Short notice flyin at O41 in Northern Ca
- Thread starter BobLewis
- Start date
Yesterday's fly in was, in my opinion, fun. We had members Dan Jonas, Mark Shindel and yours truly joined by Al Kroeber ( a former Airforce Col, AA Captian, mentor to Dan J and my neighbor attend too) The four of us had some lively conversation and some hearty food. Mark was the only member to fly in with his beautiful Sierra.
After eating and hangar flying for a couple of hours we all went to the tarmac to inspect Marks ride. To say it's a nice aircraft is an understatement. Mark has it hangared and it's paint reflects its care. Mark is a newer pilot who obtained his PPL and aircraft to please his significant other by reducing their travel time to their second home in Lake Tahoe. Mark makes his full time home in Los Gatos and flys from San Jose. I was impressed by his travel tails as some don't realize what a flight into and out of Lake Tahoe really means. Lake Tahoe is situated in a bowl between mountain ranges. Weather has to be really watched to avoid afternoon thunder storms. The area can develope plane bending down drafts. This is not for the faint of heart.
After looking over Marks plane we headed to my hangar. I thought it might put Mark at ease, after reading the current stab cracking problems, to know a Beech can fly with only two flight surfaces ha ha. After looking at the mighty Bonanza, incidentally my old Bonanza flys on 15 less HP than a Sierra, we sat and talked a little longer. It was time to leave so Dan and I watched Mark commit aviation prior to piling into our cars and leaving as well. Overall it was a fun day.
After eating and hangar flying for a couple of hours we all went to the tarmac to inspect Marks ride. To say it's a nice aircraft is an understatement. Mark has it hangared and it's paint reflects its care. Mark is a newer pilot who obtained his PPL and aircraft to please his significant other by reducing their travel time to their second home in Lake Tahoe. Mark makes his full time home in Los Gatos and flys from San Jose. I was impressed by his travel tails as some don't realize what a flight into and out of Lake Tahoe really means. Lake Tahoe is situated in a bowl between mountain ranges. Weather has to be really watched to avoid afternoon thunder storms. The area can develope plane bending down drafts. This is not for the faint of heart.
After looking over Marks plane we headed to my hangar. I thought it might put Mark at ease, after reading the current stab cracking problems, to know a Beech can fly with only two flight surfaces ha ha. After looking at the mighty Bonanza, incidentally my old Bonanza flys on 15 less HP than a Sierra, we sat and talked a little longer. It was time to leave so Dan and I watched Mark commit aviation prior to piling into our cars and leaving as well. Overall it was a fun day.
markshindel
Level Cruise
We learn a little about each other from our posts over the years, what's said and what's not, and was looking forward to meeting regional pilot, past prez and Napa resident Dan and ag turbine 'keep em flying' Bob, on a nearby mission to burn a little av gas and partake of waffle calories.
They did a good job of convincing me to continue my IFR, either the ticket or the journey, and I'll take their advice. Seasoned eyes on our a/c were appreciated, and as the gods would have it a P lead went out as I tested the mags at shut down back home at SJC. I've some caulking/gluing on the cargo door, self inflicted corrosion damage from the wash rack to prove no good deed goes unpunished.
Bob's 'other Beechcraft' is a beautiful '56' Bonanza that shows what a doting chain of owners can achieve with a bird that looks factory new....advice to all looking for a used aircraft is to find the rare owner(s) that paid and paid and were proud of what they achieved, therein exceptional value lives.
A take away for the aspiring professional pilots amongst us is be careful what you wish for, as it may sate your aviation desires and ruin you to bore holes in the sky with your own paid for fuel.
These two (Dan and Bob) have a shared history that shows, and I enjoyed being included....I'm looking forward to another left coast fly in where we can gather like minded aviators, perhaps south to carrier land on Catalina (actually it's pretty good sized field) with fuel in Santa Barbra, North to Mendocino, or my elusive goal to get south of the border into MX, perhaps with the Baja Pilots in tow?
They did a good job of convincing me to continue my IFR, either the ticket or the journey, and I'll take their advice. Seasoned eyes on our a/c were appreciated, and as the gods would have it a P lead went out as I tested the mags at shut down back home at SJC. I've some caulking/gluing on the cargo door, self inflicted corrosion damage from the wash rack to prove no good deed goes unpunished.
Bob's 'other Beechcraft' is a beautiful '56' Bonanza that shows what a doting chain of owners can achieve with a bird that looks factory new....advice to all looking for a used aircraft is to find the rare owner(s) that paid and paid and were proud of what they achieved, therein exceptional value lives.
A take away for the aspiring professional pilots amongst us is be careful what you wish for, as it may sate your aviation desires and ruin you to bore holes in the sky with your own paid for fuel.
These two (Dan and Bob) have a shared history that shows, and I enjoyed being included....I'm looking forward to another left coast fly in where we can gather like minded aviators, perhaps south to carrier land on Catalina (actually it's pretty good sized field) with fuel in Santa Barbra, North to Mendocino, or my elusive goal to get south of the border into MX, perhaps with the Baja Pilots in tow?
CalifDan
Orbiting Earth
I had a great time as well. It has been too long since I got together with Bob, not to mention some of my other BAC friends. Quite a few years ago, we did a Napa fly-in for a few years. I mentioned to Bob that it might be a good idea to resurrect the Napa fly-in. Do we have some members interested in seeing something like that happen?
Mark, it was great to meet you. Your Sierra is a real gem and your concern for keeping it that way is apparent. I'm pleased to hear you are considering the "journey".
Bob, thanks for setting it up and hosting.
Mark, it was great to meet you. Your Sierra is a real gem and your concern for keeping it that way is apparent. I'm pleased to hear you are considering the "journey".
Bob, thanks for setting it up and hosting.
