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Commander spotting KPHN & farewell for N527P from Michigan

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Peter Bichier

Joined: 25 Aug 2008
Posts: 103
Location: Toledo, Ohio

Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 10:11 am Post subject: Commander spotting KPHN & farewell for N527P from Michigan

Hi Barry & all,



Last night as we were fueling 527P (Adam's 520 on its way across the  

country as I write this message) I spotted N66GW, a 690A (according to  

FAA s/n 11174).



It was about 9:34 pm local time, -4 deg. C. right in front of the FBO  

of KPHN where N527P was based. Sorry for the poor quality of the  

picture, my good camera died on me in Panama and I haven't purchased  

another one yet (wish I had), terrible pictures with or without flash  

at that distance/light.



I took a photo of the plate but can't read a damn thing on it (the  

pilot/owner? was not particularly chatty and was pretty weary of me  

taking photos and checking the plane...)



I picked up JimBob yesterday from DTW, got stuck on traffic for an  

hour to go through Detroit (more on that later guys&gals!) and went on  

to prep the old bird for the ferry to its new home on the west coast.



This morning 527P fired up and took off about 7:20 local time, took  

off and turned around back on the pattern and did a classic JB low  

pass while the ex owner and I were in tears... (needles to say, the  

next photo came out blurry...) and the damn camera's battery froze - 

literally!



Headwinds up to 45 kts, LLWS between Iowa and Nebraska are waiting for  

them; and to top it all pretty bad weather is building up on the other  

side of the Sierras...  Another day for a flying Commander!



I just talked to Jim and they landed on their first leg, she is  

cruising along at 155 kts and burning roughly 24 gals/hour (filled up  

80 gls after 3.3 hrs up).



Looks like we'll hear more on her in the future.



Speaking of, I'll post a video on 527P taking off this morning on  

youtube when I get to it... she is LOUD!



Reporting from the shores of a very frozen Lake Erie near Toledo OH,



Peter

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_________________
560 Dreamer

BertBerry1(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 12:19 pm Post subject: Commander spotting KPHN & farewell for N527P from Michigan

Thanks So Much Pete for sharing the photos!!!!

  

  In a message dated 2/15/2011 12:14:49 P.M. Central Standard Time,  pbichie(at)utnet.utoledo.edu writes:

  	  Quote: 	
		  Hi Barry    & all,



Last night as we were fueling 527P (Adam's 520 on its way    across the  

country as I write this message) I spotted N66GW, a 690A    (according to  

FAA s/n 11174).



It was about 9:34 pm local    time, -4 deg. C. right in front of the FBO  

of KPHN where N527P was    based. Sorry for the poor quality of the  

picture, my good camera    died on me in Panama and I haven't purchased  

another one yet (wish I    had), terrible pictures with or without flash  

at that    distance/light.



I took a photo of the plate but can't read a damn thing    on it (the  

pilot/owner? was not particularly chatty and was pretty    weary of me  

taking photos and checking the plane...)



I picked    up JimBob yesterday from DTW, got stuck on traffic for an  

hour to go    through Detroit (more on that later guys&gals!) and went on  

to    prep the old bird for the ferry to its new home on the west coast.



This    morning 527P fired up and took off about 7:20 local time, took  

off    and turned around back on the pattern and did a classic JB low  

pass    while the ex owner and I were in tears... (needles to say, the  

next    photo came out blurry...) and the damn camera's battery froze -    

literally!



Headwinds up to 45 kts, LLWS between Iowa and Nebraska    are waiting for  

them; and to top it all pretty bad weather is    building up on the other  

side of the Sierras...  Another day    for a flying Commander!



I just talked to Jim and they landed on their    first leg, she is  

cruising along at 155 kts and burning roughly 24    gals/hour (filled up  

80 gls after 3.3 hrs up).



Looks like    we'll hear more on her in the future.



Speaking of, I'll post a video on    527P taking off this morning on  

youtube when I get to it... she is    LOUD!



Reporting from the shores of a very frozen Lake Erie near Toledo    OH,



Peter

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barry.collman(at)air-brit
Guest

Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 12:56 pm Post subject: Commander spotting KPHN & farewell for N527P from Michigan

Hi Peter,



Thanks for the up-date re N527P and the pictures.

Sounds as though our weather is better than yours . . . for a change.



Best Regards,

Barry



--

stratobee

Joined: 28 Dec 2010
Posts: 159
Location: Los Angeles

Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 12:04 am Post subject: Re: Commander spotting KPHN & farewell for N527P from Mi

Thanks Peter for coming out and sending her off!



I wrote a lengthy posting here and then the internet went down and I lost every word. Drives me completely nuts and I'm screaming at the screen as I type this, foaming at the mouth. So I'll do an abbreviated version as I just cant face writing it all again.



