Baby Boomer Airplane Blog
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Virtual HUD introduces new Nifty New Products
Download | Duration: 00:03:44
Bill Steele of Virtual HUD Virtual Hud talks about two new products. The Wingman--a portable back up attitude indicator, and the Affinity a true Heads Up Display (HUD) The battery powered Wingman looks like this:
This is the Affinity
A New Starter from Tempest Plus
Download | Duration: 00:03:42
Bill Ward tells Ells Aviation about the new starters from Tempest Plus
AirVenture Update on Progress at DeltaHawk Turbo Diesel Engines
Download | Duration: 00:04:09
Dennis Webb, President of DeltaHawk Engines talks to Ells Aviation at AirVenture 2010 about progress, funding, and plans for production
Luc Pelon of SMA Explains the SR305e Jet A Fuel Engine
Download | Duration: 00:08:46
Luc Pelon, President and CEO of SAFRAN SMA briefs Ells Aviation on the changes incorporated into the SMA SR305e Jet A Fuel 230 horsepower turbocharged engine
A Brief History of N34, the FAA's DC-3
This podcast is a brief history of the FAA's use of the DC-3 and the story of N34, the last DC-3 in the FAA fleet.
Download | Duration: 00:02:53
A Brief History of the Seattle Museum of Flight's DC-2
This interview took place on Saturday, July 25, 2010 at the Rock Falls/Sterling airport (KSQI) during The Last Time DC-3/C-47 fly in
Download | Duration: 00:02:50
The Evolution of The Last Time DC-3/C-47 Fly In
Download | Duration: 00:04:45
This podcast is an explanation of the planning and growth of The Last Time DC-3/C-47 Fly In that took place at the Rock Falls/Sterling airport (KSQI) July 23 -26, 2010The Douglas Racers Just Kept on Arriving
The second day of The Last Time Last Time DC-3/C-47 fly in started with rain. Not the frog-strangling rain that swept through Milwaukee and Chicago a day or two ago but a lighter more friendly rain. But that didn't stop local families from showing up early to volunteer, to set up their food vending booths or to venture out onto the ramp at the Rock Falls/Sterling airport (KSQI) to get a close up and personal look at the big event. Over 140 locals volunteered to help make the three-day event a success.
The rains stopped by 10:30 as the on-ramp temperatures climbed into the high 80s but that didn't stop the steady stream of Douglas Racers from landing or the families and Douglas airplane buffs from congregating on this airport in the flat land and cornfields of western Illinois.
Dan Gryder arrived early in his Herpa-wings.com bird to get everything going
By the end of the day over 30 DC-3/C-47s had touched down on runway 25 and were parked in formation on the ramp. Visitors from as far away as Australia, Great Britain, and Japan were drawn to this historic gathering.
DC-3/C-47s flew in from as far away as California, Texas and South Carolina. N numbers attending included N34, N97H, NC43XX, N150D, NC41HQ, N59NA, N97H, N737H, N92578,N1934D, N47E, N87745, N2805J, N47SJ, C-GDAK, NC33644 and others.
Landmark aircraft such as a DC-2 from Seattle's Museum of Flight Museum of Flight which had flown in from Van Nuys, California in TWA markings
.
Visitors could purchase rides on site. All day long visitors and round engine lovers were treated to the throaty rumble of 14 cylinder Pratt and Whitney 1830s and 9 cylinder Wright 1820s making beautiful airplane noise. Low passes were the order of the day.
Other significant airplanes included N34, the DC-3 the FAA maintains in Oklahoma City for display and airshows and events around
the country.
"Spooky 71" (N2805J) an AC-47 Gunship used by the Air Force during the Vietnam War. 05J was on the ramp after being restored to simulate the condition if was in on Feb. 24, 1969 when Medal of Honor winner Air Force Sargeant John L. Levitow although severely wounded himself, risked his life to save others by pitching a highly destructive flare out of the airplane seconds before it burst into flame. Below is Spooky and Duggy (N1XP)
The rumor around town--I heard it from my morning waitress--was that John Travolta and Harrison Ford were coming. Naturally the rumor built to include not only Travolta and Ford but Tom Cruise and Morgan Freeman as well. They may have been there--although I never saw them--but the stars of the show were clearly the DC-3s and C-47s.
Visitors were greeted by a sign that had it right
Jim Terry brought Southern Cross, a DC-3 one of only two DC-3s fitted with Wright R1820-76D engines that developed 1475 horsepower. The airplane is exceedingly light which makes it very popular with sky divers.
There were instrument panels to see:
And Landings to watch
There were plenty of activities for everyone
Another airplane from California
More panels
Beautiful DC-3s loomed over the enthusiastic crowd
Chad Koppe was willing to sell his airplane
At the end of Day 2, it was evident that Douglas had got it right when they started building DC-3s 75 years ago. The show goes on tomorrow, Sunday July 25 from 8 to 6 at the Rock Falls airport. Admission is free although there may be a slight charge for parking.
