Fairchild Down

Tom-D

Tom-D

Taxi to Parking
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Feb 23, 2005
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Tom-D
I recieved this today.

Hi Tom,
Yeah, I took a bath. But at least it sold; I needed the money. I was looking at insurance and an annual coming due.
But maybe I was lucky. I got a text message today from the buyer, Bill xxxx, who was flying it back to his home on Cape Cod. Message was:

"Thought I'd start the annual today in a West TN soy bean field. Engine blew up."

I just talked to Bill on the phone. Yesterday the engine started running rough after he switched tanks. Still rough after switching back. He was at about 2500 AGL and 18 miles from the nearest airport. Revs dropped to about 1400 and it was getting a bit smokey. He spotted a field and put it in it - ' best landing he'd made in the plane' without a ding to plane or pilot. (the soybeans had been harvested a week before) Found lots of oil on the left side which had obviously come out of the exhaust stack.

As it worked out, he had a friend not too far distant; they were able to truck the plane off the field and to his friend's hanger.

Bill is a retired airline driver and also holds an IA. He told me he is interested in putting a 165 on the nose. I told him I knew of at least one (yours) and suggested he give you a call. I'm going to send him your email address and phone number.
Anyway, I sold the plane for about the value of the airframe, and I guess that's what he got. Sure glad he didn't get hurt.
Are you still trying to sell yours?
 
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Ghery said:
Glad he walked away. For a moment I was afraid that was yours.
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Nope mine is in the barn for the winter. getting a heater and better intake.
 
Tom-D said:
Nope mine is in the barn for the winter. getting a heater and better intake.
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I thought you called it quits! Uh huh, ya sure...a skilled craftsman is never satisfied...can always find 10 more things...just to make 'em "better".

You gotta fly her if only to shake the mice out.
 
Tom-D said:
Nope mine is in the barn for the winter. getting a heater and better intake.
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Seeing the title of this thread and that you started my heart broke. Upon reading your post I was glad it was not that beautiful plane you had fixed up. But I am sad that one of the other ones did go down, glad he was not hurt.
 
I bet parts are getting scarce for those airplanes. Maybe a good candidate for a PT-6 conversion!
 
Richard said:
I thought you called it quits! Uh huh, ya sure...a skilled craftsman is never satisfied...can always find 10 more things...just to make 'em "better".

You gotta fly her if only to shake the mice out.
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I'm pretty much done, my hands are really stiff, I can hardly hold a wrench any more, I don't fly enough to remain current or proficient, getting old sux.

I talked to Bill Yesterday and turned him on to the best Warner rebuilder so we will see what happens.

Kinda sux to see another Warner 145 bite the bullet. They are really hard to find parts for.
 
Tom-D said:
I'm pretty much done, my hands are really stiff, I can hardly hold a wrench any more, I don't fly enough to remain current or proficient, getting old sux.
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I think that aint so much age as it is the curse of working with your hands for a living. Solvents, lubricants, knucklebusters, freezing cold parts, etc...day in and day out.
 
Richard said:
I think that aint so much age as it is the curse of working with your hands for a living. Solvents, lubricants, knucklebusters, freezing cold parts, etc...day in and day out.
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Getting old still sux .
 
Tom. Over the many years I've read your posts, I've always looked forward to your Fairchild reports. Your not getting old. Fight it. Fly more and either supervise a project or do another one.
 
Anthony said:
Tom. Over the many years I've read your posts, I've always looked forward to your Fairchild reports. Your not getting old. Fight it. Fly more and either supervise a project or do another one.
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I have another project, it does not require that I pass a medical to cross the mountains in IFR conditions.

I don't have to beg ATC for directions, nor do I need any ones permission (except Barbs) to go any where with it.

I am way too tired of the over regulation over control and heavy handed tactics of the FAA. Flying in today atmosphere just isn't as much fun as it once was, So if you are happy doing it way spend the money.?
 
I think Tom's comin' to Texas for the winter. Maybe he can build me a 550 while he's here...
 
The guy on the ladder is 84 years old; one of the best house builders around these parts(for over 50 years). He's on a 28 foot ladder, just having cleaned my gutters and then finishing installation of gutter guards. But the main reason for his presence was to install the old-fashioned TV VHF-UHF antenna on the peak of the roof. I hope when I'm 84 I'll have his spunk. Photos are from 11/11/2009. (My basement family room has concrete walls on three sides; and they were poured(1997) only after tons of ledge were blasted out. Hence, TV/FM reception[and cell phone connections] were poor.)

HR
 

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Tom-D said:
I am way too tired of the over regulation over control and heavy handed tactics of the FAA. Flying in today atmosphere just isn't as much fun as it once was, So if you are happy doing it way spend the money.?
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Replace "FAA" with DHEW and flying with "medicine". You get the upcoming picture.
 
bbchien said:
Replace "FAA" with DHEW and flying with "medicine". You get the upcoming picture.
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Now Doc, just what in the hail would YOU know about medicine, or bureaucracy, anyway?

You know, and I know, that placing the federal government in charge of medicine will improve it for everyone.
 
Lawreston said:
The guy on the ladder is 84 years old; one of the best house builders around these parts(for over 50 years). He's on a 28 foot ladder, just having cleaned my gutters and then finishing installation of gutter guards. But the main reason for his presence was to install the old-fashioned TV VHF-UHF antenna on the peak of the roof. I hope when I'm 84 I'll have his spunk. Photos are from 11/11/2009. (My basement family room has concrete walls on three sides; and they were poured(1997) only after tons of ledge were blasted out. Hence, TV/FM reception[and cell phone connections] were poor.)

HR
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If you love what you are doing, you'll never work a day in your life.
 
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