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Oshkosh 2018 – If One is Good…

Oshkosh 2018

If one is good, two must be better…

As was discussed yesterday, having redundancy is a good thing, right? We agreed that having two engines provides a margin of safety over one. We equip our cockpits with a second radio and second sources for attitude, airspeed and altitude. But, is there such a thing as too much redundancy? One pilot, Jeff Boerboon, has decided to push the boundaries to find out. After months of design and engineering he has created the ultimate in aircraft redundancy. By combining the airframes, gear, wings, engines and more from two YAK-55s he came up with, you guessed it, the YAK – 110. To make it an even a more exciting show plane he added a jet engine giving the plane and incredible performance envelope. So, I wonder what’s next? Rumor here at Oshkosh is that Southwest Airlines, always looking to pack more passengers into smaller spaces to increase revenue, has embarked on a project to combine two of their Boeing 737 aircraft to create the Boeing 1474. What do you think?

And if two is better is three more betterer?

It looks to me like these pilots wanted to make absolutely sure that there was no chance they would ever not have an operating engine…

Of course there are pilots who redefine and challenge the boundaries of all of the laws of aerodynamics. Sean D. Tucker, an airshow super-performer, always seems to be pushing the envelope just a bit wider with each new performance. Kids, don’t try this at home with your C172!

And no Oshkosh would be complete without the Flea Market. Where else could you find that left handed, double threaded, .05mm thingamajig for your 1943 homebuilt? I’m sure the establishment below is a hot spot for someone. What is that old adage? One man’s junk is another’s treasure?

There are two anniversaries being celebrated at this years event. The 100th Anniversary of the Royal Air Force as well as the 80th Anniversary of the T-6, SNJ and Harvard. I’ll be sharing photos from them later in the week.

Until next time, fly safe.

Ken

Ken Dono
Sales Manager

https://www.eaa.org/en/airventure

Welcome to Oshkosh 2018!

Welcome to Oshkosh 2018! Hard to believe that its Oshkosh time already. The year is flying by (pun intended) with Oshkosh marking the mid point in the airshow season. Over the years I’ve learned that the first few days of an event that runs for more than three days finds the organizers looking for performers. The management knows that the big names are the draw for airshow junkies (like us, right?) and wants to save them for later in the week. Now I mean no disrespect to any performer. As I’ve commented in previous years, this “ain’t an easy way to make a living.” With that being said the early days are a great source for new and different aircraft and performers. My first two stories fall into the new/different category.

What is one a pilot’s worst nightmares? I’m sure if you said an engine out you’d be in the majority opinion. Next question (this isn’t a test really), why do single engine pilots learn to fly a multi engine aircraft? For that answer, please refer back to the answer of the original question. Or, in simple pilot speak, the second engine provides redundancy.

Now for the trick question (hmmm, maybe this is a test). If an engine out is a bad thing solved, in theory, by having two engines, why would you deliberately shut both of those perfectly good engines down? I guess the answer to that is to show that aircraft don’t fall out of the sky without a power source. And, as Bob Hoover proved, it also gets the crowds attention. Today, David Martin took a stock Beechcraft Baron and did just that. Look closely and you can see that neither prop is spinning.

Speaking of twins, can you name the smallest twin-engine manned aircraft in the world without using Google or Siri? (I promise, no more questions). If you said the Cri-Cri you win (and I’m also reasonably sure you cheated). To add some interest (and possibly airspeed) the performance today started with the Cri-Cri being launched from the top of a Ford SUV. This home built Cri-Cri proves that size really doesn’t matter (at least in the world of aerodynamics)!

Mixed in were performances from Rob Holland in the MX2, Kyle Franklin in a Kitfox S7 and the Aeroshell team. I’m sure we’ll see more of them during the week as they are all airshow regulars.

The weather was variable today with lows clouds alternating with blue skies. Not a perfect day for an airshow. The forecast for the week shows temps on the warm side but there is no rain predicted.

As always, thanks for reading. Looking forward to a great week.

