Brianflys - A Pilot's Blog

Airventure 2011 at Oshkosh!

brianflys — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 08:47:08 +0000

It’s been a week since getting back, but I’m still feeling that “Oshkosh glow” from EAA Airventure 2011. So how about some pictures, huh? If a picture’s worth a thousand words, here’s about a 20,000 word post. Enjoy!

My Grumman Tiger: First row! GA Parking, Airventure 2011, Oshkosh

Storm clouds enroute to Oshkosh Airventure 2011

Warbirds gathered in Dubuque, IA for mass arrival at Airventure 2011

Mass warbird arrival, Fingertip formation groups in close trail

Wild Tiger paint scheme on floatplane.

What is Airventure without rain...we had our share this year!

Aerocar looks longingly at the new flying car: Terrafugia.

RVs with paint scheme tribute to Navy fighter squadron: Jolly Rogers

RV (12) with a decidedly softer paint scheme.

Um...creative tail feather paint scheme. If you can think it, paint it!

B-29, "Fifi". Proving that Aluminum is magnetic...it pulls in people!

Yup, it's a Boeing. Distant grandfather to the Dreamliner at Airventure 2011

One of the Heritage Flights at Airventure 2011, turbine engine version

When that Honda Civic is just not fast enough...visit your Honda dealer!

The Aviators TV interviews Boeing Dreamliner 787 crew.

Row of 6 pristine P-51 Mustangs. How many at Oshkosh? 18?

F/A-18 dragging his tailhook on landing. No wires, but plenty of sparks!

Mustang loafing along to let that TBM think he won the race!

Thhhhhat’s all folks! See ya next time!

Podapalozza at Airventure 2011!

brianflys — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 04:37:00 +0000

Hi gang. Thursday night, July 28, 2011, aviation podcasters from around the world met at Airventure 2011 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin for Podapalooza 2011! Along with the audio and video podcasters there were fans and general hangers-on (hangars-on?) like me! The event was simulcast by LiveATC.com for podcast fans around the world and the Twitter stream was alive with comments!

The event was graciously hosted by Sennheiser at their very well-appointed tent. Below are a few photos from the event.

Sennheiser was the host location for this evening event. Nice digs, and lots of people!

Airventure is about new and old friends. Met and reaquainted with many, like Milford Shirley of “FlightTime Radio” (red shirt with the devilish smirk) and Grant and Steve from “Plane Crazy Down Under” ( wearing black shirts left of Milford, they’re Australian, mate). So many good people, but too many names to remember, and I blame it all on the Jeremiah Weed (whiskey) samples being passed around…

The party got so rowdy, the cops came. Ok, it wasn’t the real cops. It was a prop car announcing Da Blooze Bros, performing at the Ford stage at Airventure. Cool car, and dig the HUGE speaker on top. A hit!

I’m sure each of the podcasters will have their own stories and pictures to post, but I wanted to get something out there as well.

Thanks for the invite!!

Bonanzas to Oshkosh – Airventure 2011

brianflys — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 03:35:44 +0000

Two days before the official start of EAA Airventure 2011, but it’s already pretty busy here.

Today was the mass arrival of the Bonanzas to Oshkosh, B2OSH. I understand there were 109 planes, Bonanzas and Barons. I’ve been flying with the Northern California Bonanzas for formation training, so I took the opportunity to shoot some photos of the B2OSH arrival.

Here a sample below. Good job guys (and gals)! The crowd was impressed!

New Garmin GTN 650 Avionics!

brianflys — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 07:14:50 +0000

Finally joining the GPS age, for IFR that is. New Garmin GTN 650 system installed. So far, so good! Operating logic is well thought out. Love the remote Transponder controls.

Installed by Gryphon Aircraft Services LLC, in French Valley, CA (F70). Ask for Ron!

Cheers!

HP Slate 500 Yoke Mount Plate

brianflys — Tue, 31 May 2011 01:50:56 +0000

Recently purchased an HP Slate 500 tablet PC to use in my plane with the AnywhereMap Pro GPS navigation system. This tablet was developed by HP for commercial use (although I hear that it is now available at some retail locations).

The tablet has an 8.9″ screen, so it will fit nicely on the yoke in my plane. Unfortunately, there does not seem to be a commercial supplier of a tablet mounting plate for the HP Slate 500, including the biggest suppliers of such things, RAM Mounts. The mounts available from RAM either are generic “tabletop” plates that are far too big or plates for the iPAD that do not fit the HP slate. So I made my own yoke mount plate. Pictures below.

