Yerington!

On By The Flying DutchmanIn RV-42 Comments

Everything finally came together today. The Lord saw fit to give us some beautiful weather both here in California and also over in Nevada so I was actually able to get my plane over to the paint shop! The day was not without it’s problems which made me think maybe I still wasn’t supposed to go over there today. For instance, the engine flooded the first time I tried to start it. No problem, I got out and spoke with an old friend for a while. The next time, the engine fired right up. Then after I took off, I found that the electric trim tab had decided to stop working. Well, it was only a 45 minute flight, I could hand fly it for that long. So I elected to continue and was rewarded with smooth air and stunning views of the Sierras.

As was predicted there was very little wind this morning. It was actually bumpier in the valley than it was over the peaks. It can get pretty turbulent over these peaks but all I ever felt were minor burbles. Within 30 minutes I was past the tallest of the peaks and into Nevada.

This was my first flight in over two months and I was so glad that no one saw me land at Yerington. 🙂 At any rate I got the plane down and taxied up to Matthews Aviation.

It turns out that it was a good thing I was a little late because they had just finished putting an RV-10 back together and he was making a quick test flight.

It took me about 2 and a half hours to take the plane apart and judging by the way it came apart, it’s going to take much longer to put back together. 😦 I finally got it done though, and discussed my paint options with the owner. That was easy. Paint it white. Just white. So Matterhorn White it will be with vinyl graphic accents.

There were a couple of other planes there to be painted including a Bonanza. There were other interesting things tucked here and there around the paint shop.

Don’t know what this one is but it looks fast.

After I went over painting options with the owner I walked into town and grabbed a burger at the golden arches. McD’s is right outside the airport fence. Cleanest McD and most polite burger flippers I have ever run into. I ate my burger while watching for planes… none departed, none landed.

I walked back and sat down to check my blackberry for email. Within 5 minutes my buddy Dennis arrived to cart me back home. Dennis had his RV-6A painted here last year and it look great.

Before long we were off and enjoying some beautiful views again on the way home.

Stay tuned, I’ll post more once I head back to put the plane back together.

Waiting for Yerington

On By The Flying DutchmanIn RV-4Leave a comment

I have to admit to being a little nervous about flying over to Yerington.  I’m not even sure why.  I’ve flown over the Sierras plenty of times.  There is just something about this time.  Maybe it’s the finality of painting the plane.  After painting it goes up for sale almost immediately.  That could be it; I’ve certainly put a lot of myself into this plane, blood, sweat, and yes, sometimes bad words.

Or is there some other reason?

Each time I’ve planned the flight *something* has happened.  First, I caught cold and couldn’t go.  Then the winds kicked up pretty good and I couldn’t go.  Now it looks like the weather is turning and I may not be able to go.  I wonder what our Lord is tyring to tell me?

Yet another delay

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Well I checked the weather this weekend and I’ll have to postpone my trip again.  There is a windy weather system moving in over the Sierras this weekend.  Doesn’t look too good.  I don’t know why God is providentially hindering me from travelling to Yerington but I have enough faith to know when not to push it.  I’m rescheduling for some time next week.  It will be a last minute decision.

Watch this space for more information.

Days until paint: who knows?

Bent on biking

On By The Flying DutchmanIn Bikes4 Comments

I recently purchased a recumbent bike on eBay. My goal was to save some money on the commute to work and to get in better shape. I went with a recumbent bike because, well, shall we say my seat was very uncomfortable on the old mountain bike. Very old mountain bike. Like 25 years old. The new bike is a Rans Rocket short wheelbase recumbent.

I actually rode the Rocket to work today and I learned a lesson about recumbent bikes, they REALLY work your legs hard. You see, on a standard bicycle you can stand on the pedals and use your body weight to help pedal when your legs get tired. You can do this on a recumbent because your legs are in front of you. You must use your legs completely when starting or when pedaling.

It’s a 12 mile round trip to work and when coming home, no matter which way I turn it’s always into the wind! So I’ve got quite the workout when I do ride the bike. I’m going to start out just once or twice a week until my legs start cooperating. With gas prices the way they are and couple that with the fact that I’m not getting younger; there may be a lot of biking in my future.

Finally ready for paint

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Well I wasn’t able to meet the schedule for painting my plane.  I had a severe head cold all week and just was not able to complete the work in time.  I finished up the remainder of the work today and the plane is now ready for paint.  I have a few more minor tweaks that I should complete next Friday and be ready to fly it to Yerington, NV next Saturday.

 

Days until paint: 7

Please pray for me

On By The Flying DutchmanIn FaithLeave a comment

I don’t normally ask for prayer but I’ll make an exception this time because no one normally reads my blog.  I am 7 days away from having to take my plane over to Nevada to be painted.  However, I’ve come down with a bad cold.  Please pray that God would heal me in time to make the original paint date.

Days until paint: 7

Top deck installed

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I have fabricated a new top deck.  This is the portion of the upper fuselage just forward of the canopy.  I have aligned and mounted the wheel pants as well.  Tomorrow I will stop by the airport and remove the flaps to bring them home to bend the flap fairing radius a little more.  They rub on the bottom of the top wing skin right now and that will scratch the paint.  I also still need to add some screws to the wing tips.  If I don’t get around to it I will just have to save that until we remove the tips for painting at the paint shop.

Days until paint: 10

New panel installed

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I just have a few minor nits to complete on my panel.  I have to mount an ventilation duct and that’s about it for the panel.  All that’s left now is to install the new top deck just forward of the panel.  I hope to get that done this Saturday and be ready to move on to the wheel pants and fiberglass work.

Days until paint: 18

Rans bush tail wheel grease

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

There was a question on the Yahoo group RANSflyers recently about a tailwheel that would not swivel freely.  I advised the pilot to check the pin within the swivel assembly of the tailwheel.  He then contacted Matco who advised him that the tailwheels are not pre-greased prior to delivery.  So remember to grease your tailwheels when you get them.  Here’s a link to a drawing of the tailwheel.

Wheel pants ready to mount on gear legs

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I’ve finished putting the pressure recover wheel pants together.  There’s not much work involved there other than some trimming and installing nutplates.  I am hoping to finish up my instrument panel on Friday, and then start on mounting the wheel pants on Saturday.

Days until paint: 31