Texas Spring/Summer Thread

[bindian]

Before, many times! I used to fly a Cessna 185 on PK Amphib floats. I could leave FTW from dry land, and come into Conroe and land on the water they had for float planes.

Fun story. When I was flying that seaplane, I would take off in FTW and then go land on Eagle Mountain Lake. I'd climb up and sun bathe on top of the fuselage for a few minutes, then go land on Grapevine Lake. There was an eating place called Catfish Hut. I'd water taxi to the boat ramp, then drop the gear out and taxi up the boat ramp, and park in the parking lot. I'd go in and eat, then come out and climb in the plane and taxi across the parking lot, back to the boat ramp, and taxi down it, suck the gear up, and take off of the water! Always drew a crowd!

Landing on water is even less forgiving than a plain taildragger. If you don't keep the yoke back on landing, you flip.

I got the float flying "bug" in Alaska, when riding with some Bush Pilots. Now, those guys can fly!

FG,
Are you referring to Montgomery County airport (CXO) having water for float planes? Maybe you are thinking David Wayne Hooks Airport just southwest about 40-50 miles in Harris County. Hooks had a seaplane water way. The outfit I worked for at Hooks had the "pinkish" two hangars just across the taxiway from the seaplane turn around. Hooks had a very delicious restaurant. I'd eat there at least once a week. Irma Hooks ran the place. CXO had no restaurant.
I last went down there (to Hooks) in 2007 and the waterway had been filled in. Sadness prevails. Good times, I had there!

Our boss at Hooks, Phillips Avaition, had a 1964 Falcon pickup we would ski behind on the roadway besides the waterway. I skied it a few times. You had to get up out of the water fast or you would eat cattails and the bank. The roadway when down to Lake Aircraft, where they finished out their amphibians.

We had a flour bombing target on the west side of the seaplane waterway. We would practice in the cool mornings with the bosses Cessna 150.

Oh yeah..............if I didn't live in Texas..............I'd live in Alaska. Been there twice working helicopters. Fairbanks in Dec. and Anchorage and Nome in Ausgust. Loved every minute of it. If only had I went to Alaska BEFORE getting married!

I've seen those landing and takeoff contests before on the TV show.....Flying Wild Alaska.
hugs, Brandi

 

[farmgirl19]

You're right about it being Hooks with the waterway, but I used to fly into CXO a lot too. And remember the big hangar, and when it burned. But with the 185, it was Hooks for the water landing. Getting hours to take the checkride for the rating.

My mistake. Haven't hung around the area in many years. If I get to play with the rv6, I'll have to fly down and we'll go play for a day.

I can't handle Alaska in the winter, but island hopping in the float plane was fun in other months. Only way to get to some of those places. And it is a real addiction. Makes you throw rocks at other planes.

 

[bindian]

You're right about it being Hooks with the waterway, but I used to fly into CXO a lot too. And remember the big hangar, and when it burned. But with the 185, it was Hooks for the water landing. Getting hours to take the checkride for the rating.

My mistake. Haven't hung around the area in many years. If I get to play with the rv6, I'll have to fly down and we'll go play for a day.

I can't handle Alaska in the winter, but island hopping in the float plane was fun in other months. Only way to get to some of those places. And it is a real addiction. Makes you throw rocks at other planes.

Hooks was one sweet airport.:licking: Don't know about it now with the tower and all. The one lane overpass over Boudeaux Road was built by the Hooks so Kathy Hooks could get to the airport without crossing the road. She was a tom boy airport junkie that grew up into a beautiful lady and crushed a lot of airport worker's hearts on the field.
Bring the RV6 down and I'll check it out.:thumbsup: You know I am finicky with who and what I fly. Once, I had the chance to go flying in a 400hp Comanche.:drool: The owner was filing the prop and when he was finished filing, he threw the file back into his T hangar.:thumbdown::shocked::thumbdown: I bowed out of going into the air behind those 8 purring cylinders.:2cents:
hugs, Brandi

 

[farmgirl19]

Hooks was one sweet airport.:licking: Don't know about it now with the tower and all. The one lane overpass over Boudeaux Road was built by the Hooks so Kathy Hooks could get to the airport without crossing the road. She was a tom boy airport junkie that grew up into a beautiful lady and crushed a lot of airport worker's hearts on the field.
Bring the RV6 down and I'll check it out.:thumbsup: You know I am finicky with who and what I fly. Once, I had the chance to go flying in a 400hp Comanche.:drool: The owner was filing the prop and when he was finished filing, he threw the file back into his T hangar.:thumbdown::shocked::thumbdown: I bowed out of going into the air behind those 8 purring cylinders.:2cents:
hugs, Brandi

I have done so much of my smaller craft flying with no radio, that I "forget" some places have added towers. Again, I guess they don't figure today's pilots can do it all without computers and other aids.

