Flight with Seattle friends

We lived in Seattle for about 20 years before moving to Wichita.  Two of our friends from Seattle, Larry and Linda, actually grew up in Derby, Kansas, which is a major suburb south of Wichita.  They come to visit family occasionally and we usually try to get together.  So, they have seen the Stinson in its various stages of restoration over the past several years.

Tonight I was able to show them the finished product as we went for a sunset flight.  I think that is 3 days in a row now for sunset flights!  The air was smooth and I did one of my better landings.  I am glad the weather cooperated for their flight.  It looks pretty nasty for the next several days.

I now have 90 flights, 101 landings, and almost 66 hours on the Stinson.  Dispatch reliability has been 100%.

Another great fall flying day

We had another great day for flying (light winds, temps in the low 50's), so I took my friend Jerry and his son Kyle for a ride, again just before sunset......the best time of the day to fly.

Jerry helped in a number of ways with the restoration, as you may recall from earlier blog entries.  I used his trailer to transport the bare bones fuselage a few times.  He also helped with the fuselage covering, putting the wings on, and he gave the airplane a once over with his trained eye when we were nearing the end.  I also borrowed his wire terminal crimpers and wire strippers for at least a year!  So, it was nice to finally be able to give Jerry a ride in the finished product.  I forgot to get an in-flight photo, so it looks like we will need to go fly again some day!

Kyle flew much of the flight and did a great job.  Near the end he figured out why I was eager for him to fly......his fingers were really cold after holding on to the cold control wheel most of the flight! Flying gloves are on my Christmas list!

Kyle on left, Jerry on right

Sunset Flight

The winds died down and air smoothed out in time for a sunset flight this evening.  My co-worker, Mark, had family visiting for Thanksgiving...so we went for a ride in the Stinson.  Passengers included Mark's son, Cameron, his daughter, Lauren, and her friend, Jason.  I managed to have one of my better landings....bringing an end to the drought:)

I also flew to Paola, Kansas Thursday morning with friends Wade and Seth.  We were going to pick up a 1960 Cessna 172 they were considering buying, but it had engine issues.  So, that is on hold for now.

Cameron upfront, Jason and Lauren in back

Nice shot of the Stinson at Paola, KS

The Cessna we went to bring home

Seth upfront, Wade in back.  With many leaks around the 

doors and windows, it is a chilly flight!

Smooth flight above the clouds

Yesterday afternoon I took our youth leader and his wife, who is our children's ministry leader, for a ride in the Stinson.  We had to wait for the clouds to lift so the field would be VFR.  Once we started, the clouds had plenty of holes so we climbed through and then up on top.  Within half an hour, the clouds were totally gone.

                                   Stephanie up front and Evan in back

      Level at 3500 feet, nice smooth air

     Looks like the land before time with the shadows cast by the clouds on El Dorado Lake