04 Dec 2025, 21:45 [ UTC - 5; DST ]
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Post subject: Re: Hello From Calvin [Thread Split]  Posted: 22 Aug 2013, 15:39 |
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Joined: 07/18/10
Posts: 3218
Post Likes: +1440
Company: Jeppesen
Location: Denver, CO (KLMO)
Aircraft: 1956 Bonanza G35
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Captain Pitts, your flight log on Wingnet has me transfixed. I'm loving the story. A 15.5 hour leg, it's hard to imagine in a single. http://www.wingnet.org/rtw/RTW007DD.HTM "Some 15 1/2 hours after takeoff, it was daylight, and we saw that beautiful sight of a strip of land in the distance. We had run our ferry tanks dry, were on the wing tanks, and they were showing that we would have less than 1 hour of fuel when we landed. But at least we were in sight of land. Then the skyline of SFO began to materialize. I corrected a little more to the south. We were H-O-M-E . . . well, almost." I live in Longmont, Co and teach flying on the weekends out of the airport there. (KLMO now, used to be 2V2) Lots of time spent in Boulder, sounds like you were on the front range at one time too? (Please count as a buyer of "Ride The High Cloud".) -Mark
_________________
ATP, CFII, Bonanza Instructor
ABS Life Member
Last edited on 22 Aug 2013, 15:59, edited 1 time in total.
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Post subject: Re: Hello From Calvin [Thread Split] Posted: 22 Aug 2013, 15:57 |
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Joined: 08/20/13
Posts: 37
Post Likes: +3
Aircraft: BE36-TC
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Username Protected wrote: Captain Pitts, your flight log on Wingnet has me transfixed. I'm loving the story. A 15.5 hour leg, it's hard to imagine in a single. http://www.wingnet.org/rtw/RTW007DD.HTM "Some 15 1/2 hours after takeoff, it was daylight, and we saw that beautiful sight of a strip of land in the distance. We had run our ferry tanks dry, were on the wing tanks, and they were showing that we would have less than 1 hour of fuel when we landed. But at least we were in sight of land. Then the skyline of SFO began to materialize. I corrected a little more to the south. We were H-O-M-E . . . well, almost." I live in Longmont, Co and teach flying on the weekends out of the airport there. (KLMO now, used to be 2V2) Lots of time spent in Boulder, sounds like you were on the front range at one time too? -Mark Hey Mark, Colorado front range is beautiful. Used to do lots of soaring there from a small operation near the lake. I also did some towing from there. But I lived about 15 miles up into the mountains, Nederland. Beautiful country, but lots and lots of drugs. That was the only downside. I've been in Longmont often. Thanks for printing that quote. I see an error which I missed when editing. The 15 should read 16 1/2 hours. After that leg from Tarawa to Hawaii, when I landed and tried to get out of the plane, I couldn't stretch my legs. Because of the rudder pedals, I was unable to straighten either leg during that time. To have your legs bent for that long was a different kind of pain. The only way I could exit the cockpit was to roll out onto the wing on my back, and slowly unbend the knees. In preparation for Wiley's RTW flights, he used to practice sitting immobile for hours at a time. He knew he had to conquer that feature. From that idea, I used to practice sitting in a soft chair with liquid and snacks nearby. The longest I could go without moving was 10 1/2 hours. By then, I was nearly stir-crazy, because sitting still is punishment for me. Turning that into 16 + hours was not as hard, because my mind was constantly occupied with something other than boring TV. Thanks for a great posting.
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Post subject: Re: Hello From Calvin [Thread Split] Posted: 22 Aug 2013, 16:36 |
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Joined: 08/07/08
Posts: 1300
Post Likes: +91
Company: Retired Northrup/ Grumman/OCSD
Location: Granbury, TX (0TX1)
Aircraft: 1979 Bonanza A36
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Username Protected wrote: Welcome Calvin, I am wondering if you might happen to be a WorldRounder. They were o group that made many round the world flight. Back in the early eighties myself and Dan Webb both had Porta-Port hangars next to the Planes of fame ,museum at Chino KCNO.
Dan had a 75 model A36 with large tip tanks modified from military drops. IIRC they ere about fifty or sixty gallons each. In 1982 he made his first trip with the WorldRounders.
In 1983-84 we were both original buyer's into the first Eagles Nest Hangar complex at Chino just north of the tower and across the entry street from Planes of Fame.
Dan went on o fly the WorldRounder event for a total of four times. I believe the last was in 1996. Not sure if he is still around as I left Chino in 2003.
