Michigan Flyers just hanging out, washing Jerry's plane.

Jerry taking a much needed break. Oh, and is that 3 Skymasters in my yard??

The Michigan Flyers had a great time at Lucaya, and demonstrated that not only can we fly airplanes, we can also drive boats.

Here's our flight leader, Herb, demonstrating how it's done.
Notice that Herb manages to do it one handed.

Meanwhile, Jerry was showing someone how to dance. We think Jerry is trying out for Dancing with the Stars.

We also had a chance to do a little formation driving, using some local scooters. Ready for take off!!

The Michigan Flyers trip home was a little "eventful". Who would thought that you would have to make a single engine landing in Georgia. The fire trucks were ready but we didn't need them. Jerry did a fine job getting us on the ground safely and returning us home that same day. Amazing! I will let Jerry tell the details.

eventfull
 

Rear engine more than 2500 hours. Two new cylinders only 200 hours. Yep, you guessed it. No 4 cylinder with only 200 hours decided to make the trip interesting. What happened was one of the studs that hold the rocker assembly together broke and put a hold in the valve cover. Little bit of an oil bath over the elevator but all turned out pretty good. Now this is really a one in a million event. Here's why!

As we we preparing to land at Jefferson - Jackson County (19A) we were passing through 4,000 feet for straight in approach on Rway 34. Nice clear day, you know one of those days you can see for ever. Well, off the right wing was Rway 9 at Athens/Ben Epps (AHN)

Herb was sitting in the back seat, Larry copilot when Herb said what is that noise? We found out real quick when oil pressure started to drop. Knowing that 19A was a small airport without much of a maint. crew we informed Atlanta ATC that we are experiencing an engine problem and request landing any runway at AHN. Boy they were good! Got clearance and contacted AHN tower that directed me to land Rway 9. He then proceeded to clear the traffic for us. The whole thing took only about 5 to 8 minutes and we were on the ground. The fire engines started to approach us but I informed the tower it was not necessary. We taxi up to the terminal, shut the front engine off (I shut the back engine down when I was on final to 9.

We took the left cowl off and it didn't take long to see the hole in the valve cover. I then took the valve cover off (I always carry tools with me) and that's when we found the broken stud. All else seemed pretty good. I asked if there was a mechanic on duty and was told yes. I went over to meet him (Iwill post both his name and business name when I find his business card). He came over with a tow tractor and we towed the plane to his hangar. Now for the good part!

Of course he didn't have the studs, gasket and valve cover in stock...who will? but....his friend has a skymaster on the airport and he called him and got the okay to strip the needed parts off his plane. Wow...a few hours later we were winging our way back to Michigan. Total cost..$215. Now is that luck or what?

Jerry
N34EC

seems like this is almost common, happen to me a few years back. right rear last cyl.
stud pulled out (no big deal just makes a-hell of a lot of noise)

This looks interesting for the weekend.

JUNE, 23
Gaylord
Gaylord Regional Airport (GLR) 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 2nd Annual Gaylord Air Fair. B-17 and B-25 bombers from the Yankee Air Museum, P-51 and F-4U from the Indiana Air Museum, Navy F-18 and U.S. Coast Guard aircraft on display.



JUNE, 22-24
Marquette
Sawyer International Airport (SAW) Sawyer Experience Airshow.

http://www.sawyerairshow.com/

Anyone up for a flight?

see the schedule I put up on MiFlyers. I plan on KMSS (messina, NY) on sunday.

The Michigan Flyers will be at MOP (Mount Pleasant, Michigan), and GDW (Gladwin, Michigan) on Saturday. We plan to be in Gladwin about 9:15. All of you who own Skymasters please join us.

A Bit of Bad News
 

Hi Guys,
Remember early this spring I told you guys I would like to meet up with you for a photo shoot. Well I never made it and do not think it will happen this year. My wife was told she has AML Acute Myloid Luekemia. We have been staying at the Hershey Canser Hope House in Pa. so she can be treated at Hershey Medical Center. I hope we can make it next spring. Dale Campbell

Dale,
I know I speak for everyone when I tell you that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your wife.

We are all saddened by this, and please provide updates on her condition, as you see fit. I understand the Hershey Clinic is an excellent facility. If you need anything along the way, please do not hesitate to ask.

Dale Campbell
 

Thank you, Larry
I will keep you informed as soon as we finish this first week of Chemo. I have spent the last 7 days at her side in hospital from 7:00 am till 10: 30pm. Dale