Not to complicate my FS thread for my plane (http://www.backcountrypilot.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=11292&p=149391#p149391, starting a new one!

Wasn't even sure where to put it, but ownership seems OK.

I wish I could say that I was buying a kick as 4-seat backcountry bomber, but alas....even that doesn't fit with what I am after really.

I have been finding that my flying is actually decreasing, for a number of reasons. One, I'm just too damn busy. Some new big things at work that I am at the head of, and I already had a busy work schedule. I have a 7 and 4 yo girls, in all manner of dance, soccer, piano, etc. And, I have a really hot...really sweet wife....that is my partner in it all (which I want to keep happy forever).

The amount of time I can dedicate to two-seat (one usually empty - e.g. flying just for myself) is really slim right now. But, the wife has warmed to flying a bit, including taking the kids. But, in that quasi-logical but somewhat warped mentality, she would rather we ALL fly, rather than just me an one kid, or worse for her - the two parents (leaving the kids on the edge of orphanship at any second!). I get it. Even if I didn't get it, it wouldn't change it. So, a 4-seater would be nice.

We also have family and friends around CA, and we like to travel. Usually, it's commercial, and if you are taking the kids - its not cheap. I hate driving - even just the 3.5hr trip to my parents (where I have a 1300ft hard dirt/grass strip with a clear approach).

Further...I travel to SoCal every other week for 2 nights/3days of work on average. I fly myself once and a while. But in a 95mph airplane - its a haul.

And...adding to that....I miss aerobatics. I like BC flying more, but, I like acro once and a while.

So, complex mission profile...what's a guy to do.

There's more. When I took part of our nest egg to finish the plane, I promised my wife I would fly it for a few years, then get a partner. I know the P word. But, that's the promise I made. I keep my promises - especially to my wife. So...I started looking for a partner.

In that process, I came across a group here in Sac, that's been around for almost 20yrs. They are really unique (at least I've not seen much like them). They own and operate about 9-10 airplanes. An S7 (stock, but still usable in the backcountry), An RV-4 (180hp/CS ), a -6, -8, -10, a Bonanza, a Stearman, a twin, culver cadet, 172, and soon, an RV12 and Cub. Yeah, that's what I said...fun.

I've taken the time over the past few months to get to know them (and them me). They are a great bunch of folks. Social, reasonable, a strong history, a great philosophy on such a group (its pluses and it's minuses), and....they now seem to like me. I was voted to become a member unanimously two nights ago.

I had hoped they would actually buy my plane and sell their S7, but that's a bit complicated for them right now. They do, however, rotate planes out every so often, and look for something new. I am hoping to introduce more of them to the backcountry and get them to buy a Bearhawk in the future...but I digress.

So, I am selling my plane (I can't do both) and joining this group. It will allow me to do a lot of the things that fit my "needs", particularly share aviation more with my family. I can still go to Idaho - in an S7. I won't be bombing around Kevins circuits (at least not all the LZ's), but...hey. That's life. Get to go do some acro and light my pants on fire in an RV-4. I get to travel at near 200mph with the family in 1hr to my parents place. And so on.

The cost is extremely reasonable for what you get.

There are downsides, and I've analyzed them (emotionally and on spreadsheets ) endlessly.

Change in life is good. Expanding your experience in aircraft/aviation is also good.

I ain't going anywhere. I hope actually to drag a lot of the group to JC next summer to "hook" them on the backcountry so we can add a reall BC plane to the mix. In January, I am doing the monthly "safety" seminar (actually, they are more about just learning about different aspects of flying than just/only safety). I am doing it on "First Timers Guide to the Idaho Backcountry". Let the brainwashing begin.

That's the story!!!

Now, someone buy my plane

Which airplane do I fly today....sounds fun!

I would dump mine in a second if I had those options!
Dave

A plane for every mission, it doesn't get any better than that... Unless you own them all yourself, of course.

Where in Sacramento? They need more partners? Oh, wait. I already have a partnership in a 172 I rarely fly. The 180 is waaay more fun, and much closer to home. Like you being busy with kids stuff, having your own plane close to home makes a big difference between flying 50 hrs or 150 hrs a year. Other than missing out on the acro, and i want an RV-8 bad as well, there is a 53 skywagon I saw on craiglist out of Modesto for 38k this past week with 22 hrs smoh. I will find you the link if you're interested.

Flynengr

flynengr - They are based at KSAC. buzzlatka knows em. Kind of keeping it on the downlow until I am officially a paying member.

They may be getting rid of the Stearman and Twin commanche in the new future - they don't get flown much. A 180 would be kick ass. So would a turbo highlander though

If someone leaves the group, I'll let you know.

Emflys:

My wife is the exact same. She would rather all of us fly together than me and her. i have a 1 and 4 y/o. She always says "who would raise the kids" which makes me feel guilty about flying sometimes.
I own a 172 taildragger, that i love. but lately been feeling like it is no longer meeting my mission, or my family priorities. I keep going back and forth on selling it.

