tailwheels

Unintended Adventures

Picking up the kit!

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On March 30, 2015

In S-20

The time has finally arrived. Myself and Chris (a friend) left Iowa City this past Thursday (26MAR) and began our journey to RANS. We stopped about halfway in Lawrence, KS. The next morning we headed out for the final stretch to Hays and arrived right around 11AM. We had a great time meeting some of the folks at RANS and Randy (the owner). Randy showed us around and we got a demo flight in the factory’s S-20. It flew great and I’m excited about getting it built.

Loading the crate onto the trailer was not a big issue. The trailer was only slightly below the loading dock and we were able to just push it onto the trailer with a fork lift. I don’t think it could have been any easier. After loading it up we headed out for some lunch and returned to strap the crate down to the trailer. After checking everything over we launched off back towards Iowa City.  We left Hays around 2:30PM and arrived back in Iowa City around 12:15 AM the next morning. This included 2 stops for food and fuel. Overall it was a very long drive in a short timeframe, but it was more than worth it to visit RANS, get a flight in the S-20, and meet the folks at RANS.

For the trip totals, we drove around 1,140 miles from 6PM Thursday to 12:15 AM Saturday morning and about 82 gallons of gas.

2015-03-27 10.56.35 2015-03-27 08.11.53 2015-03-27 11.55.21 2015-03-27 11.55.01 2015-03-27 11.37.21 2015-03-27 12.33.49 2015-03-27 14.01.48 2015-03-27 14.16.32

Getting Ready to Pick-Up

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On March 20, 2015

In S-20

Insurance on the kit has been set-up, the last payment to RANS is on its way, and the details for getting down there to get it are being finalized. We’re planning to pick it up from RANS on March 27th. At the moment we’re also looking at starting to make our way down sometime Thursday night to make sure we make it in time.

Also finishing up ordering some tools that will be needed in the initial stages of the build.

Stay tuned for pictures!

The Big Purchase

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On February 23, 2015

In S-20

I finally committed and placed the order for a RANS S-20 kit on December 28th. The kit ready date is set for March 25th so there is plenty of time to sit, wait, and get anxious. I’m hoping to chronicle the build on this site for historical purposes and general amusement. Time will tell if I actually keep up with it. I had the steel fuselage powder coated and had the internals corrosion protected. After talking with a few others I am glad I am haing the factory paint the fuselage as it will save me a lot of time and headache.

Fun Flights

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On April 18, 2012

In Cub

So, I initially thought I would take some video during each of my flights and then put it up on here with a nice little blurb about what I did.  I still hope to do that, but recently I have been enjoying having an airplane to fly whenever I want.  This has included taking 4 people up for their first ride in a small aircraft, a breakfast flight, and the usual buzzing around cornfields.  This summer I am hoping to take the Cub or 140 to a lot of Fly-Ins and the big item on the list is taking the Cub to Oshkosh for the 75th anniversary of the Piper Cub.

Here are two videos I took in the past two days with a new mounting system for the camera.  I hope to get some more interesting video as the summer goes along as well as some more descriptive commentary.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRpfSuvRnzA&w=560&h=315]

 

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klW_yPECPTA&w=560&h=315]

Sunday Morning Cub Flight

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On March 11, 2012

In Cub

Took advantage of a warm Sunday morning to fly around for a little bit in the Cub.

Checked Out in the Cub

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On March 10, 2012

In Cub

Weather and schedules finally lined up to get the magic sign off to “prove” to the insurance company that I’m somewhat capable of flying the Cub.

On the 1st of March we made a flight to Washington, IA just because. It was chilly and cloudy, but after little/no flying for a year it was great to be able to drive up to the airport and go. Here are a few pictures from the the plane since we didn’t get too many from the air.  In addition, by going to this link,  it will take you to CloudAhoy which is a neat iPhone/iPad app that tracks your flight and analyzes it.  Awesome program with many uses.

As the weather continues to warm I expect many more flights and hopefully a lot of flights with people not familiar with aviation.

The Beginning

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On February 4, 2012

In C140, Cub

I purchased my share of two aircraft, a Cessna 140 and a Piper J-3 Cub, at the end of January. This site will serve as a place to share some pictures and video of the flights I make in these planes.

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