Fly Safe

Ken Dono
Sales Manager

https://www.eaa.org/en/airventure

http://www.columbiaaironline.com/

Q3 2018 Piper M-Class Positions Available, But Limited…

Are you considering an upgrade into a new Piper M-Class M350, M500 or M600 in 2018? Summer is just upon us, but the time to act is now for a delivery before end of this year. Especially for those wishing to claim the entire year for bonus depreciation…the aircraft will need to be purchased and put into service prior to the end of Q3. Columbia Aircraft Sales has aircraft available in this time frame for every performance need and budget.

TLDR: Call me now if you are considering a purchase of M350, M500, or M600. 2018 availability is being taken up fast. Details below.

2018 M350 S/N 736 Delivers Late October

ONLY pressurized piston available in new production marketplace.

Click Here: Piper M350 Online Specs & Info

Why wear a bulky mask or uncomfortable nose cannula? Ride instead in pressurized, cabin class luxury. Go the distance with a 1300nm range… more with optional extended range fuel upgrade. Unparalleled comfort in a piston! Forward leaning innovation in the form of G1000NXi, ESP Enablement, Flight Stream 510 Connext with your personal iDevices, and automated pressurization.

$1,178,610 Base Price

For a limited time YOU pick the options, paint & N-Number!

2018 M500 S/N 645 Delivers Mid-September

Piper’s original single engine turbine. Proven capability in an economical package.

Click Here: Piper M500 Online Specs & Info

Compare entry price and operating cost to anything else in its class. You save, the numbers don’t lie! The M500 is less expensive to purchase and operate than it’s counterparts. Modern updates like Hartzell five-blade propeller, G1000NXi with ESP, Flightstream 510, and automated pressurization make upgrading from your current aircraft worthwhile. Transitioning up out of your piston into the turbine world has never been easier or more safe. The M500 is the perfect gateway and a logical transition!

$2,189,469 Well Equipped

Paint and N-Number due early August!

Select additional options available if desired.

2018 M600 S/N 084 Delivers Late August

A natural evolution of the Malibu and Meridian, Piper’s flagship M600 combines greater performance, better load, and longer legs to provide you with a distinct improvement over the M350 and M500.

Click Here: Piper M600 Online Specs & Info

It’s top of the line with 274kt Max Cruise, 1650nm Max Range, 2400lb Useful Load, 250kt Vmo, and yet still simple to operate and easy to fly…all while maintaining the low operating cost that Piper’s gateway turbines have always been known for. The M600 is a proven game changer for Piper and checks off all the boxes in terms of upgrades and improvements. Its G3000 avionics suite is industry leading and makes for an integrated flight deck that blows the doors off of prior offerings. M600 buyers are loving their airplanes and happy to talk about it. Let me know if you wish to hear owner testimony to help with your decision!

$3,082,119 Well Equipped

Paint and N-Number due date is imminent. Call now to make your own choices!

Select additional options can be accommodated.

I love being in the left seat of these Piper’s! They are fun to fly, perform great, and give me an awesome feeling when I am streaking through the sky. Piper has always been committed to making safe aircraft that are easy to operate, giving great opportunity to pilot’s of any experience level! No matter what you may be coming out of, I am confident and guarantee we can find a good fit for you in an M-class aircraft. If you are currently flying a legacy Malibu, Mirage or Meridian…discover what an upgrade could do for you in terms of improved avionics and comfort, not to mention the possibility of better performance and capability if you choose to Step-Up.

Need help with insurance or financing? Call me…I am here to help and happy to provide contacts in the industry who I know will work with you to find the best deal possible. Trade-ins are ALWAYS welcome. I will work hard to find a win-win solution for both of us. I want to sell airplanes because it is what I love doing. Let me sell you your next one. My cell phone is 860-449-4070.

SnF18 – Wrapping Up

Today was my last day at Sun ‘n Fun. In place of the usual observations that I’ve made in previous “last day” blogs I thought I’d share of a few of the things that made my week.

Problem Solved

Some very ingenious exhibitor finally figured out a way to get small children with lemonade
fingers, muddy shoes and chocolate covered shorts away from their aircraft. This full bypass engine travels around the event stopping occasionally to open its door to eat, no I meant to take the little darlings to some undisclosed location. Now, if only they could build a bigger one to take away the kids parents… Not a bad idea, eh?

