JdFinley.com

Fulltime RV Living Adventures

Fasting

I was doing some “better eating” research the other day and I stumbled upon a bunch of info about fasting.  I started reading and became interested.  The Bible talks about fasting quite a bit but I have never felt the inclination to fast for religious reasons.  The information that I was reading was specifically in… [Read More]

Playas

Had another very nice breakfast flight in the RV-3 to the Old Mill at Estancia, New Mexico yesterday with some friends. Went out of my way a bit to fly over some Playas (dry lake beds) that are east of Estancia, NM.  It’s hard to tell if a person could land an aircraft on them… [Read More]

Workshop

My garage/workshop has been an absolute mess for far too long.  A couple years ago when my life got flipped upside down, I stopped caring about it and I stopped doing anything in it except piling more stuff.  I have been trying to fix that (and many other things) over the last few weeks. I… [Read More]

Canopy Cover

Canopy covers are generally a really good thing for aircraft.  Here in the southwest, the goal is keeping the sun (and heat) out of the cockpit. In some places, keeping the water out is the goal. Accomplishing both is very doable.  One thing to be careful with is wind and dust/sand.  A good wind storm… [Read More]

Step-Father

I received word today that my step-father passed away last night. I haven’t seen him in ten years nor spent any significant time with him in probably twenty years so I am shocked at the pain I feel. Jerry was a great guy. He had his issues – don’t we all. He cared for me during… [Read More]

Ditty Bags

I found a package of little ditty bags at Walmart for five dollars. These are made from nylon – I’m not sure if nylon or canvas is a better approach. These have drawstring closure. Three bags – small, smaller, and smallest are included and they have a drawstring closure. Can’t hardly make them for five bucks. … [Read More]

Shaffer Hotel

I flew to Mountain Air, NM for breakfast last Friday. Actually, several of us flew over – a Rans S-18, a Cessna 120, a Cessna 170, and myself in the Vans RV-3.  They have a dirt runway that is in pretty good shape – recently graded.  It has a pretty good slope and is pretty… [Read More]

Wheel Chocks

I frequent quite a few small airports with my Vans RV-3B.  Many of these do not have much in the way of tie down equipment. So, carrying my own set of chocks is important to me. This means that they must be light. The controlling factor on the RV-3 chocks is the height of the… [Read More]

Aileron Gust Lock

Some form of gust lock is necessary on most aircraft when being stored outside. The problem that occurs is that strong winds will push the ailerons, rudder, and elevators back and forth to their stops – sometimes in a very hard and violent way and with significant force.  This can damage the controls and that… [Read More]

Airport Traffic Pattern

The airport traffic pattern is the term used to describe the “route” that all pilots are supposed to fly when landing at or departing from an uncontrolled airport.  An uncontrolled airport is one that does not have a control tower and/or air traffic controllers.  This is very common at general aviation airports.  Many people think that… [Read More]