tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73048755508955157312024-02-07T18:18:03.026-08:00Slipping The Surly Bonds of EarthMy adventures in aviationAlan Cluffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05351343987071248131noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7304875550895515731.post-83891918065444080212020-02-13T14:35:00.000-08:002020-02-13T14:35:30.696-08:00New Airplane!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim9Hgnc0Olwr4vDx3WxVxaNmsHwEnnd_e5kvH2FnF6xxrF3X-aQg-kr78RAsgcBCtxMasuKQkKK5qRjJom0PHAkb4gtmkVhcNgVOWNNMTSO5ijlKWFiKdAdVLA3C_Ame7JuxQy4W3l18o/s1600/_MG_0005+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim9Hgnc0Olwr4vDx3WxVxaNmsHwEnnd_e5kvH2FnF6xxrF3X-aQg-kr78RAsgcBCtxMasuKQkKK5qRjJom0PHAkb4gtmkVhcNgVOWNNMTSO5ijlKWFiKdAdVLA3C_Ame7JuxQy4W3l18o/s400/_MG_0005+-+Copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Fast forward to February 2020 (time flies when you're having fun!). I've sat down several times to provide an update on my flying experiences but distractions seem to be plentiful. It is my hope that this short update generates momentum to get back into blogging about my adventures as a private pilot.<br />
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Yes! We sold the Cessna back in 2014 and in January 2015, brought home an amazing1962 Beechcraft Bonanza P35. Since that time, I've logged more than 500 hours flying all over the western states with family, friends, and animals (more on that later).<br />
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N9673Y left the Beechcraft manufacturing facility in December of 1962 and as such, some call it a 1963 model but the data plate states 1962 so I'm sticking with that year. It has seen numerous upgrades and modifications that make it a very well equipped and capable aircraft. Below are the modifications and equipment added to 73Y.<br />
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<ul>
<li>Factory Reman IO-550 </li>
<li>BDS Baffling</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>3 Blade prop</li>
<li>Garmin G500 with SVT</li>
<li>Garmin GTN 650 GPS</li>
<li>GTX 345 – 2020 compliant in and out ADS-B</li>
<li>Flightstream 210</li>
<li>S-TEC 3100 Digital Autopilot; Alt pre-select, IAS, VS, FD </li>
<li>GTS 800 Traffic</li>
<li>PS Engineering PMA 450B Audio Panel with music in port</li>
<li>MVP-50 Engine Monitor</li>
<li>GDL 69 XM Weather Receiver</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Electric Trim</li>
<li>Dual Yoke- Leather Covered Large Control Wheels</li>
<li>Custom CNC instrument panel with better CB placement</li>
<li>2 additional USB (USB C) ports </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Speed Slope Windshield</li>
<li>BDS 20 gal tip tanks (200lb GWI STC)</li>
<li>VGs</li>
<li>Flap-gap seals</li>
<li>Pilot and Co-pilot storm windows</li>
<li>Custom Ramshead sheepskin front seat covers</li>
<li>Tinted window inserts</li>
<li>Alpha inertial reel shoulder harness (front)</li>
<li>Mountain Aviation door steward</li>
<li>LED landing and taxi lights</li>
</ul>
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73Y is a joy to fly and I've had a ton of great experiences. Some of those experiences are documented on my Youtube channel and can be seen at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/spionen007/videos?view_as=subscriber">https://www.youtube.com/user/spionen007/videos?view_as=subscriber</a></div>
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In the coming days, I'll write about some of the more meaningful experiences and where 73Y has taken me over the past 5 years. Fly safe!</div>
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<br />Alan Cluffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05351343987071248131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7304875550895515731.post-59261689379397384762020-02-12T14:48:00.000-08:002020-02-13T14:50:38.506-08:00So long 78E!<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Life gets busy and I have been a slacker in keeping this blog updated. It isn't for lack of content but lack of time or maybe better stated, a lack of time management.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So many changes, where do I start? In November 2014 we started toying with the idea of getting a different plane. Echo has been good to us providing a reliable and safe machine for my skill level and I've learned a lot as a newbie pilot but felt it was time to move up to a faster and more capable airplane.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial";">I said to myself that I was just testing the waters to see if there as a market for a refurbished and upgraded Cessna 172 and subconsciously I was working through the emotional struggle of possibly parting with Echo. Aircraft owners, especially owners who have put a lot of work into making their bird their own, become emotionally attached to their winged machines. My test was to place 78Echo on Controller.com and just see what kind of response I would get. I knew there was no way I'd get back all that I had put into the restoration and upgrades but I didn't want to take a bath either. I listed my beautiful 1979 Cessna 172N at $89,500 feel that it was a good starting negotiation price point.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial";">The emotional aspect of listing my plane was interesting. I didn't hear one peep on day one or day two and started thinking that it was just not going to happen. On day three I had someone lowball me asking if I'd let Echo go for $60K. I didn't even have to ponder that casual offer for more than a millisecond and respectfully replied that I would not part with my plane at that price. I was a little let down and relieved at the same time. I could keep my plane and be happy. Let's face it, this is a VERY nice 172 and we enjoy flying her. I would not feel bad if no one wanted to buy her.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Day 4 brought two phone calls from seemingly very excited gentlemen who were very interested in Echo. I got excited and started to worry at the same time. What if they really wanted to buy Echo? What would I do then? I didn't hear from them again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Day 5, nothing new and I had to depart for California to work for the week. I was wondering if the test was now done and that was all the traffic I would get. Oh well, I still have the great airplane right?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Day 6. I got a text from Lonnie at home that a gentleman from Florida called and spoke with her about Echo. He was very interested and wanted to speak to me. It got hard to focus on work. I called him and we talked about the condition of the plane, what I had done to it and how well the engine (which had 1900 hours on it) was running. He didn't beat around the bush much and said he wanted to make me an offer and that he didn't need to do a pre-buy inspection as he could tell it was in good condition from talking with me. WHAT? How did we get from zero to offer in one phone call? Wait... do I really want to sell my plane? This was after all just a market test right?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial";">I received a detailed full price offer the following day via email and accepted. It was not a decision that came easily but we decided to take advantage of the opportunity and let Echo go to a good home.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial";">After returning from my work trip, I set about getting Echo ready for a long flight to Florida, updating the nav system, changing the oil and just overall sprucing up. You can't sell a plane like this an not have it in tip top shape. I hired a ferry pilot to fly the plane to Florida and on December 1st she left Spanish Fork for the Orlando, FL area. It was a difficult day for us. We have a ton of great memories in N9478E and there is a lot of emotion involved in selling a plane like that. Farewell, you served us well. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span>Alan Cluffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05351343987071248131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7304875550895515731.post-39319378157142864212012-08-19T22:01:00.000-07:002013-11-05T07:01:04.104-08:00There is life after the student pilot phase...<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This posting is going to be a bit long as I continue to
catch up with all the flying we’ve been doing since earning that
certificate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Forgive me if I seem PLANE
crazy!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimW5xqLAndhPNaTD_Q9n68EVQPdhWaVisu5EigmlupeRpXf6v0q4FzuJoanBI60Rj5C-xFeW0H26aom3ZtTqzWFYI8wowx14Sn88p0JCZrWGgTH78QYLu8FJxOQQzz8FdNAyJXdY24aEA/s1600/c172+v3+L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimW5xqLAndhPNaTD_Q9n68EVQPdhWaVisu5EigmlupeRpXf6v0q4FzuJoanBI60Rj5C-xFeW0H26aom3ZtTqzWFYI8wowx14Sn88p0JCZrWGgTH78QYLu8FJxOQQzz8FdNAyJXdY24aEA/s320/c172+v3+L.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It still makes me smile when I think about and realize that
I am a licensed/certificated pilot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would be
remiss if I did not acknowledge however that I’m still very green and have a
lot to learn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As stated by may wise aviators,
“a good pilot is always learning”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
firmly believe that and will always work to learn more on each flight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My very first passenger as a licensed/certificated pilot was
my beautiful wife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has of course
flown with me before but always with another pilot as PIC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I realize that it took a fantastic amount of
trust for her to climb into our plane and fly with me but she did and we had a
fantastic time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t get to follow
a dream like this without support from those around you and I’m grateful for