SnF18

Pride of Ownership

Give most owners a chance and they will quickly bore you to tears about their aircraft. But as you walk the show you will find some of the best looking (and running) aircraft are kept by a different class of owner. This is the owner who spends both of his weekend days off and most evenings tending to the details that make his/her aircraft truly stand out without their having to brag on it. Walking around early one morning I found this owner carefully wiping the dust and evening dew from his aircraft. With a little prompting he shared his name and even allowed me to this this photo. It was a wonderful encounter that made my morning.

One for the Good Guys

We all know that in the movies, the bad guys always have the fastest cars, coolest equipment and slick hide-a-ways. But, one look at this made me think that the good guys may actually have the edge this time. CBP (Customs and Border Patrol) displayed several pieces of equipment that makes me glad I’m on this side of the law, which is not unlike the feeling I get when I watch an F16 or an F22 do its thing. I’m not a boat person but I’m guessing that this bad boy needs to keep close proximity to a fuel tanker…

SnF18

When Pigs Fly

“When Pig’s Fly” is one of the more fun showings during the Saturday morning balloon launch. In addition to the pig this year saw Elsie the Cow and several other themed balloons make the early morning launch. The launch is definitely worth seeing but be warned! If you want to get a good viewing spot you’ll need to be at the launch site no later than 6:30am (I know, way too early).

SnF18 SnF18

Sun ‘n Fun has become a major event that brings together aviation enthusiasts (aka aviation junkies) from around the world. It also allows us northern folk to defrost for a week in the Florida sun. I hope that you’ve enjoyed these short posts as much as I’ve enjoyed putting them together. Thanks for coming along for the ride.

Until next time, fly safe.

Ken

Ken Dono Sales Manager

Sun n’ Fun – Military Showcase

Sun n’ Fun – Military Showcase

Let’s face it, we’re all airplane junkies. We say we love going to airshows to see the latest in aviation gadgets and to be among others who feel the same. After all who doesn’t like a wrist GPS that not only tells you where you are but where you got lost and how to navigate to the next Starbucks using Victor Airways. Or perhaps it’s the new noise reduction headset so quiet you can hear the neurons in your brain fire in excitement as you put it on. And for sure we go to airshows for the culinary experience found only at such events (this is a topic unto itself and deserves a blog of its own).

But the reality is we go to airshows to look at, be close to and surround ourselves with airplanes. I’ll for sure get myself in trouble for this but I’ll go out on a limb and say that the majority of us go to airshows to see military aircraft. There is something special about these aircraft touch us on many levels. They are nostalgic yet futuristic. We are in awe of their technological innovations yet we understand where they came from. They appeal to our national pride and satisfy our hidden dream of being Tom Cruise in Top Gun buzzing the tower.

For the airplane junkie in us all, find below a few of my favorites. I hope you enjoy.

Despite the afternoon clouds it was a great day for an airshow. The weather for Sunday looks marginal at best. Even in its abbreviated format I don’t think there will be much flying. Tomorrow will be the better day. Until Then, Fly Safe!

Ken Dono
Sales Manager

https://www.flysnf.org/

Sun n’ Fun 2018 – The Goldilocks Effect’ Fun 2018 – The Goldilocks Effect

Sun n’ Fun 2018 – The Goldilocks Effect

Everyone knows that when you go to the theater you don’t want to sit too close to the stage or too far left or right. Depending on the sport you may want to sit at center court or behind the goal. Well, this is all fine and dandy for events that take place on Mother Earth. Events that are, more or less, two dimensional.

But what happens when you go to an airshow like Sun n’ Fun, where the action takes place well above terra firma, that is, we add a third dimension? Is there really a “just right” place to view the event? Should you be on the flight line? How about in a comfortable chair that allows you to lean back to look skyward (holding your favorite beverage of course)? Or maybe somewhere above ground level? Is there really a Goldilocks seat?

I’ll let you decide.

Ground Level

On the Flightline

The view from an observation platform.

Sitting back looking skyward (use your imagination for the beverage). Sun n' Fun 2018

So, where would you choose?

