Thank you, Taz. I used the Stits Polyfiber system and it all worked-out pretty well. In the future, I might consider looking for a Cub, Taylorcraft, Luscombe, C-120 or something similar that needs a new fabric job. I really enjoy that kind of work and it seems like it is something of a lost art among aircraft mechanics. That picture was taken out at ABQ Double Eagle, BTW.
Great place to fly out there. A bunch of general aviation aircraft moved out there after Coronado Airport near I-25 closed in 2001. Coronado was only a couple of miles from my old Albuquerque house.
I was in ABQ for a few weeks recently while flying TF radar runs against Shiprock. We would come back via the north arrival and fly right over Coronado. You can still clearly see the outlines of the runways. I remember flying RC planes there circa 2002-ish (?), just after the runways were closed for good.
There were a bunch of parafoil teams who used Coronado as a take-off and practice site. We watched them from our back yard.
Don, I remember the first time I left the pattern in that plane. I held the stick with my knees while I carefully unfolded my sectional....and WHOOSH...the slipstream ripped that chart out of my hands QUICK, and I watched in disbelief as it floated down towards the ground. That was a teachable moment, and the last time I ever brought a paper chart with me in that open-cockpit airplane!
Terry, I love the desert SW, and much prefer it to the SE. I loved ABQ also, but man...it has REALLY gone downhill. I was there recently for business and I just couldn't believe how awful it has become. What a shame. I did visit my old NE Heights neighborhood (Eubank/Juan Tabo area...not far from where you lived), and it still seemed nice. But there is no way I would have my daughters grow up there. Moving back to Florida was definitely the right decision in that regard.
Nick- Affirmative, we made the decision after Jan got carjacked. We had already been burglarized. Sure miss the Mexican food, though, and access to great fly fishing in nearby states.
I was struck by the contrast between this fancy little machine and the '32 Aeronca in which I got my ride, huge hole in the floor and no side windows, 2 cyl. 32 HP Aeronca engine. A great memory.
I recognize that # I watched 3 of your videos today as I am in the market for a 22T...They were well done.
thanks pal...and you need a better hobby than to watch my crappy videos. lol. 22T is a great bird. Feel free to hit me up for any info on NA vs T.
I was in the office watching while I worked,, My son in law flies 737s for United and is a certified Cirrus trainer. He was selling it hard and it is the first time I really looked at them seriously. If it were a 6- seater I would buy one tomorrow. That being said, Cirrus appears to be the best 4 seater on the market.
two stories-- the Evans Volksplane reminded me of-- I watched a friendly acquaintance make his first flight at sunset at KRAL in his yellow VP-1 and then I departed the hangars as some fire engines came racing by-- he had a heart attack after taxiing up to his hangar and died in the seat. very sad I recall a story by a coworker when he flew back from Phoenix to Los Angeles on a hot summer day with the pilot of a Piper Cub. Same story-- he looked down and saw the traffic going faster than they were-- then it got worse, they barely stayed above the telephone poles..... nice plane.
re: Corsairs I told you guys the story about the USS Phillipines Sea carrier heading back to Hawaii from Korea at best speed. (or what term is used, that's my movie lingo) "they were told to tie down the old planes most of them FU-4 Corsairs with full fuel and run them at redline for more propulsion. afterwards, as they ran out they were told to push them over and not discuss it with anyone. By the time they reached their destination no prop planes were left; only the newly in service Jets. " (the story can by verified--he is having his 90th birthday next month) story #2-- a longtime friend owns the Corsair on display on the USS Midway in San Diego.
