That's partially my fault, as I have told the mechanic repeatedly that I won't pay for expedited shipping for parts, unless I specifically approve it. The cost differential for large or heavy stuff isn't worth it to me. Besides the muffler, which I wrote about previously, the gyrocompass shit the bed on my pre-annual test flight. Modern DGs don't seem to be worth a crap. I had an old horizontal card WW2 surplus DG in my plane and it worked up until 2004.
They truly don't make them like that anymore. There were four war-surplus instruments in my airplane when I bought it, now 20 years ago (DG, AI, VSI, altimeter). The altimeter was the last to go. The rebuilding shop wouldn't touch it because it had indicator needles with radium paint on them.
Anyway, I fly for fun. That means that if the mechanic has an airplane come in that somebody uses in a business, it gets priority, and I am cool with that.
But the weather is nice, finally, it's been weeks and I want to go flying.
3 comments:
Steph:
Hang in there. You'll have an airplane Real Soon Now!
Wanted to tell you, I bought "Hidden Witness" from Amazon and have read about 80% of it (Kindle sw on Windoze laptop). I am LOVING it...partly 'cause of all the local references to Alexandria, and partly 'cause it's just damned well written.
I fancy that I have some facility with the language, but I always stand in awe of anyone that can craft dialogue. Yours is superb and leaves me very impressed.
Regards,
Frank
Frank, the DG came back on Thursday. The mechanic promised me that it would be back on the tiedown tonight. I'll test-fly it Monday-- I have an overnight trip to do and I am not doing that right out of an annual.
I'm pleased that you like the book. It probably could have used some professional editing. I did my shore duty in the DC area and lived in Alexandria; a lot of the locations were fresh in my mind back then. No way they would be today.
I also made a lot of stuff up, so if something isn't there, or it's six blocks over, call it creative license.
When you finish, if you could write a review on Amazon, that'd help. (Not that I'm making any serious money at this, maybe ten bucks in 18 months.)
Steph:
Got the Amazon review done. Also recommended the book to a friend (who happens to be a ret'd RADM).
Query: Was the "hidden" restaurant where Sam and Susan have lunch (while waiting for the Judge to tear the Marshal's service lady a new one) a real place or wholly invented?
Hope you got your test hop in and that all is well. Hot today.
Regards,
Frank
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