For me, the real advantage of adding that third dimension is that any choice is a good choice. Because the venue is so large and most all of the action takes place overhead, just about every seat is a good seat (even if you’re sitting behind the lady with the big hat).

Of course, if you don’t agree, you could camp out the night before to get space directly behind the fence close to the flight line next to a porta-potty (which is quite ripe after a day in the sun). Or you could pay big bucks to sit in a “VIP” area (behind the same fence) on uncomfortable plastic folding chairs with 150 other guests who are also asking themselves why they spent money to be herded into an area the size of a third grade classroom in the direct sun with no facilities. Neither of these options has any appeal to me.

I’ll confess that I do have the advantage (I think its an advantage) of being at an airshow for several days. Through incredible mental deduction and complex statistical analysis (watch out Einstein), I’ve figured out that on any given day the format of an airshow or static event is essentially the same. This gives me the opportunity to plan where I think I should be to get the best views. In reality however, I’m often just looking for comfortable place out of the sun and this usually works.

The moral of the story is that you’ll always get the best seat in the house. Because, at an airshow, every seat is a Goldilocks seat.

Fly safe.

Ken

https://www.flysnf.org/

Sun n’ Fun 2018 – Sun, Blue Skies & Airplanes!

That is what it’s supposed to be, yes? After the total wash out of yesterday’s event everyone was eager to make up for lost time. And, what better way to do that than with an F16 “screaming” across the show line to open today’s airshow. No one could possibly have had the mid afternoon sleepies after the first pass.

The F16 above was from the Air Combat Command F-16 Viper Demonstration Team. They are one of several performers being sent by the US Air Force to fill the spots left open after the Air Force cancelled the performances by the USAF Thunderbirds. More photos later in the week…

Not long after the F16 landed the crowds were treated to a very different experience, that of silence. Luca Bertossio, winner of many of international glider competitions, demonstrated that an aircraft doesn’t need thousands of pounds of thrust or near supersonic speeds to execute precision aerobatic maneuvers.

Embry Riddle is to aviation as Harvard or Yale are to the Ivy Leagues. Without taking anything away from any of their many graduates (did you know that there are over 20,000 ER graduates currently flying for the airlines?) Mat Chapman is perhaps the most visible representative of that institutions outstanding alumni. His performance never fails to make one ask, how does he do that?

If the thought of pulling G’s in an Extra 300 isn’t for you, then how about a bit more “civilized” aerobatic ride? Gene Koontz makes it look easy as he takes his Super Decathlon through a series of low altitude low g maneuvers. It may look easy, but don’t try this at home…

Quick, name the aircraft that was originally made of wood, was the first jet to cross the Atlantic, the first to be powered by a single jet engine, remained in front line service into the early 1950’s and remained in active service until 1966 after which over 3300 were produced? If you guessed the de Havilland Vampire you are correct. It was an integral part of the Royal Air Force’s move to replace many of the WWII piston powered aircraft and played an active role as an interceptor until 1953. It’s twin booms and fuselage shape give it a very distinctive profile both on the ground and in the air.

As I mentioned in yesterdays blog, choosing which photos to use can be daunting. Today was one of those days where I filled an entire 128GB memory card and started a second! If you think making a selection from a restaurant menu is challenging you should try sorting through a few hundred digital images. Hope you enjoyed my choices… https://www.flysnf.org/

Fly safe.

Sun n’ Fun or Rain n’ Pain?

Usually I take so many photos of the daily events at Sun n’ Fun that I’m up into the early morning hours deciding which to use and then attempting to write some clever copy about it. Opening day of Sun ‘n Fun 2018 did not create any such problem for reasons you will soon understand.

The morning dawned overcast with low fog typical of a close temperature and dew point. As the early morning Sun worked it’s magic burning off the fog it began to look like the day would turn out well. But the reprieve was short lived. By 11am the skies over Lakeland opened into a deluge of water, wind, thunder and lightning. (For those of us who were in the static display during the Sun ‘n Fun tornado of March 2011 there were certainly some moments of deja vu.) Though the radar imagery showed a strong line of storms it looked as if the balance of the weather would pass north. This happy thought was soon proven to be just wishful thinking. Behind this initial line were several other cells that continued to dump rain and lightning over Lakeland for most of the afternoon.

