Mike's New Project

A couple weeks ago I got a note from Mike Arntzen, one of the folks on the Microsoft Pilot's distribution list. I'm not sure how you do it, but Mike mentioned that he "accidently" bought half an Avid Catalina and wondered if I'd come take a look. Hummm.. Mike is one of the well-known Cessna pilots on our e-mail list, so the conversion from Cessna, to finishing a half-complete project was going to be interesting for sure. Well...I had the opportunity to visit Mike and the project today and see what a Catalina looked like. I'd seen a video on the web, but hadn't had a chance to see one up close.

Well, as Mike said, it's probably 60-70% complete, and pretty close to applying the cover. The wings appear complete, most components are installed in the aft fuselage, some instruments, some wiring, the engine was installed at one time, and a lot of fiberglass is done. That said, there's still a lot to do.

Mike has some time in the Austrailian Air Force (avionics tech) and currently works for Microsoft. He and a partner bought the project basically from a neighbor, have access to a lakeside hangar on Lake Samm, and hope to use the Avid to fly to Harvey and Boeing Field to access their other aircraft (sure beats the drive!).

We should start seeing Mike around the Chapter meetingssoon,  and look forward to seeing the Avid come together. Besides, it's a good opportunity for Tom Staggs to use his new seaplane rating when it comes to first flight!

A2A Photos

Not much going on, but I thought I'd post a couple gratuitous photos of Jason Hills KISS taken enroute from JeffCo to Auburn.

Every once in a while we do get some nice days, it just seems that lately, they've been few and far between!

Fun with the Kids

Sometimes this is just what it’s all about! A couple of Dad’s taking the kids for a flight and out to lunch… With a break in the January weather Tom and Jim were able to take the Alexi (Alex x 2) out to lunch over at Bremerton. I think we agreed that we need to do this more often, maybe planning a trip to McMinnville when the weather is better.

Jim, Tom and Alex(s) at Bremerton.

Photo at right is what happens when you let a 6 year take the pictures!

John Marzulli’s little girl Genevieve is usually present at our Chapter meetings, and is always ready to go fly with Dad! She even seems to put up with the rest of us!