Lonnie’s support and enthusiasm for flying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Thanks honey!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The week after
passing my check ride, we flew a nice little flight down to Delta, UT and then
back along the west side of Lake Mountain just west of the FFU VOR which is
subsequently near our home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a
beautiful day for flying and I built a little more trust with my passenger by
performing a very nice landing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The last week of June brought the annual inspection for
N9478E.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lonnie and I flew down to
Richfield and Bob followed in his Mooney.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Winds were calm until we passed over the runway threshold and then we
got a good gust from the right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lonnie
thought for sure we were going to be blown off the runway but I was quick on
the rudder thank goodness and all is well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The return flight back was interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Lonnie and I flew with Bob in his Mooney and took over as we arrived about 10 miles
north of Provo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was nothing odd or
special about the approach and I thought the landing was great until the
aircraft touched down and was all over the runway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
took me a second but it dawned on me (and I was sitting in the back seat) that
we’d had a blowout and Bob was doing all he could to keep it together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did by the way do an
excellent job and we stayed on the runway and were able to exit at A2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Exciting but no harm was done to the plane
and we of course didn’t even come close to any injury except an adrenalin
rush.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">TAC Air came out with a tug and helped us get the Mooney off
the runway after waiting for at least an hour for them to find a dolly to
support the flat tire side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told Bob
if that ever happened again to just stop on the runway instead of the taxiway
and they would certainly get to us quicker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We had to lift the plane so that the dolly could be inserted under that wheel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lifting an airplane is not easy and we had to
do it by kneeling under the wing and pushing up with our backs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tug pulled us to the hangar and we then
had to life the plane over the door rail to keep the dolly under that
wheel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is where it all went to
pieces, for me anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We needed to lift
just a bit higher than before so I kept my left knee on the ground and brought
my right leg up under me to get more leverage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At the first push/lift I felt a series of what felt like pops and
extreme pain in my groin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I rolled onto
the ground screaming like a little girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not good!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m actually writing this about 7 weeks after the fact and I’m
still suffering from this stupid Charles Atlas move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m going to physical therapy, I’ve seen an
MD and this is all going to take months to fully recover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tore two different muscles and it has been
very difficult to say the least and I have not been able to run or really get
around normally since.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can however
still fly without any problems as long as I’m careful climbing up to check my
fuel tanks and getting into the airplane.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The first week of July and the plane is not yet out of
annual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another leak had developed in
the fuel tank and we discovered that a fueler had damaged the filler neck by
letting the fuel nozzle rest while fueling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This little mistake cost me $600.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>By the way… the mechanic at Bountiful Sky Park did a terrible job in his
work and I had to pay to correct some issues with my new Emergency Location
Transmitter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do not recommend anyone do
business with Don Young at KBTF.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was disappointed we didn’t get to fly on the 4<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
of July but such is maintenance on an aircraft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It took unplanned time to get that fuel tank repaired again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The weather was not cooperative either as the
heat of the day along with moisture in the air produced thunderstorms daily
starting at about noon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We eventually
drove down to Richfield one evening after work and I flew the plane out and
back to Provo at 6am before the thunder bumpers started up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a nice hour flight in smooth air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Poor Lonnie had to drive back in the car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maintenance is something that must receive
proper attention in these planes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
flying a 1979 airplane and when things need fixing I get them fixed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not taking chances on something resulting
in an emergency in flight and it can be a bit expensive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My plane is in good shape but it just needs
attention now and then and that attention is never cheap.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The last weekend of July provide us with a Saturday with
what we thought would be a nice weather day for flying so we planned a flight
north up into Idaho, Burley, Idaho to be exact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Burley is a small farming community with a small but functioning airport
near the Snake River.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We flew up on a
VFR flight plan and had flight following all the way mainly because I knew were
would fly in busy airspace where it might be smart to let Salt Lake ATC keep us
away from all the arriving and departing traffic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was comforting to know they were working
to keep us separated from other faster aircraft.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The approach into Burley (KBYI) took us over the Snake
River, some buildings and trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later
Lonnie told me she closed her eyes as we flew over the trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t close but it obviously had caused
some concern for her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told her not to
worry… I had my eyes closed too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We found KBYI to be closed when we arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did everything but look at the hours of
operation and when we got there we were greeted by locked doors to the
FBO.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll never plan a flight again without
checking that little bit of information especially if we depend on the stop for
fuel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">While on the ground at KBYI, I started my planning for the flight
back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The iPad has been a huge part of
my flying tool kit and has become very important to me as I gather all of the
information needed to plan and file flight plans as well as get my weather
briefing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this planning I discovered
that unexpected thunderstorms had moved into the Provo area and both rain and
wind were terrible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It looked like the
next window for a visual flight back to Provo would be in about three hours so…
we sat down on a picnic table at the airport, ate our lunch and played some
Farkle, a dice game that is great fun and nice for killing time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">While playing, the manager of the FBO and his wife pulled up
with a truck load of goodies to replenish the vending machines inside the pilot’s
lounge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We chatted a little not wanting
to look like vagrants just camping out at their airport and he asked if we
needed any fuel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My planning told me we
had enough fuel to get home but it always makes me feel better if my tanks are
full when I take off for a cross country excursion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You just never know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was good to top off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After our weather hold was over, we climbed back in 78E and
left the community of Burley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The flight
back was nice but XM weather was telling us that winds were still going to give
us some challenges when we arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
had not issues flying back through the Salt Lake B airspace and I got my head
around the crosswind landing that was ahead of me at Provo as we crossed into
Utah County.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ATC handed us off to Provo
