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

[Stogie6]

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!

[vwglenn]

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.

[Bryan Cotton]

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.

[Sonerai13]

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.

[Bryan Cotton]

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

[Sonerai13]

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

[Stogie6]

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.

[Sonerai13]

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!

[Bryan Cotton]

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.

[vwglenn]

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.