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JAPhillipsGA(at)aol.com
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 Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 9:27 am Post subject: Zenith Airplane: Great Flying Day ! |
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Dear Thread Friends, I received a call from a fellow builder named Jim on Friday. Said he had seen the write up on my XL in Sport Pilot, that he lived about 60 miles away and could he come look at my plane Saturday morning ? Sure. I met him at the FSO ( I was 30 minutes late, as always). I met him, drank a cup of coffee, listened and talked a while. Sorta wanted to get to know this stranger before taking him over to the hanger. When we went to look at the plane Jim really started looking at her and eyeballing her hard. Jim seemed very much less than excited about the prospect of the long building road ahead as he was only working on the first wing. I got the distinct feeling that here was a fellow that might not really want to build an airplane. Jim continued to look at things and as I fielded questions I was moving around pre flighting the plane. I started rolling her out and Jim looked a bit surprised. We hopped right in and she started and performed well (showing off I think for a new passenger) After climbing up to 3000 I just turned it over to Jim and he was smiling. He kept looking around as he made turns and with a couple minutes of bumping around easliy grasped the sensitivity and responsiveness of the dual stick. We flew around the local area for a while and I brought her in nice and soft (even used the flaps) I had Jim taxi over to the hanger and we talked a bit before de planing. From what I gathered Jim had basically inherited the XL project from his Father that had passed away about a year ago and the dream was really his Father's. The reason I'm writing this is that after the flight Jim was a different person. He seemed genuinely eager to get to building. In fact, about an hour after he left he called and wanted to return and take some photos and he did. I don't know for sure, but the attitude difference between the "before flight Jim" was significant from the "after flight Jim." I felt really good that maybe my plane, the flight and my optimism and enthusiasm had made a positive impact on a builder that may have been wavering. Yes, I felt so good I tinkered on the plane until after 10 pm. Now I know this is a long boring story and not nearly as interesting as aileron hinges, paint and scotchbite, but you never know how we as builders, flyers and men can provide the little spark that may be felt by others for years to come. Jim, if your out there, your welcome at my hanger anytime.
Best Regards,
Bill of Georgia
N505WP
601XL-3300 [quote][b]
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TxDave
Joined: 22 Jul 2006
Posts: 168
Location: Temple, TX
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| Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 12:32 pm Post subject: Re: Zenith Airplane: Great Flying Day ! |
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Bill,
Your story reminded me of my first airplane ride when I was about 9 or 10 years old. I used to ride my bicycle to a little airport In my hometown of ElDorado, Arkansas to watch takeoffs and landings. One day the local Civil Air Patrol unit was there working on their Aeronca Champ. The squadron leader offered me a flight and I jumped at the opportunity (back in the early sixties, so no consent form or waiver or other legal junk was required). Well, that was it, I was hooked! Now here I am years later building my own airplane.
Your generosity and enthusiasm probably changed this guy's life for the better. Amazing how a shared flight can have such an impact on someones life. Way to go!
Dave Clay
Temple, TX
601 Scratch Builder
http://www.daves601xl.com
do not archive
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n4546v(at)mindspring.com
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| Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 1:38 pm Post subject: Zenith Airplane: Great Flying Day ! |
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We have a Chapter member; Bob Floodeen, who has mentored youngsters and
hosted as many more exchange students, several of which he helped learn to
fly. Among his successes are:
A Gulfstream 5 Captain flying for Time-Warner
A Mesa Airlines instructor pilot
Just this past year, A German exchange student, who Bob Brought back from
Germany, helped him get his Private ticket here, who is currently in
Lufthansa's Pilot training program.
Bob does more than talk about helping others. He rightly tells us you never
know what influence you might have on someone.
Regards,
Randy L. Thwing, Las Vegas do not archive
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Gig Giacona
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 1416
Location: El Dorado Arkansas USA
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| Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 1:48 pm Post subject: Re: Zenith Airplane: Great Flying Day ! |
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A Mesa Airlines instructor pilot: I don't know if I'd count this as a success.
Do Not Archive
| | - The Matronics Zenith-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
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_________________
W.R. "Gig" Giacona
601XL Under Construction
See my progress at www.peoamerica.net/N601WR |
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Ron Lendon
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 685
Location: Clinton Twp., MI
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| Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 3:01 pm Post subject: Re: Zenith Airplane: Great Flying Day ! |
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Bill,
It was a demo flight much like you gave that made me make the decision, I ordered the 601XL plans the same day.
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_________________
Ron Lendon
WW Corvair with Roy's Garage 5th bearing
CH 601 XLB
N601LT - Flying
http://www.mykitlog.com/rlendon
Corvair Engine Prints:
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jeffrey_davidson(at)earth
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| Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 3:40 pm Post subject: Zenith Airplane: Great Flying Day ! |
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Way to go Bill! That's pretty much what it is all about: introducing others to why we do this and getting a great result. It is an uplifting story that we could use more of.
Jeff Davidson
do not archive
From: owner-zenith-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-zenith-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of JAPhillipsGA(at)aol.com
Sent: Monday, August 14, 2006 1:26 PM
To: zenith-list(at)matronics.com
Subject: Zenith Airplane: Great Flying Day !
Dear Thread Friends, I received a call from a fellow builder named Jim on Friday. Said he had seen the write up on my XL in Sport Pilot, that he lived about 60 miles away and could he come look at my plane Saturday morning ? Sure. I met him at the FSO ( I was 30 minutes late, as always). I met him, drank a cup of coffee, listened and talked a while. Sorta wanted to get to know this stranger before taking him over to the hanger. When we went to look at the plane Jim really started looking at her and eyeballing her hard. Jim seemed very much less than excited about the prospect of the long building road ahead as he was only working on the first wing. I got the distinct feeling that here was a fellow that might not really want to build an airplane. Jim continued to look at things and as I fielded questions I was moving around pre flighting the plane. I started rolling her out and Jim looked a bit surprised. We hopped right in and she started and performed well (showing off I think for a new passenger) After climbing up to 3000 I just turned it over to Jim and he was smiling. He kept looking around as he made turns and with a couple minutes of bumping around easliy grasped the sensitivity and responsiveness of the dual stick. We flew around the local area for a while and I brought her in nice and soft (even used the flaps) I had Jim taxi over to the hanger and we talked a bit before de planing. From what I gathered Jim had basically inherited the XL project from his Father that had passed away about a year ago and the dream was really his Father's. The reason I'm writing this is that after the flight Jim was a different person. He seemed genuinely eager to get to building. In fact, about an hour after he left he called and wanted to return and take some photos and he did. I don't know for sure, but the attitude difference between the "before flight Jim" was significant from the "after flight Jim." I felt really good that maybe my plane, the flight and my optimism and enthusiasm had made a positive impact on a builder that may have been wavering. Yes, I felt so good I tinkered on the plane until after 10 pm. Now I know this is a long boring story and not nearly as interesting as aileron hinges, paint and scotchbite, but you never know how we as builders, flyers and men can provide the little spark that may be felt by others for years to come. Jim, if your out there, your welcome at my hanger anytime.
Best Regards,
Bill of Georgia
N505WP
601XL-3300 | Quote: | | http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Zenith-List |
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[quote][b]
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