Tower and Provo gave us a straight in for runway 13 with winds 250 at 10
gusting to 18.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were given
instructions to report a 3 mile final.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At 3 miles out I reported our position and Provo Tower replied that
winds had just changed to 140 degrees at 8 knots meaning that they were on our
nose and there would be no crosswind landing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The smile on my face was probably seen from the tower and we settled
onto the runway with another trust building landing for Lonnie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All in
all it was a great flight with some good learning opportunities which we took
advantage of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having all of these
information and weather tools is a huge help in flying safely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lonnie is, by the way, becoming a great help
in the cockpit tuning the radios and looking up information on the iPad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">August 11<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> was another banner day and a first
for taking family (other than Lonnie) up flying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two of my grandsons (We have 8 grandchildren
right now), Sterling and Skyler took to the skies with me early in the morning
for a nice 1 hour flight out on the southwest side of Utah Lake, down to Nephi
and then back to Provo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sterling sat up
front and flew most of the time after our climb out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is a natural and I hope he’ll get his
certificate when he is 17.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Skyler gets
to sit up front next time and fly and hopefully get bitten but this terrible awful
flying bug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I look forward to many more
flights with them both and other grandchildren as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a great time and no one even came
close to puking which is a very cool thing!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After flying with the boys, my son-in-law Shawn and I took
off for Moab (KCNY) via Price.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could
see that the weather was a bit iffy when I did my planning but we thought we’d
give it a try anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We flew up Spanish
Fork Canyon and over towards Price turning south before Helper because of a TFR
in place for firefighting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These TFRs
have become far too common this year as the forest fires continue.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Weather was against us as the heat of the desert started the
convection mill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Visibility was not bad
but it was not clear and we could see a lot of virga (descending rain that
cools the air quickly and causes some dangerous downdrafts) with towering
cumulous building well out in the distance between Price (KPUC) and KCNY.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We scouted an airport I want to land on next
month (Huntington, UT), flew tight circles around our in-laws home in Clawson,
UT and then headed home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All in all we
put in 3.3 hours of good fun flying and a great time was had by all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">August 18<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> marks a day that I’ve been waiting
for for many years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got to take my
father, the person who instilled upon me this great desire to fly, for a nice
little cross country flight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dad and I
flew out to Vernal, UT and enjoyed a nice breakfast together at Betty’s Café.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The service was a bit slow but the food was
good and it was good to be out flying with my father again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a child and young man I spent many hours
in the capable hand of this man and I cherished every second of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why I didn’t take the plunge and get my
certificate at an earlier age is still something I ponder but hey… we’re here
now enjoying the time together in the air again with me and Pilot in
Command.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The smoke from forest fires was
very heavy in the air the entire flight both directions but we had a wonderful
day in a great airplane that ran like clockwork.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dad is still not used to but really likes the
new technology that allows us to keep a high level of situational awareness and
navigate direct routes without always depending on older radio ground
navigation stations called VORs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>GPS,
moving map, terrain awareness and XM Weather are great tools but we did some
fun pilotage flying up Provo and Daniel’s Canyons both ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks Dad for the great gift of love for
aviation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am proud to have you as a
passenger FINALLY!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">90.7 hours as of this posting.</span></div>
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Alan Cluffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05351343987071248131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7304875550895515731.post-43897852749292820732012-08-17T16:17:00.001-07:002012-08-19T22:19:32.144-07:00The End and the Begining (Student Pilot to Private Pilot)<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">April and May 2012 were dedicated to work and more
work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The company I work for is
acquiring another high tech company and the two information systems must be
integrated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The planning and pre work
just to bring the two companies together as one the day we merge is
maddening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m stressed out and tired
and don’t get to fly as much as I want to.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I continue to work on technique and to build hours so that
I’m ready for the Private Pilot Single Engine Land practical and oral tests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The check ride includes both an oral and a
practical exam both of which I’m nervous about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I do not enjoy tests of any sort and it’s all a ball of stress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m still fully committed however and want to
get this phase of the adventure done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lonnie was brave enough to tag along with Bob and I on a
long cross country flight from Provo to Bryce Canyon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We enjoyed another nice lunch at Ruby’s Inn
and then flew the plane to Bountiful Skypark where the plane will undergo some
maintenance (leaking fuel tank) and a nice upgrade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I flew through the Salt Lake City “B”
airspace for the first time and got to see what is was like to request
permission to enter an be watched carefully by Air Traffic Control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ATC was professional and friendly directing
us to a straight in landing at Bountiful (KBTF) with ease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That little airport is strangely situated
near SLC and amongst a bunch of oil refineries but all went well and we arrived
without any issues with a rather nice landing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Part of the maintenance done was the installation of an XM
weather receiver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This brings near real
time weather data into my cockpit, something that will help me maintain a
higher level of weather situational awareness and keep me clear of problem
areas IF… I use it wisely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some pilots
think that weather data in the cockpit will help them make thunder runs between
storm cells.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not about to do that
nor do I think it is wise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll get
visual representation of precipitation and wind data along with detailed
weather conditions for any airport that transmits weather data called METARS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is pretty cool stuff and I’m looking
forward to the added capability.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The maintenance was done and the plane ready for pickup on
May 10<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bob picked me up at
Provo airport in a Diamond DA20 (interesting and very light aircraft) for the
flight up to Bountiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a bit
of a breeze when we left that turned into a pretty good wind by the time I left
to fly my plane home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The winds were
blowing at 20 kts gusting to 25 when I entered the pattern at Provo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a bit tense but thankfully the winds
were blowing from the north down runway 31 instead of a cross wind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got the plane back and tucked away in the
hangar without incident.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I must admit I
was a little nervous but I just flew like I had been trained, held it together
and everything went fine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On Memorial Day weekend I scheduled my check ride for June
