-fit one part, get as far as I could and then move on to another.  Scotty did the final riveting of the vertical stabilizer and afterwards I installed it.  It’s starting to look very airplanish now.

Here are some photos of our progress:

100_1154
This is the instrument panel and firewall pre-fit.  You can also see that we’ve installed the floor board, scuff plate, rudder pedals, sticks, and seats since the last update.

100_1155
Here is a photo of the seats.  Angela was my big seat helper.  She prepared the uphostry by cutting the openings for the lacing and wires which hold the seats to their frames.  Angela was also the first person to sit in the airplane!

100_1146
Here’s the airplane’s first occupant.

100_1157
We’ve installed the optional aft baggage compartment.  There is another baggage area just behind the seats which I haven’t installed yet.

100_1159
We completed and bolted on the vertical stabilizer.  The rudder is not complete yet but I decided to hang it on the VS for this photo.

100_1160
Here’s the entire airplane so far.  You can see the firewall that I have pre-fit on the front.  The aft baggage compartment door (the blue triangle) which I have also-prefit.  Everything is coming along nicely.

Still plugging away

On By The Flying DutchmanIn Bikes, Rans S-6ES Coyote4 Comments

It’s been a busy two weeks at work.  I’ve barely had time to think much less do anything.  But the garage has become my place of solace and peace.  My son hasn’t helped every day but he needs a break some times.  I don’t want to burn him out on this project.  I want it to be as enjoyable as it is educational.  But we have made some progress by just doing something small each day.  Here is our progress so far.

It’s up on the wheels:

And we’ve begun installing the cockpit floor and rudders.

Angela stained the floorboard the color you see.

Scotty drilled the holes for the brake mount plates.

And he assembled the rudder pedals.

Next steps will be to install the rudder pedals and then brakes.

We’re making good progress and learning to understand eachother better.  Have I always been the best teacher?  No.  Have I always been patient?  Uh-uh.  Am I always good at involving him in the project?  Nope.  But I am what God has given him, and he is what God has given me.  And I think we will both be blessed because of God’s choices.

It really is a wonderful life

On By The Flying DutchmanIn Faith, OpinionLeave a comment

I work in a declining industry.  I work for a local newspaper and it is barely clinging to life.  There were an astounding number of layoffs this week at work.  Pretty much only a skeleton crew will be left to do the work.  I know have a staff of two to take care of three newspaper facilities.  I am working harder than I ever have.  My family life is still as demanding as ever as is my church life.

But through it all I am joyful.  It is a joy to have the airplane project to work on with my son.  It is the bright spot in my day.  But it is also joyous to have God’s promise.  His promise that He will provide for me.  Scripture promises that if I acknowledge God in everything I do, He will make my paths straight.

I’m also eager to see what this year brings.  I have God’s promise that He will provide for me.  I can’t wait to see how He does it.

More from man central

On By The Flying DutchmanIn Rans S-6ES Coyote2 Comments

Scotty and I did a bit more work today.  We practiced measuring and marking work.  Using a center punch to keep our drill from wandering, and of cours, drilling.

100_1077

“This is where I want you to mark with the center punch.”

100_1078

Right on the crosshairs.

100_1079

A firm grip on the drill, centered on the punch marks, and we make short work of our project for today.

100_1081

It doesn’t get any better than this.

Amen.

Covenant Promise Redux

On By The Flying DutchmanIn Aviation, Faith, Rans S-6ES Coyote1 Comment

I’ve heard some talk about town about how rich I must be to be able to build an airplane.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  In fact, I sold an airplane that I had paid for in full over time to finance this project.  This aircraft is being purpose built to sell.  I repeat, this aircraft is being built to sell.  This is an apprenticeship for my son as I really have no other skills to teach him.

Thanks for letting me set the record straight.  God  bless you and yours.