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!
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Uncategorized | Tagged: Aviation, Garmin, Grumman, GTN 650, Tiger | 
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Posted by brianflys
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!
Leave a Comment » | Uncategorized | Tagged: FFI, flying, formation, Grumman, Oshkosh | Permalink
Posted by brianflys
Who isn’t spooked by the news that’s hitting us every day it seems. Layoffs, closings, business failures. Even Eclipse Aviation, one of the most successful makers of the very light jet (at least for awhile), now going Chapter 7. If you do still have a job, you keep your head down, try to stay focused, make sure you are bringing maximum value to your company (even when you ARE the company).
But guess what, there is an escape from all this madness, if even for a short while. Usually measured in tenths of an hour. Flying. Yes, flying. Proved it again this weekend. Once I strapped into the cockpit and fired up the engine, the rest of the world, the economy, politics, all melted away. I focused on the one job of pilot in command.
Even better, once you lift off and get some altitude, you really do get the sense of perspective. Took my 4 new cylinders (another story for another time) on a little tour of the low desert, building those hours at 65-75% power to really seat the rings. At 5,000 feet, you can see the beauty of the landscape, feel the sense of speed, and see how tiny the human presence is on that open land. Just me and my plane, with the engine playing its smooth drone, and Jimmy Buffett playing through the intercom. The rest of life could wait for that couple of hours. I had that priceless perch to see the rest of the planet, truely above all the issues of the day.
Some call this “boring holes through the sky.” But to me it’s a vertical vacation, allows me to clear my head, soak up the view (and it is a great view, have you looked lately?).
So go flying. Make the time. Even if it’s only a short flight. Nice thing about our planes is they can quickly take you to a new landscape, a new view of your world. The rest of your life can wait a bit. You will return fresh, energized, even if a little lighter in the wallet!
This is the essence of being Hog Wild for Flying.
Cheers!
Leave a Comment » | Aviation | Tagged: economy, flying, Grumman, pilot, Tiger | Permalink
Posted by brianflys
Beautiful weather, and a beautiful location for some formation flying last weekend. Santa Maria, California (KSMX). Inland enough that there were no worries about the marine layer coming in to delay the day’s flying. But close enough to the central California coast to allow some great photo ops.
Formation Flying at Santa Maria, Oct 2008
Fun weekend for the West Coast Hepcats, an informal group of pilots flying Grumman light single aircraft. Informal, but very serious about our formation flying. We take this very seriously (with strong focus on safety), following FFI and Grumman formation flying standards. This weekend our training included 2-ship and 4-ship formations (I’m flying slot in the above photo) and even a 6-ship formation with a Delta configuration. If you are interested in flying formation, PLEASE get the appropriate training. It is intense, safe, and fun when the participants are properly trained, led, briefed, and can execute (good stick-and-rudder skills).
Leave a Comment » | Aviation | Tagged: FFI, flying, formation, Grumman, pilots, Santa Maria, SMX, True Flight Aerospace, West Coast Hepcats | Permalink
Posted by brianflys
Lots of time (and miles) in the last couple of days looking at planes at Airventure 2008 at Oshkosh. I can believe there are 10,000 planes here.
First two Airventure 2008 installments are here and here.
Here’s a TINY sample of what I saw that struck my eye, anyway.
RVs. Not recreation vehicles, but homebuilt aircraft from kits by Vans Aircraft. Hundreds, maybe a thousand of them! The largest is the RV-10 a relatively new 4-seater. And there were rows and rows of just RV-10s; some unpainted and looking like they just finished the last rivet, and others looking pristine in perfect paint, avionics and interiors.
Yeah, there are a huge number of the other kind of RVs (land-yachts) at Airventure too. But you can see them anywhere.
How about the Boeing Dreamlifter. This is one big damn airplane, filling Aeroshell Square the days it was at the show.
The Red Bull Helicopter, used on the worldwide circuit of the Red Bull Airraces, putting on amazing displays of aerobatics that virtually no other copter can attempt.
Rows and rows of virtually any kind of airplane. From warbirds like P-51s. More than you could imagine. And civilian aircraft; not just current planes, but classics like the Cessna 195. Again, rows and rows of them. Almost all in pristine condition too.
How about your own personal Jetson jetpack? That is, a Martin Jet Pack. Flew for a couple of minutes (up to 6 ft high, and tethered per FAA requirements). Only $100K for your very own.
More weird stuff. And haven’t even gotten to the Fly Market yet! Saw this PETA nightmare of a prop cover. The vendor was selling airplane floats, but the “prop-pelts” sure drew some attention.
Finally, tons of formation flying (interested in this because I’ve started formation training, maybe to participate at OSH next year). Lots of formations. Warbirds (US and overseas aircraft) and warbird wannabees (apparently RVs love formation flying…) Some better than others. So much formation flying (good and not-so-good) that it would fill its own DVD.
More soon. Cheers!
2 Comments | Aviation | Tagged: airplane, Airventure, Boeing, Cessna, EAA, flying, formation flying, Grumman, helicopter, Martin Jet Pack, Oshkosh, P-51, pilot, Red Bull, Vans Aircraft, warbird | Permalink
Posted by brianflys
Hi Grumman owners, pilots, and fans! At Airventure 2008 (Oshkosh) today, there was a forum for Grumman owners hosted by Greg Erikson, that included an update from Kevin Lancaster of True Flight Aerospace and a maintenance presentation led by John Sjaardema of Excel-Air Services. Also an update on a couple of Grumman STC projects such as his new cowling by Gary Vogt of AUCounty Aviation.
