The end of the age

[toddrf]

http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?C...-c20d8ea55e5e&


Coupled with my ever present and newly repaired ($225.00 flat rate, thanks Garmin) Garmin 295 I flew the NDB 25 approach into KUNI last night when I dropped MPP off for some brake work prior to selling her. Little did I know that I was doing something which at that moment was becoming very antiquated.

It is a bit sad to me to see the elimination of the NDB approach, I would probably rather have VORs go before the NDB but apparantly it is time that they leave and most likely time for me to start looking for a back up GPS for my back up GPS.

NDB approaches are the simplest (in spite of their maligned reputation) of all approaches and I am going to miss that simplicity. When flown with an RMI they leave no doubt in your mind as to where you are on the approach. Coupled with a basic moving map GPS for backup and you have a pretty unbeatable combination after the ILS.

I hope for those of you out there that you will give them a try. They are not as complex as they are made out to be and they certainly have covered me more than once.

Todd :)

[newguy]

So, what are you going to fly after MPP is sold? Are you going to buy another airplane or will future endeavors prevent you from owning another airplane?

[toddrf]

Well, this winter I am going to start working on an airplane called a Kolb Mark IIIX. It will be Miss Nin, named after my wife.

The long range plan is to have an airplane that can work off my airstrips and allow me to do some aerial photography in the spirit of Adriel Heisey who is my hero.

Once the Mark III is done I am going to start working on either a Glastar or an AirCam. The AirCam is good for the kind of flying I like to do but the Glastar's wings fold and will fit nicely into my hangar and shop. Either way both can operate from much shorter fields than MPP can.

We will see. MPP might not sell and if not then I will have to keep working on her and I suspect that will mean bigger engine and a tailwheel.

Who knows?

Todd :)

[Bagman]

I can see it now..... MPP with a STOL kit, O-360 (200 hp w/ CSP) and a tail wheel conversion. Next he'll be putting Alaska Bush Wheels Tundra tires on it :-)

Brian

[toddrf]

Yup! The field is a little mushy.

If I could get honest performance figures for the conversion that could tell me that I have enough margin to come out of 900 feet safely I would do it, but the other issue is age of the airplane. We are talking a machine that is now a good 40 years old. A lot of miles under the cowling. AND MPP has limited visibility compared with a Kolb or AirCam.

The older I get the slower I like to go and I love Cub slow. I like nothing more than a stick and an open door and 60mph at 300 feet AGL. The is fun flying.

So I just bit the bullet. Listed MPP and we will see. If she doesn't sell then I keep the airplane. If she does, then I have an AirCam or Glastar to look forward too. GlaStar is a pretty good machine if for nothing else than I can keep one in my own hangar and save the $140 a month on that.

We'll see.

Todd :)