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Good old N99340 and I have had some adventures in 2006, and I thought I'd reflect on them. I'd like to hear the highlights for others in 2006, too.
-> At about 1600 hours I had the C75 engine rebuilt to a C-85 with the O-200 crankshaft. While that was going on I also had the plane annualed. Right after that I had a Garmin SL-40 Comm radion installed. Later in the year I had to have the cowl tank rebuilt. I estimate I invested about $20,000 in the plane in 2006 Whoa! Good thing I have no intention of selling it! My goal is to have the airplane in top shape for my retirement in about 4 years.
-> After getting the plane back my father-in-law and I flew to the Cubs, Coupes and Champs fly-in at Pioneer Field in Oshkosh. Had some excitement when I mistook a 900-foot private strip for the field. Oops. Landed safely and took off safely. Tense, though! Next time I am not going to allow myself to be pressured into something because of approach procedures.
-> 18 hours after my rebuild the throttle cable fell off the carb. The engine went to idle, and I had to land in a wheat field. Excitement, but no injuries or damage. I had to truck the plane to the Perryville, MO, airport for reassembly.
-> I wanted to fly at least 100 hours a year, but in 2006 I only flew 99.3. I was going to go out New Year's Eve but weather prevented it. Darn.
-> My first two years of training in 1996 and 1997 (which did not result in a solo, let alone a license) I made 160 landings in 42.4 hours. Last year I made 83 landings in 99.3 hours. Shows the difference when you're actually going places!
-> Trips from St. Clair, MO (near St. Louis) included Oshkosh, Mountain View, Arkansas, Memphis, Tennessee, Nashville, Tennessee, Olathe, Kansas, Greenville, Illinois. In Missouri I flew to St. Charles County, Dexter, Kansas City, Cameron, Jefferson City, Cape Girardeau, Sikeston, Bolivar, and other places I've forgotten. I've now landed at 32 of Missouri's 128 airports...
I am now hoping that 2007 is a bit more boring, and lot less expensive than 2006. I hope everyone has a great time flying in the new year!
Larry Snyder N99340 ============================================================================== To leave this forum go to: http://ercoupers.com/lists.htm
