Topsy-turvy

Pilots,

Please join me in congratulating the newest United States Private Pilot, Kamau K.!

Kamau got his wings in Cessna 68U with DPE Ken Earl this afternoon, in a blustery windy wonderland.

I believe Kamau has studied under CFIs Matt, Robert, Stephen, Ryan, Jeremy, and finally Roman got him over the finish line -- although I might be missing a few in there over the years.

Many of you will have noticed Kamau playing around in the hangar at the FlyC ranch -- Kamau has worked line for us for nearly 3 years. He departs next week to study Aeronautical Engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (aka "Harvard of the Sky"). We will miss Kamau sorely, but he is off to do amazing things for General Aviation and explore the next chapter of his life at Daytona Beach, Florida. Best of luck, Kamau! Stay in touch!

Kamau is featured here making Cessna 08V look suave



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In other news,

Cessna 20U is down pending a repair to her door mechanism.

Cessna 17J's XM Data is finally (really, for real this time) activated. Music will activate next week sometime. Apparently XM confused the data radio ID with the music radio ID in their system. Expect us to spend an additional 6 months trying to get them to credit our account for the un-delivered service.

There is a rumor of a potential 172SP (like Julie) with Nav II Avionics (like 1ES) coming to the FlyC flightline.

There is a rumor of a C182 coming to the flightline. Details are early yet.

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It's nice out -- grab some sky!

Blue Skies,

- Mike



Hmm, I wonder if 08V would fly better with an all-composite blended-delta wing with an increased dihedral? Would the drag reduction be worth compromising the recoverability of the flight regime in stall or spin configuration? There has to be a point where the trade-offs converge... Also, I wonder if my first solo went okay... maybe I'll step outside and ask Ryan.

photo circa 2005

Mad science

Pilots,

If you know anyone who wants a joyride, potentially on the cheap, look no further than eBay.

While we learn about eBay, here is a chance to get a friend of yours airborne for less than the normal tariff. :)

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In other news,

Piper 85Y is down late this week for her (finally) Right-Hand Brake Pedal installation.

Cessna 17J is off to Toms for the XM rerererererere-activation

Cessna 20U seems to be be needing a new copilot door handle. Expect some downtime for that one.

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Blue Skies abound!

Cheers,

- Mike

Farewell, Rose!

Pilots,

The end of an Era was witnessed last night, as Corona's DC-3, Rose, took to the sky for her last flight in the LA Basin.

Rose has been acquired by the Boeing corporation, and she is intended to be part of a museum in Brazil. The ramp just won't be the same without her.





In April 1943 Rose was delivered from the Douglas Aircraft factory, Santa Monica, CA directly to the U.S. Army Air Corps. She served with the 8th Air Force in Europe thru August, 1945. During which she flew approx. 1,700 hours as a C-53 (Military designation of a DC-3 as opposed to a cargo version C-47).

1945 'Rose' was sold thru the Reconstruction Refinance Agency to Pan American Airways. Flew with Pan Am thru 1956 primarily with their PanAgra fleet in Central and South America.

1956 'Rose' was converted by Remert-Werner in St. Louis, MO to a DC-3C (executive interior with AC/DC electrical and many other mods).
'Rose' then flew with at least two corporations thru the late '60's / early '70's. She then flew for a company called Hawkeye Airlines in the Ohio / mid-west areas for a few years and the she was in Las Vegas for awhile as a executive airplane. Rose was then sold to a parachute jump group in Lodi, CA and S. Oregon. In approx. 1995 she was sold again to a corporation in McMinnville, OR. We purchase 'Rose' from that corp in 1997.

DreamFlight has owned / operated 'Rose' since 1997 .


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In other news..

Cessna 68U has had a seat repair done

Cessna 17J will be going to Toms to re-re-re-re-activate the XM radio, and attend to some squawks and software upgrades

Cessnas 20U and 1ES have some new tires.




Business as usual otherwise.

Blue Skies,

- Mike