To finalize the break-in process of the engine, we needed to fly 4 more hours today. Bob Guay and I went out again this afternoon and made a second attempt to make it to Yuma, AZ. We left North Las Vegas (KVGT) at 1pm and took the same route towards the Colorado River and down towards Yuma, AZ. The flight was a little choppy getting out of the Las Vegas area and down towards Jean and Primm, NV, but cleared as we lowered toward the Colorado River. The air was cooler than Saturday and was another near cloudless day. It was really a great day for flying again.
It didn't seem our luck to make it to Yuma again, though. As we passed near Needles and Nelson, we realized that we would be heading back in the dark, and during a break-in of the engine, if we had an emergency, it wouldn't be a good idea. We turned around and landed in Needles and met a really nice gentleman named Kenny that told us some great old stories of the area as we refueled. We took back off towards Las Vegas and returned in good time. As we were entering the Las Vegas valley, a Virgin Atlantic 747 passed us on the east. We were close enough to marvel at its beauty, but far enough that it made us only a little nervous about any wake turbulance. I wish I had my camera!
We needed a bit more time on the engine before we landed, so we flew around the North Las Vegas practice area for a few passes and headed home. It was a great day of flying and I can't wait to really get started on my lessons.
I would like to thank Bob Guay for his time and patience during the break in processes of the plane and I hope that he enjoyed the flights as much as I did.
Most important of all, Cherokee 55167 is ready for rental and will be based at Henderson Executive Airport. If you are interested in flying our airplane or learning how to fly, contact me or Monarch Sky!
Doing it differently
I think that most people that learn how to fly find a flight school, do some ground school, start with the basic maneuvers, solo, do some more maneuvers, cross countries, more solos, etc. Finally they get their private license after many hours of flying.
Not me. I never seem to do things normally. Today I had the opportunity to take my plane on a cross country flight with Bob Guay. The Piper Cherokee that I bought needed an engine overhaul, so for the past 3 months it has been grounded for the overhaul. Part of the process to get it back in the air is to perform a break-in. Part of the break-in requires special procedures to be followed so that the rings can properly set in the engine. The better the break-in, the longer the engine lasts.
So, I got up before the roosters and met Bob out at North Las Vegas (KVGT) to fly down to Yuma, AZ (KNYL). We had a backup destination, Blythe, CA (KBLH). As the sun was rising, we were taking off -- ok maybe about 30mins after the sun was up, but pretty close. The day was clear and there was very little wind. After Bob took the plane off, he let me take the controls. It was important that he was in control of the plane during the parts of the flight that could cause the engine to fail. I was completely ok with that, becuase if the engine did quit, I didn't want to have to deal with it.
The trip towards Yuma was pretty uneventful, except the fact that I ate every moment up. I LOVE FLYING! It is just amazing to see the world from a bird's eye view. I really feel like I am part of the air and soaring as a Eagle (maybe being in a glider is close to this, but I like having the engine there to push me a long a bit).
When we got closer to Yuma, we tuned to ATIS for KNYL and found that the tower was not in operation. When Bob had called and received a flight breifing the night before, he found that the Yuma airport was dual use, both military and civilian. He felt that as we got closer, without a tower in operation, we could be in danger of interfering with military operations, so he quickly decided to tur
n around and land at our backup airport, KBLH in Blythe, CA.
We landed and refueled. We also unloaded our bladders and had a quick bite to eat. When we decided to get started back to home, the plane did not want to start back up. This was a little unnerving, being that the engine was just overhauled and we were 2 hours from a mechanic. After some fiddling, Bob was able to get it started (maybe not to the book, but it worked). We headed back to Vegas, The air was a little choppier over the mountain passes than it had been in the morning. Let's say we go
t our money's worth from the ride. (I actually enjoy a little turbulance).
After 5 hours of flying, we landed at KVTG and spoke with the mechanics for a few minutes. Overall, the plane performed like a champ and it was truely a great day of flying.
Just as important as the break-in of the engine, I got my first logbook entry in my pilot's log! Maybe cross country flying isn't normal for a first entry, but then again, who buys a plane without a license?
Not me. I never seem to do things normally. Today I had the opportunity to take my plane on a cross country flight with Bob Guay. The Piper Cherokee that I bought needed an engine overhaul, so for the past 3 months it has been grounded for the overhaul. Part of the process to get it back in the air is to perform a break-in. Part of the break-in requires special procedures to be followed so that the rings can properly set in the engine. The better the break-in, the longer the engine lasts.
So, I got up before the roosters and met Bob out at North Las Vegas (KVGT) to fly down to Yuma, AZ (KNYL). We had a backup destination, Blythe, CA (KBLH). As the sun was rising, we were taking off -- ok maybe about 30mins after the sun was up, but pretty close. The day was clear and there was very little wind. After Bob took the plane off, he let me take the controls. It was important that he was in control of the plane during the parts of the flight that could cause the engine to fail. I was completely ok with that, becuase if the engine did quit, I didn't want to have to deal with it.
The trip towards Yuma was pretty uneventful, except the fact that I ate every moment up. I LOVE FLYING! It is just amazing to see the world from a bird's eye view. I really feel like I am part of the air and soaring as a Eagle (maybe being in a glider is close to this, but I like having the engine there to push me a long a bit).
When we got closer to Yuma, we tuned to ATIS for KNYL and found that the tower was not in operation. When Bob had called and received a flight breifing the night before, he found that the Yuma airport was dual use, both military and civilian. He felt that as we got closer, without a tower in operation, we could be in danger of interfering with military operations, so he quickly decided to tur
n around and land at our backup airport, KBLH in Blythe, CA.We landed and refueled. We also unloaded our bladders and had a quick bite to eat. When we decided to get started back to home, the plane did not want to start back up. This was a little unnerving, being that the engine was just overhauled and we were 2 hours from a mechanic. After some fiddling, Bob was able to get it started (maybe not to the book, but it worked). We headed back to Vegas, The air was a little choppier over the mountain passes than it had been in the morning. Let's say we go
t our money's worth from the ride. (I actually enjoy a little turbulance).After 5 hours of flying, we landed at KVTG and spoke with the mechanics for a few minutes. Overall, the plane performed like a champ and it was truely a great day of flying.
Just as important as the break-in of the engine, I got my first logbook entry in my pilot's log! Maybe cross country flying isn't normal for a first entry, but then again, who buys a plane without a license?
It's Done!
After several very looonnnggg months, the plane is done with its repairs and ready to go flying. I am going up this morning to help do the break-in on the new engine. I couldn't sleep at all last night from excitement. I am ready beyond any measure to get started with training and am just ecstatic that the time has finally come. I will blog about the experience when I get back this afternoon.
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