So, now that it is Winter...How to prep for 1st Flight?

Discussion topics to include safety related issues and flight training.

So, now that it is Winter...How to prep for 1st Flight?

Postby Stogie6 » Wed Dec 21, 2016 11:11 am

Ok, SonexBuilders community. Here I am with my Onex ready for the DAR to visit after the first of January. As with all builders, my flying took a back seat. I have gone up in a Cherokee to start working off the dust, but transition training at the mothership may be difficult - see the WX channel and the temps/snow, etc. for Oshkosh. So, what is a builder to do? Any suggestions? I don't mind going to Oshkosh this time of year...but cold is cold!

Merry Christmas to all. And to all, a good first flight!
David F. Jones
Memphis (Mud Island), TN
Aerovee powered Onex
N153TD
Based at KAWM and in the midst of Phase 1
User avatar
Stogie6
 
Posts: 132
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2013 11:36 am

Re: So, now that it is Winter...How to prep for 1st Flight?

Postby vwglenn » Wed Dec 21, 2016 3:34 pm

Tough one. I'm sure you can duke out the cold in OSH for a few hours of transition training but what will you do when you get back? Not exactly warm in TN either. I'd wait to do the transition training until I was absolutely ready to come home and fly the Onex the next day. Nothing stopping you from keeping things lubed up by taxiing around and doing system checks while you wait for it to get a bit warmer. Is the Onex a taildragger (can't remember)? You might want to switch form the Cherokee to a Citabria or a Cub to get that centerline feel and rudder dance going.
Glenn
Sonex #600
N889AP
vwglenn
 
Posts: 416
Joined: Mon Sep 15, 2014 1:00 am
Location: 6A2 - South of ATL

Re: So, now that it is Winter...How to prep for 1st Flight?

Postby Bryan Cotton » Wed Dec 21, 2016 4:08 pm

When people climb everest, they hang out at high altitude base camp for a while to aclimate. You could move up to Northern Illinois for a bit, then you would be ready to take on Oshkosh.
Bryan Cotton
Poplar Grove, IL C77
Waiex 191 N191YX
Taildragger, Aerovee, acro ailerons
dual sticks with sport trainer controls
Prebuilt spars and machined angle kit
Year 2 flying and approaching 200 hours December 23
User avatar
Bryan Cotton
 
Posts: 5469
Joined: Mon Jul 01, 2013 9:54 pm
Location: C77

Re: So, now that it is Winter...How to prep for 1st Flight?

Postby Sonerai13 » Wed Dec 21, 2016 4:53 pm

We don't even attempt transition training in December, January and February. It's cold, it's windy, it's cloudy, it's snowy. It's just not pleasant. If you're not physically comfortable in the airplane, you're not going to learn anything. Best to save your money and time for when it's a bit more presentable weather-wise.
Joe Norris
Sonex N208GD (S/N 450)
Sonerai II N13NN (S/N 1206)
Fortes Fortuna Adiuvat
User avatar
Sonerai13
 
Posts: 415
Joined: Tue Nov 05, 2013 5:36 pm
Location: Oshkosh, WI

Re: So, now that it is Winter...How to prep for 1st Flight?

Postby Bryan Cotton » Wed Dec 21, 2016 5:12 pm

You are killing me Joe. That was my plan to get him to hang out and do my cowl/canopy.
Bryan Cotton
Poplar Grove, IL C77
Waiex 191 N191YX
Taildragger, Aerovee, acro ailerons
dual sticks with sport trainer controls
Prebuilt spars and machined angle kit
Year 2 flying and approaching 200 hours December 23
User avatar
Bryan Cotton
 
Posts: 5469
Joined: Mon Jul 01, 2013 9:54 pm
Location: C77

Re: So, now that it is Winter...How to prep for 1st Flight?

Postby Sonerai13 » Wed Dec 21, 2016 11:45 pm

Bryan Cotton wrote:You are killing me Joe. That was my plan to get him to hang out and do my cowl/canopy.


Oops! Sorry I blew up Bryan. You should have given me a hint!! :o
Joe Norris
Sonex N208GD (S/N 450)
Sonerai II N13NN (S/N 1206)
Fortes Fortuna Adiuvat
User avatar
Sonerai13
 
Posts: 415
Joined: Tue Nov 05, 2013 5:36 pm
Location: Oshkosh, WI

Re: So, now that it is Winter...How to prep for 1st Flight?

Postby Stogie6 » Thu Dec 22, 2016 7:46 am

Sonerai13 wrote:
Bryan Cotton wrote:You are killing me Joe. That was my plan to get him to hang out and do my cowl/canopy.


Oops! Sorry I blew up Bryan. You should have given me a hint!! :o


I guess that would work in favor of the factory Bryan, they could make a killin' selling you additional canopy and cowl replacements due to my steady hand and cutting tool!
OK, so I have developed an idea on my rust issues with my original post. I am going to spend the time waiting on Oshkosh to thaw out and fly in my Dad's Luscombe 8A (modified)! If nothing else, my stick and rudder skills will get a workout.
David F. Jones
Memphis (Mud Island), TN
Aerovee powered Onex
N153TD
Based at KAWM and in the midst of Phase 1
User avatar
Stogie6
 
Posts: 132
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2013 11:36 am

Re: So, now that it is Winter...How to prep for 1st Flight?

Postby Sonerai13 » Thu Dec 22, 2016 9:46 am

Stogie6 wrote:OK, so I have developed an idea on my rust issues with my original post. I am going to spend the time waiting on Oshkosh to thaw out and fly in my Dad's Luscombe 8A (modified)! If nothing else, my stick and rudder skills will get a workout.


That's a great plan! If you get comfortable in the Luscombe you'll be way over-qualified to fly any Sonex taildragger. And you'll be having lots of fun to boot!
Joe Norris
Sonex N208GD (S/N 450)
Sonerai II N13NN (S/N 1206)
Fortes Fortuna Adiuvat
User avatar
Sonerai13
 
Posts: 415
Joined: Tue Nov 05, 2013 5:36 pm
Location: Oshkosh, WI

Re: So, now that it is Winter...How to prep for 1st Flight?

Postby Bryan Cotton » Thu Dec 22, 2016 9:52 am

Still, Illinois is a great place to stage from to get to Oshkosh. Are you any good at fiberglass?

All kidding aside, maybe I'll see you there. I'm getting close.
Bryan Cotton
Poplar Grove, IL C77
Waiex 191 N191YX
Taildragger, Aerovee, acro ailerons
dual sticks with sport trainer controls
Prebuilt spars and machined angle kit
Year 2 flying and approaching 200 hours December 23
User avatar
Bryan Cotton
 
Posts: 5469
Joined: Mon Jul 01, 2013 9:54 pm
Location: C77

Re: So, now that it is Winter...How to prep for 1st Flight?

Postby vwglenn » Thu Dec 22, 2016 11:37 am

Never flown a Luscombe (I've heard stories though). I can tell you the Sonex is easier than my 170 which was supposed to be one of the more docile planes with the little wheel in the proper place.
Glenn
Sonex #600
N889AP
vwglenn
 
Posts: 416
Joined: Mon Sep 15, 2014 1:00 am
Location: 6A2 - South of ATL

Next

Return to Safety and Training

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 6 guests