Jg,

Get a Cirrus. Single engine, simple like the Bravo.
However; the chute pretty much does the same emotional factor as the second engine in low IFR situations.

Tim

Jg,

Get a Cirrus. Single engine, simple like the Bravo.
However; the chute pretty much does the same emotional factor as the second engine in low IFR situations.

Tim

Rather than the expense and hassle of a "traveling airplane", I'm thinking that, when I get my strip at the ranch built, and a couple of hangars, I'd like to add a Gullwing and Stearman to my stable. I'm even thinking of adding three or four small cabins so a few BT buddies can drop by for an evening cook out.

Seems like a pretty good trade off to me.

Right now, I have 3500 feet of runway to build.

Jg

I have followed this thread with mounting interest. In recalling my (and our) young days, there was always some hero from the other side of town that had heard about my car, and was sent over by his buddies to challenge my 1964 1/2 Mustang. The gauntlet was thrown, and before long, a whole bunch of dudes got together to witness the event.
The challenging party had a fuel injected Corvette that his rich banker daddy had bought him for high school graduation. He knew nothing about mechanics or driving, or power-shifting, but certainly bragged a great deal about his car and about his chicks. I mostly kept to myself.
I had bought my ride after many summers milking cows at the farm and driving semis over the road. I had found a wrecked Stude Hawk with a Paxton blower that I adapted to the Mustang, using a modified pressure cooker donated from my mothers kitchen. I shaved and ported the heads, added Jardine headers, a Shelby cam that I bought with $70.00 obtained by donating at the blood bank, traction bars welded by me, and 4:11 gears sending the grunts to used cheater slicks. I accepted the challenge, with the condition that the hoods were to be kept closed, three runs over a quarter-mile, and $1,000.00 would be the required entry fee, forfeitable to the winner. (In other words, put your money where your mouth is). At that time I was making $250.00 a month as an orderly at the county hospital, and didn't have many bucks.
There must have been some 50 people on that bright, festive Sunday morning gathered to see the massacre of that little Confederate Grey Mustang. A gorgeous doll (his, natch) dropped the T-shirt for the first run, which was dead even. The kids went wild for the second one; now bets were flying. The T-shirt waved; I could see him spinning his tires in a mad attempt to win again. I knew I cold have him, but I again allowed an even run. For the third run, his eyeballs were popping out of his head, and he demanded a doubling of the bet. I acted nervous, but finally gave in....
Chick drops the "flag"... I hole shot him at about 6,500 turns, modulating the pressure plate, keeping the cam in the sweet spot through the gears, and left him sitting in a cloud of dust and burned rubber. He left without as much as a wave; the winning money came from his dad in a check.
So John, it would appear that it is now your turn. No more pejoratives or unfounded claims. Of course, the sporting blood exacts an "entry fee", and the proper amount should be whatever these much-vaunted winglets cost, say $25,000.00. I would gladly travel to see an event such as this, and, being a champion of the underdog, will fall in your camp and cheer you on.
This will put an end to the discussion. I am sure that you can contribute the winnings to your favorite PAC, thus minimizing the tax impact.
The above is written with the expectation that all parties have spousal agreement for the possible sacrifice of community moneys in the name of truth and righteousness, and that those in the contest have full confidence in a winning mount.
Your response is eagerly anticipated.
Best,
TN

Here's the interesting part of the story:

The whole time I was there different staff personnel kept coming in and saying "you're Forrest Ward!"

("Well yes I am, nice to meet you, too")

Turns out I'm famous (infamous) at the Richmond FSDO.

The story came out:

After my pleasant trip to Bermuda that was marred by my difficult interaction with the head guy at their equivalent of the FAA ("you have broken the law" this airplane is an embarrassment", "this isn't the United States", that was the nice stuff...) he followed through with his commitment to contact my Principal at the FSDO ("Sir, I'm Part 91, I don't have an assigned Principal at the FSDO")

He called and demanded that enforcement action be taken against me for my crime of flying to Bermuda with out of date life jackets that under US regs I was not required to have at all. He demanded that FAA put a stop to my wreckless (but completely legal) shipment of AVGAS to Bermuda. He followed his call with a letter formally requesting action be taken against me.

The FSDO realizing that this request (and telling the Head of the Bermuda CAA to pound sand) was a bit above their pay grades demurred and passed his demand, for what I can only assume was a public drawing and quartering, up to the FAA Regional Office, who did the only reasonable thing and passed it up to the National FAA Headquarters.

Where it sits on some poor admistrator's desk.

In my case, most likely, the "Group W" desk.

("You can have anything you want....")

To date:

No mail received from the FAA or the Bermuda Authorities.

