Fast Trip to Alabama- and Prize at the End!

SCCutler

SCCutler

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Spike Cutler
Yesterday was one of those days that just wears you out!

Up at 0515 to get washed up and run to the airport to catch a mailing tube (Southwest does it as well as can be expected) to Birmingham, Alabama.

Met at the airport by a real gentleman, a Master Chief in the Alabama Air Guard, with whom I rode to the other side of the airport (the side where the real airplanes are...), and we hopped in his plane and flew down to Shelby County Airport (EET), where I was treated to a flight with an Air Guard Colonel (!) who is also a flight instructor. I managed not to kill him.

Then back to BHM for lunch, over to the FBO for a quick look at the computer and a call to Flight Service (instant pick-up and a briefing by a skilled and knowledgeable specialist, thanky very much). Then off into a mostly-overcast sky to climb to 8,000, just (gloriously) on top, to fly home.

In my new airplane.

Folks, I'd like to introduce you to N7892R, the Bonanza with my name on her!
 

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Spike,

Good for you! Best of luck with your airplane. It's been a long time coming!

John
 
Heartfelt congratulations!! It's going to look great in the grass at Gaston's!!
 
I've kept my mouth shut for a week. Finally I get to post my congrats. WAHOOOOOOOO! Can't wait to see it at the Wings Fly BQ next May!!:yes:
 
Awesome! Congrats on the great looking bird!!!

Just more proof that all good things come from Alabama. :yes:
 
Congrats Spike. I knew you'd find one that fit!! And look at that V-tail!

Best,

Dave
 
very sweet sir.

now what am I going to pick on you about? :dunno: :D

looks like a very capable traveling machine and fun generator for the family. enjoy!
 
oh- will we be able to inspect the new airplane at Ames end of the month??
 
Wow, Spike! What a pretty bird!!! Congratulations! I just love that smile on your face as you're flying along. :yes:
 
SCCutler said:
Yesterday was one of those days that just wears you out! <snip>
Folks, I'd like to introduce you to N7892R, the Bonanza with my name on her!
Click to expand...

Oh, to be so wore out!! Congratulations, Spike!!!!! This is HUGE news! I can't wait to see her.
 
Yeeeeeehaaaaaw!!

That's too awesome, Spike. Makes me a very happy person to see you living the dream in your own airplane. This thread literally just made my day, dude.

So - when's the obligatory trip to ABQ for beer/green chile?
 
Sweet ride! Whata panel!

Does this mean you are too good to talk to a Mouse driver now?
 
SCCutler said:
Then off into a mostly-overcast sky to climb to 8,000, just (gloriously) on top, to fly home.

In my new airplane.

Folks, I'd like to introduce you to N7892R, the Bonanza with my name on her!
Click to expand...

Wow, Spike, wow!

Good for you, I hope you enjoy it immensely!!!

:cheerswine:
 
WOW, Spike! She's pretty!!! Rides at Gaston's?!?!??!!?
 
What a beau-tee-ful Bonanza! I especially like the Velcro'd pen holder on the ceiling above your head. Now that's CRM!

-Rich
 
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rpadula said:
What a beau-tee-ful Bonanza! I especially like the Velcro'd pen holder on the ceiling above your head. Now that's CRM!

-Rich
Click to expand...

What is the "Keep Alive" switch? What would happen if you set it to "off"?:lightning: :lightning: :lightning:
 
Way to pick em Spike, I know how hard you worked on this.
The Wooden Wonder is also very proud to be tied down so close to her.
 
I have just one question... was it ever owned by a doctor? :)
 
You bought a Bonanza?

And all this time I had you as an IAR kinda guy...

:rofl:
 
Way to go Spike!!

Congrats!

Where is she parked?

John
 
Skypilotcfii said:
She is Beautiful! When you catch your breath start a thread about making her faster and avionics. Removing that Loran and ADF AND the Antennas would give you a few knots. I have sure never missed mine or the DME AND Antenna.
Click to expand...

Bah! If I had an RMI, I'd keep that ADF (specially since it's one of the nice King digital ones) until the last NDB is decommissioned. There's still a lot of approaches that say things like "ADF OR RADAR REQUIRED" and though I know the 430 will fulfill that requirement it's always nice to have a backup.

Spike, I see a couple of switches for the autopilot but can't see the main unit... What is it? The WAAS upgrade to the 430 is worthwhile, it gives you additional "oh-$#!+" options and vertical guidance on many more approaches. If you have an autopilot with GPSS, it's doubly worthwhile as it'll enable the 430/ap combination to fly procedure turns and holds on its own.