Kevin was able to get an exhibit spot at Oshkosh (#52) so be sure and visit if you are planning to attend Airventure. He provided an update on Tiger production, with installation of production lines into their building scheduled to start in a couple of weeks.
True Flight Aerospace at Airventure 2008
After discussing some serious potential maintenance issues with our aging Grumman airplanes, John displayed a couple of new items related to the front air vents (where you currently have those vintage, usually broken, automobile design louvered vent openings). He has a replacement vent insert that includes 2 eyeball vents that pop right into existing opening. John said the price was about $80 for a set of pilot and copilot sides. Contact him if you want them.
More interesting is a prototype John has developed that replaces the entire air vent plenum box on each side below the instrument panel. This is still a prototype and John wants to know if there is interest among Grumman owners to purchase these replacement vent boxes. Here’s a shot of the prototype hot off the Oshkosh forum today:
What is pictured is a right-hand side vent with the narrow end that matches up with the ventilation opening in the fuselage. It will have two eyeball vents as shown that close tightly (for you cold-weather pilots). This lightweight design will just snap into place beneath the outer edges of the instrument panel. And it opens up the area below the instrument panel for more leg room or for you and your A&P to install a supplemental panel for switches or instruments that people are now installing in the air plemun boxes (and subject to dirt and moisture). If you are interested in these new boxes, contact John directly at his website above, or leave a message on the AYA Maintenance Forum, or use the Grumman Gang email system to make your thoughts known.
Thanks, John for this innovation. Also thanks to Kevin, Gary, Erik, and all the folks who participated in the forum today.
6 Comments | Aviation | Tagged: airplane, Airventure, AUCountry, AYA, Excel-Air, Grumman, Oshkosh, pilot, Tiger, True Flight Aerospace | Permalink
Posted by brianflys
Spring is here. Time to learn a new skill. Just started to learn formation flying in my Grumman Tiger. Working with a group of other Grumman pilots, using the T-34 and FFI training procedures. I’m still a “nugget” (new guy).
This was one hell of a great weekend. I’ve still got a lot to learn with only a couple of flights under my belt so far. After so many years focusing on avoiding other aircraft, it’s quite a mental challenge joining up with other aircraft in flight. Requires lots of concentration and precise control, but the results are work it.
These guys are so far ahead of me….but I’ll get there.
Cheers!
4 Comments | Aviation | Tagged: FFI, flying, formation, Grumman, pilot, Tiger | Permalink
Posted by brianflys
Well, winter has finally hit San Diego. Warm and sunny day today. But it will be cold tonight. Maybe even some frost on the golf courses.
Happy Holidays!
Leave a Comment » | Aviation | Tagged: aerial photo, Aviation, beach, flying, Grumman, La Jolla, pilot, San Diego | Permalink
Posted by brianflys
I have the privilege, joy, and responsibility of owning and flying a Grumman Tiger originally manufactured in 1977 by Grumman American. But my Tiger–just like every piston aircraft manufactured by American Aviation, Grumman American, Gulfstream American, American General, and Tiger Aircraft–is an orphan.
These companies are no longer in existence, either liquidated or morphed into other companies no longer in the piston aircraft business. So today my Tiger is an orphan, relying on the ongoing support of the American Yankee Association, and companies like Fletchair for continued service expertise and parts availability. But that is about to change.
Enter True Flight Aerospace. This new company, owned and led by Kevin Lancaster, a prior owner of two Tigers, acquired the assets (parts, tooling, etc), and type certificate for the Tiger and the other 2-place and 4-place piston singles in this line from now-defunct Tiger Aircraft.
So far, Kevin seems to be starting strong, with an aggressive schedule to get his plant in Valdosta, Georgia up and running, and producing AG5B Tigers by the middle of 2008. Although Kevin does not have aircraft manufacturing experience, his management team includes guys with many years experience manufacturing our bonded aluminum honeycomb aircraft. And Kevin’s experience as a past owner gives him the first-hand knowledge of how the Grumman line (although manufactured by a succession of companies, most people just use the tag “Grumman” when referring to these planes) are class leaders in performance. No other fixed gear, fixed-pitch prop aircraft can match the combination of speed, maneuverability, fuel economy, and real-world hauling capability of our Grumman birds. With avgas prices topping five dollars a gallon in the US, class-leading efficiency and fuel economy becomes a competitive advantage.
The most impressive thing from my perspective is Kevin’s earnest efforts to reach out to the existing Grumman owner and pilot community for support and suggestions for how True Flight can improve on past manufacturers. Equally impressive (because I’m the owner of a 30-year-old plane) is Kevin’s commitment to embrace and support the existing fleet. This is a big change from Tiger Aircraft, who virtually ignored the existing fleet and owners. It’s still early and there are many hurtles ahead for True Flight as they re-start production of aircraft and parts, but the first steps look like they are in the right direction. I, for one, am really rooting for Kevin and his company. I hope they have found the elusive formula of financing, product knowledge, manufacturing efficiency, marketing acumen, competitive pricing, and leveraging the legacy fleet, to succeed.
3 Comments | Aviation | Tagged: , Aerospace, American, Aviation, flying, Grumman, pilot, Tiger, True Flight, Yankee | Permalink
Posted by brianflys
Ok, here’s the first post. It’s a beautiful day to fly in San Diego today. Very warm (89 degrees F!) and sunny with almost no wind out in Santee at Gillespie Field (KSEE). But I’m at work in the office in San Diego. Hope this weather holds till the weekend. More interesting stuff to come, including aerial adventures, but this at least gets something on the blog.
Leave a Comment » | Aviation | Tagged: Aviation, flying, Gillespie, Grumman, pilot, planes, San Diego, Tiger | Permalink
Posted by brianflys
