She is ready to go again...

N1537J is ready for the air once again. I finally found an A&P mechanic that loves her as much as I do.

The instrument panel has had a slight upgrade since the last time I posted pictures. (Notice the new GPS...)

Scott Williamson has taken the time to fix up some of the interior pieces and parts that needed some TLC.

A little wash and wax has made a tremendous difference.

Little things like cleaning up and painting the wheels and landing gear parts makes it look like someone cares.

New hubcaps and some paint on the under younder makes a world of difference.

Aerobatics over Tybee Island

The weather was crappy... But the beach was packed. As you can tell from the video the horizon was pretty hard to pick out, but Denis is a pro and made the whole routine look...Well... routine!

I was just the "guy in the back" on this trip, but it was great!

The only thing that was a little weird was during the Split "S" maneuver, we pulled just over 5 "G"s on the pull out, and I experienced a partial "gray-out" for a couple of seconds. It wasn't a violent maneuver, and it was surprising how it can slip up on you. I'll remember that when I start my aerobatics training.

To Arkansas for the weekend...

This weekend Beth and I flew N1537J 18.4 hours!  We flew from Savannah, Georgia to Stuttgart, Arkansas.  Then to Heber Springs, Arkansas, back to Stuttgart, then back to Heber Springs.  Then to Manila, Arkansas and Jonesboro, Arkansas.  Then from Jonesboro, Arkansas to Columbus, Mississippi.  And finally, from Columbus back to Savannah.  We averaged just over 9 gallons of fuel per hour at prices ranging from $3.85 to $5.02 per gallon!  Not cheap, but well worth it.  One high school graduation, one baby shower and one wedding shower plus a business trip thrown in to boot!

Piper Cherokee: 50-Year History of a Classic Aircraft (HD)

I do know something about aircraft construction...

A few years ago, when we lived in Arkansas, I actually had a house with a shop and the room to do some hobby stuff.  I spent about two months cleaning up the shop and putting in new lights and drywall. Painting the walls and floor.  And building workbenches and shelves.

Then I ordered the tail kit for my favorite homebuilt airplane.  A Van's RV-7.  Not a 7A.  A RV-7.  Anybody can fly a plane with a nosewheel, but REAL men fly taildraggers!!!  LOL  As part of the requirements that the FAA has about amature built airplanes is that the builder must document the building process in such a way as to prove that THEY did at least 51% of the work.  I chose to document my construction on a web page.  Here it is...http://websites.expercraft.com/larryt/

Qik - Mobile video by Larry Tipton

Just a quick video of a recent flight from Savannah out to Tybee Island to test the QIK iPhone app and to try out the new Garmin 196 GPS recently panel mounted.

The video isn't great, but remember it is live streamed via 3G from the phone directly to the internet.

Demo flight in the Cape Town amphibian light sport aircraft...

Denis Boissonneault, the owner and chief flight instructor for Coastal Empire Flight Training took me for a ride in a light sport amphibious airplane. We flew from Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport to downtown Savannah and landed on the Savannah River. We did some high speed taxi up the river then docked and went into Savannah Candy Company for some refreshments. Afterwards we taxied out and took off towards the bridge and headed back to the airport. For more information about this cool airplane contact Denis or Sam at http://www.idreamofflying.com