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Major Bucket List Item Accomplished

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Gene Ledbetter

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 20
Location: Cincinnati, OH

Posted: Sat May 08, 2010 10:01 am Post subject: Major Bucket List Item Accomplished

Hi Folks,



just completed a major bucket list item.  It was a long time coming but I turned 80 in January and flew my Firefly for the first time last Tuesday.  I spent Feb and March at The Villages in Florida before returning to Cincinnati and my Firefly.



Before flying the first time in the spring, I always rebuild my fuel system and simplified it even more this year by eliminating the squeeze bulb.  So the fuel system now consists of the tank, fuel filter, and fuel pump.  I also have a primer which allows me to start the engine using the primer until the pump fills the carburetor bowl.  It worked perfectly and started on the first pull.  I had to give a couple of more pulls since I didn't hit the primer at the right time after the first start.



I keep the Fly in my trailer at a private field where the owner lets me park at no charge and i have been there now for 6 years.  It's hard to believe but the Fly will be 10 years old this fall.  It seems like only yesterday that it was finished by Brian and I was able to make my first solo in my own airplane.



There was a happening last fall that I have decided to share.  I was flying with a friend and we flew to two other fields for landings.  He then left for home and I started back home.  When I got in the pattern, the ailerons were acting somewhat sloppy and I knew I had to look for something when i got down.  We made a normal landing, taxied up to the trailer and exited the plane.  It was quite a shock when I looked and  observed one of the aileron push rods hanging down on the ground.  I had lost the aileron connection where the safely pin had obviously failed.  The pins should have been replaced long ago so bad on me.  The good news is that I had no problem controlling the plane with only one aileron control although it was somewhat sloppy.  The best news is there was no damage to the pushrod even though it had to be bouncing off the ground.



The moral of the story is that i've gone to bolts and nuts for that connection even though i still fold and unfold for every flight.  Though the information might be interesting and perhaps helpful for someone.



Gene Ledbetter

2000 Firefly

Cincinnat, OH

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_________________
Gene D.
2000 Firefly
330 Hours
New 447
Brakes, Ivo

Thom Riddle

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 1597
Location: Buffalo, NY, USA (9G0)

Posted: Sun May 09, 2010 2:54 am Post subject: Re: Major Bucket List Item Accomplished

Gene,



Thanks for the Ooops! report on your FireFly. Sure am glad you made it down safely. That could have been a bucket-kicker incident.



Which airfield in Cincy do you fly from? The reason I ask is that I spent much of my childhood watching airplanes take-off and land at Lunken whenever I could get my parents to drive me there to watch. I grew up in Clermont County near Amelia, less than 1 mile from where Sporty's is now located. This was long before Clermont County airport was built.



do not archive

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Thom Riddle
Buffalo, NY (9G0)

Don't worry about old age... it doesn't last very long.
- Anonymous

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