Aug 04, 2022     AirVenture 2022       Category: Research

I attended AirVenture 2022. My first trip to OSH and it was all that I had hoped for. I flew to ORD then rented a car and drove to OSH. I was able to stay at a private home which was very close to the AirVenture Venue. Tom Massey was kind enough to bring up a small camping chair and umbrella for me to use at the airshow. My first day was on Sunday, before the show and I was able to see the EAA Museum at a leisurely pace. Monday I had a mission. I had a shopping list and wanted to get right on it. My first stop was Van's tent to see if I could make a deposit on my engine and prop any maybe get some kind of discount if not discounted shipping. Sorry to say no luck with this. They said to just order it on their website. I did get to see the RV-15 prototype and meet some YouTube folks, Christine The Plane Lady and her husband Tyler, as well as Jason Ellis. Next stop was Matco. I was able to order their RV-10 Wheel and Brake package. At least Matco gave me free shipping. Then I found Aveo Engineering and spoke to Damian. Here I was able to order my ZipTips. Other stops were to Evoke where I met Jonathan, Lycoming to talk to them about engine options, E-Mags where I learned that they may become a Lycoming option soon, Sporty's to check out hand held radio and Stein where I got $1000 T-shirt from Stein himself !! I also stopped by the ASA booth as I worked for ASA back in 1978. It was nice to see their success over the years. The night airshow was the pinnacle of the event. Over all it was a very successful trip and I look forward to doing it again. The good news is that when I got home, I ordered and made a deposit on my Engine and Propeller.

  Jan 19, 2019     Practice       Category: Research

Went to Lowes and picked up some small aluminum sheets to bang some rivets on. I started with the Van's Tool Box Kit which was really fun. Also put together the Van's practice wing kit and tool box kit. Highly recommend these kits.

  Oct 04, 2018     Research Trip to Van's Aircraft       Category: Research

My wife and I took a short vacation to Oregon. After landing at PDX, we drove out to Astoria and stayed the night at the Cannery Pier Hotel. Should have stayed longer. Then we drove down to McMinnville. We visited Van's Aircraft in Aurora, OR. Did a factory tour and a Demo Flight in an RV-14 with Sterling. I started out wanting an RV-14 but decision was finally the RV-10. Wife really wanted 4 seats, more shade and the easier entry with the solid top and clamshell doors. She wasn't a fan of the tip-up bubble canopy and stepping on the seat to get in and out of the cockpit. After the Demo flight we stopped by Wine Country in the Willamette Valley, and took advantage of the wonderful early fall weather. Our last day was a tour of the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum including a tour of the Spruce Goose. Highly recommended trip for anyone contemplating a Van's Aircraft build.