AEROPLANES

We have been involved in flying and aviation for over 30 years – Peter went solo in a glider in 1978. This is a brief history of the aeroplanes that we have owned in broadly chronological order. Clicking each of the pictures will take you to a more detailed description (once we have had time to write it!).

RV-6A

Currently we are flying an RV-6A “Casper”. We bought Casper when we moved to Texas in 2002 from the original builder, Doyle Reed. Thanks Doyle!

Ventus

Peter has always been into gliding – he went solo in a glider when he was 16, and has owned several gliders over the years. Once we returned to England he was getting gliding withdrawal symptoms and has now bought into a Ventus 2cxt syndicate at Lasham. Update December 2008, the Ventus share has now been sold, and I’m looking for something else to fly for 2009.

DR-107 “One Design”

A few years ago Peter got into aerobatics – see the story on the Extra. While we were in Texas we also bought a One Design, which is a single seat homebuilt specifically designed for aerobatics, it is also known as a DR-107. This aeroplane is currently in the garage undergoing a minor re-build (new panel & engine) before the application for a permit to fly. We have yet to find a good name for this aeroplane!

RV-7

After a couple of years in Texas the building bug started to itch again and an RV-7 tail kit arrived, followed by the rest of the quick-build kit. It is now in storage waiting for completion of the One Design.

Cessna 172 XP

Once in Texas it became clear that a “real” US pilot’s licence, rather than one issued on the basis of a UK license, would be a real advantage, and also that if we were to do much travelling an Instrument Rating would be very useful. At the same time it would be good to have the ability to take vistors out for lunch or dinner by air. With an eye to eventual repatriation we bought a Cessna 172 Hawk XP – that is one fitted with a 195hp 6 cylinder Continental engine and a wobbly prop. We christened him Harry.

Jodel DR105A

For a short time I had a share in a Jodel DR105A at Popham, G-AXLS.

Nimbus 3dt Y44

Nimbus 3dt 954

Extra 300

In 1996 Peter has already been flying some aerobatics with his good friend Brian in his Pitts S-2E, and with Alan Cassidy in STUA. We were looking for a house when a wrecked Extra 300 became available. Peter decided to buy it, primarily to rob the instruments for the RV-4. In the end we managed to rebuild it to flying condition with the help of Steve Jones at Flight Composites. What an excellent aeroplane to fly!

Jodel DR1051

The day after we got engaged we went to look at this Jodel DR1051- that’s a 1050 with a Potez engine.

Jodel D117A

Peter was stationed at Culdrose in the early 1990s and bought a share in a Jodel D117A (A= with Airbrakes), based at Lands End, G-AWWI. What a great little aeroplane.

P1rat

RV-4

In 1988 Peter was in Bermuda on a “Gray Funnel Steamer” (warship of the Royal Navy) and was looking for something to read on the trip back across the Atlantic. In a bookstore in George Town he came across the 1988 Directory of Kit Aircraft, which included an article about Dick Van Grunsven and his RV series of aircraft. A year and a half later a order was palced for a complete RV-4 kit.