And if you're not done spending all your money after that, well, time for some of Aspen's toys. :D I got to play with them at AOPA Expo. I'll call you soon and tell you all about it. :yes:
 
Wow, great news! And, as other have commented, that's a BIG grin on your face there!
 
Bill Jennings said:
What is the "Keep Alive" switch? What would happen if you set it to "off"?:lightning: :lightning: :lightning:
Click to expand...

HAHA - good find, Bill (you made me search the panel to find it).

I'm guessing it has something to do with the audio panel, but no clue what it could be.
 
Woo Hoo!

COngratulations, Spike, really nice birdie.

Too bad I've moved out ot Texas or we'd have to get together soon.
 
flyingcheesehead said:
Spike, I see a couple of switches for the autopilot but can't see the main unit... What is it?
Click to expand...

Look to the left of the HSI... STEC System 30 with Alt Hold

flyingcheesehead said:
And if you're not done spending all your money after that, well, time for some of Aspen's toys. :D I got to play with them at AOPA Expo. I'll call you soon and tell you all about it. :yes:
Click to expand...

I think Aspen's new stuff is off-the-chart cool.
 
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Congratulations! It is an amazing feeling... I still get big grins every time I open the hangar door and see MY airplane. :D
 
Steve said:
You bought a Bonanza?

And all this time I had you as an IAR kinda guy...

:rofl:
Click to expand...

There are only so many... and the Bo was already on the approved list... by CJane.

jwkidd said:
Way to go Spike!!

Congrats!

Where is she parked?

John
Click to expand...

Securely in the hangar at ADS. It was on the ramp at T82 (Fredericksburg, TX) yesterday to today, parked three planes down from Dr. Dave's exceptionally beautiful wooden-wonder Bellanca.

Skypilotcfii said:
She is Beautiful! When you catch your breath start a thread about making her faster and avionics. Removing that Loran and ADF AND the Antennas would give you a few knots. I have sure never missed mine or the DME AND Antenna. Did the previous owner sign up for the WAAS upgrade before they changed the price?

Fred
Click to expand...

We were in negotiation at the end of the month, so I got the S/N for the 430, and it's signed-up for the upgrade with the avionics shop at ADS... so we beat the deadline.

The ADF stays until it breaks or I need something else to take the space. Like Kent says, below, it's nice to have it around.

flyingcheesehead said:
Bah! If I had an RMI, I'd keep that ADF (specially since it's one of the nice King digital ones) until the last NDB is decommissioned. There's still a lot of approaches that say things like "ADF OR RADAR REQUIRED" and though I know the 430 will fulfill that requirement it's always nice to have a backup.

Spike, I see a couple of switches for the autopilot but can't see the main unit... What is it? The WAAS upgrade to the 430 is worthwhile, it gives you additional "oh-$#!+" options and vertical guidance on many more approaches. If you have an autopilot with GPSS, it's doubly worthwhile as it'll enable the 430/ap combination to fly procedure turns and holds on its own.

And if you're not done spending all your money after that, well, time for some of Aspen's toys. :D I got to play with them at AOPA Expo. I'll call you soon and tell you all about it. :yes:
Click to expand...

I can see, some day, an Aspen Pro in the panel, and that includes a backup GPS and the GPSS. But I am in no hurry to start changing things around just yet. The WAAS upgrade happens soon, and that's about it.

gprellwitz said:
Wow, great news! And, as other have commented, that's a BIG grin on your face there!
Click to expand...

I felt pretty jazzed... still do!

SkyHog said:
HAHA - good find, Bill (you made me search the panel to find it).

I'm guessing it has something to do with the audio panel, but no clue what it could be.
Click to expand...

This, I do not know about yet... Ken (seller) was not absolutely sure either. There are some obsoleted switches in the panel... we'll figger 'em out... :D

tdager said:
Congratulations! It is an amazing feeling... I still get big grins every time I open the hangar door and see MY airplane. :D
Click to expand...

Amen, Brother!

===

Thanks to allayouse for your wishes-well. With our first adventure in niner-two romeo behind us, I am still very tickled. :yes:
 
All right Spike. You know how happy I am for you. Good things are worth the wait. Now I know who's going to be following whom next year at Gastons :p . I can't wait to see it live!
 
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