On Monday, July 26 the airplanes will start up just after noon for a formation-type flight to AirVenture 2010. At least that's the plan. Due to the heavy rains which hit Oshkosh earlier in the week there is some concern about the wisdom of parking DC-3s on grassy areas.
Years ago someone called a DC-3/c-47 a Dougasaurus in my presence. These airplanes may be old and have many thousands of hours on the clock but they still have the power and magic to convince seemingly well adjusted owners, pilots, mechanics and just good old people that they are something special. Don't miss em
The rains stopped by 10:30 as the on-ramp temperatures climbed into the high 80s but that didn't stop the steady stream of Douglas Racers from landing or the families and Douglas airplane buffs from congregating on this airport in the flat land and cornfields of western Illinois.
Dan Gryder arrived early in his Herpa-wings.com bird to get everything going
By the end of the day over 30 DC-3/C-47s had touched down on runway 25 and were parked in formation on the ramp. Visitors from as far away as Australia, Great Britain, and Japan were drawn to this historic gathering.
DC-3/C-47s flew in from as far away as California, Texas and South Carolina. N numbers attending included N34, N97H, NC43XX, N150D, NC41HQ, N59NA, N97H, N737H, N92578,N1934D, N47E, N87745, N2805J, N47SJ, C-GDAK, NC33644 and others.
Landmark aircraft such as a DC-2 from Seattle's Museum of Flight Museum of Flight which had flown in from Van Nuys, California in TWA markings
.
Visitors could purchase rides on site. All day long visitors and round engine lovers were treated to the throaty rumble of 14 cylinder Pratt and Whitney 1830s and 9 cylinder Wright 1820s making beautiful airplane noise. Low passes were the order of the day.
Other significant airplanes included N34, the DC-3 the FAA maintains in Oklahoma City for display and airshows and events around
the country.
"Spooky 71" (N2805J) an AC-47 Gunship used by the Air Force during the Vietnam War. 05J was on the ramp after being restored to simulate the condition if was in on Feb. 24, 1969 when Medal of Honor winner Air Force Sargeant John L. Levitow although severely wounded himself, risked his life to save others by pitching a highly destructive flare out of the airplane seconds before it burst into flame. Below is Spooky and Duggy (N1XP)
The rumor around town--I heard it from my morning waitress--was that John Travolta and Harrison Ford were coming. Naturally the rumor built to include not only Travolta and Ford but Tom Cruise and Morgan Freeman as well. They may have been there--although I never saw them--but the stars of the show were clearly the DC-3s and C-47s.
Visitors were greeted by a sign that had it right
Jim Terry brought Southern Cross, a DC-3 one of only two DC-3s fitted with Wright R1820-76D engines that developed 1475 horsepower. The airplane is exceedingly light which makes it very popular with sky divers.
There were instrument panels to see:
And Landings to watch
There were plenty of activities for everyone
Another airplane from California
More panels
Beautiful DC-3s loomed over the enthusiastic crowd
Chad Koppe was willing to sell his airplane
At the end of Day 2, it was evident that Douglas had got it right when they started building DC-3s 75 years ago. The show goes on tomorrow, Sunday July 25 from 8 to 6 at the Rock Falls airport. Admission is free although there may be a slight charge for parking.
On Monday, July 26 the airplanes will start up just after noon for a formation-type flight to AirVenture 2010. At least that's the plan. Due to the heavy rains which hit Oshkosh earlier in the week there is some concern about the wisdom of parking DC-3s on grassy areas.
Years ago someone called a DC-3/c-47 a Dougasaurus in my presence. These airplanes may be old and have many thousands of hours on the clock but they still have the power and magic to convince seemingly well adjusted owners, pilots, mechanics and just good old people that they are something special. Don't miss em
Download | Duration: 00:03:20
Download | Duration: 00:03:20
Download | Duration: 00:03:20
Smok(er)ing across to DC-3ville
Got up, got outa bed, dragged a comb across my head. . . Out of the blocks early this morning headed for Rock Falls, Ill to spend two days at the first big gathering in years of DC-3s/C-47s. The details are spelled out in detail on The Last Time Last Time . I hopped on a CRJ 900 at KPRB. An hour and 10 minutes of flight time later the captain got the day off right with a smooth touchdown at KPHX.
I smuggled my Garmin 696 handheld GPS aboard for speed research. Six minutes after lift off the CRJ was screaming skyward at 292 knots. The fastest speed across the ground was 498 knots.
The next leg, from KPHX to KORD (Chicago O'Hare) was in a 150 passenger Airbus A320. The highest speed seen during the 3 hour leg was 475 knots over the ground.
As we sped across Kansas I noticed a little arrow pointing at the Garmin HQ in Olathe. I've inserted user waypoints but didn't expect to see a manufacturer inserted waypoint. Got a laugh out of that bit of branding.
