Piper J3
Well Known Member
Just some random thoughts while sheltering-in-place?
Remember Gilda Radner from Saturday Night Live? She used to say ?it?s always something?. I kind of adopted that philosophy with the RV-12 that I bought flying from original builder. I have owned 633CM now for almost 5 years and 500 flight hours and ?it?s always been something Gilda?.
So, why am I writing this? Not complaining one bit. All the labor and time spent has been a wonderful learning experience and the plane is safer today than ever before. I have learned the airplane intimately. I think I?m finally done with SB?s, addressed everything on my squawk sheet, done tweaking and polishing, and even the hanger is cleaned out. Having said all that, I?m probably setting myself up for a major maintenance event.
It feels good to just drive out to the hanger and go fly. The 12 is such a nice design for both owner maintenance and its wonderful flying characteristics. Control harmony and light stick forces, wide cabin with ergonomic seating, excellent visibility, modern avionics, 5 GPH Mogas, 130 MPH cruise, 1000 FPM climb, and 550 lbs. useful load. Couple all of that with the 12 being eligible for Repairman (light sport) with an Inspection Rating (LSRI) and it just doesn?t get any better.
I?ve been flying for 50 years. My father taught me to fly when I was in high school. Dad and I owned a Cub for 23 years. I traded the Cub for the 12 and never looked back. My father passed on July 9, 2006 and never got to see or fly my 12. He would have been amazed. I have his Air Force Wings proudly displayed on the instrument panel. I flew one hour this morning and passed over Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery and dipped the wings?
So, now we have COVID and everyone is flying solo.
It?s always something Gilda?
Remember Gilda Radner from Saturday Night Live? She used to say ?it?s always something?. I kind of adopted that philosophy with the RV-12 that I bought flying from original builder. I have owned 633CM now for almost 5 years and 500 flight hours and ?it?s always been something Gilda?.
So, why am I writing this? Not complaining one bit. All the labor and time spent has been a wonderful learning experience and the plane is safer today than ever before. I have learned the airplane intimately. I think I?m finally done with SB?s, addressed everything on my squawk sheet, done tweaking and polishing, and even the hanger is cleaned out. Having said all that, I?m probably setting myself up for a major maintenance event.
It feels good to just drive out to the hanger and go fly. The 12 is such a nice design for both owner maintenance and its wonderful flying characteristics. Control harmony and light stick forces, wide cabin with ergonomic seating, excellent visibility, modern avionics, 5 GPH Mogas, 130 MPH cruise, 1000 FPM climb, and 550 lbs. useful load. Couple all of that with the 12 being eligible for Repairman (light sport) with an Inspection Rating (LSRI) and it just doesn?t get any better.
I?ve been flying for 50 years. My father taught me to fly when I was in high school. Dad and I owned a Cub for 23 years. I traded the Cub for the 12 and never looked back. My father passed on July 9, 2006 and never got to see or fly my 12. He would have been amazed. I have his Air Force Wings proudly displayed on the instrument panel. I flew one hour this morning and passed over Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery and dipped the wings?
So, now we have COVID and everyone is flying solo.
It?s always something Gilda?