Long time, no update. Rest assured, work has been progressing!
Today, after a long preparation period that involved tons of part finishing and priming (and receiving and inventorying the fuselage kit), I began final construction of the major sub-assemblies of the wings. 8 hours of work later, I completed assembly of the left wing leading edge assembly. Tomorrow I plan to complete the right wing leading edge assembly, and possibly begin main wing top skin riveting. Or maybe fuel tanks.
I completed the fuselage kit inventory today. Just a few discrepancies to correct. E-mail sent to Van’s, and I’ll be on my way!
I decided to use the Cee Bailey’s windscreen and windows, so I deleted those from the kit. Also, I deleted the Van’s aluminum heater boxes because I intend to use the stainless heater boxes.
I am very excited to begin the fuselage construction phase, but I still have some work on the wings to complete before I can really dive in! I have been making slow but steady progress on the wings, but I hope (and think) I can really accelerate things soon.
Open Invitation to EAA Chapter 68’s Picnic at Herron Airport!
https://www.flightsquid.com/event/3716
Please join us at Herron Airport on Saturday, June 16. This picnic will take the place of our regular monthly membership meeting for June.
Please register so we have an idea of how many to expect. If you can join the work party for picnic preparation on Friday, June 15, please register for the work party at the main registration link, below.
https://www.flightsquid.com/register/3716
We hope to see you there!
Dave
Vice President
EAA Chapter 68
I have always wondered about this…
From the Sun’s surface
Through the delicate nostril
Kimchee should not pass
I see I have been getting a lot of hits here recently. I understand Dave Ruhf has posted a link to here on his Facebook page. Thanks to Dave and to all of you who are visiting from his link. As some of you know, I gave up on FB and social media in general back in 2012 or so. I’ve found I am a lot more productive and less stressed as a result!
My best wishes to you all!
Again, please consider a donation to Aerobridge, the charity that organized the effort I took part in in Florida. They are continuing the good work in the Caribbean, particularly in the VI and Puerto Rico.
Also, please consider Patient Airlift Services and Angel Flight East, two other worthy aviation related charities that provide medical and compassion flights to patients and their families who must travel long distances for medical treatment, but for financial or medical reasons, cannot travel via commercial airline.
These are pictures that were taken by my companions on the Aerobridge effort last week in Florida.
Some pictures from the Hurricane Irma relief efforts organized by Aerobridge. Over the last two weeks, Aerobridge has been an important part of the relief effort following Hurricane Irma, delivering supplies to affected people throughout South Florida, and especially to hard-to-reach areas in the Florida Keys.
An article at AOPA shows how a small private airstrip in the Florida Keys was used to supply people in need following the storm.
Please consider supporting Aerobridge, a worthy charity effort organizing pilots and airplanes to deliver supplies and medicines, and provide transport to people in need in the wake of natural disasters.
I will write more later but here is a summary: we started the day in Sarasota at Rectrix Jet Center at the Sarasota Bradenton International airport, where we had landed last night and parked. From there to the Lakeland Linder airport for a pilot briefing and our first cargo of the day. Thence to Homewood, and onward to Summerland Key Cove. Back to Homestead and another round trip to Summerland amd back. We decided to fly on our way home to Imokalee. Finally, to Sarasota.
Today was the most I have ever flown in one day–7.4 hours in total, between five airports. We started off the day in Aiken, South Carolina with a departure around 0700 after an early wake for a cab ride to the airport.
From there we were asked to fly to Ocala, FL (KOCF) to pick up some supplies. We had room for about 200 lb of cargo, most of which consisted of food and toilet paper.
We carried this load to Lakeland (KLAL), where the heart of the operation is located. Some volunteers who drove all the way from Minnesota are running things from their impressive RV.
After dropping off our personal bags at Lakeland, which allowed us to add more cargo to our trip, we filed IFR to Homestead (X51) and took to the skies again.
Cargo that is brought into Homestead is unloaded from a large number of small airplanes and then prioritized by need. Some larger aircraft, including Cessna Caravans, then transport larger loads to the Keys airports. It is a bit more efficient this way.
Homestead was hit hard–many aircraft were destroyed here one the ground by the hurricane. The salvage effort is nearly complete.
A nearly brand new Cessna was tossed like a toy.
One of the Pittsburgh group had been asked to take over organizing the Homestead operation. He agreed, but nearly collapsed from dehydration earlier today. When we arrived at Homestead, we stuck around with him until his flying partner R (name redacted due to R’s modesty) returned from a mission to pick up donations from Boca Raton. I helped load one of the Caravans while we waited. When R returned, we began our departure, intending to return to Lakeland to pick up our personal bags before continuing on to Sarasota, where R is graciously putting us up in his second home in the area.
However, the early evening weather put up a blockade between us and Lakeland and I deemed it safest to fly straight to Sarasota (KRSQ) where we were to meet R. Halfway to Lakeland, we advised ATC we wished to divert to SRQ, where we ended our flying day.
We grabbed dinner and stopped to buy toiletries that we had left behind in Lakeland and then went to R’s home, where I am writing this. Good night!