Monthly Archives: January 2014

Frederick Lunch Flight   Recently updated !

This entry was posted in Flying Other on by

I recently completed my biannual flight review (BFR) and instrument proficiency check (IPC) at Fort Meade Flying Activity.  Two of my friends from work wanted to go flying, so I took them to lunch at Airways Inn, Frederick Airport.  I flew the club’s Piper Arrow, a 2002 model with retractable gear and 200HP.  It costs a little bit more, but I find it much more enjoyable to fly that the Cessnas.  Unfortunately, we wound up running short on time and had to rush to make it back to Fort Meade in time for the next renter… but now that I’m a little more aware of how long it takes us to eat, I’ll have the schedule down a little bit better the next time.  With the exception of Matt’s bad burger for lunch… the flight was a lot of fun.  Its always great to fly… even more so with some friends.

Here’s a video of the flight on YouTube. 

Here are Matt and Wes next to the Arrow just before loading up and taking off.

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cockpit

On the ground just prior to taxi.

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Wes sat shotgun on the way out.

Wes & Peter

Here’s a picture of the approach into Frederick.

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Matt sat shotgun on the way back.

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I let Matt take the controls for a little while on the return flight.  He did pretty well!

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The monolith from 2001 Space Odyssey….

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Who the heck is this??

matt

Fuel Tanks 10 (1.0 hr)

This entry was posted in Fuel Tanks Wings on by

I didn’t get a lot of time in the shop, but I was able to get some outstanding tasks completed.  I dimpled the remainder of the left skin and drilled the holes for the flop tubes.20140119-192318.jpg

I bought some tools for tube work.  The springs allow you to bend tubing by hand.  The Roto flaring tool (red handle) allows you to flare tips to the required 37degrees, and finally the blue handle Imperial 470 can do perfect bends of up to 180 degrees.  I will use these for the fuel vent. 20140119-192328.jpg

Here is the flop tube….20140119-192335.jpg

There’s one problem.  That one rivet hole under the elbow.  Its just barely outside the minimum distance required.  But….20140119-192345.jpg

Here’s where its a problem.  I won’t be able to tighten the nut all the way down.  I will have to countersink this rivet and install a 426 flush rivet instead.  20140119-192356.jpg

This entry was posted in Plans on by | Open »

I submitted a reservation for an additional N-Number today.  N6FX.  That doesn’t guarantee it until I hear back from the FAA… but I’ll know soon enough.

I’ve come to realize that N888PB is a mouthful at 8 syllables.  N6FX is significantly shorter and SIX FX, also can be Sick Effects, which sort of gives the plane a name, albeit something more akin to what you might expect on a lowrider…  Doesn’t mean I’ll use that one, or N888PB, but at only $10 bucks to reserve it… why not?  There are a few 3 numeral N-Numbers available too, like N498… which is half as long to say.  I’m a fan of having less to spit out on the radio!