Rented a Dodge Nitro from Budget and headed west on (toll road) highway 88. Cost me $5 in tolls to go 110 miles to Rock Falls. Huge thunderstorms filled the sky to my left for most of the drive. Heavy rain slammed down during one short stretch but most of the storm's fury hit south of the highway. The local radio issued a Thunderstorm warning for a fast moving storm with winds up to 60 miles per hour. Lightning struck on both sides of the highway
Heard that the Milwaukee airport was closed on Thursday due to heavy rains. It was reported that 7 inches of rain fell in two hours. The airport finally opened at 1 pm on Friday.
I stopped off for a few minutes at the Rock Springs/Sterling airport (KSQI) to look over the early arrivals. 6 DC-3/C-47s were on the ground. The ramp will be open on Saturday and Sunday from 8 to 6. One of the airplanes will be giving rides (I heard someone say the price was $195 for a 45 minute ride.
I smuggled my Garmin 696 handheld GPS aboard for speed research. Six minutes after lift off the CRJ was screaming skyward at 292 knots. The fastest speed across the ground was 498 knots.
The next leg, from KPHX to KORD (Chicago O'Hare) was in a 150 passenger Airbus A320. The highest speed seen during the 3 hour leg was 475 knots over the ground.
As we sped across Kansas I noticed a little arrow pointing at the Garmin HQ in Olathe. I've inserted user waypoints but didn't expect to see a manufacturer inserted waypoint. Got a laugh out of that bit of branding.
Rented a Dodge Nitro from Budget and headed west on (toll road) highway 88. Cost me $5 in tolls to go 110 miles to Rock Falls. Huge thunderstorms filled the sky to my left for most of the drive. Heavy rain slammed down during one short stretch but most of the storm's fury hit south of the highway. The local radio issued a Thunderstorm warning for a fast moving storm with winds up to 60 miles per hour. Lightning struck on both sides of the highway
Heard that the Milwaukee airport was closed on Thursday due to heavy rains. It was reported that 7 inches of rain fell in two hours. The airport finally opened at 1 pm on Friday.
I stopped off for a few minutes at the Rock Springs/Sterling airport (KSQI) to look over the early arrivals. 6 DC-3/C-47s were on the ground. The ramp will be open on Saturday and Sunday from 8 to 6. One of the airplanes will be giving rides (I heard someone say the price was $195 for a 45 minute ride.
Mice Blocker for Papa
I was forced to take drastic steps after finding the evidence. Mice evidence. Unmistakable mice-in-Papa evidence. Papa is what the FAA wants pilots to say instead of "pee" when talking to air traffic control. Most Piper Comanche N numbers end with a P hence my beloved 1960 Comanche 180 is called Papa around my house. Everyone calls it Papa. My wife hears 'I'm going out to work on Papa," when ever the words don't come.
Recently I was out communing with Papa, who is lucky enough to live nearby at a neighbor's private airstrip. Papa lives in a hangar--an open-front hangar with a slanted floor but nevertheless a hangar. Really it's just a pole barn with siding. The hangar is home to many of God's creatures, none of which respect Papa. The flying creatures sing their songs while balancing on the wires of Papa's VOR antenna, ELT antenna and the nest in the rafters above the fuselage. They poop while they sing.
Mice climb up the landing gear tires and find their way through tiny openings into the soft and comfortable shelter of the cabin. I was surprised one day to find that one mouse--obviously seriously maladjusted--had tried to chew holes in a Travel John Travel John I had accidentally left on the back seat floor after a flight. After use the powder in Travel Johns morphs into "odorless, spill-proof gel that is non-toxic and safe for disposal in any waste bin," according to the company.
I set about combating this with an idea from the Tips Book of the International Comanche Society Comanche Society to create low-cost metal walls that I now install around each landing gear tire after each flight.
Here's the mouse evidence:
Mouse problem solved. Bird problem is ongoing. Right now it's just a matter of washing often and well. See you next time
Recently I was out communing with Papa, who is lucky enough to live nearby at a neighbor's private airstrip. Papa lives in a hangar--an open-front hangar with a slanted floor but nevertheless a hangar. Really it's just a pole barn with siding. The hangar is home to many of God's creatures, none of which respect Papa. The flying creatures sing their songs while balancing on the wires of Papa's VOR antenna, ELT antenna and the nest in the rafters above the fuselage. They poop while they sing.
Mice climb up the landing gear tires and find their way through tiny openings into the soft and comfortable shelter of the cabin. I was surprised one day to find that one mouse--obviously seriously maladjusted--had tried to chew holes in a Travel John Travel John I had accidentally left on the back seat floor after a flight. After use the powder in Travel Johns morphs into "odorless, spill-proof gel that is non-toxic and safe for disposal in any waste bin," according to the company.
I set about combating this with an idea from the Tips Book of the International Comanche Society Comanche Society to create low-cost metal walls that I now install around each landing gear tire after each flight.
Here's the mouse evidence:
Mouse problem solved. Bird problem is ongoing. Right now it's just a matter of washing often and well. See you next time