8th.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I purposely told only a few people
about my pending check ride which some may think odd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a big deal, THE big gate for getting
your Private Pilot’s ticket, and I just wanted to concentrate on the task at
hand without fanfare or having to tell friends in the event I failed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like I said… I hate tests.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The week leading up to my checkride I flew Wednesday and
Thursday and just tried to maintain my edge and confidence in ground reference
maneuvers and landings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With work
responsibilities to attend to and the pending check ride, I was a little keyed
up but felt ready.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The morning of the check ride I arrived at Provo Airport at
0700, did a quick preflight of the plane just to make sure nothing was going to
prevent me from flying (there seems to be a small fuel leak in the right wing
tank again) or cause a delay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I headed
over to TAC Air (former Million Air) to set up in one of the conference rooms
for the oral portion of the exam.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Designated
Pilot Examiner showed up at 0730 and we started the “dance”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Phil Widmer, my DPE for the day is not
unknown to my family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Phil knows my dad
from when Dad was Chief Instructor Pilot working at UVSC now UVU at Provo
Airport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Phil and I seemed to get along
right off the bat which set me at ease a bit thank goodness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was not a stress mess but I was anxious to
get through this and do so with flying colors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The oral
portion of the check ride is a review with the examiner to prove that I didn’t
just memorize a bunch of multiple choice questions on the written and then hit
the delete button in my brain immediately after.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to talk about and explain theory and
the whys of this and that and basically prove that I knew what I was doing well
enough to keep me, my passengers and people on the ground safe as a pilot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because Phil is somewhat a friend of the
family, I expected there to be a fair amount of small talk but I was not ready
for a 5 hour oral.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was exhausted and
hungry (we didn’t stop for lunch) by the time it was done and the wind had
picked up providing a challenging flying environment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
practical portion of the check went as well as it could as we got bounced
around the skies on the southwest side of Utah Lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was very tired but did my best in all
maneuvers and various landings and came back to the airport a certificated
private pilot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I DID IT!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took me 11 months but I did it and couldn’t
be happier.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have
dreamed of this day for most of my life and I’m finally a pilot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t explain the feeling I had when it was
all said and done and I look forward to taking Lonnie up as my first
passenger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was so exhausted the
following day even though it was Saturday that I didn’t step a foot on the
airport property and just chilled at home wondering how I survived a 5 hour
oral and that windy bouncy check ride.</span></span></div>
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Alan Cluffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05351343987071248131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7304875550895515731.post-36318338685838437352012-03-31T20:42:00.000-07:002020-02-13T14:57:17.547-08:00Maintenance, Night Flying and Someone Gets The Flying Bug!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I really intended to post to this blog regularly when I set off on this adventure but life happens and I’ve not been consistent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m going to try to post more frequently and sooner after my flying events so that I can capture feelings about my flights and the learning process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This after all was my reason for the blog.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Since my last post in January, I have flown a total of 10.2 fantastic hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lonnie and I took some time off in February on Kauai, our favorite vacation place and after our return we took the plane down to Richfield to have some maintenance done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The windscreen has been abused or maintained improperly over the years (Plexiglas hates Windex!) and became foggy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a problem when flying into the sun as vision became really poor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had the windscreen and tires replaced and some other needed minor work and maintenance done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The maintenance however is not really to story of this posting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The only cool way to return from flying your airplane 100 miles to your mechanic is of course to fly home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>CFI Bob flew down with me to Richfield with a gorgeous passenger… Lonnie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Come to find out however, Lonnie didn’t get to be just a passenger; she flew Bob’s Mooney M20E all the way to Richfield with the exception of the takeoff and landing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had a great experience at the expert hand of CFI Bob.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I flew the Mooney back and was very impressed with the flying characteristics of that aircraft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is much faster than my 172.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">March was another turning point in Lonnie’s flying adventures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On March 3<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup>, we flew back down to Richfield to pick up our 172 after completion of maintenance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Notice I call it “our” 172 now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll understand why in a bit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We flew down to Richfield in a Piper Arrow, an airplane that Bob barrowed from a flying school he does some work for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My 81 year old dad went with us and it was really fun to see him fly again after about 3 years of not being at the controls of an airplane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dad has more hours than I’ll ever amass and can still do a good job.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">N9478E looked good with a new windscreen, fresh tires and oil and a copilot door that now closes better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While preparing to depart, me in our 172 with Bob, Lonnie and Dad in the Arrow, I felt rushed and didn’t use my checklist like I have always done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started the engine and was about to taxi over to the run-up area when my engine died.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had missed the fuel selector which the mechanic had turned to off and ran the engine out of gas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will never again do anything related to flying without a checklist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m lucky it quit before I tried to take off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I took off and the new windscreen was fantastic but before departing the traffic pattern to the north my radio started cutting out. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was not able to transmit but could receive and hear other traffic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I could also hear was Lonnie making all the radio calls in the Arrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She sounded like she knew what she was doing… pretty cool!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Bob, Lonnie, and Dad passed me up in short order with the faster Arrow and unbeknownst to me didn’t see me and were worried that I had returned to Richfield with radio problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I worked with the radio problem for about 30 minutes and finally got it to work but only if I lifted my right leg 7.47 inches and put my left index finger in my right ear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other words… it took a delicate touch for some reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I suspected another short in the pilot intercom jacks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was just about to get out my handheld but didn’t have to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This entire time I had heard Lonnie making all the radio calls some of them trying to contact me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bob was really putting her to work on this flight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">With my comms problems somewhat resolved I brought our airplane home without incident.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Welcome back 78E!