Aviation

Claudia & I both earned our private pilots license in 2007 and have been flying a Cessna 182 ever since.   We purchased 205JN (a 1967 model 182k shown below) in 2012 and have been getting an education in airplane ownership since then.   As someone who enjoys working on machines, it’s been a joy keeping up with mechanical issues and the ever changing technology in the cockpit.  And, like all recreational pilots, keeping one’s piloting skills current and continuing one’s aviation education is a great way to keep your mind sharp.

 

There’s nothing like spending an afternoon flying over terrain and contemplating earthly problems left behind on the ground below.

 

 

2023 Update:

Over the last year, we’ve upgraded the panel to a completely “glass” panel with no reliance on the old vacuum system to run the instruments.  This is a major upgrade as the new electronic redundant systems provide great assurance that the avionics are going to get you down safely in IFR conditions.   The new autopilot automates both lateral and vertical controls and can fly instrument approaches down to minimums.  It’s a joy to fly.

We also had to replace one of the fuel tanks last year.  I was able to remove the tank, purchase the replacement, prep the wing and assist the mechanic in reinstalling the tank.  That was a great learning experience and was the second time I’d removed fuel tanks.   I always opt to assist mechanics when possible to learn more about the systems on board the C182k.

Getting this all done while we emerged from the epidemic was challenging but we are finally flying in what seems like a new airplane.  The panel is amazing.

 

 

 

 

 

2020 Update:

No upgrades this year but we have been using our previously installed undercarriage to visit some back-country airstrips around New Mexico.  As my recent retirement comes into better focus, I hope to use the airplane more and explore some type of philanthropic work that involves flying.

2019 Update:

We just upgraded the instrument panel with a Garmin GTX 345, an all-in-one ADS-B transponder that features two big improvements: on-board weather and traffic.  If you are not familiar with the equipment, the transponder is the box that allows controllers to see your airplanes position and altitude.  This one expands that basic capability and connects with an I-pad to brilliantly display all the other planes around us and a great detailed weather display.

Also, as we get ready to put the plane in for annual, we’re planning to install a new Airglas front fork and larger tires all around to give the plane more of a “back-country” friendly footprint.  We’ll also remove the aerodynamic wheel pants and it’ll be ready for some of the great gravel strips around the four corners area.   It’ll just take us a little longer to get there with the added drag we’ll be hanging onto the plane.  We dropped into two back-country strips in 2018 and hope to do much more in 2019!

2018 Update:

The plane is now spending most of the time in Albuquerque, NM and making trips back to MS to visit the farm.   It’s just out of annual inspection and ready for an interesting year traveling around in the desert west.  I’ve logged 80 hrs of flying time in the last year which is going a long way towards my re-currency after several years during which we couldn’t fly much.  Around 100 or more hours logged per year are, I feel, kind of a baseline to feel comfortable and current – mainly when it comes to radio communications.  We’re hoping that 2018 will allow us to get that hard earned currency back where it needs to be.

2017 Update:

By end of year 2015 we had the engine overhauled and the annual inspection completed for 205JN.  Everything is working well as of right now.  Next, We’re heading west with the airplane to do some mountain flying courses this fall.   Flying in the Rockies requires a level of flight planning that we’ve not had to worry with here in the MS flatlands.  Wind, weather & altitude collude to frustrate pilots that visit the mountains and an extra dose of knowledge & caution is warranted.  We’re looking forward to the challenge. We’re also hoping to make the west coast at some point as well.

My friend Andy sold the Citabria (shown below) so no more tail dragging for the time being.   I’ll miss her – but not as much as Andy.

2014 Update:

Well, Claudia pushed through this year and gained her IFR certification.  What an achievement!  She worked super hard and got ‘er done!  205JN also performed well through the entire process – she’s a champ of an aircraft. She got a new (overhauled) prop and VG’s (vortex generators) this year and is flying better than ever.

I’ve cut back a bit on the flying since Claudia was concentrating on the IFR cert but I did get in some Citabria hours this year.   I got a basic aerobatic certification last year and got some practice in this year.  The Citabria is a kick in the pants – especially for aerobatic maneuvers.  I’m keeping it simple and sticking to loops and rolls for now.