Well, it was too cold to try spraying the engine with degreaser and scrubbing the cowling, so I went flying instead. I couldn't resist, it was CAVU, about 38F and as sunny as it gets and I haven't flown my new plane yet so I had to fly.

It was very strange, haven't flown in a year and I seem to be out of touch with the plane. It was probably a good thing I brought a CFI along for some brush up on technique and such. Anyway, the plane flew better than I did, although I need to adjust the rudder trim tab. Some dummy set it to provide left rudder trim, why someone would do this makes me wonder. This is the first 150 I have flown that stalled and dropped hard right and a good 80 degrees nose down from a power off stall. I know I was not doing a good job of keeping the ball centered, but I tell you, that was a serious eye opener...good thing its approved for spins.

In straight and level at 3500 FT and between 2450 and 2500 RPM it was indicating between 110 and 115 MPH, seemed high to me but I need more time to sort it out. The climb was awesome (for a 150 that is) today due to weather and low fuel load, it averaged about 600+ and I saw a sustained 1000 FPM for almost 45 seconds, if you can call that sustained.

The wife and I are going to go wash and wax it inside and out tomorrow and then hopefully top off the tanks for a relaxing afternoon flight. I just hope the $75 fuel bill doesn't give her sticker shock, or deter her from allowing me all the flying time we can afford. Maybe a nice sunrise flight to Montana will make her understand the irresistible draw that flight has for some of us.

N3110V

Is there still a dry lake bed up north by Wilson Creek? That used to be a constant temptation in my BBCC days.

What ever you do don't take her out when it's anything but smooth air for a while. Try to fly like an airline pilot until she gets used to flying

Finally took the wife up, she is totally in love with having our own plane. I don't think it could have been a better day, smooth as glass and sunny enough to see Rainier over 100 miles away. We did some local sightseeing and some T&G's, which she actually enjoyed, before calling it quits for lunch.

So far so good, although now the dipstick is reading 6 quarts I guess I will keep flying until I can figure out if there is any oil loss or what. There is certainly some oil under the cowling, maybe it is only a slight bit that looks worse than it is?

Currently at 2.3 and all appears well, although I may have to tighten the exhaust stacks since they appear slightly loose when checked. The speed I saw today was 108 MPH at 3500FT, 2500RPM and about 40F, this is probably more accurate than what I was looking at yesterday. I also tweaked the rudder trim tab, lucky guess and got it right the first try. The plane is slightly right wing heavy, but I figure that is probably rigging and can be checked at the next annual.

At this rate, it isn't unreasonable that she may agree to moving up to either a taildragger or even a 172 within a year or two. Does life get any better than owning a plane?

N3110V

Better start looking now. What do you think you'd get next? I think a nice PA-22/20 150 would be an excellent choice. There are alot of them for under 30K. With two people and camping gear it's a very satisfactory backcountry plane. I flew mine into places like Red Creek all the time. (There are photos in my gallery.) They are cool looking too.

Speedbump,
I actually looked at those and couldn't find one for the right price that was within a reasonable distance. The lower price for a plane that is 2000 miles away is quickly eaten up by costs associated with inspections and delivery. Another issue that I need to look at is the increased cost of insurance for taildraggers, I have a whopping .9 hours in a Citabria, although other than helicopters that was the most fun I have had flying.
There is also the age issue, which I suppose is not a big issue if you can find someone that is very experienced inspecting tube and fabric, and that particular model aircraft.
I will keep working on injecting the wife with the flying disease, eventually she won't be able to stop herself from pointing out Husky's and Maules, then I will strike, test fly a sweet little Husky Pup. I know that isn't fair play, but hey, I want a backcountry plane eventually.

N3110V