Comments on: All I Want for Christmas

By: Quartermaster

Quartermaster — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 01:31:37 +0000

Kris I resent that remark! My Suzuki Burgman 400 Scooter is nice piece of equipment. I had it on a 2700 mile trip back in September and it rode quite nicely (at up to 95mph) and got over 60mpg.

Actually, I chose it because I, from time to time, have problems raising my leg high enough to fork the bronc. Sometimes the tunnel on the Burgman has to put up with me dragging my foot across it. No idea whassup with the legs, neurologists are puzzled with the on again, off again weakness.

Wilko – I like the L-39 better than the L-29. A bit faster and pressurized. Off course, that just raises the maintenance headaches. We don’t do it to save money, though.

For myself, I’d buy the 7ac Champ if it weren’t for the fact that finding those small continental parts is getting hard. EAA tried to buy the tooling for the C-65, 75, 85, and 95s, but Continental refused and destroyed the tooling. The cranks for those engines are getting a bit hard to find. Of course, you can get an STC for the O-200 in the case of the C-95, and probably for the 85 too. I think the weight is too much for the two smaller engines. I’ve seen 85 and 95s on Champs, so you can probably use the O-200 STC OK. Still, the Champ won’t snap your neck, but for simply boring holes in the sky I don’t think it can be beat. A lot cheaper to operate than the Decathalon as well. I’d still rather have the Kero burner though.

By: Chris Parkes

Chris Parkes — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 05:30:28 +0000

Yep – the Decathlon is the one, I reckons. It’s also pretty hard to propstrike a tailwheeler without causing some other significant damage, so it’s worth checking out. You’d just about have to stand the thing on its nosecone to do it.. However I have seen near new props ruined because it picked up a larger than average stone, and that’s a case of bad luck rather than bad management. If the prop was replaced there is going to be some paperwork associated, and a LAMEs signature to go with it, which might give some clues as to the cause and subsequent actions.

By: SJBill

SJBill — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:49:30 +0000

If you truly wish a F4U, the guys over at the museum refurb hanger at NASNI are working on one right now. Get it before it winds up on the decks of MIDWAY forever!

By: lex

lex — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 17:20:12 +0000

That bike is a crucial form of transport! Fuel efficient, and so on. Because of teh CLIMATE CHANGE!!!1!

By: Kris, in New England

Kris, in New England — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:43:21 +0000

I bet the book would pay for the hobby for at least a couple years.

Or more than that. Of course it needs to be published first…that manuscript I have is getting beat up. A nice hard cover version – autographed by himself, natch – would be a suitable replacement.

Ahem.

Snake: I would assert that Lex is already a man with toys – that BMW bike isn’t any scooter.

By: Wilko

Wilko — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 10:25:48 +0000

Great choice! -Agree with Quartermaster- there is nothing quite like a jet, but our L-29 has become a hangar queen. Avgas is too much. Operating costs for the 8KCAB is <10% of the jet. I love the Delphin (wouldn’t spin it though) but it’s not built for back country flyin’ .

The Decathlon is *plenty *of fun and that one looks great. Hope Santa is good to you.