Friday night flights in pictures

[Reerun_KC]

I see some cool stuff while flying. Thought I’d share some pictures.




Houston TX.

[Reerun_KC]

More to follow.

[Dartgod]

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

Looks like Cancun.

[Reerun_KC]

Originally Posted by Dartgod

Looks like Cancun.

that it is.

[Trivers]

Originally Posted by cooper barrett

How old are you?
I remember hearing about that as I was down there, first time, in Grand Cayman (Thanksgiving 1991) just after it happened.

Stories varied but, from what I heard/ remember, nobody was badly injured. In fact, it was said, passengers just swam to shore from a few feet out.

I ran the project to get it back in service. I arrived right after it was raised out of the sound, worked with Boeing and other vendors to get it flying again. Lots of cuts and bruises..the worst was a busted ankle. It was surreal walking through and watching the cleaning up of all the passenger possessions. Took about a year to get back into the air. Lots of stories. Spent $17M to save a $19M airplane.

Was VP Eng/Maint. in title for a few months, then left as my visa was not renewed...I pissed off too many Caymanians who had family in government.

Living in Cayman for a year was very interesting....Cayman Airlines was a very poorly run airline. Government had no business owning and running a 5 aircraft fleet. Millions and millions and millions wasted being an employment agency for locals. Classic illustration of why gov should not own a commercial entity. Every time I tried to cut personnel fat or rearrange departments, the affected locals would run to the immigration board stating i was persecuting them.

BTW, almost bought a house on the water over by Rum Point. Very peaceful.

[Trivers]

Originally Posted by cooper barrett

Countries that harbor peoples money tend to frown on you visiting and not having a visa.... They like criminals money, they don't like criminals.


I am going to hear it for using the word criminal!!!!!

There are business creation programs now when you can get a visa for up to 9 years. Just create and maintain a business in a special business park and you are set.

[Stanley Nickels]

Originally Posted by cooper barrett

I was too lazy to do that, I've been busy looking at $250K vacant lots in Grand Cayman. Yeah I spit my coffee too!

I have been close to Miramar but always stayed west. Something about LaJolla that I love.

East End is where it's at.

[Trivers]

Reerun, if you were getting ready to take private pilot lessons all over again, would you learn via "steam gages" or via "glass"?

Getting ready and starting to start again to start studying again for the knowledge test. I've been on and off for 4 years.

[Reerun_KC]

Originally Posted by Trivers

Reerun, if you were getting ready to take private pilot lessons all over again, would you learn via "steam gages" or via "glass"?



Getting ready and starting to start again to start studying again for the knowledge test. I've been on and off for 4 years.

Steam gauges (6 pack) and VORs are easier to learn with. The less is best model. Less avionics in airplane less they can test you on at practical test time.

So find a cheap and old school airplane. Learn the basics and the joy of flying the needles and VFR flying. Then when you’re Pricate rated and have a foundation to fly. Go and upgrade your glass skills.

[Trivers]

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

Steam gauges (6 pack) and VORs are easier to learn with. The less is best model. Less avionics in airplane less they can test you on at practical test time.

So find a cheap and old school airplane. Learn the basics and the joy of flying the needles and VFR flying. Then when you’re Pricate rated and have a foundation to fly. Go and upgrade your glass skills.

thank you.

Getting a RV to park at EAA for the week in July. It will sleep 4 to 6. You have a standing invite to spend a few days.

[Reerun_KC]

Originally Posted by Trivers

thank you.



Getting a RV to park at EAA for the week in July. It will sleep 4 to 6. You have a standing invite to spend a few days.

Seriously? I’ll put that on the calendar! As we get into next year I’ll look at propping up a 172 for some x country time. LOL.

[cooper barrett]

I never saw the plane. They brought in a huge ass crane and lifted it out. Do you have any pics?

Yes My friend was in very good standing with the government. He did just about anything he wanted, He had someone die on the island and within days the body was headed back to the states. If you know what it takes to get a corpse off the island you will understand. Me? Just bury me there.

It would be tough to get a house bought if they won't let you have a visa lol

Try working with Saudi Arabian Airlines in the 90's

Originally Posted by Trivers

I ran the project to get it back in service. I arrived right after it was raised out of the sound, worked with Boeing and other vendors to get it flying again. Lots of cuts and bruises..the worst was a busted ankle. It was surreal walking through and watching the cleaning up of all the passenger possessions. Took about a year to get back into the air. Lots of stories. Spent $17M to save a $19M airplane.

