Need access to a plane in the PDX area this weekend

Ozone

Ozone

Pre-takeoff checklist
Joined
Aug 10, 2014
Messages
194
Location
Minnesota
Display Name
Display name:
Ozone
I’m grasping at straws here, but I am hoping that someone knows someone in the Portland area that can help. I’m looking for a Cessna of some sort to be able to help my aunt drop off my uncle’s ashes offshore near Astoria.


I’m in the area this weekend and an unfortunate combination of weather, CFI availability for checkride access, and plane maintenance have all combined to prevent me from renting from (literally) every FBO within 30 miles of Portland.


Im hoping that someone on this thread can help me with finding a high wing of some sort to help out tomorrow morning or Sunday morning. I have the ashes wrapped up, all it needs is an open window and there’s no risk of scattering since it’ll be a package drop. My aunt wants me to accompany her, so a 4 seater plane would be ideal.


If anyone can help, please pm me
 
Last edited:
would it be possible to go up with an instructor and make it a dual flight? if they're not bothered by the mission, that would get you out of the "needing a checkout" first requirement.
 
MIFlyer said:
would it be possible to go up with an instructor and make it a dual flight? if they're not bothered by the mission, that would get you out of the "needing a checkout" first requirement.
Click to expand...
My suggestion as well, although if he said CFI availability for a checkride was an issue (I assume maybe he meant Flight Review and not an actual FAA checkride).
 
You might ask on fatpnw Facebook group. Decent chance someone between Kelso and Portland might like a mission.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I’d be looking at boating options, for spreading ashes. Maybe just let the Columbia River current take them out?
 
sourdough44 said:
I’d be looking at boating options, for spreading ashes. Maybe just let the Columbia River current take them out?
Click to expand...
State law may have something to say about this. When we scattered my mother's remains in the Gulf, Florida law required us to be at least three miles offshore.
 
And how much in ash do we become? 1/2 gallon? I can think of a lot more unpleasant things to put in the ocean.

Maybe revive the ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ mantra?
 
The Deed has been done. The ashes were placed in mulberry paper, wrapped like a burrito. The package was then tied up with cotton string. In a Cessna 150, we flew the requisite 3 miles offshore at 5000 feet.
I slowed to 65mph, with 10 degrees of flaps, and started a gentle turn to the right. My aunt then tossed the package out the window. It dropped out of site immediately. From 5000 feet, I expect that it exploded upon impact with the water. In my opinion, dropping the ashes as a package, as opposed to trying to scatter them into the air, is safer for several reasons.

If anyone needs advice or ideas should they need to dispense with ashes, I’m happy to answer questions and give links of the places where I bought the mulberry paper and so on.

FWIW: human ashes are about 200 cubic inches and weigh around 8 pounds
 
Ozone said:
....FWIW: human ashes are about 200 cubic inches and weigh around 8 pounds
Click to expand...
That sounds about right. When my father-in-law died 3 years ago, he was cremated. The funeral home told my wife and mother-in-law that the average human produces about 10 lb of ashes. When you bring home an urn, you are not getting all of the ashes because they simply won't fit.

I don't know a lot about these things...what is the significance of mulberry paper?

I'm glad you were able to accomplish what you needed to.
 
Fallsrider said:
I don't know a lot about these things...what is the significance of mulberry paper?
Click to expand...

I knew from my travels that mulberry paper is really strong, rather thick and behaves like cloth. But, it’s totally biodegradable since it’s made from the bark of the paper mulberry Bush. Link: https://www.mulberrypaperandmore.com/

The paper is 2x2.5. I sewed it together to make a long piece that was about 2x5. I then folded it lengthwise in thirds and sewed up one end to make sure nothing would come apart when rolled up ( i found all-cotton sewing thread). The ashes were poured in the middle third along most of the length.

At first, I tried rolling the whole thing up and quickly realized that it would be too bulky. I backed up and started folding each section about 8 inches (from the free end to the sewed up end). This resulted in a soft package that was about 3-4 inches thick and 8 inches square.

All of that was tied together with cotton string to keep it tightly wrapped, so there would be no chance of it tearing or spilling.
 
Ozone said:
The Deed has been done. The ashes were placed in mulberry paper, wrapped like a burrito. The package was then tied up with cotton string. In a Cessna 150, we flew the requisite 3 miles offshore at 5000 feet.
I slowed to 65mph, with 10 degrees of flaps, and started a gentle turn to the right. My aunt then tossed the package out the window. It dropped out of site immediately. From 5000 feet, I expect that it exploded upon impact with the water. In my opinion, dropping the ashes as a package, as opposed to trying to scatter them into the air, is safer for several reasons.

If anyone needs advice or ideas should they need to dispense with ashes, I’m happy to answer questions and give links of the places where I bought the mulberry paper and so on.

FWIW: human ashes are about 200 cubic inches and weigh around 8 pounds
Click to expand...

That’s great. Glad it worked out for you and her. Where did you find a plane?
 
Aero maintenance at KVUO. They were awesome and very helpful. The planes are old, but well maintained. The instructor who did my checkout was professional, thorough, and kind.
 
Ozone said:
Aero maintenance at KVUO. They were awesome and very helpful. The planes are old, but well maintained. The instructor who did my checkout was professional, thorough, and kind.
Click to expand...

Cool. They have some good ones there. Did you get to meet Clu at the desk? Who was your instructor?

EDIT: I see you did the checkout and then went right out for the drop. I’ll give Brian your Kudo’s next time I run across him. I’ll be out there in a week or two getting a 90 day rental checkout.
 
Last edited:
luvflyin said:
EDIT: I see you did the checkout and then went right out for the drop. I’ll give Brian your Kudo’s next time I run across him. I’ll be out there in a week or two getting a 90 day rental checkout.
Click to expand...

The first 150 I rented for the checkout was too close to its 100 hour limit to let me take it for the drop, so I rented the other 150. Both worked fine, but both also tripped my CO monitor when flying full rich mix. Leaned out (in the 2nd 150), it was fine.

Brian and I talked about the CO issue. Let him know to look for electronic CO options via this link: https://aviationnewstalk.com/podcas...-avionics-and-upgrading-your-cockpit-ga-news/
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top