Roost Air Lounge => Aviation related topics => Topic started by: spacer on November 20, 2007, 06:47:46 PM
Title: velo's new airplane (canceled due to FAA hijinks)
Post by: spacer on November 20, 2007, 06:47:46 PM
Two days ago, I shook hands over a re-conditioned Drifter. It's a bit simpler than the 801 gathering dust in my garage, and doesn't carry as much... and it's a wide open airplane... no cabin at all. It does have a fiberglass nose cone, which has yet to be painted (the fuselage has a very nice, fresh coat of deep blue), and would be a great spot for a Chickenwings bit of nose art. Maybe one of the ladies in a nose-art type pose...?
Title: Re: velo's new airplane
Post by: Mike on November 20, 2007, 10:00:09 PM
great idea!
I'll tell my brother . . .
Is the plane ready to fly otherwise?
Title: Re: velo's new airplane
Post by: spacer on November 20, 2007, 10:42:40 PM
Yeah. The airframe is assembled, and all I need to do is re-cover it (pre-sewn envelopes), and install the engine & instruments.
The nose cone is formed, and just needs sanding and painting. I figure I'll do a fairly simple two-color (blue and yellow) scheme to match the sail colors I have planned. I should have it flying by Spring.
Title: Re: velo's new airplane
Post by: undatc on November 21, 2007, 01:01:46 AM
Pictures?
Till then, im gonna kick back at MSP and have a few ::drinking:: ::drinking:: ::drinking::
Title: Re: velo's new airplane
Post by: spacer on November 21, 2007, 04:33:30 AM
Title: Re: velo's new airplane
Post by: Mike on November 21, 2007, 06:07:27 AM
that's an airplane?
looks like a go-kart . . . ::rofl:: ;D HAHA
no wings and all....
Title: Re: velo's new airplane
Post by: Stef on November 21, 2007, 06:53:21 AM
Hey what a great idea! I'll gladly help you with the nose art for your go-cart! ;) What do you have in mind? Chuck in his aviator pose or maybe a sexy Sally? And which (file) format would you need?
Title: Re: velo's new airplane
Post by: FlyboyGil on November 21, 2007, 03:31:31 PM
That plane looks like it's going to be so much fun to fly!! ::bow:: ::bow:: ::bow:: ::bow:: ::bow::
Title: Re: velo's new airplane
Post by: spacer on November 21, 2007, 04:25:25 PM
It'll be a hoot! Like a flying motorcycle. You can see the fiberglass nose pod on the floor... which will be sanded and painted.
Oh, Sally would be great. I think she's a bit of a wannabe glamour-puss anyway.
Hey... it may be an aerial go-kart, but imagine the photography I can get from this thing! The wing is a ways back from the front seat, so the pilot is sitting out in 'front' of the airplane so to speak. Not a place for agoraphobics.
Title: Re: velo's new airplane
Post by: BrianGMFS on November 21, 2007, 06:47:53 PM
I'll take the Stinson in the background please ::rofl::
Brian
Title: Re: velo's new airplane
Post by: airtac on November 21, 2007, 07:03:48 PM
I'll take the Stinson in the background please ::rofl::
Brian
Brian, I believe that Stinson in the background is a Piper Pacer ;)
That Stinson sure is a Pacer, and a nice one at that. The last re-covering was nearly 20 years ago, but Larry's kept the plane hangared since, and it's still a beaut. Larry, the guy from whom I'm buying the plane, is the same Larry from the video I posted a while back. "Lunch at Larry's", or something like that.
Title: Re: velo's new airplane
Post by: BrianGMFS on November 21, 2007, 10:54:32 PM
(Insert Dope Slap Smilie)
Thats what I get for not looking at the picture closer... I thought it was a small tail Stinson 108.... ::loony:: ::loony:: ::banghead::
Brian
Title: Re: velo's new airplane
Post by: Frank N. O. on November 21, 2007, 11:03:26 PM
Thats what I get for not looking at the picture closer... I thought it was a small tail Stinson 108.... ::loony:: ::loony:: ::banghead::
Brian
As you wish (http://www.totalnfs.net/Remko/smilies/laugh.gif)
Congratulations with the new toy*, and if people laugh at it then just refresh their memory about a certain Little Nellie 8)
Frank
*) Boys never grow up, they just get bigger toys! This is especially true about pilots :D
Title: Re: velo's new airplane (canceled due to FAA hijinks)
Post by: spacer on November 25, 2007, 11:15:53 PM
I had to cancel the deal. After talking with our friendly DAR, I learned that I won't be able to have the airplane licensed in time to meet the FAA deadline for ELSA, making the Drifter an expensive lawn ornament.
Back to square one...
Title: Re: velo's new airplane (canceled due to FAA hijinks)
Post by: Mike on November 26, 2007, 04:00:03 AM
WHAAAAAAAT ?!? ::eek:: ::eek:: ::eek:: ::eek::
I don't even know what that means you wrote there (other than the cancelled part....)
Title: Re: velo's new airplane (canceled due to FAA hijinks)
Post by: spacer on November 26, 2007, 05:21:05 AM
I don't even know what that means you wrote there (other than the cancelled part....)
