Archive
for February, 2011
New Pilot: Kathleen Morse
Feb 26 2011
Congratulations to Kathleen Morse who added her Airplane Single Engine Land rating to her Glider Private Pilot license, in Citabria 5032G with Examiner Sherry Diamond.
Well done Kathleen, and instructors Grainne Gilvarry and Jim Grant.
News: Citabria 9091L Restoration Part 2
Feb 25 2011Taking a plane apart goes quickly! The real time will be spent putting it all together. After stripping the fabric from the airframe, the framework turned up to be in surprisingly good condition. Even the fabric was ok, but the old paint job made it look bad. When too much dope is layered on to the fabric, it does not make things better, it tends to peel off in large pieces and makes the plane look like it is about to fall apart. However, stripping dope off fabric is generally not a good plan. It is less time consuming to get new fabric and start from scratch.
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- Exterior stripped bare, interior next
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- Just the landing gear to remove
While the plane is under restauration, we are also planning some upgrades.
The old wings were designed for 14 gallon tanks only and we cannot upgrade them, so Al is building us a new set of wings that will have 18 gallon tanks and modern fuel gauges in each wing root. Each wing will have two new hand built sitka spruce spars, and among other things, around a thousand rivets!
The pilot seat was not adjustable, so we sprung for a new seat frame that is, so shorter pilots can bring it closer and longer legged ones can move it further away from the panel. It should also make getting in and out a little easier.
We are still deciding on a paint scheme. I like the idea of a San Jose Sharks theme. I wonder if the FAA will let us install a shark fin? Ideas welcome.
News: Citabria 9091L Restoration Part 1
Feb 24 2011
N9091L in her better days
As most of you will know, we took 9091L down in November for a complete restauration. Over time, the sun does have an effect on the fabric, and every ten to fifteen years a fabric covered airplane will need recovering. Here’s a picture of her while she still looked pretty:
To start the process, the engine, wings, and the tailfeathers will be removed off the plane.
Engine is coming off!
The fabric covering will then be stripped off. The interior, the engine and even the landing gear will all be removed. All the metalwork will be carefully inspected, and repairs made, or pieces replaced as needed. Special attention will be paid to areas where stress is concentrated – landing gear attachment points, base of the tail, and so on.
News: Salinas Airport Could use your help!
Feb 23 2011From Jeff Soares (luv2fly55w@comcast.net) – President of Salinas Owners and Pilots Association:
Salinas Owners & Pilots Association
80 Mortensen Avenue-Salinas, CA. 93905
We need SOPA members to attend the Airport Commission meeting Thursday 2-24-2011 at the Rotunda in Salinas (200 Lincoln Ave) at 7:00pm.
The issue we face is that the school district has identified an area next to Los Padres School to build a park. The problem is that the park is within the boundaries of the Salinas airport Safety Zone under the Area of Influence.
We all love parks but if this park is built within the Salinas Airport Area of Influence, it can turn our up to now friendly community neighbors into an angry force that want to know why dangerous planes are flying right over their children. Plus the fact that it can be potentially dangerous to build a park in an airport Safety Zone.
Please show your support next Thursday by attending the meeting.
Jeff Soares
SOPA President
News: New Instrument Rated Pilot – Brian Hsu
Feb 23 2011
Congratulations to our own Brian Hsu who aced his instrument rating checkride. Brian had previously started on the checkride, and had to turn back because of airplane problems. This time he had to fly to Watsonville to meet with the examiner, Sherry Diamond, but there were no problems and he earned glowing praise from her.
Well done Brian!
News: Welcome to another two pilots from Spain!
Feb 19 2011I’d like to extend a warm AeroDynamic welcome to Jose Catalan Soriano and Daniel Tari Fernandez, two pilots from Spain who have come to us to learn the art of tailwheel flying and then spend some time to gain additional experience.
Congratulations to both for earning their tailwheel endorsements, and checking out in a variety of taildraggers already, including the Taylorcraft L-1, Aeronca Champ and Citabria.
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- Taylorcraft L-2
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- Citabria
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- Aeronca Champ
News: Twitter Integration
Feb 18 2011Continuing our foray into social media, AeroDynamic blog posts should now generate Twitter feeds. Now you can follow us on Twitter as @goodflying
Do let your friends know about us.
News: Taylorcraft L-2 is back on line
Feb 14 2011The L-2 is back on line!
Our 1945 little warbird is back. N50839 was a real military plane in 1945, serving with the US Army on the home front as a liaison and observation plane. Converted back to its civilian form, it is a great example of a plane that so many pilots learnt to fly in – the Taylorcraft “tandem trainer”.
Come fly the spirit of a bygone age – wooden prop, “Armstrong” starter, slide open the window and stick your elbow out and enjoy low and slow flying.
Itty bitty warbird
Events: $100 off Abrams Aviation Private and Sport Pilot Weekend Ground School
Feb 11 2011
AeroDynamic Aviation hangar, Reid Hillview Airport
I am delighted to announce that we have negotiated a $100 discount for the upcoming intensive weekend Private and Sport Pilot Ground School, on February 26th and 27th.
This school, run by renowned aviation educator Fred Abrams, will prepare you, in just one weekend, to pass your Private or Sport pilot Knowledge Test. Normally $395, mention this blog article or Facebook post and get it for only $295. That includes the FAA Knowledge Test Prep book as well!
Better yet, Fred offers a unique money-back guarantee. If after four hours you do not believe you are getting your money’s worth you can get your fee back, no questions asked.
This school is also ideal for pilots close to their checkride or getting ready for their knowledge test, as a refresher and reminder of the areas needed to pass the tests.
This course will be taught by Fred Abrams himself. Give yourself the best chance to ace your knowledge test, come and learn with the master himself! For more about Fred and Abrams Aviation check out their web site: http://abramsaviation.com/recpvtdescription.aspx
The only things you may need to buy if you don’t have them already, are a chart plotter and a E6B calculator (manual or electronic).