Imagine the Stories

If this flight bag could talk. . .

 

 

On display at the SFO Airport Museum.

Rock Hill-Orient Express

I think the Cessna 180 is a handsome airplane.  It ranks number four on my list of All Time Best Looking Airplanes---right up there with Lockheed Constellation; straight tailed Cessna 310; and Great Lakes Biplane.  Why number four?  Well, first of all, I'm an airline guy.  In my opinion the Lockheed Constellation is the finest looking transport category airplane ever built---no disrespect to the Boeing 757.  Next, when I was a kid, Sky King (my father in law's cousin) flew his Cessna 310, Songbird, into my living room every Saturday morning.  It might sound corny, but that TV show is responsible for who I am today---no disrespect to my parents (they know where I'm coming from.)  And the Great Lakes?  I've been in love with the Great Lakes ever since I saw one on the cover of Air Progress magazine in the 1970's.  The mid-sized biplane with it's swept upper wing and beautifully sculpted tail feathers just screams aviation romance.  That brings us back to the Cessna 180---a flying machine that looks great no matter what pair of shoes it's wearing; be it wheels, skis, or floats.

Every Airplane Has A Story

Jellystone Air Park neighbor, Gardy Wilson, has a 1965 Cessna 180H that looks like it just rolled out of the factory.  It's hard to believe the airplane is fifty years old!  I bumped into Gardy several weeks ago as he was finishing the 180's annual inspection.  The cowling was off; not one speck of oil, anywhere.  Brother Baker, had he been there to see it, would still be crying. . .  I asked Gardy, "When and where did you find this?"  He said:  "I bought the airplane from a guy in Texas in 1997.  Do you have a few minutes?  It's kind of an interesting story."  It is indeed.  Here's what Gardy had to say:

"I saw an add in Trade-A-Plane.  I was looking for a 180 and there was one near Dallas, Texas that looked like it might be a pretty good airplane.  I called the guy and he gave me the particulars.  The airplane had extra corrosion protection, which is something I really like.  Prior to painting, the entire airframe was covered with Zinc Chromate primer, both inside and out.  Cessna normally didn't do it that way, but they sold ten airplanes to the Government of Thailand, and that's what the contract stipulated.  This airplane is one of the ten.  It's primary use was for VIP transportation.  The logbooks are interesting.  Short hops, mostly.  Thirty minutes here, fifteen minutes there---what you would expect for the area.  It's a relatively low time airplane.

The guy selling the airplane was a retired American Airlines pilot who was familiar with that part of the world.  When the Government of Thailand announced they were selling the 180's, he convinced a few of his buddies to join together and make an offer.  They bought the entire lot, shipped them back to Texas, fixed what needed to be fixed, and then sold them one by one.  He said this airplane was the best of the lot, so they saved it for themselves.  Other projects were in the works, so it was time to sell.  I liked what I saw. We came to terms on a price, and here it is.  It's been a good airplane."

From out of the clear blue of the western sky comes. . .

Kirby Grant Hoon, AKA Sky King, my father-in-law's cousin.

Now I Know What The RV Fuss Is About!

OP Preflight selfie.

Seven years is a long time.  That's how long it took Jellystone Air Park neighbor, Rick Maury, to build his RV-7.  A little over seven years, actually---but that's not important right now.  What is important is Rick has reached a point in his flight test program where he can utilize the services of an Observer Pilot.  What's even more important is Wednesday morning the Observer Pilot was me!

Before we go any further I guess I should say a few words about the Additional Pilot Program for flight testing Amateur Built Aircraft.  The program was developed to improve safety by enhancing Builder/Owner Pilot skills and mitigate risks associated with Phase I flight testing.  (Yeah, that statement was designed by a lawyer.)  You can read the long version in Advisory Circular 90-116.  For those of us that do not have a Master's Degree in Aviation Safety Management Systems, what that means is:  Once you've mastered the basic skill sets---takeoffs and landings, stalls, that kind of stuff---test flying your newly built Experimental airplane is a lot safer if someone can fly, or monitor the autopilot, while you fiddle with all the "stuff" you need to fiddle with during the flight.  Common sense from the FAA---I guess they really are here to help.

Observer Pilot Worksheet.

   
To perform the duties of an Observer Pilot the applicant must:  1. Have at least a recreational pilot certificate with the appropriate category and class ratings, and proper endorsements (tail wheel, etc.)  2. Have a current Flight Review.  3. Be current as PIC in the same category and class as the test aircraft.  4. Have adequate vision forward and to each side of the aircraft.  5. Complete the Observer Pilot worksheet prior to the initial flight and attach it to the airframe logbook---so my name will forever be associated with Rick's RV-7.  Didn't think that one through, huh Rick?

Observer Pilot Observations:

While Rick ran through his preflight checklist, I familiarized myself with all the "stuff" that needed to be fiddled with once we were airborne.

The Dynon Avionics SkyView flight display system is certainly airline pilot friendly.  This particular setup is similar to the display used on Big D's Boeing 737s.  Flight information was easily processed.

