I still remember the joy of owning my '74 XKE (V12). Unfortunately, I spent so much time getting it perfect that I became almost afraid to take it out on the road. But when I did...
Dan
I don't believe that there's going to be any upturn in the next few years, and expect used plane prices will continue on down. There are a lot of older planes that the boomers will be shedding in the next few years, with not too many new pilots interested in them. For myself, I'm glad I got out...
Fly it once a week: good
Ground run it once a week: bad
http://www.lycoming.com/support/tips-advice/key-reprints/pdfs/Key%20Operations.pdf
(See "Frequency of Flight and its Effect on the Engine")
Dan (ex-N3319R)
I use the MS Wireless 3000 keyboard and mouse on both of my systems. I also get the occasional warning about low battery, even when the batteries are fresh. As noted before, the KnowledgeBase article pretty much covers it. In general, though, I just ignore the warnings; when the keyboard or...
For sale; annual just completed (April 2008), along with IFR certs. Interested? make an offer.
Dan
Specs:
1970 Piper Cherokee (PA28-180 E) Serial # 28-5657
3976 TT
496 SMOH (Mattituck) (Factory cylinders, new camshaft, new mounts, baffles)
Good late-80s paint (7+), new interior...
If you want a great kayak, for not too much money, and not too much work, look into http://www.pygmyboats.com/.
I have an Osprey Standard, and my wife has an Arctic Tern 14. They're light, they're beautiful, and they paddle great.
Dan
Geez, I've got to read more carefully. I thought Dave's post said "a horse was almost sucked out...". My first thought was, "why were they carrying a horse in a King Air?"
Dan
It's definitely worth doing once, and tandem is the simplest way to go. Even if you don't get hooked, it's a feeling like no other, and no one can really describe it to you. If you do it, get video! By the next day, even though you know it was cool, you really won't remember the details.
Dan...
Flying jumpers in New England after four days of a Bermuda high...
Legal VFR, not a cloud in the sky, but you're flying in the frosted bowl. Got to be able to keep it right side up...
Dan
"But disoriented along the LI sound in crappy vis - unless it was forecast to be IFR, it's whatever you say it was, as in...."
As in JFK Jr? Who knows what might have happened if he'd recognized his predicament and called someone.
When in doubt, call for help. It may seem embarrassing, but...
Not only can you open it, if you ever take off and forget to close the upper door latch you'll have to open it. Opening the side window is the only way I could ever get the door to close enough in flight so that I could latch it.
Dan
And that's a $150,000 "feature"?
I'll say... "diminished" by about 30%! The 2007 Saratoga TC has a useful load (as tested) of 1037 pounds, pretty close to that of my '70 Cherokee 180. My Piper Standard Catalog shows an average useful load for a '78 Turbo Lance at 1518 pounds, and an '80...