CAVU Dreams (2008-02)

In January 2008, a meeting at SAIT’s Art Smith Aerospace Center showcased Canada's aircraft maintenance training, led by instructors Brian Goddard and Rod Deneve. The author visited friends, flew to Cooking Lake, and admired Gil's new Murphy Elite. The flight and sight-seeing over Edmonton were memorable, despite some noise issues in the aircraft.

From The Cockpit (2008-02)

The post reflects on the anticipation of spring, with an emphasis on flying as the author builds wood stoves as an excuse to be outdoors. Upcoming events include a rust remover session and the Spring Poker Run. The author shares a thrilling experience flying with a friend and appreciates recent talks and insights on aviation safety.

CAVU Dreams (2008-01)

The author reflects on a successful first term at SAIT, enjoyed a Christmas break, and completed maintenance on their aircraft, Christavia. They attended a potluck barbecue with fellow pilots and installed a Monroy ATD-300 traffic monitor for enhanced safety. The unit effectively detects nearby aircraft, providing valuable collision warnings.

From The Cockpit (2008-01)

The post announces plans for the upcoming year, thanking participants from a December meeting survey. Key findings include Clark Seaborn as a memorable speaker and interests in building projects and aviation topics. The next meeting at the SAIT hangar will include a tour, raffle prizes, and elections. Membership renewals are encouraged.

CAVU Dreams (2007-11)

October was a month of contrasting experiences in aviation, featuring beautiful weather and exciting events like the Airbus A380's inaugural flight. However, the month also had a tragic side, with several light aircraft accidents, sparking media frenzy. Despite this, personal flying adventures and community events continued to thrive among aviation enthusiasts.

Cross-Country in a PA-12

Last year, I purchased a 1947 Piper PA-12 and flew it home from Columbus, Ohio to Canada. The journey involved meticulous pre-flight planning, several stops across the U.S., and navigating various weather conditions. Despite challenges, I successfully completed the 1,760-mile trip in 19.2 hours with great satisfaction.

Building A Dream

The author reflects on unfulfilled childhood dreams of becoming an astronaut and fighter pilot, eventually finding joy in building and flying his own aircraft, the Challenger II. Despite challenges in financing and construction, he gains satisfaction from the process, culminating in successful flights that connect him to fellow aviation enthusiasts.

CAVU Dreams (2007-03)

The 2007 John C. Webster Memorial Trophy Competition honors amateur pilots but excludes ultralight and homebuilt aircraft, restricting eligibility. The author questions the competition's validity, arguing that many skilled amateur pilots cannot compete due to these restrictions. They suggest it should be renamed to more accurately reflect its focus on commercial student pilots.