08-31 Cub Progress - Restitched one Rib, put on tapes and then went flying.

Broke out the Polybrush and got all set to put the tapes on the tail this morning when a row of stitches caught my eye. They weren't quite up to my low standards so I cut the row loose and restitched it. It only took 1/2 hour.

Then I put the tapes on the ribs of the tail and got the tapes ready that go around the edges. I'm going to have to talk to Glenn to see what the secret is to doing these. There are several pretty angular curves and to get the tapes to lie flat I'm going to need some help.

Then I went up and took pictures of Phil Lehrke's Rv-6. He was practically at idle the whole time while we were flogging the poor, old Fairchild for all she was worth.

08-29 Cub Progress - Rib-stitching the tail is done!

I passed a major hurdle today in that I finished rib-stitching the tail of the J-3. For some reason, I had a mental block on getting the knot tight but overcame that this week. I brought Sky out for moral support and finished the last stabilizer this morning. On to the tapes!

I think I've got it!

I think, at least I believe I've finally learned how to do a rib-stitch knot. There are quite a few knots on my head (self-inflicted) from learning this but at least now, I'm back on the Cub and making progress.

Glenn was soldering cable ends this morning. This is the way they did it back in the "good-ol' days" before they crimped the ends.

Bellanca 14-19

Wanting to make the most of this beautiful day, I called around until I got Mark Gronneberg to go fly his Bellanca 14-19 for me to take pictures of tonight. The sky was smooth with just a little haze and we got this shoot done in 48 minutes. He was very happy with the pictures I showed him on the camera screen.

Phil and Betty's pretty Cessna 150.

Went out and shot Phil and Betty Chastain's "Betty-Boop" this morning. They've had this 150 for a number of years for Betty to learn to fly in. She's soloed, but not taken the written yet. The 150 matches well speed-wise with the Fairchild and Phil seemingly read my mind to put the plane where I wanted it.

I'm going out to shoot a tri-tailed Bellanca tonite.

Aeronca L-16 Pix

Went flying tonite with friends Aeronca L-16 and got these shots in my favorite hunting grounds over the Mississippi River north of St Charles. Hat's off to the L-16 pilot Pat for making it easy for me to get the shots and big thanks to Tim Akey who flew my Fairchild for me again so I could concentrate on taking pictures.

Next up: A pretty Cessna 150, a RV-8 and hopefully a Cessna 170 next week.

Vicki Cruse killed in plane crash.

Vicki Cruse, a US Aerobatic Team member was killed in the crash of her Zivko 540 Edge while practicing for the World Aerobatic Championships over in England.

Read more here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/6073703/Champion-aerobatic-pilot-Vicki-Cruse-dies-in-air-crash.html


Vicki and I became friends on an AOL Aviation Forum hosted by Jim "Zoom" Campbell back in the mid-1990's. She went on to marry and divorce Jim but we remained friends. I followed her aerobatic career as she moved up the ladder of competitive aerobatics.

You could not find a sweeter, nicer, friendlier and more helpful person than Vicki was and I'll always cherish those memories.