I just recently bought a rv3 that i am restoring with a partner, and will have a very cheap way of still getting some air time. Plus looking to get my CFI soon so i will have other flying opportunities as well. good luck selling your plane, i may use some ideas from your sale ad/website for selling mine. hopefully it won't take a year or more.

flynengr,
I am guessing that is the same 180 that has been listed all over the country. It is a scam. I think it was mentioned in another thread on here.

Flynengr, we are all north hangar guys. We try not to hang out on the south side. We do all use the same IA.

HaHaHa. Tough crowd!

I don't hang out much at the south side either these days. The 180 close to the house is too convenient, and i don't mind dodging the human bombs dropped from the jump planes at Lodi.

Flynengr

Sounds like a great plan Emmit. Glad you will still be part of the BCP community!

G'Day

Emmet

Been married for 30 years this year............a good wife and family is what it's all about. Gave up flying for 16 years and now am back at it with 110% support from the family.

Good Luck, God Bless and enjoy you family everyday, the rest will all follow in time.

Sounds like a great setup. Good luck!

Wow Emmit,
I didn't see that coming. Hard to imagine you separated from your sweet ride. That is the coolest S7 I've ever seen. And it's like an extension your arm.
But now that I'm over it, I get it. It's always fun to fly something different, and having that variety to choose from to best fit your mission is quite the luxury. If I wasn't the keeper of our family heirloom, I would most likely try to put myself in that same situation.
Hopefully you'll have great success getting your partners into the backcountry thing. You guys could branch out your fleet and keep one of your bc planes in ID so you could get out there quick in the twin, swap planes, tear it up in the bc, and return after you get your fix.
By the way, I think your web add by itself adds a couple thousand $$ more to the value of your plane. Very Nice.
Good luck with your journey there.
I can't wait to see what you arrive to JC in next summer.
Tom

They have clubs like that with women in them instead of airplanes.

There are several in Nevada.

10 planes for the price of one and all the hangar talk a guy will ever need, sounds like a smart move Emmet.

Someone is going to be a proud new owner of a very nice S7!

Sounds like an excellent plan!!

I always thought that being part of a club like that has a wide variety of planes would be great to be part of.

I believe there are still a couple of great clubs here in the Boise area (one at Nampa and one at Boise) and last I knew, you can use them to fly into the Backcountry airstrips.

Emmet, it sounds great, I would love to be in your situation. In fact It sounds so good I wonder if I could duplicate it where I live.

Would you be willing to give a template of how the club was formed and how it works? Is it possible to buy into only the planes that you want, or is it all or nothing? I could go on and on with the questions.

Logged 1.9 in the Stearman yesterday and 1.0 in the RV-8A.



Stearman has been one of those dream airplanes to get in my logbook. It flys somewhat similar to what I expected - lighter in pitch than expected, but heavy handed required in roll (at least fast roll). Its an intimidating plane to pre-flight, get briefed on the motor, the 4 gal of oil (yes, 4 gal), and climbing in. I had flown a Great Lakes before, and this had similar feel, but much larger scale. You can't see squat on the ground. S-turns are constant to see what it in front of you.

Overall, I thought it was a pretty honest plane to taxi, take off and land with the proper instruction. All my landings were in a about about a 5-6kt quartering head/xwind. I was concerned about dropping it on or bouncing it in getting used to the height above the ground, but that never really turned out to be an issue. You just fly it to the runway, slipping to see, and hold it off until it settles. I had a few bad habits from bush flying, like always landing with a little power. Perhaps the most uncomfortable thing about the whole experience was the fact that from the start of the flare to getting stopped - you really cannot see anything in front of you. My instructor suggested to essentially look at the panel (ball) although you are actually just using 100% peripheral vision. He said some look out one side, which he does not like, so I followed his advice, and it feels very awkward but seemed to work. We did 6 landings at a non-towered field then back to KSAC - my landing back at home was nearly perfect.

I burned 17.5gal of avgas in that 1.9hrs ($103). Ouch. Not sure I will fly it much, unless I am sharing the cost of fuel and oil (1qt/hr). The group actually has it up for sale, but not sure when it will go. But man...calling the Twr saying "Stearman 4-4-Victor...." put a smile on my face.

As soon as we parked the plane, I jumped in the groups RV-8A for an hour. A stark contrast. I'd flown an RV-6 a little. The -8A is obviously a no brainer on the ground. Firewall it and man, it get's up and goes and we were going up like a rocket. Small control inputs, and no rudder. I had the tail wagging like a dog at first after 400hrs in a high wing light taildragger and just coming out of the Stearman. But the plane was absolutely effortless to fly once I settled down. I made two landings, and it is effortless to land - not just once on the ground due to the tri-gear config, but even the approach and flare were just easy. I'll spend most of my time just learning the Dynon and practicing emergency procedures.


I had planned on a quick check out in the S-7S but got late and had to go. That shouldn't take long. Then I can still head out with all the West Circuit guys and plan on taking it to JC this summer. I kept my old 29" ABW retreads

The RV-4 is next, followed when I have time by the Bonanza S-35 and RV-6A. The group is also probably adding another RV-4.

Good times!

So rad!!!

Nice writeup, man. Hopefully that experience is easing the pain of 1EW's departure.