New Skymaster Owner

[kdiel11]

You are welcome. But I have to tell you, it wasn't all that bad being in the Army. I first joined in 79. Back then it was all about working hard and playing hard. he rest was left to the"civilians" to figure out. It was so about mission. Nowadays its more about PC and if you have the time try to get the mission don with half the resources. I know Big Brother (administrator) is reading these so I digress.
About hauling the family around. Its only my wife and I now. Daughter in S.D., CA and son in Germany ironically doing the same thing I was doing nearly 3 decades ago! I ought this without my wife's knowledge or consent. I know, I like to live dangerously! I promised her I would clear out a couple of projects in the garage fr her to keep the plane. She did not cut me off for very long when I told her that it could turn a 15 hour drive to her parents' house into a 4 hour jaunt in the plane. There is even a grass strip within 3 miles of her parents house! I wouldn't have any problems flying back out to SD/Carlsbad. And I'm just dumb enough to try a trip to Germany too. However, it sounds as if the "nutroll" to get trough the red tape is getting longer.

[hharney]

Welcome Kevin

Hope to see you at the SOAPA event this year. You will really enjoy the passion that we have for our aircraft. Details to be posted soon. I like your plane.

[kdiel11]

So is there a tentative time? place? BTW, belated congratulations on your trophy from Oshgosh (?). I have gone over all the pics you have posted to the website and you have definitely done a magnificent job restoring your aircraft.

[336skymaster]

Kidel11. Military service, family travel plans, honey due list, life of danger, all ready for next mission, etc. I plan to fly regularly to Puerto Rico, cost is about the same, real time is less, departure runway I'm working on that, arrival no problem. I have one more tour and I will retire from the military. I started in 73, was out 6 years and came back in 86, must be a old school syndrome. Ask me about transformation, I may be going out at any time just if I you don't see me around, I will report back at my return. I learned this from a old "air wolfe" pilot, Why if the big guys avoid bad wheather, we have to adveture in it, if you and your aircraft don't become one, your not flying. I've lost good friends due to IMC. BE SAFE

[kdiel11]

Not a problem about me staying away from weather. I spent years flying attack helicopters. There is no mission that requires them to fly in IMC. Inadvertant IMC yes, but not deliberately. I spent those 7 years always quoting, "its better to be down here wishing to be up there than to be up there wishing to be down here."
I also have a "scam" I am trying to run to get me a "personal MEI." I know of a retired civil service pilot that flew C-12s out of Ft. Rucker for a longtime. I'll offer him the use of my plane to get "checked" out as an MEI in it. Then will go up with him and get his 5 hours of PIC in it so he can instruct me. I may pay for it by just letting him have access to the plane anytime that I'm not using it. All I will be out is hours on the plane and gas. Hopefully, I should know more by this weekend. KD

[kdiel11]

Herb,
Where did you find a picture of 34S? I just noticed it. Trust me, it looks much better in a white with green and purple accents. I'll try and get a pic attached by tomorrow. KD

[hharney]

Originally Posted by kdiel11

Herb,
Where did you find a picture of 34S? I just noticed it. Trust me, it looks much better in a white with green and purple accents. I'll try and get a pic attached by tomorrow. KD

Google, lots and lots of Skymasters

[kdiel11]

So I need info from the FAA types about what it would take for a FAA MEI to get his certification to instruct in the 337. My thoughts would be just a check-out ride by an FAA examiner in type and then 5 hours of PIC time in the aircraft. Thoughts? KD

[Ernie Martin]

Two questions: You don't have a multi-engine license? Are you insuring the aircraft?

Ernie

[kdiel11]

No to both. I have a commercial Instrument RW license and will just transition into my aircraft. A friend of mine who runs a FAA district office said that the minimum I would need to get my CLT is at least 9 hours of instruction and 4 hours of solo. Then, on to the instrument rating.
I bought the plane outright without financing it so I did not have to insure it. I knew, given my lack of qualifications, any insurance company would eat me alive in premiums. So for the first couple of years, I will fly without insurance in order to build my time in the aircraft and then re-look the issue after about a 100 hours.
Do you see any logic in my thought process? I know its a risk, but I have a tendency to always bet on myself. Afterall, 1100 hours of flying attack helicopters and with no accidents is no accident. KD