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STORIES
East
Coast 2022
Oklahoma
2022
West
Coast 2022
Proceed
(a
Freestyle Motocross Memoir)
VIDS
Galveston
2019
Spring
2020
Summer
2020
Chicago
2020
Oklahoma
2021
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September 2026:
Well,
I finally did it! I got my commercial rating. After several years of
off-and-on work on this, focusing on other things and coming back to
it, I finally passed my commercial rating checkride! I'm not sure
what's next for me and my aviation goals, but possibly get my
multi-engine add on for this rating? I logged a few crosscountry
hours this past summer, and I have a lot of trips planned for this
fall so maybe when things calm down from that I'll work on
multi-engine stuff.
On
our way back from Chicago this past June, Kamera snapped this pic of
us getting around a towering cumulonimbus thunderstorm.
August 2024:
So
this year since I got the plane finished, I've logged about 150
hours (about 124 on my plane) so I've been flying a decent amount.
I've taken a few really cool trips including one to Philadelphia
International Airport last April and saw some old friends (check out
my approach below!). I've also been working on my commercial rating.
I passed the commercial written last fall and I'm currently working
on the required maneuvers and preparing for the checkride. I've been
working on the maneuver prep in a Piper Warrior, mainly because I
feel like I've been able to get more consistent instruction in those
planes as they are more common than my Mooney.
One
of the Piper Warriors I've been flying
Commercial
training days involve turns. Lots of turns.
Final
approach to the southbound runway at Philly.
Flying
into Philadelphia International and going to the Supercoss races
last April was so cool. I got to hang out a little with my motocross
friend of XGames succcess, Greg Hartman. Greg's dad and I ended up
talking about airplanes most of the day.
February
2024
update:
Got
her done! Kinda. I still have a few small things to finish up, but I
did the initial break-in a few weeks ago. Now just trying to log
15-20 hours on the engine running it at a constant 70% power (I've
got about 16 hours on the engine as of 2/6). Then we'll change the
oil, check the filter for metal, and keep flying. The cool weather
has been helpful, as I haven't had to worry as much about getting the
CHTs too hot during this process.
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Pulling
out the plane!
So
pumped.
Just
cruisin' during break-in.
So
for the initial break-in, the procedure is to take off, get into a
low-altitude cruise (so there's enough oxygen to run the engine
hard), and then sustain that for 2 hours.
My
flight path as recorded by ADS-B data. Just flew around the area and
stayed South, East, and under the Class Bravo airspace that is around MCI. |
CHANGES/UPDATES
INCLUDE:
Replaced
a bad tire
New
oil cooler / seals
Fresh
annual inspection
Fresh
pitot/static inspection
New
engine baffles (for cooling)
Fuel
tank reseal (in specific spots)
Replaced
a few missing static wicks
New
engine monitor (JPI 830 w/fuel flow)
Overhauled
McCauley propeller (with NEW prop hub)
Overhauled
Lycoming engine (w/overhauled magneto & NEW cylinders)
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January
2024 update:
So
since last summer, I've been pretty anxious to get 201SR back up in
the air. As of 1/5, it looks like it should be done sometime this
coming week, and hopefully ready for a break-in sometime around
January 10th or 11th. This can't come soon enough, because I have
plans next week to fly to San Antonio to train for my commercial
rating with Brian Lloyd, who flew
a Mooney around the world
solo a few years ago and is just a super knowledgeable, experienced,
and enjoyable pilot to be around. I hope to have my commercial rating
wrapped up sometime late this winter, and move on to my multi-engine
this spring.
As
for 201SR, we got held up last summer because my mechanic Richard
was having hip issues so that set us back a bit. Then during the
annual inspection some things came up that we weren't expecting (like
leaking fuel tanks in the wings, decaying baffles, and some rotting
hoses). Then the installation of the new engine monitor was a bit
more involved than I think we originally expected, but it's all pretty
much ready to go now. The final touches are being put on it and
I hope to break in the engine later this week.
The
new engine baffles had to be sent out to a shop to customize them
for my plane.
My
JPI 830 engine monitor installed and about ready to go!
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WAGS816
EMAIL