JdFinley.com

Fulltime RV Living Adventures

Backcountry Flying/Camping Trip 2013 – Part 1

I reported on last year’s trip to the Idaho backcountry here.  We had such a great time that we decided to do it again this year!  We is me and my neighbor with a Vans RV-4 (among eight other airplanes that he has built himself). I’m late posting this report – we actually made the… [Read More]

Negrito Airstrip Work Weekend

The weekend of May 31 – June 2 2013 was the annual work weekend at the Negrito backcountry airstrip.  The thought of physical labor is pretty close to the bottom of my ‘favorite things’ list. However; this was for a most excellent cause and involved flying and camping.  So, I was in. The video below… [Read More]

A really long cross-country flight

A couple weeks ago, I went on a really long cross-country flight… It all started with the need to be at the home office (Minneapolis) of the company for which I work.  This just happened to be around the time that the Quickie Spring Fling Fly-In was scheduled in Decorah, IA.  Finally, I was past… [Read More]

Piper In the Air

Did a bit of flying the other day and found this Piper Cherokee (aircraft) in the air. So, I took a few photos! Apparently, he saw me too as he took this photo of me!

Condition Inspection Time

A year has come and gone – amazing! Time for the annual Condition Inspection for my Vans RV-3B aircraft. Believe it or not, I was really looking forward to this inspection as there were several areas that I had not really dug into on this airplane and I wanted to see them. The bulk of… [Read More]

Tale of the Tail Wheel Replacement

The tail spring and tail wheel on the Van’s RV-3 is a pretty simple setup. However; there are two negatives. First, it is not a full swiveling wheel one has to lift the tail to push/pull it backwards.  Second, it lacks ground clearance. One doesn’t exactly go four-wheel driving with an airplane so why does… [Read More]

Double Circle Airstrip Landing Video

Several weeks ago I stopped at the Double Circle Ranch backcountry airstrip in Arizona. Yes, I know, I am way behind on my video production…  🙁 I mentioned the stop at Double Circle in the this post and I still feel the same way – it is a really neat place! The runway is a… [Read More]

Cactus Fly-In 2013 – Part 3

The first couple installments of my Cactus Fly-in report are here and here. I took a bunch of photos of aircraft.  Of course, they never turn out quiet like I wish they would.  Someday, I will become a photographer with equipment that does what I want it to do!! The quality of workmanship is amazing… [Read More]

Cactus Fly-In 2013 – Part 2

The first part of my Cactus Fly-in report is here. The one and only forum that I attended was the session on backcountry flying. The work that the Arizona Pilots Association, New Mexico Pilots Association, Utah Back County Pilots Association, and the Recreational Aviation Foundation is impressive.  They all deserve our membership and support. I… [Read More]

Cactus Fly-In 2013 – Part 1

Last weekend was the annual Cactus Fly-In at Casa Grande Arizona. This is an Arizona Antique Aircraft Association event and always draws out some awesome antiques. This year was no different. I had some work to do in Phoenix the week before the Cactus Fly-In so I flew the RV-3 over early and based it… [Read More]