Flying characteristics?  I'm glad you asked.  Rick's RV-7 is easily the nicest flying single engine airplane I have ever flown.  Flight control rigging is perfect.  Now I know what the RV fuss is about!  Of course all of my stick time was in cruise; Rick did the takeoff and landing.  Both seemed pretty straight forward.  (Good pilots make that kind of stuff look easy.)  The view over the nose during ground operations is similar to the Luscombe, except the RV sits much lower.  

"Vision forward and to each side of the aircraft" is way better than "adequate."  It is outstanding!  

Builder/Owner Pilot, Rick Maury.

Post Flight Takeaway:

I want one!

"Keep the ADF warm and take your sextant."

Please indulge me for a moment while I brag about EAA Chapter 961 in Rock Hill, South Carolina.  I'm not sure if there is a nicer group of aviation addicts anywhere. In our ranks we have doctors, dentists, machinists, A&P mechanics, aviation historians, engineers, entrepreneurs, teachers, sport pilots, private pilots, corporate pilots, glider pilots, flight instructors, avionics guys, airline pilots, aerobatic pilots, retired military pilots, and a couple of chief pilots, just to name a few.  Builders?  You bet---residential, commercial, and airplane.  We also have the vintage crowd; both flyer's and airplanes! Rumor has it there are even warbird enthusiasts in our group.

As you can see, it's a pretty talented bunch.  Answers to aviation related questions are usually close at hand.  It's rare, but occasionally someone even has a question for the airline crowd.  Several weeks ago fellow member, Bob Cauthen, sent the following blast email:

We are looking at a spring trip to Europe, hoping to have enough air miles to go Business Class on the overnight flight.  There are a number of flights to choose from to Barcelona through Philly and JFK.

Anyone have experience with the American Airlines Boeing 777 vs. their Airbus A332 with respect to the seating in Business Class?  Russ (Farris) - You may have flown one or both?

Thanks.

Bob

Former wide body captain/current narrow body RV-7 test pilot, Rick Maury, replied:

Can't speak to the 777, but have flown in Business Class on our 330.  We have individual pods with almost lay flat seats and a full entertainment system.  It was a nice ride to DUB from PHL.

Rick

Our most distinguished member, 90 years young former B-17 pilot, Pinky Funderburk, was quick to share his words of wisdom:

I can speak for the Boeing B-17.  Suggest the northern route.  Hot springs bath in Iceland and great skiing in Greenland.  Keep the ADF warm and take your sextant. Sorry, no GPS.  Half frozen ham & cheese sammiches damn good if you're hungry, Bon voyage.

Tom "Pinky" Funderburk

Folks, Pinky Funderburk is the real deal!  A four-motor tail wheel pilot---even the Luscombe crowd stands in awe.  He was twenty years old when he flew his first combat mission in World War II.  On one mission his B-17 was badly shot up while flying at low level near Rotterdam.  With two engines out, and another loosing oil, the mission ended with a belly landing on a field in Belgium, near the town of Leuven.  It is my understanding that when the number of bullet holes reached 200, they stopped counting bullet holes.

Yes, Pinky is our most distinguished member.  He is also a super nice guy---as are all our members.  Come see for yourself.  Members and guests of EAA Chapter 961 gather regularly on the second Monday of each month at 7 pm, in the terminal building at the Rock Hill-York County Airport (KUZA) in Rock Hill, South Carolina.  You will not be disappointed.

Tom "Pinky the Real Deal" Funderburk, front row, second from the left, Leuven, Belgium, April 6, 1945.

Wipe Your Feet!

Before you step on the super cool floor mat that Mats For You man, Bill Graves, designed for Rick Maury's RV-7.

Madison Super Ace

Here are a couple of photos of a Corben Super Ace that is on display in the Frank Lloyd Wright "prairie style" terminal building at Dane County Regional Airport in Madison, Wisconsin.  The Corben Sport Plane Company produced Super Ace kits in Madison during the early 1930's.  This particular Super Ace was donated to the airport in 1991 by the local chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association.  I have to say I like the design. It looks like it would be fun to fly.

I have mixed emotions when I see vintage airplanes on display in terminal buildings around the country.  My first thought is that it's a shame that nobody gets to fly them anymore.  Then, because I'm a "cup half full" kind of guy, I think it's nice that someone at the airport likes airplanes.  I can think of a few places where that's not always the case.

9.2 Hours & Counting

When you ask Jellystone Air Park neighbor, Rick Maury, how things are going with his new baby, he'll nod his head a little and then stuff his hands in his pockets and say: "Oh, pretty good," which is an extreme understatement because his humongous grin says things are going way better than just "Oh, pretty good."  A normal person would probably say: "Fantastic!"  But RV builders are not normal people (just ask any Vans Air Force member) and Rick has never been one to brag---but certainly has every right to do so. His RV-7 is beautiful!  I can't wait to see it painted.

See what I mean about the grin?  9.2 hours under wing so far.  Only 30.8 more and I can have a ride!  Somebody needs to pick up the pace. . .

Another reason for the grin:  Rick's Experimental Aircraft Builder/Repairman certificate for RV-7, serial number 73161, arrived in the mail this week.  No, that's not Rick on the back of the certificate.  It's Charles Taylor, mechanic and engine builder for the Wright Brothers.  I'd say Rick is in good company. . .