First Plane

[cessna170bdriver]

Gotta ask.
How much does removing the back seat shorten your takeoff and how easy is it to put back in?

VERY easy to put back in if you replace the hinge bolts with quick-release pins.

[marathonrunner]

First airplane was a Luscombe 8 that I sort of had to buy when I landed at Pig Farm...aka Cedar Grove In Washington..not there anymore. The casting on the tailwheel stub had a flaw and broke off and sent me off airport. I think at 17 with a fresh private license added to the scenario. Insurance would not pay the owner for various insurance reasons so I bought it for 3000.00 and sold it before it flew again. My next airplane was a Stinson 108-3. I love those Stinsons. Had a great time flying it and courted my first and so far only wife in it. She allows me to live with her still. My next airplane was a 170 but had to sell it as we needed a four wheel drive to get up and down our hill in Kodiak with two sets of twins. Bought the final 170 in 1987 and still have it. Oh yes we did buy an old Aero Commander 500 for use as our motor home since travel on and off the rock was so expensive. If anyone wants a good deal on a 500 Aero Commander let me know. It is the ultimate motorhome. Just load your gear in the back and go. Many great trips in that one all over the USA and Canada. I got my boys their multi ratings in it. Another story altogether as their no designees or FAA types that can give check rides in the Aero commander. Suffice to say that it worked out but it is a bit gut wrenching knowing that your airplane is going aloft with the only two persons on board that knnow how to fly it are the ones getting the check ride.

I really like seeing all the posts on this particualr subject. Books should and could be written.

Oh yeah mine is "HIghly modified for all the right reasons" There ya go George