Acroflights:: The Blog

Aaron's Thrill Ride

2009-08-04T07:24:00.000-07:00

Because of my husband's jobs, we know pilots from around the country and the globe. But I was surprised last week when a friend from high school came over to fly with Patrick. I didn't even know you were a pilot, Aaron!

He's planning to come back for more instruction... maybe our house will be finished by then! Thanks, Aaron!

Reed Seaman's Thrill Ride

2009-07-14T10:56:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Reed Seaman came to claim his FREE thrill ride! Reed's wife won him the ride in a giveaway hosted on Emily's blog: The Pilot's Wife.

Reed had a great time, and the video is priceless because he LAUGHS the entire time! So good to meet you and your family, Reed!

Joe Elam's Thrill Ride

2009-07-14T10:54:00.000-07:00

The same day that Zack took a ride, Patrick gave my cousin, Joe, a ride. Joe is definitely the adrenaline junkie, so of course, he loved it!

Zachary Carter's Thrill Ride

2009-07-14T10:52:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, Patrick got to take his cousin, Zack, for a ride while they were in visiting from Georgia!

It was fun, Zack!

Ron Edge's Thrill Ride

2009-06-26T14:15:00.000-07:00

Here you go, Ron!

Jason Rutherford's Thrill Ride

2009-06-26T09:03:00.000-07:00

Hope you had a great time, Jason! It was great to meet you.

Kevin Verdugo's Thrill Ride

2009-06-24T20:06:00.000-07:00

Kevin Verdugo's Thrill Ride

Kevin thanks for all the help with the airshow this weekend!

Pete Bener's Thrill Ride

2009-06-23T22:31:00.000-07:00

I had a great time Pete!

Pete was the winner of the Boys and Girls Club Ride Give-Away, Way to Go Pete!

Jason Clary's Thrill Ride

2009-06-23T21:10:00.000-07:00

First up from the Ada Air Expo: Jason Clary!

Thanks Jason! Hope you enjoyed it!

Acroflights on KXII News

2009-06-21T14:13:00.000-07:00

We'll be posting pictures and other videos from the Ada Air Expo tomorrow, but for now, please check out the following link to the news story that aired on the local television station on Friday night.

Ada Air Expo is Flying High

We had a wonderful show, and can't wait for next year!

Jason's Thrill Ride

2009-06-16T15:47:00.000-07:00

Jason came up from Tulsa today for a Thrill Ride!

Getting the low-down on how it all works.

Safety First! Putting on the parachute.

Climb on in! (carefully!)

He's ready to roll....

Low Pass...

Thanks for flying with us, Jason! Come back anytime!!

Engine Tear-Down and Inspection

2009-02-15T11:23:00.000-08:00

Removal

2009-02-05T19:50:00.000-08:00

We began the initial removal on a cold winter day. There was not anything better to do and my father-in-law was in town so I decided to put him to work. I know that many people have worked on airplanes in cold hangers with great success for many years, but I am very partial to a warm work space so the goal of this operation was speed.
Before the engine comes off the airplane the obvious cowling, propeller, exhaust, hoses, and wiring harness must come off. The removal of these is a fairly easy process, its the installation that separates the men from the boys.

We started at 10:00am and by 2:00pm with a lunch break the engine was hanging from the hoist.

For speed we decided to pull the mount with the engine so all we had to do was disconnect the hoses and wires that ran through the firewall. This was pretty to do, and we avoided straining to get in tight areas. Try to change a mag on a Pitts with the engine in place!

From here we removed the engine mount and hoses that were hanging, quick 15 minute job. Everything else will come off when on its mounted on a stand in the heat.

Notice the snow in the back of the truck. Finding a good way to transport an engine can be difficult. Luckily, we didn't have to go very far and a few 4x4 pieces of lumber and a tie-down strap did the trick. If this engine was not about to be torn down I would not think of transporting it this way.

By 5:00pm we had the engine in the door at the house. This is a big statement for my wife's understanding. Our office doubles as an engine overhaul shop. This is the second engine I've built here in the last 6 months.

Miles thought the engine was pretty cool! Maybe he'll find one in his stocking next Christmas!!!

10:00am - 5:30pm and we have the engine ready for final tear-down. If you drain the oil, and then protect the carpet it is really a pretty clean process. Most people freak out when they see that I'm doing it in the house over our carpet. I always put down thick cardboard and I used some plastic for the initial tear-down. I bought plastic that was supposed to resist battery acid and every thing else. Well, engine oil will eat through it in about 30 minutes.

First day of project , 2 People 10:00am - 5:30pm

TOTAL MAN HOURS: 13

Bored on a Cold Winter Day.

2009-02-03T18:47:00.001-08:00

When the snow had piled up against the hanger door I realized I would not be doing any flying for quite a while unless I invested in skis for my Pitts. The need to overhaul my engine that is rapidly approaching TBO has been haunting me for the last few months. My engine has 1377 hours on it and it has a 1400 hour TBO. As everyone knows the cost to overhaul can be staggering especially if something like a crankshaft is not repairable. However, given the nature of the flying I do I try to rationalize these fears, and not allow money to keep me from being safe. If I can not afford to properly maintain and fly my airplane then I have no business flying, much less flying low-level aerobatics. Don't get me wrong I count every penny, but when a decision must be made about a safety critical part I decide to buy new, overhaul, or use as is and then I figure out the most economical way to accomplish this. I decided that I must heed the manufacturer's recommendation and overhaul my engine before it hits the 1400 hour mark, now I invite you to follow along as I attempt to accomplish this with out breaking the bank.