Stopped at Grinnell, IA, Ogalalla, NE, Spanish Fork, UT, Eureka, NV.



150kts at the start. Soon pummeled even down low and GS dropped. We hit Sierras in the dark. I'm very nervous - don't like mountain flying at night. Headwind 70kts! Precautionary stop at Eureka, NV just to top off for last 2 hr leg. Crosswind gusting to 27kts. I dread climbing back up to 12500 at night, but we do it. As we pass most inhabitable peaks, left engine shudders twice. If it quits, there is nowhere to go. But it behaves after that scare.



Bay area socked in at 6000ft, we're at 12500. No way to get down. We fly south endlessly over Sierra peaks, desperately looking for lights. Very uneasy now. Dread having to turn around back over the Sierras into NV again with an engine that has given me a scare. We've come too far. Finally we spot a light and an airport beacon (E45) and we just about manage to squeeze into the valley between mountain and clouds.



Average GS last 4-5hrs was 75-80kts. Not kidding.



Both engines ran like butter, except for shudder. We have theories of what it could have been and it will be investigated. Right engine uses a little too much oil for comfort, but could be something trivial. Mentally preparing myself for a top overhaul, nevertheless.



Great adventure, great people, great scenery and a trip I won't forget. I will however try to forget the $1600 fuel bill..

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_________________
Adam

Last edited by stratobee on Thu Feb 17, 2011 9:33 am; edited 1 time in total

nico(at)cybersuperstore.c
Guest

Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 4:18 am Post subject: Commander spotting KPHN & farewell for N527P from Michigan

Ouch!, Adam.



However, it ended well. 



Just as a future tip that may come in handy, especially for us who now have

to go without a more detailed account of events: I always write in Word

beforehand so I can save regularly before putting my work into an email

reader, like Outlook, for instance. Too many times I had the experience of

losing stuff especially when I thought what I wrote was the product of

once-in-a-lifetime creativity that couldn't be recreated. 



Thanks



Nico



--

rlegg(at)austarnet.com.au
Guest

Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 6:51 am Post subject: Commander spotting KPHN & farewell for N527P from Michigan

Hi Adam,



You were blessed to have the company of Jimbob...what a wonderful set of learning hyperbolae!!



At least you were fuelling a 520...just imagine the extra fuel that a 680E would have consumed for the same trip!



Cheers from Oz



Russell

On 17/02/2011, at 9:41 PM, cybersuperstore wrote:



[quote] 

 

 Ouch!, Adam.

 

 However, it ended well. 

 

 Just as a future tip that may come in handy, especially for us who now have

 to go without a more detailed account of events: I always write in Word

 beforehand so I can save regularly before putting my work into an email

 reader, like Outlook, for instance. Too many times I had the experience of

 losing stuff especially when I thought what I wrote was the product of

 once-in-a-lifetime creativity that couldn't be recreated. 

 

 Thanks

 

 Nico

 

 

 

 --

stratobee

Joined: 28 Dec 2010
Posts: 159
Location: Los Angeles

Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 7:42 am Post subject: Re: Commander spotting KPHN & farewell for N527P from Mi

Thanks. Flight took about 16hrs airborne in the end.

_________________
Adam

moe-rosspistons(at)hotmai
Guest

Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 4:12 pm Post subject: Commander spotting KPHN & farewell for N527P from Michigan

Russell,



As far as fuel goes, worse yet it could be a 680Fp

Moe

N680RR

--------------------------------------------------

From: "Russell Legg" <rlegg(at)austarnet.com.au>

Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2011 6:52 AM

To: <commander-list(at)matronics.com>

Subject: Re: Re: Commander spotting KPHN & farewell for 

N527P from Michigan



[quote] 

 <rlegg(at)austarnet.com.au>



 Hi Adam,



 You were blessed to have the company of Jimbob...what a wonderful set of 

 learning hyperbolae!!



 At least you were fuelling a 520...just imagine the extra fuel that a 680E 

 would have consumed for the same trip!



 Cheers from Oz



 Russell

 On 17/02/2011, at 9:41 PM, cybersuperstore wrote:



> 

> <nico(at)cybersuperstore.com>

>

> Ouch!, Adam.

>

> However, it ended well.

>

> Just as a future tip that may come in handy, especially for us who now 

> have

> to go without a more detailed account of events: I always write in Word

> beforehand so I can save regularly before putting my work into an email

> reader, like Outlook, for instance. Too many times I had the experience 

> of

> losing stuff especially when I thought what I wrote was the product of

> once-in-a-lifetime creativity that couldn't be recreated.