Welcome again, where are you based?
Thanks Don for interesting information.
No, I am not familiar with WorldRounders. Sounds like a good group.
I used to fly into Chino often when I lived in LA and flew out of SMO.
I've been in the Museum often. Great stuff.
Four times around the world? He must have a constitution of steel, and lots of $$$.
Thanks for your warm welcome. I'm going to enjoy this Forum.
BTW, you asked where I am based. Without a plane now, I call Georgetown KY my home base, only because that is where I did my first solo in a J3-Cub.
But I'm plane-poor now. I've been blessed to be able to do a lot of different things, but I've accepted the financial reality of retirement.
Captain Pitts, it appears that your A36 had the Beryl D'Shannon 15 gal tip tanks with winglets incorporated. Were the winglets wet and if so how did you get fuel up into them. I understand your feeling about the reality of retirement, at 75 myself I wonder if I will outlive my worth with my present life style?? We can't possibly predict what will come down from the enemy in Washington. Keep writing, it enjoyable to read about other's and their experiences in life. Regards, Don
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Post subject: Re: Hello From Calvin [Thread Split] Posted: 23 Aug 2013, 09:31 |
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Joined: 12/09/10
Posts: 3634
Post Likes: +865
Location: KPAN
Aircraft: PA12
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Username Protected wrote: Wow great write up! And great to have you here Calvin. We love hearing stories like this and pictures too. Would love to hear about all 30 modifications you did to the A36TC for the trip. And what ever it takes I hope you can make it to Max's fly-in in October. Max and Bobbi are some of the best we have around here.
_________________
520 M35, 7ECA, CL65, CE550, E170/190, B737
5/19 737
5/18 E170/190
8/17 CL65
3/17 CE500
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Post subject: Re: Hello From Calvin [Thread Split] Posted: 23 Aug 2013, 11:04 |
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Joined: 08/20/13
Posts: 37
Post Likes: +3
Aircraft: BE36-TC
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Username Protected wrote: Capt Pitts, if you're based in Lexington, then we are geographically close. We will be having a Beechtalk get together October 26 in Knoxville (Courtesy of Max Grogan). Good food, good times, and all Beech nuts! It would be my honor to pick you up (if you don't mind traveling in a 1954 Vintage) to attend!  Capt Pitts - Just in case you missed it... 
Chris,
I responded to this the other day, but it does not show up on the thread. Don't know where it is buried.
I think I can make Oct 26 work. I have to be in Claremore OK on Oct 31 for the Grand Opening of THE FINAL JOURNEY, a special museum exhibit detailing the final days of Wiley and Will.
I had a pontoon CAP from the actual wreckage of 1935, and decided to give it to the museum. Also, with me on that trip with be Col. David Greist, now 94, who was a 17-yr-old teen-ager in Barrow in 1935. His father was the resident missionary doctor who repaired the bodies of Wiley & Will for transport back to the lower 48. It is a very special event, but I think it and Oct 26 can be compatible with my schedule.
Re: 1954 truck. As I said in my earlier posting, too modern. I only ride and fly in antiques. (Just kidding).
Several of my responses to questions do not appear on this thread. Maybe I'm talking too much. See you in Oct, I hope.
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Post subject: Re: Hello From Calvin [Thread Split] Posted: 23 Aug 2013, 11:30 |
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Joined: 08/20/13
Posts: 37
Post Likes: +3
Aircraft: BE36-TC
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Username Protected wrote: Wow great write up! And great to have you here Calvin. We love hearing stories like this and pictures too. Would love to hear about all 30 modifications you did to the A36TC for the trip. And what ever it takes I hope you can make it to Max's fly-in in October. Max and Bobbi are some of the best we have around here.
Hi Matt,
Thanks for the welcome. It is turning out to be another pleasant chapter in my life. I knew there was a reason I liked Beechcraft ... since age 12.
Will respond to your question one mod at a time, for this reason - several of my other responses to questions are not showing up on this thread. And I failed to copy them because I thought they would be accessible here. Don't know what's happening.
One mod arose from the need to add fuel IN FLIGHT. I had kept track of how much oil the engine used every 5 hours. I knew that one of our longer legs would be at least 16 hours, and I would need to add at least a quart during that time. What to do?
With cardboard, I designed, cut, and taped the exact size of a reserve oil tank which would fit under the cowling. Not having much space, the shape was quite irregular, but with several cuts and pastings, I gave the mechanic the cardboard tank. He made an exact copy out of aluminum, master craftsman that he was.