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She ran well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What met me on the ground however was something I hadn’t expected; Lonnie had a smile on her face that would just not disappear and she was talking about the fantastic flight home which she had flown from taxi to takeoff and cruise up to the point where ATC at Provo instructed them to make a short approach to accommodate the high volume of traffic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She flew the airplane the entire flight home and LOVED it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lonnie is now very excited about flying with me and can’t wait to get some more instruction from CFI Bob.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is now very cool to talk about and consider the 172 as our airplane.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I’ve had two night flying sessions with Bob the most recent being Thursday, March 29<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Flying at night will take some getting used to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It can be very disorienting if not done with care and landings somehow a little different with a different view of just a piece of the runway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve made 12 night landings now and the first few were rough but I’m getting better at it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I have well over 40 hours now but I’ve been enjoying flying solo cross country so much I don’t quite have enough training or “dual” time to meet my requirements.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bob and I should be able to knock that out easily though on a cross country somewhere down south like Bryce Canyon (KBCE) again or maybe Moab (KCNY).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All I really need now is that time and a review before my check ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m nervous about the check ride but then I’m always nervous about tests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t like to fail and sometimes over-prepare.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">This has been a wonderful adventure so far and I’m almost at the very important milestone of getting my Private Pilot certificate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope I can knock it out soon and then really start learning as Lonnie and I spend time flying around Utah, Nevada, Idaho, Colorado, and Wyoming. Lonnie has really come to love this flying thing and is actively participating in a lot of what I'm doing to get my license. It's her plane too and I can tell she's going to be a great co-pilot and who knows... maybe even a pilot herself!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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Alan Cluffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05351343987071248131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7304875550895515731.post-55476572356570010662012-01-31T09:26:00.000-08:002012-01-31T13:59:26.923-08:0032.5 hours and counting! I'm getting there!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Since my last post, I have flown three more cross country flights; one from Provo (KPVU) to Richfield (KRIF) via REEKA, DTA, MLF, CDC and U13, a second from Provo to Cedar City (KCDC) with a route of Nephi (U14), DTA and MLF, and the third again to Cedar City along the same route.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two flights to Cedar City differed in that I practiced touch and go’s at U14 and KDTA on the first and full stop landings on the second.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I now have 32.5 hours of the 40 needed to get my Private Pilot’s certificate. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have enjoyed the flying time but I’m really looking forward to the time when I can take someone with me to share this adventure and these sights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The western Utah desert is beautiful and there are some amazing sights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I look forward to future flights further south and east around Moab, Canyon lands and also up north into Idaho.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obtaining my Private Pilot’s certificate is now a goal in sight!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A few shots from these flights.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-gGg1zLauzq5ZMonGYz1C7w9iSrNOaZC12Kr9zs8NSNK3rT3z0QOm4G2ONkG3YiwYnKD8UajWulzaIGWXWbkhHi93HJogGxJdpyDlbmCSu0HAwPorzNHBhigNrygVOJOcnaUe1mFnDxM/s1600/Jan+28+XC.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-gGg1zLauzq5ZMonGYz1C7w9iSrNOaZC12Kr9zs8NSNK3rT3z0QOm4G2ONkG3YiwYnKD8UajWulzaIGWXWbkhHi93HJogGxJdpyDlbmCSu0HAwPorzNHBhigNrygVOJOcnaUe1mFnDxM/s320/Jan+28+XC.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQvWm24QGAzgszzAYb15yezPxqMeBMnqiRivWo5QCM5H0YgZ7x_Eu1T8Iw6wVjTv5oWNGRacXaKEdT9LOQHOJgvURXor1xHooW7cgNgc11wZFUiqJC5oszUoTXigE1E9OHXdK_yR6blw/s1600/KDTA.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQvWm24QGAzgszzAYb15yezPxqMeBMnqiRivWo5QCM5H0YgZ7x_Eu1T8Iw6wVjTv5oWNGRacXaKEdT9LOQHOJgvURXor1xHooW7cgNgc11wZFUiqJC5oszUoTXigE1E9OHXdK_yR6blw/s320/KDTA.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOc3TbpRIt_A1h7TwiCP6xNQ3V7d4niCd1AuP8nmAsWUjngICVJ73hypxG0Lkt3X4BGERQhatM710d6kXUNHkiJHWf-hno4WZrceo3KEYQeoygI2_LbrTgpwtIeUSok330yW2gxckiCJI/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOc3TbpRIt_A1h7TwiCP6xNQ3V7d4niCd1AuP8nmAsWUjngICVJ73hypxG0Lkt3X4BGERQhatM710d6kXUNHkiJHWf-hno4WZrceo3KEYQeoygI2_LbrTgpwtIeUSok330yW2gxckiCJI/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Alan Cluffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05351343987071248131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7304875550895515731.post-38043001026461349222011-12-24T11:40:00.000-08:002020-02-13T15:17:49.975-08:00Spreading my wings - Cross Country Flight<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoCqAbSABNodzJ34qG62WpQ6qbLCXcgiRV1E3gC8HotpaTfw9gEZrOxLCEbz_sgi05B8s2yQZsuNdexCQsMdvuWvKoYx4LUK1cAFOy3ze3uZZL4ANwtdYv24uOEnZJvnthSzIAenxZqyE/s1600/DSCN0551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoCqAbSABNodzJ34qG62WpQ6qbLCXcgiRV1E3gC8HotpaTfw9gEZrOxLCEbz_sgi05B8s2yQZsuNdexCQsMdvuWvKoYx4LUK1cAFOy3ze3uZZL4ANwtdYv24uOEnZJvnthSzIAenxZqyE/s320/DSCN0551.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bZsLmt2nZgezOAGxL2oXMoLyv11YvLlb6ayLQAZPzxoBW7w2-DoALtqO_HlR7jhEjATqQp4486SsK_fvJHyesSsoXvieIXjNLfeRXi8dYsl0juI2X0jsK1HUv9q85UC_5RTjP1vkUH0/s1600/DSCN0550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bZsLmt2nZgezOAGxL2oXMoLyv11YvLlb6ayLQAZPzxoBW7w2-DoALtqO_HlR7jhEjATqQp4486SsK_fvJHyesSsoXvieIXjNLfeRXi8dYsl0juI2X0jsK1HUv9q85UC_5RTjP1vkUH0/s1600/DSCN0550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bZsLmt2nZgezOAGxL2oXMoLyv11YvLlb6ayLQAZPzxoBW7w2-DoALtqO_HlR7jhEjATqQp4486SsK_fvJHyesSsoXvieIXjNLfeRXi8dYsl0juI2X0jsK1HUv9q85UC_5RTjP1vkUH0/s320/DSCN0550.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I haven’t posted in some time so it’s time to catch up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There has not been a lack of activity, quite the contrary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have just been busy with family, work, church, flying, and life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My wife will tell you that flying is my life but then that is nothing new really.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it wasn’t a full-scale Cessna 172 it was radio control and flight simming with Delta Virtual Airlines so I must concede to the wiser of our partnership and agree with her… flying is my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I still love you honey and I’d rather be with you on a warm sandy beach than flying any day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We could fly to that beach!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah… that’s the ticket!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Since my first solo flight I have enjoyed another 15 hours in N9478E.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have flown mostly in the local area between Provo and Spanish Fork airports and even got brave and ventured out a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On November 22<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup> I passed my FAA written Private Pilots knowledge exam (93% wooo hooo!) and then celebrated with an excursion from Provo Airport, across Utah Lake, around Saratoga Springs and return.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lonnie came out and waved while I circled the house twice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was my first time away from the confines and comforts of an airport environment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Recently, I have enjoyed flying cross country (what pilots call a flight of longer than the local distance between airports) flights of distances of up to 500 miles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On December 10<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>, a day that will not live in infamy, CFI Bob, my father and I flew from Provo to Delta, Milford, St. George and then landed at Bryce Canyon Airport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ruby’s Inn Café at Bryce Canyon sent a car out (at our request) and picked us up for a fantastic lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cannot describe the view and the beauty of Zion National Park as we flew over en route from St. George to Bryce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>FANTASTIC!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was the first time in a long time that my father has been flying and we had a great time together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">After lunch we filed our flight plan and took to the skies again, flying from Bryce to Richfield where we bought fuel at $4.39 a gallon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a big deal as aviation fuel can be as high as $7 a gallon at select special places.