The International Cessna^® 170 Association

I am at my inlaws in E. TX, bored out of my goard so I drove out to the local grass strip airport where I have been many times both flying and driving hoping to see some activity (NO SUCH LUCK) About a dozen airplanes based there w/ 9 or so in open hangars. Walked around and determined about 1/2 are airworthy, the rest need lots of TLC or be parted out! No one out there on a perfectly beautiful day to go flying Where are all the pilots (Maybe they are off at their inlaws being bored too) There is one real nice '55 170 there locked up in an enclosed hangar that I would love to get a change to fly sometime. Owned by the airport owner who purchased it from the family of the previous owner after his death. I had met the elderly gentleman (the deceased owner) several years ago and have seen the plane 2-3 times. Prior owner said the plane would never sell for what he had in it (don't know what the apt owner paid for it). He estimated around $90K It has a really nice interior, a Century autopilot and other goodies I don't remember for sure. Exterior is a good paint job, if not unconventional. It could be leased to John Deere for advertising by adding the JD logo on either side of the vertical--for you non farmboy types, that is John Deere yellow and green. It has later model 172 articulating seats and a low time since new Lyc. 0-360 w/ a fixed pitch prop. Oh well now that I have ranted sufficiently on my mother-in-law's computer, guess I best go back and do the good son-in-law thing of visiting :(Does anyone feel my pain )

I usually have to fight with the mom-inlaws cat for possesion of the good chair. He threatens to bite me and then does, I warn him about gitting thumped and then do. Then the threats start from mom-inlaw and we're off. That is a lot more fun than counting dust bunnies under the bed. The airport is not real big but they do have a scheduled airline feeder come in so they play secure airport which cuts down on social interactions with local pilots.

C'mon......there was a ton of college football on yesterday!

But actually, I was thinking the same thing. The first really nice days around the Norfolk area and there were only a couple of planes flying at Hampton Roads. We were the only ones in the pattern at Suffolk besides the jump plane of the local parachute operation, thanks Gary!!

Bummer, a lot of great planes wishing that they were in the air.....

The flying yesterday was much more fun that sitting on the couch and watching college football (that's much more fun when the snow flys and the weather is not conducive to flying). Yesterday was sure a fun day to fly in the Suffolk area with unlimited visibility and reasonably smooth air. Glad to have you along Chris. I will fly the 170 again on Monday with a family and friends BBQ at the hanger along with several Young Eagle’s flights. Gary

I think we can thank the ambulance chasers, sharks, SOBS, aka lawyers and politicians for having fewer pilots. When you can win a law suit for a defective 50 year old airplane having caused a wreck and then driving the manufactures to increase prices to pay liability Oh well maybe I need to chill !
As far as mother-in-laws I think mine is great she never causes any issues and loves us to visit. She will be 90 in Dec and still drives and is active. God has graced her !

Thanks Gary,

I'm going to tempt all the folks at Berry Hill Airport in Conyers, Ga tomorrow and Tuesday while I take 89A around the patch before heading up to PVG! Maybe a few of the others will come out and play......providing their mother-in-laws are happy