On telling the story to my wife last night, she worried that the aggrieved gentleman in a position of authority might some how have me banned from the Island, or imprisoned for my crime(s) on my arrival for our Anniversary trip this January.

I'm doubtful his reach goes that far, but I'll contact my friends at the Bermuda tourism board for confirmation that I'm still in their good graces.

So...

My 1st proving trip managed to produce a NOTAM and spark a minor international incident!

If it throws a monkey wrench in to our 27th Anniversary trip it will be a full Hat Trick.

Merry Christmas to everyone!

I have followed this thread with mounting interest. In recalling my (and our) young days, there was always some hero from the other side of town that had heard about my car, and was sent over by his buddies to challenge my 1964 1/2 Mustang. The gauntlet was thrown, and before long, a whole bunch of dudes got together to witness the event.
The challenging party had a fuel injected Corvette that his rich banker daddy had bought him for high school graduation. He knew nothing about mechanics or driving, or power-shifting, but certainly bragged a great deal about his car and about his chicks. I mostly kept to myself.
I had bought my ride after many summers milking cows at the farm and driving semis over the road. I had found a wrecked Stude Hawk with a Paxton blower that I adapted to the Mustang, using a modified pressure cooker donated from my mothers kitchen. I shaved and ported the heads, added Jardine headers, a Shelby cam that I bought with $70.00 obtained by donating at the blood bank, traction bars welded by me, and 4:11 gears sending the grunts to used cheater slicks. I accepted the challenge, with the condition that the hoods were to be kept closed, three runs over a quarter-mile, and $1,000.00 would be the required entry fee, forfeitable to the winner. (In other words, put your money where your mouth is). At that time I was making $250.00 a month as an orderly at the county hospital, and didn't have many bucks.
There must have been some 50 people on that bright, festive Sunday morning gathered to see the massacre of that little Confederate Grey Mustang. A gorgeous doll (his, natch) dropped the T-shirt for the first run, which was dead even. The kids went wild for the second one; now bets were flying. The T-shirt waved; I could see him spinning his tires in a mad attempt to win again. I knew I cold have him, but I again allowed an even run. For the third run, his eyeballs were popping out of his head, and he demanded a doubling of the bet. I acted nervous, but finally gave in....
Chick drops the "flag"... I hole shot him at about 6,500 turns, modulating the pressure plate, keeping the cam in the sweet spot through the gears, and left him sitting in a cloud of dust and burned rubber. He left without as much as a wave; the winning money came from his dad in a check.
So John, it would appear that it is now your turn. No more pejoratives or unfounded claims. Of course, the sporting blood exacts an "entry fee", and the proper amount should be whatever these much-vaunted winglets cost, say $25,000.00. I would gladly travel to see an event such as this, and, being a champion of the underdog, will fall in your camp and cheer you on.
This will put an end to the discussion. I am sure that you can contribute the winnings to your favorite PAC, thus minimizing the tax impact.
The above is written with the expectation that all parties have spousal agreement for the possible sacrifice of community moneys in the name of truth and righteousness, and that those in the contest have full confidence in a winning mount.
Your response is eagerly anticipated.
Best,
TN

I have always said Aerostar is a pilots airplane. In the last 2 months I have redone paint/interior along with annual and new N number. I LOVE mine....wife does not.

Two piston engines however smooth are not as smooth as a NA 2014 Cirrus which I made the mistake of taking my wife on a trip in back in May....without disconnecting 3 spark plugs.
Cirrus was to use while Aerostar was in paint shop then in Annual. Cirrus is for sale now.

I am having a weak moment and considering selling Aerostar and keeping Cirrus.
Cirrus although fabulous is NOT a pilots Airplane.

If I did not have a partner in Cirrus I would have lowered the price all ready.

I guess I could put Aerostar on market fer $450 and tell wife I have it for sale

Someone please buy me Cirrus soon

Are you out of your fricking mind???
You said it...Cirrus is a woman's airplane, an old lady's plane.
Aerostar is a man's plane.
Do you wear the pants in the family or a dress? Ohhh myyy goddddd!!! The travesty of it all...

THANKS FOR SHAKING SUM SENSE IN ME TOM

Just got back from "short" 180 NM trip in Cirrus.

162 knots into a 20 knot headwind.....painful.

a whole 180 knots GS coming back

Who cares if it only burned 4.6 gallons of gas

I need glass panel in me Aerostar,

Wife (she's a keeper) can drink more Woodford

THANKS FOR SHAKING SUM SENSE IN ME TOM

Just got back from "short" 180 NM trip in Cirrus.

162 knots into a 20 knot headwind.....painful.

a whole 180 knots GS coming back

Who cares if it only burned 4.6 gallons of gas

I need glass panel in me Aerostar,

Wife (she's a keeper) can drink more Woodford