I hear ya about being particular about who and what you fly. I prefer that I am at the controls! As far as the what, well, I'll fly anything fixed wing, that I can strap to my behind. I do a much more thorough preflight than others, and even look at the log on the craft to check annuals, engine log, etc. After all, want all maintenance documented, as well as all looks good on serious walk around. Never know who the last person was to get out of something, if you don't own it. I KNOW the rv6, watched it being built, know the only folks that have ever sat in the thing. Heck, I even know the engine on it from eons ago. The 180hp came off of an old Cherokee that I flew as a private pilot. The instruments it has came from the same Cherokee. And it is painted in the old Texas International paint scheme! (Another friend has one, and his is in the old (pre 1980) Frontier scheme!)

I'll send ya a PM. We are probably boring many on this thread. I'll try to send you some pics of the rv6 I am considering making mine. I just wish I could justify it for some reason other than, "I want it, and it would be FUN"! Maybe I need to buy lottery tickets, so if I win, I won't care! :laughing: :cool2:

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Nope, flying is not boring to me. I never finished my license due to the tragedy I outlined previously, but my buddy still has planes in my hometown. He doesn't fly himself much anymore due to work and other situations. But he has a cream puff J-3 he is thinking about selling. I want him to take the proceeds and get his supercub repaired. It was flipped on the apron when a storm broke 1 of the tie down ropes. Does anyone know someone who does complete overhauls of fabric planes here in Texas (or nearby) that they could recommend?

 

[Bird]

Kyle, I guess I was a bit like you; never got a license, but was preparing to get the helicopter license when I was commander of our helicopter section. Both of my younger brothers got licenses when they lived in Alaska. One used to have Pipe Colt taildragger and the other used to have a Piper Commanche, although he flew a lot of different planes up there and sold airplanes for awhile.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Yep, propeller head confessed.
Unfortunately, never had the money for it.

 

[Lou66]

I never flew a plane always wanted to,, but my wife wouldn't have it.. Said I get carried away and go way over board on everything.. (I told her I can swim),, I do like to move up scale or grade or next level.:laughing:. So I am confined to keeping up with Snoopy the World war one flying ace and his Sopwith camel plus the Red Baron.. I do enjoy you ladies conversation and reading about it.. I have a couple of friends that are crop dusters,, They will buzz me if I am out in the pasture mowing or filling the water tank.. One of them came up behind one time while I was a million miles away mowing pasture,, you know when your in a world of your own.. I swear if I would have had a rock it would have got thrown. :laughing:. But a half mil for a plane,, you have to put a lot of dust out to get your money back or just love to fly,, Lou

 

[jinman]

While working 25 years in aviation related training, you'd think I would have a pilot's license, but I just never seemed to have the time to invest. There was always something else I was doing that I wanted to do more. Funny, I was always more interested in the systems (electric, hydraulic, pneumatic) aboard the aircraft and how they work. I just never had a strong desire to be a pilot. I sure worked around, with, and for a lot of pilots though. What I like about pilots is most are people who make decisions easily, right or wrong. They are not afraid to take charge, and you always know where they stand.

I picked the last of my Bush Blue Lake beans yesterday. I got nearly an 8-quart bucket full and just pulled up all the vines. The garden's bean phase is over and the pea phase is in full swing. I also picked a 7 lb 9.4 oz ****** melon this morning.

 

[farmgirl19]

Accurate statement, jinman, right or wrong, we make a decision and "go for it". Not a lot of room for wishy washy when in an aircraft.

And Lou; a lot of us are driven. I began flying in college, and before I graduated (and yes I only took the 4 years), I was flying freight in the DC-3. (Maybe I'll get brave and post some pics of that, one day.) 2 years post graduation, I was flying passengers for a major carrier. Of course, I was a flight instructor to make money to pay for my own flying, while learning different things and equipment, such as sea plane, etc. I was pushing to learn and do well in all of it. But I was lucky, I had the very best for my beginning instructor. She was DEMANDING, and she had a Cessna 120, and I learned all of the basics in that, from first lesson, to solo, so transitioning from there was pretty easy. In less than 3 years, I had over 1500 hours of flight time, and was a full time student! It helps when you get to the point someone else will pay you to fly, such as the J-3 to Oshkosh, etc.

On a side note, my beginning instructor was a history lesson herself. She taught our boys to fly in WWII, and delivered airplanes to the military. She was always mad, because she never got to "really go fly", because she was a female. I think she was mad, until the day she died. She was 79 years old, the day I took my first lesson with her! She was around for many more years after that, and I would often stop by and use her equipment, and if I was working instruments, hired her to go too!

 

[farmgirl19]

Nope, flying is not boring to me. I never finished my license due to the tragedy I outlined previously, but my buddy still has planes in my hometown. He doesn't fly himself much anymore due to work and other situations. But he has a cream puff J-3 he is thinking about selling. I want him to take the proceeds and get his supercub repaired. It was flipped on the apron when a storm broke 1 of the tie down ropes. Does anyone know someone who does complete overhauls of fabric planes here in Texas (or nearby) that they could recommend?

I may know someone interested in the J-3, if decides to sell, if it is that clean. And, I used to know folks that did the fabric stuff, but some have passed away, and I've lost touch with others. My best bet and guess, would be someplace like Aero Country Airport, in McKinney. I know they have pilots and maintenance people that that can do almost anything, or at least, used to. I'll ask some of my friends that hang out at 52F (Aero Valley Airport) and see if they have someone they'd recommend. I trust who my friends trust, not just someone that says they can and will. They might be good, but I prefer a good referral.