>

> Thanks

>

> Nico

>

> --

Peter Bichier

Joined: 25 Aug 2008
Posts: 103
Location: Toledo, Ohio

Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 10:27 am Post subject: Commander spotting KPHN & farewell for N527P from Michig

Folks,



Adam, JimBob, and Victor Coletta (the sad ex-owner which I will forward this message to):



Sorry on your frustration sending the mail Adam, I know the feeling... believe me; but if and when you get your thoughts together and before it all goes too much in a blur, we'll love to hear more about the journey 



Meanwhile, if you want to hear/see close and personal a 1953 Commander and its GO-435s, put on your head set and go to:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gd6Vgoa2BR8



but don't miss out on the final take off:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wt4UaO7S0q4



Enjoy! it brings soooo many memories...



1974 in Rancho Pando, my Dad's farm in the middle of the Venezuelan Amazon basin where we spent many vacations. He would stay with us a few days, and then he had to fly the plane to feed us, so he would roll out the sandy field on a savana in the middle of two gallery forests. The GO-480s would roar for very long time; first the plane would disappear out of sight (and not come back for weeks, sometimes months) in between two majestic Tepuis (imagine the Grand Canyon but at 4degrees N. of the tropic -> all green, instead of red, but similar flat top plateaux). You could still hear the sound of the engines way after completely losing sight of the plane.



Eventually just plain silence... except for the wind, birds, and the mosquitoes buzzing into your ears, but no civilization within 300 miles.



Have you ever heard that?



Thanks Commanders!



p.

_________________
560 Dreamer

rlegg(at)austarnet.com.au
Guest

Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 4:59 pm Post subject: Commander spotting KPHN & farewell for N527P from Michigan

Hi Peter,



Many thanks for recording these great moments and sharing!



Cheers from Oz



Russell

On 19/02/2011, at 3:57 AM, Peter Bichier wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   

 

 Folks,

 

 Adam, JimBob, and Victor Coletta (the sad ex-owner which I will forward this message to):

 

 Sorry on your frustration sending the mail Adam, I know the feeling... believe me; but if and when you get your thoughts together and before it all goes too much in a blur, we'll love to hear more about the journey 

 

 Meanwhile, if you want to hear/see close and personal a 1953 Commander and its GO-435s, put on your head set and go to:

 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gd6Vgoa2BR8

 

 but don't miss out on the final take off:

 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wt4UaO7S0q4

 

 Enjoy! it brings soooo many memories...

 

 1974 in Rancho Pando, my Dad's farm in the middle of the Venezuelan Amazon basin where we spent many vacations. He would stay with us a few days, and then he had to fly the plane to feed us, so he would roll out the sandy field on a savana in the middle of two gallery forests. The GO-480s would roar for very long time; first the plane would disappear out of sight (and not come back for weeks, sometimes months) in between two majestic Tepuis (imagine the Grand Canyon but at 4degrees N. of the tropic -> all green, instead of red, but similar flat top plateaux). You could still hear the sound of the engines way after completely losing sight of the plane.

 

 Eventually just plain silence... except for the wind, birds, and the mosquitoes buzzing into your ears, but no civilization within 300 miles.

 

 Have you ever heard that?

 

 Thanks Commanders!

 

 p.

 

 --------

 560 Dreamer

 

 

 

 

 Read this topic online here:

 

 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=331434#331434

stratobee

Joined: 28 Dec 2010
Posts: 159
Location: Los Angeles

Posted: Sat May 07, 2011 9:13 am Post subject: Re: Commander spotting KPHN & farewell for N527P from Mi

Hi guys.



I edited together some of the patchy footage from my phone from the ferry back to California. Plane is still in Stockton, but making progress and should be ready for pickup in about two weeks. 



Here's the video:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OV1DrH1_LMA



The right engine's high oil consumption was due to a broken tach gear attachement, so that was a relief. New brake system is in place and most of the minor squawks have been taken care of. Left engine has a cylinder showing low compression, but we're hoping it's just a stuck valve.



Adam

_________________
Adam

Cate Chagnot

Joined: 24 May 2007
Posts: 36
Location: Ohio

Posted: Sun May 08, 2011 7:06 am Post subject: Re: Commander spotting KPHN & farewell for N527P from Mi

How did you get a ferry permit for 2? It's almost always for essential crew only.

_________________
Cate

N4278S 680E
Skywagon N180PK

stratobee

Joined: 28 Dec 2010
Posts: 159
Location: Los Angeles

Posted: Sun May 08, 2011 8:36 am Post subject: Re: Commander spotting KPHN & farewell for N527P from Mi

She was in annual, so no need. More of a repositioning than a ferry, I suppose.

_________________
Adam

rlegg(at)austarnet.com.au
Guest

Posted: Sun May 08, 2011 9:07 am Post subject: Commander spotting KPHN & farewell for N527P from Michigan

Hi Adam,



Many thx for sharing....nice Youtube!



