My wife and I just took a trip out to Vancouver, Wa to pick up our first airplane, a 1953 Cessna 170B. I think most of you will recognize it. After I got a CFI checkout yesterday we took off for Cheyenne, Wy trying to beat the weather before it rolled in. The weather was beautiful for most of the flight back. The first day we made it to Blackfoot, Id just after sunset and walked a half a mile to our hotel. The next day (today) we took off around 9am and flew to Rawlins, Wy. After fueling the plane I checked the weather for Cheyenne and it didn't look too good. I figured we would give it a shot and if the weather got too bad we could always drop into Laramie and have my brother in law drive over and pick us up. Thats how things played out, better safe than sorry. I'll have to go pick up the plane tomorrow or the next day to fly the rest of the way back to Cheyenne.

http://s55.photobucket.com/albums/g160/ ... to%20KCYS/

That's what airplanes are for

Gump

robw56..when you get it home, come on over to SNY someday and we'll get some air-to-air pictures so you can send them back to the previous owner..I think I know him.
HC

This is like seeing your ex-girlfriend walking around town with someone else...super weird! I can't help but feel a little twinge of jealousy. At the same time, it is awesome to see old Charley out on a new adventure in new lands. Thanks for posting pics!

I never had any problems personally, but I heard that any water taken on in fuel tanks in rain was due to the dish-outs at the tank filler neck leaking somehow. Because of that I always stuffed a rag in there if I left it out overnight in rain and sumped for water best I could (we know how reliable that is...)

Congrats Rob, I hope you enjoyed your first flight in the old bird. I spent my day working on painting bids, electric service upgrade code compliance bullshit, and watching the roof guys clean my cedar shake roof. You got the better end of this deal I think....

Congratulations to Rob with his new ride, and also to Zane for unloading his old ride. Everyone is happy I hope.

So Zane, want are the latest thoughts on what kit to start?

Great trip report and congrats on the new bird Rob.

I'm sure I'll be seeing you more as we're just down the airway from you. I see a front range meet and greet in the near future.

hicountry wrote:robw56..when you get it home, come on over to SNY someday and we'll get some air-to-air pictures so you can send them back to the previous owner..I think I know him.
HC

Sounds like fun, I might have to take you up on that sometime.

Zane wrote:This is like seeing your ex-girlfriend walking around town with someone else...super weird! I can't help but feel a little twinge of jealousy. At the same time, it is awesome to see old Charley out on a new adventure in new lands. Thanks for posting pics!

I never had any problems personally, but I heard that any water taken on in fuel tanks in rain was due to the dish-outs at the tank filler neck leaking somehow. Because of that I always stuffed a rag in there if I left it out overnight in rain and sumped for water best I could (we know how reliable that is...)

Congrats Rob, I hope you enjoyed your first flight in the old bird. I spent my day working on painting bids, electric service upgrade code compliance bullshit, and watching the roof guys clean my cedar shake roof. You got the better end of this deal I think....

I've heard that before about the fuel tanks and it has me worried too. I think if I put some sort of cover over the caps or a rag like you said then put wing covers over top then I'd be good. Or I can find a hangar but theres a waiting list here in Cheyenne. I hope all is going well with your new house Zane.

mountainmatt wrote:Great trip report and congrats on the new bird Rob.

I'm sure I'll be seeing you more as we're just down the airway from you. I see a front range meet and greet in the near future.

Where are you based at Matt? That might be a good little flight to do pretty soon.

Great report! May there be many more to come.

You got a nice plane for sure. I think Zane only mentioned one small problem....sometimes the tail becomes visible in the RH side window when you daydream during landings..

You may not have this problem though. I don't suppose there's much of a breeze in Wyoming-

Well u have a pretty plane and a pretty wife.
What more can a man really want, looks like an great trip.

Nice report! I took a very similar route not too long ago! Congrats on the plane (and sorry to see yours go Zane)...There are many fun times ahead for sure!!

You are pretty dang close- we will have to meet up somewhere soon for a little flying fun as I am just a shy slide south of ya!

Rob, I enjoyed your trip report and was pleasantly surprised to see the pictures of Lexington. For 15 years I lived just down the hill about 600 feet from the airport I got interested in learning to fly from watching the sprayers come and go. Got my primary flight instruction from a local young wheat rancher in 1984.

Very cool trip report! Awesome pictures. Enjoy your new ride.

Yay, we still get to keep tabs on Charley! I look forward to seeing it in person as you're fairly close to all us Front Range guys. I'm down in Colorado Springs with a few other of these yahoos!

Jr.CubBuilder wrote:If the seals on your gas caps are worth hoot it won't matter, unless the cap is under constant submersion it won't draw any water. Mine was tied down outside for three years and it was never a problem. Take a look at them and make sure they fit snug and the rubber isn't cracked.

That's good to hear, I'll just have to keep an eye on mine and hopefully it"ll be fine.

Sounds like there's a lot of guys on the front range here, we'll all have to meet up somewhere soon!

tcj wrote:Rob, I enjoyed your trip report and was pleasantly surprised to see the pictures of Lexington. For 15 years I lived just down the hill about 600 feet from the airport I got interested in learning to fly from watching the sprayers come and go. Got my primary flight instruction from a local young wheat rancher in 1984.

Wow what are the odds? Lexington looks like a very small town, and I don't imagine it being any bigger back in the 80's.

Blackfoot Idaho is a great layover, a short walk to a Wal Mart, many resturants, a farm supply store, anything a xc pilot may need. Not all as close as Kalispell but pretty good! Nice flight report and not making it all the way home doesn't matter a bit, thats what tie downs are for. Congradulations on your new bird, and Zane, you have my sympathy!

What ZANE sold his airplane ! I realize he just got married so he sells airplane ----- hope he's got another close by that he can fly. I come across a lot of airplanes for sale(flying and almost) in my travels . From T-crafts to Cessna 320's and experimentals there here or about.

We flew in a three plane formation over to Copalis beach last March. One month before their marriage,
Rob and Stacey pose in front of the 120. Stacey experienced her first few flights that weekend.


Three birds of a feather.


A rather long video, but this is Zane's last flight in Charlie, as he lands to deliver it at Fly for Fun.


Zane: "I can't believe I'm really doing this!"


Parting ways at Lexington.

"The 2 happiest days in a pilot's life are the day he buys his airplane.... and the day he sells it" -- truer words were never spoke. Congratulations Rob, & congratulations Zane - although I know your happiness is more bittersweet. Good luck to both of you with your new family plans.
The 170 is a great all-around airplane, I sure enjoyed the 11 years of having mine. I think the gas caps are fairly weathertight if in good shape, except for the ragwings (like mine). The way the cap is built, with a dish shape & a shaft that goes down through the center of it with just an o-ring or two for sealing, it's just about impossible to keep water out. When tying mine down outside in wet weather, I usually applied tape (duct or masking) over the fillers -- of course, in wet weather the darn tape doesn't want to stick so I had mixed results.

I made it back to Cheyenne today, the wind was blowing 16kts gusting to 30 luckily it was only 10 degrees off the runway heading.