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The Valkyrie - Off to New Adventures!

Ironflight

Ironflight

VAF Moderator / Line Boy
Mentor
End of an Era……

The Valkyrie flew away today at dawn with her new owner. We spent the last couple of days teaching him the systems, the maintenance, and flight characteristics, and he headed off on new adventures in aviation with a seasoned bird that is running well.

I built the RV-8 that I came to call “Valkyrie” more than twenty years ago - at the time, I considered that it was going to be my “forever airplane”. Little did I know what was coming - meeting Louise (at a fly-in), building more airplanes, an entire second career in experimental aviation, journalism and becoming known for evaluating and testing airplanes! All started with this amazing machine.

But time moves on, needs change, and new challenges come along. The new F1 Rocket we call “Myst” is doing well, did the round trip to Oshkosh without even breathing hard, and is ready to take over the mantel of my number one cross-country machine. She can gallop across a thousand miles before needing fuel, all of it high and fast where the air is smooth.

The Valkyrie has served me extremely well, and it is time to let her go out into the world without me. I could be sad…but I am not. Proud parents might feel a little tug, but should be glad to have their offspring doing well!

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Im not sure whether to say “Congratulations” or “I’m sorry”. Having been in your shoes - I feel that when one chooses to let go of a big ticket item, there’s often a sense of relief when the sale has been completed. Conversely, there can be such a strong melancholy feeling when something that has been such a huge part of ones life moves on. It’s good to see that like a fledgling, you’re proud that it has taken wing without you.

So, while it may be a mixed bag of emotions, I’ll raise my glass and wish you the best today. And many happy flights with Myst!
 
I remember selling my favourite sport car, the car I drove to my wedding. I can still picture the tail of it disappearing round the corner with its new driver at the wheel.
I’ve had lots of cars since, but nothing has ever quite captured what that car ment to me.
To say I regret selling is a bit strong, but I still look when I hear one of the engines, you never know, it might be mine.
 
I used to say, "the two happiest days" for boats and airplanes. The day you buy and the day you sell.
But now, thinking not so much for the end part.
 
BruceW said:
I used to say, "the two happiest days" for boats and airplanes. The day you buy and the day you sell.
But now, thinking not so much for the end part.
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I never that saying applies to airplanes. definitely to boats, but there are quite a few very happy days in the interim while owning an airplane, especially a nearly perfect one like the Vans.
 
I was surprised by how melancholy I felt watching my airplane fly for the first time from the ground, after building it and flying it for 1,000 hours.
 
Oddly enuf we are only caretakers of everything we own, the thing is, enjoy it whilst it’s in your care for nothing is forever👍
 
Should an airplane sold to a new owner keep their name? Kinda like animals get a new name when they're adopted.

Every so often I'll look up an old airplane from a flight school, see where they're at and wonder about the adventures they're having. A couple have come up as "deregistered" which could mean anything from sold to outside the US or totaled, which makes me sad.
 
Of course the new caretaker is among us and knows the adventures well. Congrats to you both on the easy sale.
 
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