The Millwalkie tool company now has an 18 volt coat. They come in red or camo, it uses the rechargable batteries of their tools, there is an extended life lithium ion battery available, should keep you warm for about 8 hours. They can be bought at a Fergurson plumbing store or many hardware stores. Have fun.

bart wrote:Trip cancelled!!

Since some new information has come to light regarding the now questionable reliability of the engine on this airplane, I've decided to pass on this trip.

It always amazes me how small the aviation community really is, and thanks to BCP and one of its members, I was able to make a more informed decision and avoid a potentially crummy trip. Who knows, it might have gone very well, but I'm erring on the side of caution for this one.

Thanks again to all you guys (John) for taking the time to share your info and experience, I guess this thread will remain in perpetuity for those with the same question in the future

Aaron

Well this is one of those times when you get confirmation that your gut feeling was correct

Glad nobody was hurt too bad here...
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20 ... ck_check=1

The plane made it to its destination as far as the ferry flight, but the engine failed a couple weeks later during some flight instruction. Looks like the PIC did a great job getting the plane down on a logging road.

If anyone down the road is reviewing this thread for recommendations, check out a book by Gus McLeod about his flight to the north pole in a Stearman.

It's sad to see that kind of thing happen. Glad it worked out for you and for the two in it when it ended.

Great info!

I’m contemplating a 1400 nm trip from Georgia to Arizona, picking up an A-65 powered Corben Baby Ace D with no electrical system. Although I have 3000+ hours, only a few are taildragger, and none are open-cockpit. I’ll get my taildragger endorsement first.

Besides the keeping-warm element, what other considerations should I prepare for? I’ll be using an iPad and FltPlanGo, and a Levil BOM for data.

Any good study resources? Thanks in anticipation!

Edit: Mod - please feel free to move this to a more appropriate forum if necessary. Thank you!

Hambone wrote:Great info!

I’m contemplating a 1400 nm trip from Georgia to Arizona, picking up an A-65 powered Corben Baby Ace D with no electrical system. Although I have 3000+ hours, only a few are taildragger, and none are open-cockpit. I’ll get my taildragger endorsement first.

Besides the keeping-warm element, what other considerations should I prepare for? I’ll be using an iPad and FltPlanGo, and a Levil BOM for data.

Any good study resources? Thanks in anticipation!

Edit: Mod - please feel free to move this to a more appropriate forum if necessary. Thank you!

You’re going to encounter some winds on that trip, better do a bit more than just a tailwheel endorsement.......do some training in crosswinds.

MTV

Those photos bring to mind the early Alaskan aviators, who flew mostly in winter since there were no airports, and skis opened a lot of country.

Flying a Hisso Standard out of Fairbanks at -20 couldn’t have been much fun.

MTV

Hambone wrote:I’m contemplating a 1400 nm trip from Georgia to Arizona, picking up an A-65 powered Corben Baby Ace D with no electrical system. Although I have 3000+ hours, only a few are taildragger, and none are open-cockpit. I’ll get my taildragger endorsement first.

Besides the keeping-warm element, what other considerations should I prepare for? I’ll be using an iPad and FltPlanGo, and a Levil BOM for data.

I flew a Champ with no electrical system up from FL to Northern NY in April with a friend. That trip was about 1,200- 1,300 miles. We had a handheld wired into a external antenna and two i-pads & phones and used Foreflight the whole way with no issues. Make sure you bring enough chargers to keep the phones/i-pads going all day if needed. We flew low enough so we had cell service virtually the whole trip and were able to get weather, ect. Even flew into a couple of class D airports with no issue. As a low time tail wheel pilot myself, one thing I would strongly encourage (Other than the obvious which is get as much experience/instruction as possible) is try to plan your route through as many grass strips as possible (Tough to find gas at most of them though) and or airports with multiple runways, so you can manage your cross winds. Have fun.

Pete

pburns wrote:I flew a Champ with no electrical system up from FL to Northern NY in April with a friend. That trip was about 1,200- 1,300 miles. We had a handheld wired into a external antenna and two i-pads & phones and used Foreflight the whole way with no issues. Make sure you bring enough chargers to keep the phones/i-pads going all day if needed. We flew low enough so we had cell service virtually the whole trip and were able to get weather, ect. Even flew into a couple of class D airports with no issue. As a low time tail wheel pilot myself, one thing I would strongly encourage (Other than the obvious which is get as much experience/instruction as possible) is try to plan your route through as many grass strips as possible (Tough to find gas at most of them though) and or airports with multiple runways, so you can manage your cross winds. Have fun.

Pete

Great info, Pete! Thanks for that.