We had already discussed the kind of pump and plumbing we would need internally. The cap of the regular oil tank had a fitting installed so that by flipping a switch on the instrument panel, I could pump oil into the engine during flight from the reserve tank. We did several time-tests, and I knew how many minutes it would take to pump one quart.
Two of the flight legs were over 16 hours. During both of those, and over the Atlantic, I tried it out (yes, I tested it several times in the U.S. before leaving), and it worked well.
Because that was a new venture for me, I took pride in showing that creation to several pilot friends who were puzzled about this mystery tank. It was the subject of lots of conversation. I was as pleased with that once-in-a-lifetime creation as any mod.
You're right, I probably wouldn't have needed it. But my operating philosophy for something as important as my engine was -- better not to need it but have it than ... well, that's the only point I make in being overly cautious.
Mod 1 down, and a few others to go. Regards, Cal
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Post subject: Re: Hello From Calvin [Thread Split] Posted: 23 Aug 2013, 12:41 |
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Joined: 08/20/13
Posts: 37
Post Likes: +3
Aircraft: BE36-TC
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Username Protected wrote: Very cool! That's what we like to hear.
Again thanks for the stories. Matt, I failed to edit my last posting. I said, --add FUEL in flight-- I meant to say, ---add OIL in flight. Sorry.
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Post subject: Re: Hello From Calvin [Thread Split] Posted: 23 Aug 2013, 12:43 |
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Joined: 01/06/11
Posts: 2931
Post Likes: +1675
Location: Missouri
Aircraft: C-120 RV8
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Username Protected wrote: Capt Pitts, I will PM you my contact information. I am looking forward to the honor of meeting you and sharing some time with you in the plane!  This is a great thread. Calvin, thanks for sharing your stories. at Chris.......... If Mr. Pitts does the flying, watch your departure heading. He is one of the few people we know that can depart on a heading opposite the destination, but still arrive   If he brings lots of snacks, that could be another clue you are taking the long route Robert
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Post subject: Re: Hello From Calvin [Thread Split] Posted: 23 Aug 2013, 12:51 |
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Joined: 08/20/13
Posts: 37
Post Likes: +3
Aircraft: BE36-TC
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Username Protected wrote: Capt Pitts, I will PM you my contact information. I am looking forward to the honor of meeting you and sharing some time with you in the plane! This is a great thread. Calvin, thanks for sharing your stories. at Chris.......... If Mr. Pitts does the flying, watch your departure heading. He is one of the few people we know that can depart on a heading opposite the destination, but still arrive If he brings lots of snacks, that could be another clue you are taking the long route Robert
Robert,
So now you're calling me Calvin Corrigan?
If you'll provide the money, we'll take the long way home and I'll show you some never-to-forget sites in Australia, New Guinea, Guadalcanal, and Tarawa. It will blow your mind, and you'll always want to take the long way.
Cal
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Post subject: Re: Hello From Calvin [Thread Split] Posted: 23 Aug 2013, 13:06 |
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Joined: 06/02/10
Posts: 13458
Post Likes: +2417
Company: Stratz Farms
Location: Fond du Lac, WI & Spruce Creek, FL
Aircraft: 1992 Bonanza F33A
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Username Protected wrote: at Chris.......... If Mr. Pitts does the flying, watch your departure heading. He is one of the few people we know that can depart on a heading opposite the destination, but still arrive If he brings lots of snacks, that could be another clue you are taking the long route Robert Robert, So now you're calling me Calvin Corrigan? If you'll provide the money, we'll take the long way home and I'll show you some never-to-forget sites in Australia, New Guinea, Guadalcanal, and Tarawa. It will blow your mind, and you'll always want to take the long way. Cal
That was a good one, keep it coming Calvin! 
_________________
Greg Stratz
Stratz Farms
ABS Past President
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Post subject: Re: Hello From Calvin [Thread Split] Posted: 23 Aug 2013, 16:00 |
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Joined: 01/06/11
Posts: 2931
Post Likes: +1675
Location: Missouri
Aircraft: C-120 RV8
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Username Protected wrote: Robert,
So now you're calling me Calvin Corrigan?
If you'll provide the money, we'll take the long way home and I'll show you some never-to-forget sites in Australia, New Guinea, Guadalcanal, and Tarawa. It will blow your mind, and you'll always want to take the long way.
Cal Not surprisingly, I have been thoroughly outwitted by Mr. Pitts
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