In the course of researching the airplane and what it'd take to get everything done legally, I learned about the upcoming ELSA deadline. If the airplane isn't registered and inspected by then, it becomes spare parts, as it'll never be legal to fly. This is what I got from the DAR with whom I spoke. So... the search goes on for an inexpensive timebuilder/trainer.
Title: Re: velo's new airplane (canceled due to FAA hijinks)
Post by: airtac on November 26, 2007, 05:38:07 AM
I had to cancel the deal. After talking with our friendly DAR, I learned that I won't be able to have the airplane licensed in time to meet the FAA deadline for ELSA, making the Drifter an expensive lawn ornament.
Back to square one...
Well shoot VG, that's a dissapointment :( But, I'm a firm believer that anytime a door closes, another one opens---------so start preparing for the next deal to come along, it will be even better |:)\
Title: Re: velo's new airplane (canceled due to FAA hijinks)
Post by: Frank N. O. on November 27, 2007, 01:08:24 PM
Sorry to hear that :( I hope that another chance arrives soon ::wave::
Frank
Title: Re: velo's new airplane (canceled due to FAA hijinks)
Post by: spacer on November 27, 2007, 10:28:25 PM
We may go back to just finding a decent deal on a certificated airplane. I've already canceled my account at the FBO, and I think I'll save the money and find a Colt/Traumahawk/C150 or the like for my instruction. I already know a willing instructor, but she doesn't have a small airplane handy nearby. She flies bizjets, but still does instruction on the side in a student's airplane or suitable rental.
Title: Re: velo's new airplane (canceled due to FAA hijinks)
Post by: airtac on November 28, 2007, 04:20:51 PM
That sounds like a good way to go |:)\ |:)\
Title: Re: velo's new airplane (canceled due to FAA hijinks)
Post by: Mike on November 28, 2007, 05:54:53 PM
...plus! .. . . . . . a C-150 has so much more surface area for nose and/or tail art !! (hint) ::whistle:: ::whistle:: ;D
Title: Re: velo's new airplane (canceled due to FAA hijinks)
Post by: undatc on November 28, 2007, 07:09:02 PM
Ah sorry to hear about that. Once again the gremlins of the FAA have struck. ::complaining:
Title: Re: velo's new airplane (canceled due to FAA hijinks)
Post by: FlyboyGil on November 28, 2007, 07:27:57 PM
What is the ELSA? And how come it's targeting planes that won't be airworthy by a certain date?
Title: Re: velo's new airplane (canceled due to FAA hijinks)
Post by: spacer on November 28, 2007, 08:11:16 PM
Experimental - Light Sport Aircraft, is a sort of amnesty program for folks with two seat ultralight trainers (which won't be legal under part 103 any longer) and "fat" ultralights, which are operating unlicensed as if they were 103 airplanes, to get those planes 'legal' (and taxed). The Sport Pilot license also allows fat ultralight pilots to more easily attain a license to fly those airplanes after the deadline, after which violations can cost a pilot about $15,000... far more than many of the planes are worth anyway.
Basically it's just a way to bring an 'outlaw fringe' group under the skirts of the FAA, a control freak organization that can't seem to stand folks out there flying without their oversight... and without paying fees, but I think it's mostly the authori-tah they're after.
Title: Re: velo's new airplane (canceled due to FAA hijinks)
Post by: spacer on November 29, 2007, 12:25:17 AM
All right. I'm looking over models and types, and trying to find something that'll work for basic instruction and will be usable in the future. I've always had a soft spot for the Aeronca Champ, but prices lately have gotten kinda nutz, the model demanding the same sort of markup the ol' Cub had been enjoying, due in large part to the Light Sport rule.
However, I've noticed that a project Champ, in need of re-covering and reassembly, still goes pretty cheap compared to its eventual value, and with a bit of maintenance experience behind me I think I could manage, with the help of the lovely and talented Mrs V (and of course, moral support from Zoe). I've flown a Champ once, over ten years ago, and it was gobs of fun. The airplane was forgiving and acted like it wanted to be my friend.
Anyone here have one of these? Or at least is friends with one?
Title: Re: velo's new airplane (canceled due to FAA hijinks)
Post by: TheSoccerMom on November 29, 2007, 05:36:23 AM
Not for a loo-oo-ong time now, but my 2-cents'-worth is telling me, a Champ would be good to you.... they are such fun little airplanes. Good luck!!
Title: Re: velo's new airplane (canceled due to FAA hijinks)
Post by: spacer on November 29, 2007, 04:04:26 PM
Yeah. I've heard plenty of Cub pilots badmouthing it, but I liked it. :)
Title: Re: velo's new airplane (canceled due to FAA hijinks)
Post by: airtac on November 29, 2007, 05:02:39 PM
Yeah, the Cubs a great airplane but I've got a couple hundred hours in Champs and I absolutely love them for the very reasons you stated |:)\
Title: Re: velo's new airplane (canceled due to FAA hijinks)
Post by: spacer on November 29, 2007, 06:29:06 PM