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most pilots I know choose to not purchase fuel at those select special places if it can be helped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>St. George… are you listening???<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We don’t like your $6 a gallon fuel!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I met a mechanic (Mavin Jones) at Richfield Airport who I think I will use going forward when I can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He spent some time with us and repaired a heater duct which was causing us some issues and did fast fantastic work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have already scheduled with him to do some work that latter part of January while Lonnie and I take a little vacation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The flight from Richfield to Provo was great with no issues and the weather was perfect over the entire route.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All in all, it was an awesome day and another 5 hours in the logbook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m now ready for a solo cross country flight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Jump to now… I was ready and I did it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yesterday, December 23<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(had this planned for December 20<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> but mother nature decided to show us who is boss with some poor weather), I flew my first solo cross country flight from Provo to St. George and return.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I landed in St. George and had lunch with my son Taylor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks for the great company Taylor!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was good to see you and catch up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Taylor is studying Pre-Med at Southern Utah University, in Cedar City.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Flying 450 miles alone with no one else to tell you what to do is at first a bit unsettling but I have confidence in my aircraft and the training that CFI Bob has provided.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bob by the way has been a great teacher and mentor in this entire adventure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love flying with him and hope to get to fly in his new Mooney very soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More on that later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a fantastic flight with a nice tailwind of 41 knots on the way down and a slow return with a 41 knot headwind on the way back. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bob was flying with another student at Provo when I returned and was unbeknownst to me right behind me in the traffic pattern when I returned to land.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I didn’t know better, I’d say he was keeping an eye on me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re always there with me anyway Bob.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can always hear your voice in different critical phases of the flight; don’t forget that carb heat, maintain traffic pattern altitude and fly the airplane all the way to the hangar and shutdown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I now have 22.1 hours and I’m well on my way to the 40 hour requirement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll take my check ride when I’m ready and qualified and not just at some magical 40 hour mark but it sure does feel like we are getting there now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Merry Christmas!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m loving this adventure and I’m thankful for the life that God has given me and for the great gift of the birth of Jesus Christ, my King and Savior. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Alan Cluffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05351343987071248131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7304875550895515731.post-24406090195931704982011-10-13T23:41:00.000-07:002020-02-13T15:18:50.533-08:00How low can you go... SOLO!<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">October might have been a depressing month with summer definitely behind us and hints of cold weather and post-Kauai (we just got back from two weeks on our favorite island) withdrawals making me gloomy, but it ended up being a life-changing month for me. From this time forward, I will always remember Oct 12th, a day that I have thought about and even dreamed about since my childhood. My flying experienced today changed my life. CFI Bob got tired of sitting next to me (hmmm… did I forget to shower?) and during a training flight, he told me to land and pull off on the taxiway. He then got out and said be off with you! OK, it wasn’t quite that dramatic but he did get out and I did suffer some separation anxiety as Bob pushed me forward and determined it was time to fly alone... to solo.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is impossible to explain to the non-flying person what it is like to cut those apron strings and take the airplane up by yourself. I can’t actually believe I did it but I did and it was fantastic. I feel a great sense of accomplishment recognizing however that this is just the beginning and that there is yet much to learn. It is important that I not become overconfident but I think I should feel good about this momentous event. Bob has been a fantastic teacher and I owe him a lot for getting me to this point.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My first solo flight, which consisted of three landings (two touch and goes and one full stop) was done at Spanish Fork, Utah airport and the second solo flight at Provo airport. This was necessary so that I could include in my solo endorsement in my logbook, the specific permissions to operate into and out of both airports. The second flight was done on Oct 13th by the way. Both days were beautiful and perfect for flying.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have posted links to some flight video so please take a look at maybe you can get an idea of how much fun I am having. I have wanted to do this for so long… it is absolutely fantastic! Thanks, Dad for instilling in me this crazy bug for flying and for being there to watch the Provo portion of my solo. I feel I was made to do this and you have been a huge influence in my life and this adventure.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The training continues and cross country flight is next. I really look forward to stretching my flying legs a bit and visiting some more airports out there. N9478E is performing beautifully and has not let me down.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bdcBI7knn8">More Oct 11th pre solo video</a></span>Alan Cluffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05351343987071248131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7304875550895515731.post-67621278391391903952011-10-11T17:01:00.000-07:002020-02-13T15:19:39.014-08:00Progress; both flying and my hangar pass!<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I haven't posted for over three weeks now. My beautiful wife took me to Kauai for my birthday the last two weeks in September and it was stormy here most of last week so... no flying for a few weeks. All is not lost, however... I finally got word from Provo city that my hangar access pass is ready and last week I paid them a visit. I now have gate access to the hangar area. This makes life much more enjoyable and simplifies the task of getting me and my flight bag/junk to my hangar. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">I have installed several HD video cameras in my plane so that I can see what is causing that hysterical laughter on the tower frequency when I land. I guess they are seeing my attempts to fly and land from a very entertaining viewpoint that I was just not seeing. My first attempt at taking video was somewhat of a disaster but it seems to have paid dividends. If you visit my youtube channel you'll see that I had the camera orientation all wrong and got no audio. This goofy but valuable video from Sept 15th helped me see however what I was doing wrong on my landings and has improved my landing performance. I'm sure the guys in the Provo tower will be depressed that their prime source of entertainment has been (for now anyway) take away. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Huge kudos to CFI Bob for both sticking with me and for coaching me to better my performance in all aspects of flight so far and specifically the progress made with my landings. Made 7 good landings today.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Link to today's flight video <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gB8q68QIR4">Oct 11 Landing Practice</a></span>Alan Cluffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05351343987071248131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7304875550895515731.post-53491644307861862011-09-15T14:24:00.000-07:002011-09-15T14:34:34.001-07:00Mornings Were Made for Flying!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was another fine morning for flying as CFI Bob and I took to the skies around Provo and Spanish Fork once again to practice that all too critical phase of the flight called the landing. It is beyond me how these instructors remain so calm while student pilots put them in situations that put their lives at risk but they do… Bob sure does. Bob is an extraordinary CFI and I trust him explicitly. He has given me freedom where needed and has allowed me to learn by making and realizing my mistakes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We flew the pattern at Spanish Fork most of the morning doing more touch and goes for a total of 6 landings. The time we spend flying in the mornings is short because of the later sunrise and my need to get back to work before things heat up and meetings start. These mornings have become something I really look forward to and even though there is added pressure to learn and improve, I’m really enjoying the experience.