The Flying Thread

[duc_fan]

^^ That is cool.

I find that the most experienced pilots seem to always come back to the simplest airplanes. I got my tailwheel done in an Aeronca Champ, basically Aeronca took the J-3 idea and fixed all the little annoyances about the aircraft. Burns 4 gph. Still has heel brakes though. I would love to own either.

I think if you max out a cub crafters cub the price can get close to $300k.

I go window shopping on-again-off-again for a Champ.  One local friend of mine disses 'em, but I have no particular loyalty.  Like you said... they took a J-3 and fixed some of the annoyances.  I've heard it's a bit better for a tall guy like myself, as well.  Would like to try one on for size.

And yeah, the Carbon Cub and the Top Cub get expensive, quick.  The Top Cub *starts* at $220k.  And you and I both know that's gonna be a pretty basic VFR airplane.  Start adding GPS moving-map, fancy paint, XM weather, fancy prop, electronic ignition, interior trim, bushwheels...  skis will set you back $25k, and amphib floats are $60k!  Yeah, you could easily hit $300k for that airplane.

Along the same lines, I was just talking to an owner of an older Husky, and he was incredulous that a new Husky is a $300k+ airplane.  C'mon guys, it's a friggin rag-and-tube machine with two seats.  It's seriously worth as much as a middle-class suburban home?  No, it's not.

This is a big part of my motivation for staying in the Light Sport world.  If I buy an airplane, my max budget is gonna be around $100k... so we're looking light sport, or used piston single.  While I'd like the traveling capabilities of a faster and more complex airplane, I have a feeling 90% of my flying is gonna be sunny-Sunday putzing around the local airspace, just enjoying the scenery and the feeling of flight.  Like riding the motorcycle down a twisting road, it just feels good to go aviate, especially in a light-handling airplane like the J-3.

In other news: I officially have my student pilot certificate!  If the weather cooperates, it looks like I'll be soloing soon. 

[Skybarney]

Stick with the planes that are inexpensive and fun to fly.  Fancy shit just costs more to go get a hamburger with.......

[ZLTFUL]

Up until my sophomore year of HS, it was my dream to be an Air Force pilot...preferably fighters but bombers or attack aircraft would suffice. I excelled in math and science for this reason...My sophomore year of HS, I got my first pair of glasses and that was that. This was before laser surgery.

I have seriously considered going for a helo license. But time and money always seem to be in short supply...and Bicks will never give me a ride in his. 

But I do love taking pictures of planes...

[Bick]

Ryan's tag line...  Comment about needing to get glasses in HS...

Should have listened to your Mama!

I am happy to give anyone a ride, any time.

You just need to stop off at any recruiters office and fill out a few forms first (you know, liability waivers, etc.)

And, Ryan, wasn't this the newest technology when you were in High School?

[ZLTFUL]

Aren't you older than me there, Chief? 

[Bick]

Aren't you older than me there, Chief? 

In contrast to how much older Nate is, does the difference even register?

[ducpainter]

In contrast to how much older Nate is, does the difference even register?

You seem to be the one counting Major.

[Airborne]

wow, nice shots! its amazing that the BUFF will be in service for 100 years (probably more). Theres not alot that can do the job better.

Yeah, its sad that prices are so outrageous. Like you said, a cub shouldnt cost as much as a house. I really dont know what else to say....

I took this with a gopro clamped on to the right strut when i got checked out in the champ a couple years back. Its a good feeling knowing youre burning only like $30/hour in avgas.
In all the years of the cherokee being in the family, I have used it to usefully go somewhere maybe twice. Other than that its just all putting around.

Congrats on getting the student pilot cert, its not a long way from there!

[duc_fan]

^^ That is a cool pic.

A GoPro is on my list... I have some excellent motorcycle roads that need shared, a quadcopter with a small camera mount to fly over the property here, and I'd also like to use the Cub to make some aerial videos of The Gorge.

[duc_fan]

WANT:
http://www.bushplanedesign.com/the-story.html





Unfortunately for me, the DoubleEnder is not within the Light-Sport limits, so I'll "settle" for the Just Aircraft SuperSTOL:
http://justaircraft.com/index.php?45#gsc.tab=0

Takeoff and landing in a small pasture:


Oh yeah... and DeadStickTakeOff guy (Steve Henry) has upgraded from the Highlander to the SuperSTOL:

[Bick]

[Grampa]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/10/hot-air-balloon-explosion-temecula_n_4250199.html



hopefully not our hot air guy

[LMT]

I think our balloon guy is in Northern CA. Outside of Sacramento?

[Skybarney]

Hi BobsPapa,  Nope not us, thanks for the wishful thinking and good thoughts!

Sadly it was someone I know.  In fact, the company that had the incident was the first company I ever flew for. 

So for a little clarification:  This was not a crash.  The balloon had an uneventful landing and the pilot was in the process of breaking down the basket when he evacuated some fuel from the lines.  While the pilot lights were still on.  This caused a flash fire and did not burn up the basket or the envelope.  Unfortunately it did burn a couple of unsuspecting passengers and the pilot.  All in all a very bad day.

This being a public forum and me not being an NTSB investigator I can't really say too much.  l reserve any further comments (and boy do I have some) PM's.  Safe to say though, IMO this should have never happened.

Every day I fly I remind myself I am strapped to 45-60 gallons of propane and people lives are in my hands.  When proper procedures are followed it is surprisingly safe to fly.  Although like any other wind dependent sport it does not come without the occasional surprise.  Hot air ballooning is not tolerant of complacency as it only takes one major mistake to end a career.

[duc_fan]

Some folks look at certain forms of flying and think they must be less dangerous.  They all have dangers.  You're playing with physics in order to lift people and/or stuff up into the air... carelessness will bite you in the a$$, hard, regardless of the method of flight.

That said... with proper training, practice, adherence to safety procedures, and attentiveness to instruments/conditions/traffic/etc, flying can be performed quite safely.