I performed some general maintenance on the RV-3 this weekend. Yes, I know – this engine is not pretty (Lycoming O-320). However; it runs great! 🙂 One of these weekends some parts are going to get pulled, thrown into the bead-blaster, and then into the paint booth. I’ve been into quite a few dirt strips lately… [Read More]
Flying Pet Peeves
I guess it is bound to happen. Get a group of people together all doing the same thing and someone is going to do something that you don’t like. I’m guilty and am probably annoyed way to easily. These are some pet peeves related to flying. Asking if there is anyone in the pattern. Listen… [Read More]
Imperial Nebraska
I did a bit of flying last weekend. I was supposed to go to Minneapolis to work in the offices of the company for which I work so off I went. Sadly, the weather did not cooperate. I am a chicken pilot when it comes to weather. That said; I like the feeling of being… [Read More]
WACO UPF-7
A really nice Waco biplane came thru the airpark today. If I got the information right, it is a 1940 Waco UPF-7 with a 220 HP Continental. She was gorgeous!
Las Vegas
I had a really nice trip to Las Vegas, NV earlier this week. It was for business but still enjoyable. I flew the RV-3 over as it is always a beautiful flight. I left a bit late as I flew to Grants, NM for a breakfast gathering with friends and, of course, I paid the… [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]
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]
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]