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Provo Tower was asleep when I contacted them this morning on the way back from Spanish Fork. Spanish Fork is out of the class D airspace so I couldn’t enter that magic 5 mile ring and join the pattern for landing until ATC woke up and granted me permission. The G500 (I really love this new gear) allowed me to know exactly where the D airspace started and I circled until Provo got out from his potty break.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We took video of the flight this morning but I misconfigured the camera and it was rotated 90 degrees to the right making it a bit hard to watch. Need to spend some more time with these cameras and get some good footage of my comical landings. They are actually improving but I’d like to be able to show those of you who follow my blog just how fun this all is. We’ll get it all together soon!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No flying for a few weeks… Lonnie and I are off to Kauai for two weeks. This may be about the only other thing that holds a candle to flying; time with my gorgeous wife on my favorite island. Aloha!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>Alan Cluffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05351343987071248131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7304875550895515731.post-85434661945136314122011-09-14T10:51:00.000-07:002011-09-14T11:32:29.669-07:00A Fine Morning for Flying!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">CFI Bob and I took to the skies again this morning and a fine morning it was. First... a little rant about some stuff that has just really frustrated me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My dad (love you Dad!) has been gracious enough to help with two issues that have been a thorn in my side since basing my plane at Provo (KPVU); access to the gated hangar area and opening the doors of the hangar I'm renting. Dad met me at the hangar access gate at 0630 this morning because I still do not have an access badge. I took possession of N9478E on 31 June and still do not have an access badge. It took me a few weeks to get the paper work back to the airport office but one would think they'd have it done by now. Security, rightfully so, needed to be upgraded because of the Frontier Airlines presence with a daily flight from Provo to Denver and the process to get an access badge became more complex. After waiting three weeks after my original submission it was decided my paperwork had been lost. Numerous calls to the Airport Manager's office resulted in negative contact and still no access badge. Dad even paid numerous visits to the airport manager's office to try and straighten this all out but it has just gone so painfully slow with no returned calls and no action. This, combined with the fact that the left door of the hangar I'm renting is impossible for one person to open and close has injected a high level of frustration in the whole experience. I'm on the list to get a different hanger when one becomes available.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>PROGRESS! </strong>I just now called the Airport Manager and he today states that my paperwork is ready and will be at Provo City where I can pay my $15 dollars, get a photo and get my badge. I'll have faith that this is indeed true but will not report success until I have badge in hand. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Enough of the frustration and bureaucracy of the airport... it was a great morning for flying! CFI Bob decided (at risk to his life) that I needed more pattern and landing work. He's right of course as landings are to date my weakest skill. Just in case you are reading this and not totally familiar with flying, landings are pretty dang important.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">We took off from PVU at about 0715 and flew direct Spanish Fork Airport which is only about 6 or 7 miles to the Southeast of PVU. It was much cooler this morning than previous summer flights and climb out performance was awesome! This 180 hp engine does very well even when it's warm and density altitudes are higher but in cooler air it climbs like a home sick angel.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">We flew to Spanish Fork and practiced touch and goes completing 5 landings before coming back to PVU. I'm getting the hang of the process but still want to start that flare way too early. There is a lot going on that I just need to build coordination and muscle memory for and it will just take practice. My landing at PVU when we returned from Spanish Fork was my best landing of the morning so there was some progress made but... still needs work.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Notes for this flight: Remember to close the window before rolling for takeoff and those cameras you bought for recording your flights don't work worth a dang if you don't turn them on. I need to relax a little more and concentrate on the task(s) at hand. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The newly updated panel continues to give me what I had hoped it would (increased situational awareness) and I love it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">All in all an awesome morning with good weather and a fine running aircraft but then again flying is just that.... AWESOME!</span>Alan Cluffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05351343987071248131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7304875550895515731.post-14447519050818990062011-09-02T08:46:00.000-07:002011-09-03T13:32:59.594-07:00Today's Flight<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bob and I took 9478E up today, the first flight since the panel upgrade. I received my newly updated airplane back from Flight-Deck Avionics Wednesday morning, August 31st but have not been able to fly until today. One word... WOW! This new panel is fantastic and well worth the wait. The work took a bit longer than originally planned (about 4 weeks) but I'm very satisfied with the end result. Situational awareness has increased considerably and I have already noticed I'm able to scan for needed information much quicker.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">We practiced slow flight, S-turns, rectangular patterns and tight turns all of which went very well. I have a very good feel for my airplane now and instructor Bob was happy. Best of all... I am home safe and sound back with my beautiful wife AND... without giving Provo Tower cause to laugh. My landing was much better this time but still not good. Must practice landings!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Below is a picture of the completed updated panel; Garmin G500 primary flight display and multi-function display (left side), GNS 430W GPS, GTX 330 Transponder with traffic, SL-40 COM Radio, GMA 340 Audio Panel and then of course analog instruments from the old panel as backups. AWESOME!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-WiVq0-9fjYKtwmRlCDcz_q2HkIJOcjt3AGOA9ek3qxud1yfBUsavUKwxt7YxfXJPUy986EvpAw-0Ei9wzC3BeXX_HE8Iqgux-6yPw4BMpiUqhhNsXL6jQeNVOMJbLeQkp_iP2fdLjMk/s1600/IMG_1418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-WiVq0-9fjYKtwmRlCDcz_q2HkIJOcjt3AGOA9ek3qxud1yfBUsavUKwxt7YxfXJPUy986EvpAw-0Ei9wzC3BeXX_HE8Iqgux-6yPw4BMpiUqhhNsXL6jQeNVOMJbLeQkp_iP2fdLjMk/s320/IMG_1418.JPG" width="320" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Alan Cluffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05351343987071248131noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7304875550895515731.post-35632475018480445102011-08-15T08:49:00.000-07:002011-08-16T11:04:35.573-07:00Why haven't I been flying???<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My flight training plans have gone a little slower than expected this summer but all for good reasons. My 172 has been in the shop since the last week of July undergoing the avionics and panel upgrade and won’t be finished until August 26th. The upgrade has gone a little longer than anticipated but knowing the work involved and the professionalism of the technicians at Flight Desk Avionics, I’m not complaining… a little frustrated at missing a lot of good flying opportunities but excited about the upgrade and added capability.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We’ve also had visits from some very good Danish friends this summer and had an awesome time showing them a small piece of our little US of A. Søren, Mette, Ramus, Kurt and Casper, it was great to see you all again and we look forward to future visits. Vi ses!</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have three hours scheduled with my instructor Bob on August 27th (N9478E should be back at PVU on August 26th) to shake out the newly upgraded panel and find our way around all the new avionics; Garmin PFD, MFD, GPS, TIS, COM and… maybe even a cockpit camera! Hopefully I’ll have some video to show of the next flight.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7eIzV62e0kWiGzTBS9uCj6mvea6nrSTvtwA7m8stHW4EsBfCU-Ko0sj813KHfkmwYXdDtTmIWhVS8NqTHqXK887BIcbuBEO7owDL_xdAsH7MQ7fRnYTU7GfZ-7vVHEFYgZETaz1A_mQ/s1600/IMG_0779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7eIzV62e0kWiGzTBS9uCj6mvea6nrSTvtwA7m8stHW4EsBfCU-Ko0sj813KHfkmwYXdDtTmIWhVS8NqTHqXK887BIcbuBEO7owDL_xdAsH7MQ7fRnYTU7GfZ-7vVHEFYgZETaz1A_mQ/s320/IMG_0779.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt1fSirpizLLF-tXlCPemOiGhYT4Z_yHHfgm7G0aah69VKXpofSyT33ydntX0KuAYO_wmr0_UmXopYIce56WO-thxa7fyGmH7FEcX4otDKnhDcEjl1VZci3gmk_By9i9etU0e7s_cVdhQ/s1600/IMG_1154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt1fSirpizLLF-tXlCPemOiGhYT4Z_yHHfgm7G0aah69VKXpofSyT33ydntX0KuAYO_wmr0_UmXopYIce56WO-thxa7fyGmH7FEcX4otDKnhDcEjl1VZci3gmk_By9i9etU0e7s_cVdhQ/s320/IMG_1154.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTOqiNoFdYAL04x1fD1BbFIh-LlAd0F0lG1TFCE5ykupL27e-AmsUI9VXeo09hxch3QDsvITs4l84_0R-3ErViFk7AsDbaXMgxftDf6y3j_bg1yBdc4waainRAxJD1kY_SFEkF7F41JFk/s1600/IMG_1407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTOqiNoFdYAL04x1fD1BbFIh-LlAd0F0lG1TFCE5ykupL27e-AmsUI9VXeo09hxch3QDsvITs4l84_0R-3ErViFk7AsDbaXMgxftDf6y3j_bg1yBdc4waainRAxJD1kY_SFEkF7F41JFk/s320/IMG_1407.