November 20, 2012 - RV Ferry Flights

And here is Bruce with the RV grin in his new ride!  He got a great price on this former Oshkosh grand champion with awesome paintjob.

Just kidding.  Bruce would never buy a nose-dragger and if you look closely, this plane needs a little work cosmetically.

Here is what actually transpired:  Bruce bought an RV-3 located near Atlanta, Georgia.  The RV-3 owner bought the RV-6A pictured below located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  Sunday afternoon, Bruce and I went flying in my RV-7.  Bruce did most of the flying including airwork and fifteen or so landings.  About an hour after we returned to Essex Skypark, the RV-6A flew in from Lancaster and was put in Bruce's hangar.  On Tuesday, I flew the RV-6A down to Wilkes County Airport in North Carolina.  I met the RV-3 owner there, then flew the RV-3 back to Essex Skypark.  Simple. 

Bruce is warming the RV-6A up here. 

  
Ferry pilot is in the cockpit.  Excited to be going flying on this Tuesday instead of sitting in a cubicle. 
   
Flying through the Shenandoah Valley in the RV-6A.  Although flyable, the visibility wasn't that great in the morning.  You can see the Blue Ridge mountains on the left. 
  
This plane's panel made me appreciate what I have my RV-7. 
  
After a boring 2 1/2 hour flight thanks to the crummy visibility, I reach Wilkes County Airport, NC (KUKF).   It has a long 6200 foot runway.  It's been awhile since I landed an airplane with tricycle landing gear but I made a nice landing, holding the nosewheel off as long as I could.   Althought the RV-6A wasn't much of a looker, it flew fine. 
  

The RV-3 landed right after I did.  The owner/pilot and I traded information and paperwork about each plane, and then I was off in the RV-3.  The mist had burned off so the visibility was improved.  It was even sunny for the first half of the flight. 

In case you don't know, the RV-3 is a single-place airplane.   It is light and small and very agile.  I really liked flying the RV-3 but I must say it is not a good camera platform! 

  

Heading north.  The overcast returned. 

  
There isn't a lot of room in the cockpit, but it was surprisingly comfortable. 
  
After awhile I was bored so played around with the camera.  This picture came out OK but the subject needs work. 
  
OK, this is much better.   This picture gives you an idea of the great visibility in this airplane.  You can look back and see the elevator move, no problem. 
  
But not good for shooting pictures, at least with my little camera. 
  
I made a decent landing which was good since Bruce, tailwind instructor and some other Essex Skypark veterans were watching!    
   
Delivering the RV-3 to the happy new owner.
   

This plane is powered by a Lycoming O-290 engine which produces 135 horsepower.  It has a Cato fixed pitch prop.  Because the plane is so small and light, it is very responsive and agile.  Bruce will be having a lot of fun in the emonths to come. 

  
 
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