Hey guys, just in case you want to follow me as I get my license, learn to fly and as I dial in my '73 185.....

http://www.skyboundstory.blogspot.com

Happy New year!

PS, thanks to all the guys before me who gave me direction, inspiration and who continue to help me... you know who you are.

Congrats on the 73 185, I bought a 73 back in September. And mostly congrats on learning to fly.

I'm embarking on an interior replacement myself. Yokes went out today for refurb. Seats are out and waiting to be shipped for refurb as well.

Replacing the Cessna six pack of gauges with individual digitals. Once I have everything in the panel that I want then a new panel set will be built. I'm excited to follow your progress and will share mine as well.

Congrats again!

Phil

Congrats man. Sweet bird! You might wanna think about holding off on a bunch of your improvements till you have a couple hundred hours in her. Not for my sake cause I love seeing these extensive projects! But to get the hang of her. You made need a few of those bucks to fix some uh ohs while your getting use to the saddle. And you'll learn more about what you may like or not like instead of just other opinions. Lots of things you may hear about are kind of like big jacked up trucks with big tires,winches, and offload lights; but they never leave the pavement. Nothing wrong w that if that's your thing. Just my opinion. If not, looking forward to the pics. At very least wear out the old gear and tires before you swap it all with your new stuff. They will definitely take a beating in the learning curve. Good luck either way. Fly safe

This is starting to feel competitive!

Nice looking 185! What part of Wyoming are you in? Just curious, I used to live in Cheyenne.

Ha ha, yeah Greg.. I guess it could... too bad you helped your competitor so much!
Actually its not too competitive since mine will be undergoing zero aesthetic changes on the outside except wheels and tires.

I'm in Lander, Central Wyoming!

Thanks guys!

Is anybody here located near Cody and Powell?

WYPilot wrote:Ha ha, yeah Greg.. I guess it could... too bad you helped your competitor so much!
Actually its not too competitive since mine will be undergoing zero aesthetic changes on the outside except wheels and tires.

I'm in Lander, Central Wyoming!

Thanks guys!

Hey.... I am over in Jackson....

Nice lookin plane ya got there......

Ps.... That is one RED floor... and shiney too.... You know what product they used to paint it with ?

Ben, that was a real challenge getting the floor right..we finally had an outfit from Salt Lake come and redo a lousy original job. I'll find out for you and pm the details. I was just your way this past weekend...brrr!
Look forward to meeting you!
Jess
PS, do you have any details on the fish creek strip?

Sweet deal. I wish I could have learned in 185.

58Skylane wrote:Is anybody here located near Cody and Powell?

I'm a ways south..do you know someone up there?

WYPilot,

Just curious, did your plane spend some time in Mn this last fall? It looks familiar.

Steve

WYPilot wrote:

58Skylane wrote:Is anybody here located near Cody and Powell?

I'm a ways south..do you know someone up there?

I have some friends that live about 5-8 miles north of town off of the highway to Powell.

And I plan to take a couple of trips to Cody this Spring and Summer to possible run a flatbed rig for my buddy's friend.

If I had to, I also wouldn't mind relocating to Cody for this trucking gig. Just seeing if there's any BCPers around that part of WY. I know Ben is down in Jackson.

Anyway...........

Looking Good!

I'm not far by plane..maybe 1.5 hrs. We can get some flying done!
Powell is a great town!
Cody's pretty windy....But hey, I guess it is Wyoming afterall!

58Skylane wrote:

WYPilot wrote:

58Skylane wrote:Is anybody here located near Cody and Powell?

I'm a ways south..do you know someone up there?

I have some friends that live about 5-8 miles north of town off of the highway to Powell.

And I plan to take a couple of trips to Cody this Spring and Summer to possible run a flatbed rig for my buddy's friend.

If I had to, I also wouldn't mind relocating to Cody for this trucking gig. Just seeing if there's any BCPers around that part of WY. I know Ben is down in Jackson.

Anyway...........

steve wrote:WYPilot,

Just curious, did your plane spend some time in Mn this last fall? It looks familiar.

Steve

I think the previous owner Garth talked about flying it out there actually...you must have seen it?
I'll ask him next chance I get.
It wouldn't have been on floats or anything.
J

Fellas, looking for glareshield help, could you jump on over and check this?
Thanks!
J

http://www.backcountrypilot.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=11723

WYPilot,

The one I saw was on wheels in a shop at Park Rapids Mn, probably in the early November timeframe, it was getting a different prop installed (I don't know what else).

When I had the interior in my 185 re-done they refurbished the original glareshields, slightly heavier than some after market options, but they now look better than original.

Steve

58Skylane wrote:Is anybody here located near Cody and Powell?

My 170 and I are based on the other side of the Bighorns at Sheridan.

Your enthusiasm for this project is awesome!!!

I just cannot stop thinking about how much $$ your putting into it however, not having your license yet is the first step as you know.

Your blog says: "Another plus to the 172 is that it's a mini version of my new 185 and so, to an extent gets my used to the Cessna platform."

That 172 your flying is a pony that is still learning to walk. That beautiful 185 is a Cape Buffalo in a cage that has been poked at by its handlers for a 1000 years. I really dont want to sound harsh but that first 500 hours is the hard part.

As said, all the $$ your putting into the plane, I get it...trust me, but I hope you have a real good guy to fly with for awhile in the 185 before your out on your own in her. Otherwise this shop project may become never ending and I just dont want to see that happen to ya.

Good luck and I truly look forward to seeing this bird in action!!

AKT