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>Alan Cluffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05351343987071248131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7304875550895515731.post-42548240339092799072011-08-02T16:25:00.000-07:002011-08-20T09:01:05.518-07:00We don't need no stinkin' new airplane!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">During my search for an airplane to purchase, it became very clear to me that a newer airplane far exceeded my budget. My attraction to newer airplanes revolves around the advanced technology incorporated into the instrumentation and avionics. Today's aircraft utilize modern digital LCD flat panels and present information in an easy (read quick) to absorb format resulting in an increase in situational awareness. It takes less time to scan and assimilate data that is presented in a digital and very visual format as opposed to scanning the "6 pack" of "steam gauges" which have in years past faithfully presented; attitude, airspeed, altitude, vertical speed and bank rate analog data. <strong>And</strong>... this new technology just looks plain (pun intended) cool not to mention you can incorporate high tech GPS, charting, weather and moving map displays into the panel!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Solution: There was only one thing to do... buy a reliable older aircraft of proven airworthiness and upgrade the panel to new technology. N9478E is now in the hands of <em>Flight Deck Avionics</em> at SLC undergoing a panel face lift. I visited my new friends at FDA today and spent time designing the layout of the new panel as well as making cosmetic decisions such as color and circuit break/switch placement. I'm really pumped about this upgrade as it will put this 1979 airframe and engine on par with a 2011 model. Can't wait to fly her when finished!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Panel before upgrade...</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn113/spionen007/N9478E/Panel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn113/spionen007/N9478E/Panel.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Panel during upgrade...</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn113/spionen007/N9478E/panela.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn113/spionen007/N9478E/panela.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISczwmCDF7jjS81jKwrNHjCjOiLrwFAuVyP_EGrwC2SB7IFqUkUoYgFeVt367riVELFja0W8gMrx8nQlPkdnQieRoHV1d2zT1mi_rv6Nnbm-WUvqVgO4Fn4OUF4EFo0BamZbaYaCB-mc/s1600/DSC02289.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISczwmCDF7jjS81jKwrNHjCjOiLrwFAuVyP_EGrwC2SB7IFqUkUoYgFeVt367riVELFja0W8gMrx8nQlPkdnQieRoHV1d2zT1mi_rv6Nnbm-WUvqVgO4Fn4OUF4EFo0BamZbaYaCB-mc/s320/DSC02289.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPYwBohBPeWvQI1lOT-heAuQjCC_d-JiEHqbOzy74fVDfdENEiHUGfvuGAkpfE8yje0g8Nma8NFShrRTA9q6vyqQ5yT5ryGynHUm4zPCxZEYGhlI4GIbaZDSU1cGETz9ZOWslSG1IgPEY/s1600/Panel+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPYwBohBPeWvQI1lOT-heAuQjCC_d-JiEHqbOzy74fVDfdENEiHUGfvuGAkpfE8yje0g8Nma8NFShrRTA9q6vyqQ5yT5ryGynHUm4zPCxZEYGhlI4GIbaZDSU1cGETz9ZOWslSG1IgPEY/s320/Panel+4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Alan Cluffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05351343987071248131noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7304875550895515731.post-11602727631307806562011-07-14T21:00:00.000-07:002011-08-20T09:04:25.796-07:00Flight Training - Second Lesson<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bob and I took to the skies again Saturday, July 9th in the afternoon. We were concerned that the thunder storms would develop again as they have done most of the week but we were blessed with some beautiful weather for the hour flight. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I had the aircraft all pre-flighted before Bob arrived and we taxied out to rwy 13 for a south departure to practice area D. From today on I work the radios. This turned out to be a non stressful task as I've had some experience flying VATSIM (<a href="http://www.vatsim.net/">http://www.vatsim.net/</a>) with Delta Virtual Airlines and knew the jargon and what was expected. Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flying uses a little different communication phrases and the Cessna 172 is a lot different than the turbojet aircraft I'm used to in a simulator but communications are communications and it has been good practice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">We practiced ascending and descending turns as well as controlling airspeed with pitch and altitude with power. This is not immediately intuitive and takes some getting used to but I think I'll be fine. Again the aircraft performed well (except for my COMs... a lot of static at high RPM) and there were no problems or concerns. I'm having Flight-Deck Avionics do some panel modernization work and I'll have them look at the radios when they pull the panel out next week.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">My landing today... not good. I flared far to high and the landing turned into a mess even though it was salvaged a bit down the runway. I'm sure the controller in the tower got a good laugh out of that one. I need to learn to not be too eager to flare that soon, a habit I'm sure I picked up from landings in large turbojet aircraft (simulated of course).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">All in all it was a great afternoon. They say you gain back those minutes you spend piloting an aircraft... I plan to cash in and live forever.</span>Alan Cluffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05351343987071248131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7304875550895515731.post-82508628868123747802011-07-01T13:16:00.000-07:002011-08-02T17:00:36.573-07:00First Flight Instruction<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, I've been preparing to do it for over 30 years and today I received my first official flight instruction with my instructor. I don't know that my instructor would want his name plastered all over my blog so I'll just use his first name... Bob. Bob is a man of patience and I can tell I'm going to enjoy training with him. He spent 1.5 hours with me starting at 0630 this morning and it was fantastic. We went over preflight and then spent an hour practicing basic flight maneuvers. It was not a perfect landing but I'm proud to say I at least landed the airplane today as well. Bob is also either a very trusting guy or totally insane for letting me land.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This day was made even more exciting by the fact that I just yesterday took delivery of my own Cessna 172N, a 1979 vintage Skyhawk with a 180 HP conversion. Fantastic airplane located with the help of Hanger Aviation out of Charleston, SC. Cole, Clark and Kris at Hanger Aviation have been awesome and with their help I'm now the proud owner of N9478E. She runs well and flies great. Needless to say, I'm pretty happy with the situation. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn113/spionen007/N9478E/N9478Eright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn113/spionen007/N9478E/N9478Eright.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div>Alan Cluffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05351343987071248131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7304875550895515731.post-11282931087330480772011-06-17T18:57:00.000-07:002011-08-02T16:58:28.813-07:00My quest to fly...<span style="font-family: arial;">I have since a boy, been interested (maybe obcessed is the correct word) in aviation and have explored that interest in many ways over the years. I am a huge Radio Control aircraft enthusiast and have a hanger full of great flying aircarft. I have logged many hours flying with my father as a youth, hours full of adventure and memories.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;">Over the past 4 years I have enjoyed flight simulation and have been deeply involved in the greatest virtual airline out there, Delta Virtual Airlines. This airline is not associated with the real world Delta Airlines but it does replicate a commercial operation with pilots of all skill levels, type ratings and experience flying global routes in a virtual simulation environment. If you are interested in flight simulation and would like to belong to a great community give Delta Virtual a try. </span><a href="http://www.deltava.org/"><span style="font-family: arial;">www.deltava.org</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial;">My love for flying has come to somewhat of a head this year. I have finally decided to put my head into the books and get my Private Pilot's certificate with the goal of owning and flying my own single engine private aircraft. I hope to dedicate a major portion of this blog to this endeavor and adventure and hope those interested might gain some insight into what this process entails and how it affects my life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;">I'll post photos and possibly some video and try to capture in words, my experiences; good and not so good, funny and scary but hopefully in the end... successful. From all I can see, this is not going to be a simple slam dunk for me. There is a lot involved and it will require a lot of time and effort but something tells me it will be worth it. I hope you enjoy the ride along with me as I attempt to "slip the surly bonds of earth". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Thank you my dear Lonnie for allowing me to realize my dream as I "put out my hand and touch the face of God."</span>Alan Cluffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05351343987071248131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7304875550895515731.post-47238703289122302132011-06-17T18:56:00.000-07:002011-06-17T18:56:00.324-07:00Alan Cluffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05351343987071248131noreply@blogger.com0