Doing an annual & engine change on a Cessna twin (414) is making me really wonder if I am in the right line of work anymore. At the tender young age of 61 getting into and out of the tight places ain't as easy as it used to be. I just don't fold up like I once did. ugh!
Oh well, I am grateful for the work! Seems a lot of folks don't have any, or are unwilling to do what there is to do. Maybe I am extreme, but perhaps we should place a total moratorium on any immigrant labor until all US citizens are employed in some form or the other. OK; that would mean some people may have to work the fields, packing plants and dig a few ditches. I did some of that, it did'nt kill me, and during the peach harvest in Grand Junction, picking peaches was a good way for a high school kid to pick up a good size wad of pocket cash before starting school! Worked for me!
In the meantime, I pull panels, seats, floorbords, get real grungy stripping down an engine for replacement and wishing I was 20 years younger (and 20 pounds lighter). This bird needs a lot of work. The onwer has the money, and I have the time.
Slowly getting Winston dialed in. As I said last post, I now have a working IFR GPS in the panel, now I need to re-learn how to do approaches with the dang thing. Getting from point A to point B is the easy part, figguring out how to access, input and fly a GPS instrument approach has been a challenge. I may still need to replace the fuel gauge senders, overhaul the Nose gear, Aquire a high effficiancy exhaust system and install an auxillury fuel tank. (Donations gratefully accepted). These plus a few other odds & ends and the old girl (12,800+ hours TTAF) will be ready for one last grand adventure.
Need to pick up a few more students. Have lots of work coming at me. I wish I could find a young eager "understudy" that I could teach the airplane business to. Not being blessed with children of my own, and no worthy heir, I feel a bit lost. Anyone out there wanting to adopt a "grandfather"?
Monday, September 13, 2010
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Something new
Several new things here in Tehachapi.
1. "Winston" (our trusty Cessna 172) is getting used, and now has a working IFR GPS. In fact I just graduated a student who now has his instrument rating! One step closer to some more adventures flying.
2, I am now "credentialed" by the department of Homeland Security to instruct foreigne students! This is a new addition to the services oferd here at Mountain Hawk.
3. I am working on a new project, that is not aviation related so much.
About a week ago I watched a report on the flooding in Pakistan. It really got to me. The situation is pretty grim. Too much water, and none of it fit to even swim in, let alone drink, cook or maintain basic hygene. The disease factor due to this sea of contamination is horrific at best.
I recall in my USAF days, a simple "Solar Still" that was packed in aircrew survival kits, that could mak fresh water out of sea water. These were removed due to aging, but the concept came back to me.
What would it tke to make a simple, expendable solar water distillation device that could be either placed over a puddle or slow moving stream (or filled by a bucket), that could produce a couple of gallons a day out of even sewage? What would it be worth to the fatehr who could purify water so that his wife & children could get a safe drink, and cook their food without mud?
I have a few scetches, and an idea. I have no idea how much it could cost to develop and get into production. If there is anyone there that is interested to help, PLEASE contact me ASAP. It may be too little to late for this disaster, but who knows where or what the next one will be
1. "Winston" (our trusty Cessna 172) is getting used, and now has a working IFR GPS. In fact I just graduated a student who now has his instrument rating! One step closer to some more adventures flying.
2, I am now "credentialed" by the department of Homeland Security to instruct foreigne students! This is a new addition to the services oferd here at Mountain Hawk.
3. I am working on a new project, that is not aviation related so much.
About a week ago I watched a report on the flooding in Pakistan. It really got to me. The situation is pretty grim. Too much water, and none of it fit to even swim in, let alone drink, cook or maintain basic hygene. The disease factor due to this sea of contamination is horrific at best.
I recall in my USAF days, a simple "Solar Still" that was packed in aircrew survival kits, that could mak fresh water out of sea water. These were removed due to aging, but the concept came back to me.
What would it tke to make a simple, expendable solar water distillation device that could be either placed over a puddle or slow moving stream (or filled by a bucket), that could produce a couple of gallons a day out of even sewage? What would it be worth to the fatehr who could purify water so that his wife & children could get a safe drink, and cook their food without mud?
I have a few scetches, and an idea. I have no idea how much it could cost to develop and get into production. If there is anyone there that is interested to help, PLEASE contact me ASAP. It may be too little to late for this disaster, but who knows where or what the next one will be
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