Was VP Eng/Maint. in title for a few months, then left as my visa was not renewed...I pissed off too many Caymanians who had family in government.

Living in Cayman for a year was very interesting....Cayman Airlines was a very poorly run airline. Government had no business owning and running a 5 aircraft fleet. Millions and millions and millions wasted being an employment agency for locals. Classic illustration of why gov should not own a commercial entity. Every time I tried to cut personnel fat or rearrange departments, the affected locals would run to the immigration board stating i was persecuting them.

BTW, almost bought a house on the water over by Rum Point. Very peaceful.

[cooper barrett]

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

that it is.

Originally Posted by Dartgod

Looks like Cancun.

I know the island but just can't place what I am looking at

[Trivers]

Took two cranes. Pulled it out, temp fixed the nose gear, and rolled to a space on the ramp as Cayman Airlines had NO HANGER. (They used to change engines and other major maint in the open and in the rain.) What kind of airline owns 5 aircraft and not even have a A/B check hanger?


Somewhere I have a box of pics...and pieces of the aircraft.

BTW, nothing happened to the Caymanian pilot aside from driving a desk for a few months...they fired american pilots and FAs for minor infractions..but if you were local and knew people in the gov...you could put a 737 in the water and keep your job.

BTW, I spend $17M completely overhauling the aircraft...salt water and airplanes don't go well together...updated avionics, added TCAS, new engines, etc....and the government spent $1M to get out of their lease and gave the airplane back to the leasing company.

Seems that local people were stating they would not fly aircraft #CCW as it was jinked. Superstitious folk.

[cooper barrett]

Originally Posted by Trivers

Took two cranes. Pulled it out, temp fixed the nose gear, and rolled to a space on the ramp as Cayman Airlines had NO HANGER. (They used to change engines and other major maint in the open and in the rain.) What kind of airline owns 5 aircraft and not even have a A/B check hanger?


Somewhere I have a box of pics...and pieces of the aircraft.

BTW, nothing happened to the Caymanian pilot aside from driving a desk for a few months...they fired american pilots and FAs for minor infractions..but if you were local and knew people in the gov...you could put a 737 in the water and keep your job.

BTW, I spend $17M completely overhauling the aircraft...salt water and airplanes don't go well together...updated avionics, added TCAS, new engines, etc....and the government spent $1M to get out of their lease and gave the airplane back to the leasing company.

Seems that local people were stating they would not fly aircraft #CCW as it was jinked. Superstitious folk.

Why are the no pictures, You should post them as there is nothing I can find. Nothing.

I heard people were out scubaing when it was in the water Bullshit?

I heard it overran the airport due to equipment failure, Reverse thrusters did not or could not engage?

[Trivers]

Originally Posted by cooper barrett

Why are the no pictures, You should post them as there is nothing I can find. Nothing.

I heard people were out scubaing when it was in the water Bullshit?

I heard it overran the airport due to equipment failure, Reverse thrusters did not or could not engage?

Rerun, not trying to high jack your wonderful thread...

Coop....How do you know all this? Impressed. You mentioned Saudi? Are you or were in the aviation industry?
___________________________

Cayman operated under CAA rules. In the Turks, one of the TR failed. Under CAA rules, if one of the TR fails, the aircraft can proceed to operate as long as the other TR is disabled also until the aircraft returns to repair facilities. (The FAA rules did not allow this exception.)

Thus, when CCW approached GCM Georgetown, the pilot miscalculated where to touch and landed long. The rest is simple physics. GCM runway is only 7K long. (I remember the first time I flew into GCM and watch the markers go buy 5-4-3....and the plane was not slowing down...sucks...when we did stop and turned....the sound was right there.)

Anyway, no scuba divers, no sharks.

Hell. I saw so much stupid stuff at Cayman. In Miami, a food truck hit a 737-400. My predecessor approved the use of duck tape to tape up the small hole in the tail and fly it back to GCM. What the hell? A Caymanian crew was cleaning and painting collapsible maintenance scaffolding and the supervisor was clowning around and pull the pin...with another team member inside....severe head injuries...we had to fly to mainland for surgery...I tried to fire him....the Caymanian Pres overrode my decision and let him keep his job.