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The Bonehead Pilot X helmet is just awesome! Great sound and fit. I could not be happier with it. Go get one. What are you waiting for? See all that glass around me in the photos below? I wonder where my head is going if I end up on my nose? Think about it…

Have been spending a lot of time in the air the past couple months. Between flying the cub and training for my CFI in the 180 my fuel bill has not been pretty. I figure I am about 4 weeks out from my CFI check ride. The cub flying has been nothing short of fun. I am amazed daily as to the performance of this bird. It feels very helicopter like on slow approaches. Needed to post here as its been awhile. Went out to Austin for Pops Dory’s fly in and landed quite a few spots up over 10,000′. Here are some photos from the past couple months as I try to catch this blog up. ….I also bought a helmet. Check it out. Its a Bonehead PilotX with ANR. I dig it! 

Well after almost 3 weeks, pills just over 60 hours and 200 plus landings I can say that I am blown away by the performance of my new BCSC. Its just incredible. The big wing, prostate slats, Catto prop, Monster Shock landing gear,  T3 tail shock and 35″ Bushwheels, it goes virtually anywhere. Add the Garmin G3 Touch screen and you have just about everything one could possibly imagine and more.

 

I brought the bird home last week after doing my required 40 hours in a large box around windy Wyoming. Most of the 40 hours were spent flying around in 25-40mph winds. That was a really challenge in itself.

As mentioned, the bird is now home. I was supposed to be off for Oshkosh for the STOL Demo but the strain put on my family being away for two weeks in WY, I just cannot take another 2 weeks away from them. Aside from being very disappointed, my family comes first and I just could not do that to them again. Family must always come first. Its not like Im not flying. Just not 1500 miles away. The terrain we have here in the High Sierra is demanding in itself and a whole lot of fun!

Here are some pics from the past few weeks or so…

This is the first time she saw the sunshine!

The First Start!

A walk around the new bird

 

Some of the Mods

Have spent a lot of time as of late getting this thing ready for the DAR and its first flight. It’s truly a beast on 35’s. Weight will be just under 1300lbs and were very happy about that. Cowling is off to paint with the modifications in place. The cowl is a one off. I have never been a fan of the SQ cut throat look. We tried hard for a more traditional cub look with a blend of the SQ look minus the cut throat under belly. The next post will be a completed airplane ready to fly. Stay tuned for final details on weights, CG and performance.

My favorite favorite flights are always the ones with my family. Kinley loves to fly and Kash says “airpane” every time he hears a plane fly over. Kinley now understands the concept of pitch for airspeed and power for attitude. It’s pretty cool to see a 5 year old work the throttle. Seriously.

The other flight here was spent with PNH pilot Cooper out to Black Rock. We had friends camping out there so we ventured out that direction not really knowing what we had in store. Needless to say, every time I fly out to BR we always find ourselves entertained. Guns, rockets, explosions and desert unicorns. It was a good morning with Cooper.

So we put the Monster Shocks on the Highlander. What an incredible upgrade. There no longer such a thing as a bounce when you “drop it in”. The aircraft now has cat like reflexes.  The aircraft literally plants itself on the ground. It’s a game changer for landings.

High Sierra Experimental crew out on the North Circuit yesterday for Father’s Day. Warm, no wind and beautiful out!

The aircraft: Kitfox, Rans, Highlander, SQ and a Pacer (certified)

Just waiting for this to return from powder coat and labeling and then the bird gets weighed this week. Thats all we are waiting for now. The DAR is coming and she will be flying shortly. Stay tuned.

On another note, side effects discount its been very windy this week. Have spent some good time flying in the wind and working on landings in the Highlander.

Seems a bit crazy but I went out and got myself a Highlander. Yes, the cub should be done soon but this deal popped up and I could not pass it up.

I have wanted one of these for sometime but always had the opinion that I was to big. After flying it a fair bit, I retract that thought. I have plenty of room and it feels like a I’m sitting inside a Ferrari. The response is very quick giving me the first impression that it was very sporty. Now having a few hours in it, it’s just awesome.

The plane has 500 hours TT on it with a 112hp Rotax engine. It’s certainly not my 180 but again it’s not for that mission either. The Highlander reminds me of getting on that YZ 125 when I was a kid and riding it in the backyard. Fun, fast and responsive.

So yes, this is kind of silly but, we skied the plane 36 miles across the water. Any challengers? We started on the north shore of Tahoe then turned south for Camp Richardson then up the west shore. At about Meeks bay I was over it. Next time, if there is a next time we will do the entire circumference of the lake…72 miles. 🙂 No FAR’s were broken and all rules were followed. All pilots and helicopter pilots were briefed ahead of time and we were in communication the entire time.

Check out the video here. You may have to copy and paste it to your browser

https://db.tt/17Scer9D