Air Prayer

Even though I’ve explained this to my friends already I keep getting questions about why I’m selling the RV-4.  I really enjoy the RV-4.  I’ve invested roughly 10 years of my life in that airplane.  So why sell it now that it’s finally done?  Two reasons.

The first and most superficial reason is that my flying mission has changed.  I’d really like to get back into back country flying again and I can’t really do that in my RV-4.  It doesn’t have a whole lot of room for camping equipment, especially if you have two people in the plane.  Plus now that it’s painted I’d really be nervous landing it on a gravel strip.

The second and much less superficial reason is my son.  As many of my friends know my son has Autism.  Due to his language defecits and limited understanding his career paths will be somewhat limited.  One thing he is very good at is understanding drawings.  He also has a great mechanical aptitude.  Add to this that he recently asked me when I’m going to build another airplane.  His question made me think that I could accomplish several goals at once but it would require that I raise the funds needed to build another airplane.

My plan is to sell the RV-4 and buy a new airplane kit.  The front runner right now is a Rans S6ES.  It is simple and quick to build.  My thought is that I could give my son some excellent mechanical skills if he were to help me with the construction of this plane.  We would look at the construction manual together and I would give him a construction task on the plane each day.  He would accomplish the task and I would inspect it.  I would explain any errors to him and have him correct them himself.  This will give him some great skills in interpreting complex drawings and learning some good shop techniques.

Since we home school our children we have to take any opportunity to think outside the box.  Building another plane is just such an example of where several goals can be met at once.  I am hoping it will also help him build some confidence in his own skills and also be a great father – son bonding experience.

So there you have it.  That’s why the RV-4, something I poured my money, blood, sweat, and sometimes bad words into, must go.

Okay, I enjoy flying to out of the way places.  I really enjoy challenging approaches and departures at an airport.  But this is one take-off that I hadn’t seen that often.  If you’re thinking of missionary aviation or flying for the CIA, this is most likely the kind of airport you will be operating out of.

Have a look:

Interesting Take Off

And of course, what goes up, must come down.  This video is EXACTLY the kind of flying I would LOVE to do:

REALLY Short Field Landing

Here’s a guy who really has a great job.  This 9 minute video is a quick tour of back country flying in New Guinea:

Flying in New Guinea

And of course, for me, the ultimate in flying:

Landing on a Beach

Just love enjoying this gift from God.

I haven’t been updating this blog much lately.  I’ve been busy with issues at work, work at church, and a few other miscellaneous side projects.

Something happened at work today that made me want to write about it.  Kind of like finding a $100 bill in your pants.  I was in our operations area at work and one of the end users came in asking for a report.  He’s a very quiet guy.  Never says much, least of all to me.  The operator on duty told him the report would be ready “soon.”  So feeling a little mischevious I started to sing “Soon and very soon…”  and then stopped waiting for the reaction.  Everyone looked at me with a puzzled amused look.  But the quiet guy that came in for the report answers with “We are going to see the King!”  And with the biggest smile I’d ever seen on his face.

He then remarked, “I hope He comes before we all get laid off.”

“Amen.” I answered.

I sense an new ministry opportunity.

The plane that is.  Finally, after 5 years of construction, and 5 years of flying (has it been THAT long?) my RV-4 is finished.  Here is the final result:

The NEW RV-4

I’ve had so many friends tell me that now that it’s done, I won’t want to sell it.  I kind of don’t.  However, I’m entering into a new phase of flying where I don’t feel the need to go so fast or so far.  This plane has long legs and I don’t really.  I would rather it go to someone who can enjoy it.