The Dragonflies’ Farewell to the Renegade

Bob Kirkby made a brave decision to fly his ultralight plane to Cold Lake, despite unpredictable weather. He was joined by fellow pilots for the journey, facing challenges like frigid temperatures and navigation difficulties. Despite setbacks, they safely delivered the plane and had memorable experiences. This trip was both a test and a respectful farewell to a beloved aircraft.

Planes I’ve owned

Bob Kirkby shares his journey as an aircraft owner, detailing the progression from a Mirage to a Cherokee 235 and ultimately to a PA12. He highlights the importance of matching aircraft to specific missions, discusses maintenance costs, and emphasizes the value of hands-on upkeep to preserve aircraft worth. Both ownership and enjoyment are central themes.

The Renegade Spirit Takes Flight

The report in "Skywriter" from October 1988 documents the author's progress on the Renegade Spirit project. Despite initial estimations of 350 hours, the total time spent was 630+ hours. The Hipec process for covering the aircraft was chosen over the Stits method, with the aluminum preparation being time-consuming due to dimples in the wing ribs.