As if firearms wasn't enough in the realm of bad financial decisions I went and did the damn fool thing of buying an airplane (Cherokee 180). I'm just waiting for the IA to put the sticker in the logbook for this year's annual inspection and then insurance wants a few hours training with a CFI, but hopefully by the end of summer if any events within 500 nautical miles of St. Louis can use a red hat I need the cross country hours to sit for the Commercial check ride.
Any rate, plane is going to need a name.
So far I've seen Liberty Wagon suggested. Any other suggestions?
Very cool.
The Chattanooga, TN range is just a few miles from KFGU (Collegedale airport).
The Chattanooga range is actually on an old grass strip. If a sketchy mountain approach into a grass strip is your thing, you could park your plane at the range. The original owner of the range property was into bush flying. The old hangar has been converted into a residence. A kitfox or two still land there occasionally, but the trees have grown up on the end of the runway, limiting who can get in and out of that strip safely.
Rome, GA has an airport nearby and a shoot June 28-29. If you want a lackey and a place to stay, I've got a spare room - cats and hyperdog come free. The closest airport to me is half an hour away.
Starting an Appleseed Air Corp?
Very cool! I got my private license in a piper warrior.
The Cherokee is a heck of a people hauler...congrats. Piper Warrior here for my VFR. Most other hours in Cessna 172s.
NICE!!! I like the name simply "LIBERTY" or AMERICAN SPIRIT
I'm wondering about all the Dunkin Donuts locations within 500 nm.
Paint it brown and call it Brown Beauty.
It's currently San Mateo Wheat so it's already brown...ish.
Got the registration paperwork back and scheduled to have a couple maintenance things addressed August 6th.
I second Brown Beauty
Sounds like Brown Beauty is a winner. Maybe Brown(ish) Beauty?
I did come up with another idea, but you probably don't want to hear it.
Most likely considered a bad omen.
Saratoga county airport in NY just finished renovations and upgrades. It came out really nice.
You'd be very welcome to fly in for a shoot @ SaraSpa Rod & Gun Club next year but unfortunately the distance is estimated to be over 700 nautical miles. :-\
I third naming her Brown Beauty.
700NM, that's one maybe two fuel stops.
So this is what I spent the winter & spring working on:
Back up and flying, still have some follow up work to do and get an autopilot installed. So what events needs an extra red hat with an airfield near by?
Nice job! Now we gonna do some Appleseed ish logos, nose art, ect?
Quote from: AdmiralKirk on May 19, 2026, 11:32:27 PMBack up and flying, still have some follow up work to do and get an autopilot installed. So what events needs an extra red hat with an airfield near by?
Don't know if there is a spot to land, but Stockton IL put out a request for help.
Just found this and obviously late to the party. I was trying to think of something from another direction after reading the first post. Something like Appleseeds by Air or Seeds in the Wind or something from that direction. Congrats on a cool really big toy.
Quote from: Bundt Pan on May 20, 2026, 11:56:06 AMQuote from: AdmiralKirk on May 19, 2026, 11:32:27 PMBack up and flying, still have some follow up work to do and get an autopilot installed. So what events needs an extra red hat with an airfield near by?
Don't know if there is a spot to land, but Stockton IL put out a request for help.
Depending on your definition of "land", there's plenty of room.
Quote from: Burnett on May 23, 2026, 06:43:32 PMQuote from: Bundt Pan on May 20, 2026, 11:56:06 AMQuote from: AdmiralKirk on May 19, 2026, 11:32:27 PMBack up and flying, still have some follow up work to do and get an autopilot installed. So what events needs an extra red hat with an airfield near by?
Don't know if there is a spot to land, but Stockton IL put out a request for help.
Depending on your definition of "land", there's plenty of room.
I heard somewhere that any landing you can walk away from is a good landing... but after all the effort he put into it, I doubt Kirk feels the same
Quote from: Bundt Pan on May 23, 2026, 07:05:30 PMQuote from: Burnett on May 23, 2026, 06:43:32 PMQuote from: Bundt Pan on May 20, 2026, 11:56:06 AMQuote from: AdmiralKirk on May 19, 2026, 11:32:27 PMBack up and flying, still have some follow up work to do and get an autopilot installed. So what events needs an extra red hat with an airfield near by?
Don't know if there is a spot to land, but Stockton IL put out a request for help.
Depending on your definition of "land", there's plenty of room.
I heard somewhere that any landing you can walk away from is a good landing... but after all the effort he put into it, I doubt Kirk feels the same
***HOLD THE PHONES!!!***
My bad. I just realized that I have in fact not been to Stockton, IL; I have been to McLean, IL. I thought it was Stockton. I do not know of the aircraft handling area at Stockton.
Now back to the regularly scheduled whatever.