Finally !... a little forward motion.

I hesitate to saying anything out loud... the Murphy Gods may look down and see I'm moving toward completion and put a stop to it.

Tonight I wanted to accomplish one simple thing... drill a straight hole through the center of the second elongated washer that sits at the bottom of the pilot's Stick Socket. (previously I had welded on both elongated washers without first drilling through the first washer and then the second... if you aren't or haven't done this... you won't have a clue as to what I am talking about)

This picture pretty much shows what I just said. You start out with a hole in one side and out the other on the tube. Washers need to be welded on to beef up the area. Weld on the first washer then drill through the hole on the uncovered side and through the pilot hole on the other. I did that on the first five I made... the sixth one I welded over both holes. DAMN ! But success was mine tonight and I was able to drill and straight and centered hole through the other side even though I originally screwed it up. (whew !)

All I need to do is weld the 3/8" tube and two washers onto the pivot area on the passenger's Stick Socket, file it smooth and then it's on to drilling the holes in the Stick Boots then on to putting it all together... can ya believe it ? I won't until it's finished.

Yesterday... and today

eeeeeeeeeeeeeesh !

It's been awhile since I've last been here. Let see... back in August of 2006 I was just starting back in on my Skybolt project. Today... I'm a little over half the way there. Great journey of learning and making new friends... getting reaquainted with old ones.

I've been keeping track of my build progress on another site: http://hammerheadpilotgear.com/skyboltmain.html

Here is a photo of the Jacobs R755-A2, 300 hp Radial Engine I picked up in up state New York. It's a beast that was manufactured back in the 1940's. It's a bullet-proof design that sounds great.

where to from here ?
let's see where tomorrow takes us

A reason to be

Wow !
Been wondering about these blogs for awhile now but haven't really looked into how to start one. It's to easy.

Why a blog?
Not to set the world on fire for all but to talk to those I reach with my word, written or spoken. To tell those who will read and listen.... about flight and flying.

Why 2?
My belief.... We come into this life for a purpose. To set our mark on the world. If you're like me, it needs to be a lasting thought, deed or belief for others to take with them to use to help them see what life to them is all about. Its all about levels of learning/life.

As Richard Bach wrote: You teach best what you most need to learn.

What?
The world through the eyes of a pilot. My words/thoughts... experience flying, my never-ending hours of building a hell-bent for acro Skybolt biplane, the rebirth of a Classic 1946 Taylorcraft, the uneducated decision of government and the plight of general aviation, and watching me rediscovering over and over again this love I have with flight.

And so it is written.... a reason to be a blog.

8/8/06