HP Slate 500 yoke mount plate, 0.040" 2024 aluminum

The mounting plate is made from aviation grade 2024 Aluminum, 0.040″ thick. This is stiff enough to hold the tablet well while thin enough to work with the cutting, bending, and finishing tools in my hangar. It’s a simple design, basically a cruciform shape with double horizontal members. This leaves space for all of the ports and controls while providing arms that securely hold the tablet on the yoke. The bottom arm has an additional vertical surface to hold the tablet bottom in place and the other arms secure it laterally.

To hold the tablet securely on the plate, I fabricated a U-shaped top bracket that velcros to the top side of the top arm to hold the tablet within the 6 arms of the plate (there is very little force against this U bracket, a design I used successfully in a previous tablet plate. Primed and painted grey. The tablet inserts easily onto the plate and then held securely with the U bracket.

This tablet plate bolts to a standard circular RAM 1″ ball mount, connecting arm, and adjustable yoke mounting arm. This general design should work for most tablets, with the securing arms sized and located as needed to avoid ports and ventilation holes.

Cheers!

Passed the Wingman level Formation Flying Checkride!

brianflys — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 03:50:27 +0000

Outstanding way to spend a weekend! Spent it formation flying with a great group of guys and gal in Stockton, CA. Mega thanks to Larry Gaines, leading his “Bonanzas to Oshkosh” formation flying clinic. And equal thanks to Wolfgang Polak, our steady Lead for the Grumman flights. Ended the weekend by passing the “Wingman” level FFI (Formation Flying Inc) checkride. Sierra Hotel!

Winter 2011 in San Diego – Why We Live Here…

brianflys — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 02:08:31 +0000

Sailing on San Diego Bay, on a cool, bright, breezy day in January 2011.

Where winter means…a sweater.

Sailing on San Diego Bay, Winter 2011

TSA – Goodbye Theater; Hello Sexual Assault

brianflys — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 06:16:08 +0000

Ah, the good old days; when TSA screening was just useless annoying theater. Back in late 2007, Patrick Smith describes in a New York Times blog the sheer folly of the TSA screening farce. Back then, I suggested you get a pilot’s license and avoid the hassle.

Now, TSA actions have escalated from useless theater to downright criminal. Specifically, sexual assault.

It’s proven true once again: Absolute Power Corrupts – Absolutely.

You have exactly two options when you enter the TSA “screening” area:

Submit to the radiation and humiliation of the Naked Body Scanner. or,
Submit to the groping hands of a TSA drone beneath your clothing to your most private areas.

Refuse? You are subject to arrest, investigation, fines, more harrassment. Just ask John Tyner.

Question TSA? As Penn Jillette of Penn & Teller fame notes in his blog, at Las Vegas airport, the TSA thugs backed each other up like any other street gang and tried to hustle him along after the crime. But he stood his ground. Bravo! I hope he stays with this travesty of the public trust and fights the TSA. Please don’t be swayed by the “VIP” treatment offer by the airport cronies.

In the meantime, what to do? Drive. Take a train. Fly your own plane. Use web meetings.

If you must fly commercial, refuse the naked body scanner. Opt Out Day is November 24. But I say Opt Out Every Time. Let’s make it as uncomfortable and inconvenient as possible for TSA.

Oh, and write to your Congress representatives. Start with Congressman John Mica, who is investigating TSA abuses.

This criminal behavior by TSA needs to stop now.

Great Formation Flying weekend!

brianflys — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 23:14:33 +0000

Flying formation in Grumman aircraft is a great way to spend a weekend. Good company, good flying, and you really get to sharpen your stick and rudder (particularly rudder) skills. We had about 10 people and 9 aircraft there over Halloween weekend. All treats, no tricks!

Formation flying over Madera, CA

Thanks to James Flynn for the photos of me in a two-ship element.

If your a Grumman Pilot in California or the neighboring states and interested in formation flying, do a search for “West Coast Hepcats” or get me your contact info and I’ll forward it to one of our leads for the next training event.

Chula Vista Marina – from the air

brianflys — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 03:51:39 +0000

Ok, I’ve been pretty darn busy. But I’m still flying and still shooting cool aerial photos. Here is a shot from last weekend, of the Chula Vista Marina in south San Diego Bay. Pretty day to fly, particularly down the VFR corridor through the bay.

Fall weekend day at Chula Vista Marina

Every time I fire up the engine, I remember why I fly…

Cheers!