With only the most dedicated air show goers wandering around (meaning those who could only get a one day pass or those who were totally oblivious to their surroundings) there was nothing to do but shut down the aircraft and watch the events outside from the relative comfort inside the Daher trailer. By 4pm most all of the static displays had shut down giving up the fight with Mother Nature.

Every morning during Sun ‘n Fun the AeroShell team takes a few lucky enthusiasts through several of the maneuvers that they use during their air show performance. The AeroShell team were the only performers to fly today which makes me wonder, were they just trying to escape the weather…

The weather for the balance of the week looks good with plenty of sun. Hopefully, it will dry out the ground enough to keep the mud down to a tolerable level (it sure makes the inside of an aircraft look less attractive).

On a much sadder note, as most of you already know, their was a tragic accident last week involving two of the US Air Force Thunderbird aircraft leading to the death of one of their pilots. The thoughts of the entire aviation community are with these fine airman and their families.

Until tomorrow, fly safe.

Ken

Ken Dono – Sales Manager

https://www.flysnf.org/

SUN’ n FUN 2018

Are you going to SUN’ n FUN 2018?

For the longest time it appeared that winter would never end here in the northeast. But as it always does, the snow has finally melted and the temperatures have reached a “toasty” 50 degrees during the day !

Another sure sign of the changing seasons is the annual spring event in Lakeland, FL – the Sun ‘n Fun International Fly-In Expo. This years @SunnFunFlyIn will take place from Tuesday, April 10th through Sunday, April 15th. In addition to the many seminars, workshops and static aircraft displays, each day will feature an airshow including some of the best of the aerobatic, vintage and military aircraft from around the world. Certainly one of the highlights of this year’s event will be the return to Sun ‘n Fun on Friday and Saturday of the US Air Force Thunderbirds.

As always, I’ll be there with my camera taking photos and delivering a daily blog. When I’m not taking photos, you’ll find me next to the TBM at the Daher Aircraft display.

Hope that you can join me.

Fly safe.

Ken

Sales Manager, Columbia Aircraft Sales, Inc.

https://www.flysnf.org/

http://www.columbiaaircraftsales.com

2018 TBM 930 SN 1216 – New In Inventory

(GROTON, CT – Feb. 13, 2018) Columbia’s first 2018 TBM 930 arrived early January. N930ZD features a pilot door and the Daher Elite Edition seating. Every place it lands the reaction has been the same, “WOW!” The exterior colors of Grey Metal over Black and Blue are striking and give the aircraft incredible ramp appeal.

The fully integrated Garmin G3000 includes the Garmin G710 autopilot, SatPhone, Wx Radar, XM Weather and music, TAWS, Traffic, ADS-B In/Out, Flight Data Recorder, Safe Taxi and Daher’s e-Copilot. e-Copilot adds protection modes in pitch and bank, EDM (emergency descent mode), an Angle of Attack indicator, stick shaker, voice alerts and the Garmin Flight Stream 510. N930ZD is RVSM ready and comes with a one year complimentary Jeppesen subscription.

The interior is the Black Diamond Edition with full leather heated seats, contrasting leather side walls and carbon trim finish on the table and panel insets. Each seat has its own fresh air vent and LED light. The TBM 930 features a dual zone environmental system allowing passengers and crew to independently control their own heat and air-conditioning. Pilot and co-pilot seats are equipped with airbag seat belts.

Every new TBM includes one of the strongest warranty programs in the industry covering all major systems, engine, propeller and avionics for 5 years. In addition, the TBM Care Program covers the costs of scheduled maintenance and annual inspections up to the 5th Annual or 1000 hours. Two training vouchers are included for factory training at Simcom. For a complete set of specifications click the link below to our website.

I’d enjoy the opportunity to provide you with an up close look at the incredible aircraft. I look forward to speaking and flying together soon.

Fly safe.

Ken

http://www.columbiaaironline.com/plane/2018_daher_socata_tbm_930-2/