If bindian doesn't have enough projects, she might be able to help too!

 

[farmgirl19]

This is the toy that I want! I really need to win the lottery! :laughing:

 

[pacerron]

This is the toy that I want! I really need to win the lottery! :laughing:

Does Homer really still fly that thing at age 87?

 

[farmgirl19]

Nope, can't get insurance! Mark is shown as only PIC. When Homer turned 87 in May, that was what he had to do. But they'll insure him with something slower.

Pilots are a very small world. I suspected the Pacer in your username was due to a Piper Pacer.

Bill is still flying his with the old Frontier paint scheme too! :laughing:

 

[farmgirl19]

You still local too, pacerron?

 

[pacerron]

You still local too, pacerron?

Negative
on both
closer to KCMH

 

[farmgirl19]

Negative
on both
closer to KCMH

Then you haven't made the PB bar b q? I think last year was the last one ever. Didn't have one this year. Homer makes THE BEST bar b q!

 

[bindian]

I have done so much of my smaller craft flying with no radio, that I "forget" some places have added towers. Again, I guess they don't figure today's pilots can do it all without computers and other aids.

I hear ya about being particular about who and what you fly. I prefer that I am at the controls! As far as the what, well, I'll fly anything fixed wing, that I can strap to my behind. I do a much more thorough preflight than others, and even look at the log on the craft to check annuals, engine log, etc. After all, want all maintenance documented, as well as all looks good on serious walk around. Never know who the last person was to get out of something, if you don't own it. I KNOW the rv6, watched it being built, know the only folks that have ever sat in the thing. Heck, I even know the engine on it from eons ago. The 180hp came off of an old Cherokee that I flew as a private pilot. The instruments it has came from the same Cherokee. And it is painted in the old Texas International paint scheme! (Another friend has one, and his is in the old (pre 1980) Frontier scheme!)

I'll send ya a PM. We are probably boring many on this thread. I'll try to send you some pics of the rv6 I am considering making mine. I just wish I could justify it for some reason other than, "I want it, and it would be FUN"! Maybe I need to buy lottery tickets, so if I win, I won't care! :laughing: :cool2:

Glad to hear your thorough about preflights. Lycoming 180s are good engines. My first rebuild was rebuilding a Cherokee 140. New wing, reworked the center spar section, new firewall. I learned alot on then.
hugs, Brandi

 

[bindian]

Accurate statement, jinman, right or wrong, we make a decision and "go for it". Not a lot of room for wishy washy when in an aircraft.

And Lou; a lot of us are driven. I began flying in college, and before I graduated (and yes I only took the 4 years), I was flying freight in the DC-3. (Maybe I'll get brave and post some pics of that, one day.) 2 years post graduation, I was flying passengers for a major carrier. Of course, I was a flight instructor to make money to pay for my own flying, while learning different things and equipment, such as sea plane, etc. I was pushing to learn and do well in all of it. But I was lucky, I had the very best for my beginning instructor. She was DEMANDING, and she had a Cessna 120, and I learned all of the basics in that, from first lesson, to solo, so transitioning from there was pretty easy. In less than 3 years, I had over 1500 hours of flight time, and was a full time student! It helps when you get to the point someone else will pay you to fly, such as the J-3 to Oshkosh, etc.

On a side note, my beginning instructor was a history lesson herself. She taught our boys to fly in WWII, and delivered airplanes to the military. She was always mad, because she never got to "really go fly", because she was a female. I think she was mad, until the day she died. She was 79 years old, the day I took my first lesson with her! She was around for many more years after that, and I would often stop by and use her equipment, and if I was working instruments, hired her to go too!

FG,
Here we go running parellel again. My Powerplant instructor was a flight engineer/top gunner on B-17s and stayed onto into flight engineer on B-36. He wrote books of his adventures. His last job turning wrenches was turning around Contiental's 747 in Hawaii. He sure knew his round engines.
hugs, Brandi

 

[bindian]

I may know someone interested in the J-3, if decides to sell, if it is that clean. And, I used to know folks that did the fabric stuff, but some have passed away, and I've lost touch with others. My best bet and guess, would be someplace like Aero Country Airport, in McKinney. I know they have pilots and maintenance people that that can do almost anything, or at least, used to. I'll ask some of my friends that hang out at 52F (Aero Valley Airport) and see if they have someone they'd recommend. I trust who my friends trust, not just someone that says they can and will. They might be good, but I prefer a good referral.

If bindian doesn't have enough projects, she might be able to help too!

I did some little fabric repairs while at Phillips Avaition. But the big job.............4 newly recovered wings for the Stearman we were rebuilding, were sent out to recover. I'll never forget unloading those wings, sitting on 8 huge inter tubes on one semi. That was 34 years ago. I might be mistaken, but I don't think dope and fabric is done that way nowadays. I loved doing dope and fabric in A&P school, with the baseball stitches. My instructor made it hard on me and cut a "J" in my fabric airfoil to repair. My classmates just got straight cuts in their airfoils to repair.
hugs, Brandi