WTB - Airweight Bodyguard (no lock)

[Laserlips]

Thanks for the photos; that is about all one needs for
basic VFR flying--looks like a lot of fun after all the long,
hard work. Was this an EAA chapter project?

JMOFartO:

Folks I've been enjoying the "fly-in", that "Thatcher" (?) is a beautiful aircraft...

In an effort to do my part in keeping the intent of the thread wandering around in the wastelands, please allow me to make a suggestion to ALL of you gentleman, (or ladies), who enjoy the thrill of pleasure flying..

Some of you might not need this advice from an old fart, but perhaps the info might fall on the ears of someone who actually needs to hear it...  

Get yourself an IFR ticket, even if you NEVER intend to fly in IFR conditions..

Over my 30 year career as an ATC at JAX ARTCC (I retired in 2000) we saw more than one pilot without an IFR rating flying in, or "caught in" IFR conditions. Trying to help a pilot fly out of the trouble he/she flew into can be a touchy business...

Not trying to be a smart butt, just throwing out a little  advice that, while unsolicited, might not help, certainly can't hurt..

Best Wishes,

Jesse

P.S.  I have always admired the person skilled enough to build his own experimental aircraft.  A former neighbor and co-worker of mine in Hilliard, Fl. built his RV4 (I think that's what he built) during the same time he fully restored a 1957  Chevy Bel Air Convertible..  (He had already restored several Harley's).. He could do anything, and it seems I was afflicted with severe limitations in any area other than the capability to bs..

[tracker]

I agree completely with you, Jesse. There is nothing like
instrument training to keep the shiny side up in marginal VFR.
Maintaining that proficiency is important, also.
It was always a distinct pleasure to work with JAX ATC and
all of the other professionals at JAX airport. The location and
runway layout could be a lot of fun on a visual approach on a
dark night to that airport.

[P7Enigma]

Yeah but, IFR or not, until you have had to deal with approach or ground control at Detroit Int...while flying a twin Commanche, You havn't lived yet. After a 7 hour flight from central Fl. let's just say I almost didn't have to worry about running to the FBO after touchdown. (yes, the twin had tip tanks)

[tracker]

I have been to DTW many times also, and the most memorable
was landing in a snowstorm after holding for one hour. The
main problem was taxiing onto an intersecting runway that
had not been plowed and there was a foot of the white stuff.
No one told me how to handle that one; after a short stop to
think about it, I just poured the coals to the diesel 9, became
a snow blower and taxiied to the gate.
The difficulty at JAX was that the VOR was 5 or 6 miles away
from the airport and a night visual was sometimes exciting
without an instrument facility co-located at the field.  

[flyandscuba]

He he...

Here's the panel of my other airplane - a C172M...



I think I've got the IFR situation covered.  Dual CDI/GS, auto-pilot, IFR GPS (WAAS capable), XM Weather capability, stand-by vacuum system...

The CX4 is for local fair-weather fun flying only (the closest thing I'll ever get to a personal single-seat fighter).  Although I do have WX weather capability in it as well.  It cruises at 130mph while burning 3.5 gph of auto fuel.  Load tested by the designer for up to 5.7 Gs, though I have no intent of conducting aerobatics.

[P7Enigma]

   I don't think I have ever seen that much AVIONICS in a Cessna...

[tracker]

As much per cubic foot as anything I have ever seen but if
it works for you, great; it almost looks like it took a shoehorn
to install it.

[Richard S]

 I don't think I have ever seen that much AVIONICS in a Cessna...

Wow! I'll second that!    

And congratulations, F&S, on finishing that Thatcher. It's a real beauty!  

[flyandscuba]

Thanks.  Today was so beautiful -- I just had to conduct the day's portion of the phase I flight testing over the beaches...



http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v250/flyandscuba/?action=view&current=DSCF1415.flv



http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v250/flyandscuba/?action=view&current=DSCF1412.flv

[flyandscuba]

I figured it was time to offer an explanation for the yoked-mounted devices on the Cessna -- as I'm sure a couple of you are scratching your head and wondering why all that stuff is in the cockpit...

That aircraft is primarily used for missions in support of the USCG.  When it is flying under orders, it is considered a USCG aircraft.  Much of the mission tasking takes the aircraft up to 50 miles off-shore.  Missions include SAR cass, Rotor Wing Air Intercept training missions (I serve as the target of interest), Marine Environmental Protection missions, LE support, etc.

The device on the copilot yoke is a marine chartplotter complete with Blue Chart data that also offers aviation GPS mapping simultaneously.  The device on the pilot yoke is a tablet PC that is running the Anywhere Map aviation software and XM weather (NEXRAD in flight being the primary function).  It also contains digitized approach plates.

You may also have noticed a panel-mounted VHF Marine radio peeking out from behind the unit on the copilot yoke.

A few pics...











BTW, still looking for that airweight Bodyguard!  

[tracker]

Thanks for the explanation; nothing beats uncle sugar.

[tracker]

Is that Gulf Breeze proper in the second photo over the prop?

[flyandscuba]

In the CX4?  No, that is over Perdido Bay headed SW toward the FL/AL pass.

[TW]

>>Please see PM under your other thread, WTS LNIB S&W 4513 TSW.