Cheers



Russell

On 08/05/2011, at 2:43 AM, stratobee wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   

 

 Hi guys.

 

 I edited together some of the patchy footage from my phone from the ferry back to California. Plane is still in Stockton, but making progress and should be ready for pickup in about two weeks. 

 

 Here's the video:

 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OV1DrH1_LMA

 

 The right engine's high oil consumption was due to a broken tach gear attachement, so that was a relief. New brake system is in place and most of the minor squawks have been taken care of. Left engine has a cylinder showing low compression, but we're hoping it's just a stuck valve.

 

 Adam

 

 --------

 Adam

 

 

 

 

 Read this topic online here:

 

 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=339190#339190

dfalik(at)sbcglobal.net
Guest

Posted: Sun May 08, 2011 9:23 am Post subject: Commander spotting KPHN & farewell for N527P from Michigan

Adam,

  

 That was really excellent picture quality from a phone camera.  What kind of a phone is it?

  

 I really enjoyed watching the video as it made me nostalgic for the 500S I flew for 4 years (1000 hr.) and sold last year.

  

 I am based in Michigan and if the maintenance costs had risen so much in the last years after my mechanic moved, I would still have the aircraft.  Also it is hard to find hanger space for a plane with a 50' wing span and a 14.5' tail.

  

 Loved the plane and miss it terribly.  It is fun to fly my Apache but nothing compares to a Twin Commander.

  

 Enjoy!!

  

 Don



 

   From: Russell Legg <rlegg(at)austarnet.com.au>

To: commander-list(at)matronics.com

Sent: Sat, May 7, 2011 8:41:06 PM

Subject: Re: Re: Commander spotting KPHN & farewell for N527P from Michigan



--> Commander-List message posted by: Russell Legg <rlegg(at)austarnet.com.au (rlegg(at)austarnet.com.au)>



Hi Adam,



Many thx for sharing....nice Youtube!



Cheers



Russell

On 08/05/2011, at 2:43 AM, stratobee wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   --> Commander-List message posted by: "stratobee" <adam(at)adamfrisch.com (adam(at)adamfrisch.com)>

 

 Hi guys.

 

 I edited together  some of the patchy footage from my phone from the ferry back to California. Plane is still in Stockton, but making progress and should be ready for pickup in about two weeks. 

 

 Here's the video:

 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OV1DrH1_LMA

 

 The right engine's high oil consumption was due to a broken tach gear attachement, so that was a relief. New brake system is in place and most of the minor squawks have been taken care of. Left engine has a cylinder showing low compression, but we're hoping it's just a stuck valve.

 

 Adam

 

 --------

 Adam

 

 

 

 

 Read this topic online here:

 

 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=339190#339190

 

 

 

 

&                         -Matt Dralle, List ==========
	


 [quote][b]

stratobee

Joined: 28 Dec 2010
Posts: 159
Location: Los Angeles

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2011 2:38 pm Post subject: Re: Commander spotting KPHN & farewell for N527P from Mi

Hi Don.



It was an iPhone.



Also, N527P is no longer. She is now N20VE, named after my mother Tove (geddit?). Dear old mum is still alive so it's not an epitaph, just a gesture. Also, I was never too happy with 527P as it didn't really roll of the tongue easily. 20VE is a much faster and clearer callsign. I prefer letter heavy callsigns to numerics heavy anyway - I think they're easier to distinguish and less likely to get confused.



Aircraft has been struggling a bit with her front gear retraction geometry, but will hopefully be lifting me skywards soon with a snug fit.

_________________
Adam

stratobee

Joined: 28 Dec 2010
Posts: 159
Location: Los Angeles

Posted: Sat Jun 25, 2011 9:54 pm Post subject: Re: Commander spotting KPHN & farewell for N527P from Mi

Fellow forumites, friends, Commandeerers.



Here's a little video I cut together from last week as we finalised 20VE up in Stockton. Did a couple of high speed taxis and two test flights. First time the governors were not adjusted correctly and we returned after a short tour, but after some tweaking on last flight she flew like a dream! N2705B also makes a guest appearance towards the end - that's a good clean looking 560. Not a fading paint job like mine!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhjP_qtyplk

_________________
Adam

stratobee

Joined: 28 Dec 2010
Posts: 159
Location: Los Angeles

Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2011 11:55 am Post subject: Re: Commander spotting KPHN & farewell for N527P from Mi

Here's a little update I wrote on the Pprune forum about my "checkout" in 20VE, my first solo flights and my travel back to California from the Portland area (which would turn out to be a two day deal - not that I minded). There are some images and also a short video of my first wheelie.



Big thanks to JimBob for being such a great host/teacher/plane washer/mensch.



http://www.pprune.org/6544340-post36.html

_________________
Adam

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