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I just completed the ferry flight of my SF28A motorglider to its new owner, from Oregon to Georgia. It took more than a week, but it was fun. I have posted the trip report with pictures on my web site www.caro-engineering.com under "News". [Editor's Note: Report is also attached here for easy reference, but everyone should check-out Sonja's website when they get a chance. For those that haven't been following she has designed and built her own motorglider the Caro 1 MG and she is posting flight test results.] Sonja's 2016 Trek OR to GA.pdf1 point
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For those that have researched air park living, the most common price break is the fixer for $300K and it goes up from there. In my research over the last 6 years while I was caring for my dad, I found a number of air parks that are in the price range of the average Joe. Last week I drove to 7 Bays, Washington to look at a couple of homes, and made an offer on one. The Realtor hadn't mentioned the seller took out a 2nd on the property and wanted more than market. He has a renter and has positive cash flow, so he refused my offer. In the long run this was a good thing, but that was a long drive to come up empty. 7 Bays is right on Lake Roosevelt with its 650 miles of shore line. Below are some pictures of the place I put an offer on and the area. I just got back from a even longer drive in the opposite direction to Columbus, New Mexico. For the aviation history buffs, this was the 1st Aero Squadron for the US back in 1916. Within one section of land about 3 miles north of Columbus, there are 3 air parks. Hacienda Sur Luna Air Park has a paved and lighted 4800' runway, no HOA fees, and is considered the "high end" of the 3 air parks. All lots are either 2.5 acres or 5 acres, and the last pre-owned home and hangar sold last month for $70K. There is another home and hangar listed at $138K, but with that recent $70K sell, $138K is a stretch. Here is a video of the owner of the $70K home going for a short hop. The next air park is Windsock Estates and my friend Dick lives there and put me up for the two nights I was there. His is the nicest in this air park and his hangar is 80' X 60' and on 5 acres. He would consider selling at $200K. A few pictures of Dick's home. The final air park is 1st Aero Squadron Airpark and has the "cheap seats". The last two air parks have dirt/compacted gravel 5200' runways, both in great shape and maintained for free. Also no HOA fees. Dick's first place was here and it has changed hands twice over the years. The current owner doesn't get down much any more but never placed it on the market. Dick asked if he might want to sell it without even listing it and he replied "yes". All Jim wanted was what he bought it for years ago and said $45K~$50K. I split the difference and offered $47,500, and it was accepted, so now I have a home/hangar on 2.5 acres that is rather modest but will serve me just fine. The hangar is 60' X 40' with the home in the back plus a 2nd bedroom as a add on room outside the hangar's foot print. Only 725 square feet of living space, but it is only me. I've met a number of my neighbors, what a great earthy group. Summers aren't as hot as the location would indicate because it is on the southern section of the Continental Divide so elevation is 4200'. Mexico with all the cheap dentists, pharmacies, and optometrists are 6 miles south of the air parks. My new home/hangar I guess the purpose of this long post is for the folks that would like to retire at an air park and be able to do it on the cheap. I met Mary, Steve, Ron, and Dick, the common denominator is to fly on a tight budget. Flying takes 1st seat, ego, social status and keeping up with the Jones's doesn't even get a seat, my kind of folks.1 point
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5 Tips for Storing Your Plane for the Winter Reprinted from an AOPA Advertisement for AOPA Member Insurance Winter is in full swing, but there’s still time to prepare your aircraft for winter storage to ensure that it’s ready to go when spring flying season starts. Your best guidance comes from your A&P, but here are some tasks to consider with the goal of keeping corrosion and other damage to a minimum. Change the oil. It may seem counter-intuitive to change the oil now rather than starting with new oil come spring, but remember that the oil in your engine is old and contains dirt and contaminants that can cause rust and corrosion. Not only should you change the oil, but you should replace it with a preservative oil mixture. Then take a quick flight with your new oil to make sure the oil is distributed throughout your engine. Prepare your sparkplugs. Remove the sparkplugs and spray the holes with a preservative oil mixture. Then replace the original sparkplugs and they’ll be set for winter. Another item to consider is the airplane battery. It probably won’t hold the charge, at least enough of a charge, to start in the spring after sitting for a few months. Bringing the battery home and storing it out of a super-cold location is good. Or a trickle charger can be used every few weeks while it’s in the airplane to maintain the charge and enhance battery life. Guard against critters. Mice and other animals will seek refuge from the cold both in your hangar and in your airplane. Of course, no food of any kind that could provide enticement for pests should be left in your hangar or in your airplane. Plug all the holes. Use pitot tube covers and static vent covers, which will keep insects and dirt out that could later form a blockage. Plugging all holes will also prevent moisture that could get into your engine and cause corrosion. Cover what you can. Your airplane’s windows, canopy, prop blades, and tail should be covered. That will reduce damage to those surfaces, and also help reduce damage to the panel and upholstery caused by exposure to the sun and moisture from rain, ice, and snow. Keep the fuel tanks full. Storing your airplane with full fuel tanks reduces the moisture that can condense in a partially full tank. If your airplane has a flexible, rubber fuel bladder, a full tank will also minimize cracking. And don’t worry about the age of fuel. Most avgas is good up to a year. These five items are what you should do. But what shouldn’t you do during the winter storage period? Here’s one thing: Don’t “ground run” your airplane. It is tempting to visit your airplane every few weeks and start it up, thinking this is good for your airplane, but this is a bad idea. Ground running your airplane is not a substitute for an actual flight, where the engine heats to a uniform appropriate temperature. In fact, the uneven heating as a result of ground running is worse for your airplane than doing nothing at all. Leave it alone. Preparing your aircraft for its winter hibernation takes time and effort that will pay off when that first perfect spring flying day comes around again. Consult your pilot’s operating handbook, maintenance manuals, and your A&P for the best winter storage solutions for your particular make and model.1 point