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2 Blogs
Oct
29th
Sail repairs on an Aeros Stranger 2 wing
I was able to pick up a wing from Mike Wood of Sutton, AK to replace the wing that was trashed in August during the landing accident with a GA pilot in the front seat of my trike.
While I take full responsibility for the incident, the fact that the other person kicked the steering pedals the wrong direction (he was told not to use his feet and to let me steer) convinces me that GA pilots are going to be a challenge to teach. In fact I will approach them as a special case, and that they are unknowingly trying to kill me. This is why I will probably not opt to become an SPI.
The wing a Stranger 2M has a few spots in the sail fabric where during transit something rubbed against it and created holes. I am wondering what to use to repair these to keep them from becoming larger during wear? I will need some input from the folks on this website for that info.
Looks like my trike repairs will include pulling the fairing and replacing the front forks, checking the kingpin bushing, checking the fuselage tubing for straightness, and replacing all the axle workings and shock absorbers to make sure this is fixed once and for all. Looks like it will be the end of November before this will be done, but there is still no snow on the ground so there is no point in putting on the skis yet.
More this weekend....Still studying the CFI info for the ground instructor rating.
RS
Sep
24th
Looking for wings!
While I am studying this CFI information I am plotting my next flying adventure and trying to find a new wing for my trike.
After the mishap in August that wiped out the wing, scraped the cowling and bruised my ego, I have decided to take the axles off, replace the front end hardware and fix this wobble on landing once and for all.
This evening I invited to local guys, brothers to the EAA Chapter 42 meeting at BCV in Chugiak. The meeting was held at Alaska Airframes who will start production of the Super 18 (a wider PA-18 with Dakota Cub wings and a 180 horse engine) after it receives its FAA certification.
Both of the guys, Dave and Ben Velasquez are interested in becoming trike pilots so we took a stroll to John Davis' hangar where he has two Airborne Edge 582 trikes without wings. He is asking $10K for each cash, no deals, money on the barrelhead!
Ben is a Rotarwing CFI and his Brother Dave is a Private pilot SEL so both these guys are good prospects to become trike pilots and want to buy a rig. They both play in and are becoming famous for there rock band here in Alaska.
The problem is that neither of John's trikes have wings, and I am looking for a Stranger 2, 2M wing for my trike too.
Anyone out there have a line on some good wings, new wings, etc. please let me know. I can be found at www.alaskasportpilotcenter.net, or message me here at trike pilots.
In the meantime I am itching to go flying and miss being airborne emensely. Thus no pictures here on this blogging session.
I am sad that Pete Marsh left the area for Northern California, and that leaves us with one trike instructor here--who doesn't have a trike--in the Anchoage area, although there are two in Fairbanks 351 miles north of here.
Perhaps it is time for me to write the book about Mike Jacober, and get it published. Anyone interested in a story about an awesome pilot and how he carved a living from flying trikes...?
Next blog I will tell you more...
Blue Skies
Stapleton N31342
