Wed Sep 30, 2009 1:23 pm
I've been pacing around like an expectant father all morning! Checked my cell phone voicemail many times in hopes I would have good news on it. Finally I couldn't stand it any longer. I called the hangar. Phone rang and rang, then the answering machine picked up. OK, now my stomach is doing flip flops. I calm myself by saying that the Rose is probably flying and all hands are outside watching.
Five minutes later, I couldn't stand it any longer, I tried the hangar again. Ring, ring, ring, "CAF, H.D. Butler". "H.D., it's Mike Renck! What's the status on the Rose, did she fly?" "She's taxing back in now." WHEW!!! I thanked H.D. and hung up. Then the thought hit me....coming back in from flight, or from an aborted take-off? DANG! Gotta call the hangar again! I'm going to think positive thoughts though. Now where's my Pepcid Complete when I need it?
Five minutes later, I couldn't stand it any longer, I tried the hangar again. Ring, ring, ring, "CAF, H.D. Butler". "H.D., it's Mike Renck! What's the status on the Rose, did she fly?" "She's taxing back in now." WHEW!!! I thanked H.D. and hung up. Then the thought hit me....coming back in from flight, or from an aborted take-off? DANG! Gotta call the hangar again! I'm going to think positive thoughts though. Now where's my Pepcid Complete when I need it?
Wed Sep 30, 2009 1:47 pm
SHE FLEW!!!!
I couldn't stand it any longer, I had to call back to the hangar. They flew the Rose for about an hour. Just a few minor squawks, which is to be expected after all she's been through, time-wise and work-wise.
Ray Clausen will most likely have a more detailed account, once he gets his feet back on the ground and calms down from the excitement of seeing his team's work come to a VERY SATISFYING conclusion!
I couldn't stand it any longer, I had to call back to the hangar. They flew the Rose for about an hour. Just a few minor squawks, which is to be expected after all she's been through, time-wise and work-wise.
Ray Clausen will most likely have a more detailed account, once he gets his feet back on the ground and calms down from the excitement of seeing his team's work come to a VERY SATISFYING conclusion!
Wed Sep 30, 2009 1:49 pm
YEEEEEEEEHAWWWW!!!!!!!!!
Wed Sep 30, 2009 2:06 pm
Congrats to all!!!!!
Wed Sep 30, 2009 3:36 pm
Grats to all concerned. I am sure a old long gone friend, Pat Murphy, was smiling down on you. In case you don't know who Pat is, he was one of the movers and lst pilots on the Rose.
Wed Sep 30, 2009 4:00 pm
Kudos to all involved on a job well done!
(And I just happen to have some champagne in the fridge...
)
(And I just happen to have some champagne in the fridge...
)
Wed Sep 30, 2009 8:56 pm
Great news! It's been a long time coming!
Congratulations to all of you who made it possible!
You have the right to wag your tail feathers!
(Pics??? anyone? )
Congratulations to all of you who made it possible!
You have the right to wag your tail feathers!
(Pics??? anyone? )
Wed Sep 30, 2009 9:03 pm
Great job all, an hour long shake-down cruise!!!! Fantastic! 
Shake out the bugs and she is back it the BIG GAME! So, who is up next, Raiders or Chuckie?
Shake out the bugs and she is back it the BIG GAME! So, who is up next, Raiders or Chuckie?
Wed Sep 30, 2009 9:28 pm
YEP! SHE FLEW ALRIGHT!!!
There was a 4 hour delay in the takeoff time because of heavy, low clouds. We finally made the flight just after noon. First a maintenance flight. Al Maxwell was PIC with Grant Lannon as SIC. I wanted no questions about airshowitis or squadron whitewashing of the outcome of the flight, so I requested an outside pilot well known to Midland and respected by them. Al gave Grant his PPE after the maintenance flight. There were three squawks and we've addressed two of them already. An intercom squawk will be corrected Friday.
Sorry it took so long to make this post, but we had a sort of ceremony when we updated the aircraft status board in the maintenance office, then there was quite a bit of just plain ol' celebrating. This has been a long, hard road. Since I got home, I've been sending out reports, articles, and emails non-stop.
We'll be building flight time on the engine/airframe and qualifying flight crew members for the next week, then on Thursday, its off to Midland!!
I'm the #2 flight mechanic so I flew along in the chase plane and got some great pictures. Here are a couple (I hope...)
[/b]
There was a 4 hour delay in the takeoff time because of heavy, low clouds. We finally made the flight just after noon. First a maintenance flight. Al Maxwell was PIC with Grant Lannon as SIC. I wanted no questions about airshowitis or squadron whitewashing of the outcome of the flight, so I requested an outside pilot well known to Midland and respected by them. Al gave Grant his PPE after the maintenance flight. There were three squawks and we've addressed two of them already. An intercom squawk will be corrected Friday.
Sorry it took so long to make this post, but we had a sort of ceremony when we updated the aircraft status board in the maintenance office, then there was quite a bit of just plain ol' celebrating. This has been a long, hard road. Since I got home, I've been sending out reports, articles, and emails non-stop.
We'll be building flight time on the engine/airframe and qualifying flight crew members for the next week, then on Thursday, its off to Midland!!
I'm the #2 flight mechanic so I flew along in the chase plane and got some great pictures. Here are a couple (I hope...)
[/b]
Wed Sep 30, 2009 9:29 pm
Happy day!
Ryan
Ryan
Wed Sep 30, 2009 9:53 pm
Congratulations Ray and all the Yellow Rose bunch! Anxious to see the airplane next Thursday for Airsho.
Y'all done good.
Bill Coombes
Chief of Staff
Y'all done good.
Bill Coombes
Chief of Staff
Wed Sep 30, 2009 10:19 pm
Well Cuz we got the C-47 in the air today too, good one hour shake down when I guess we shook to much and number one let loose (swallowed valve I think). Got down safe no one hurt, but no Midland trip. Oh well we can still drive......see you there.
Thu Oct 01, 2009 10:26 am
OK, She has had air under her wings and is getting back in the circuit. Now it will be the little things like oil, gas, gas, gas, oh yea, and more gas! I am putting up a 12x36 print of YR to raise some $$s. Silent Auction. PM Bluehawk with your bids, winner get the print!
Thu Oct 01, 2009 10:34 am
I'll buy the print with the pre 'PC' version of Rose!!!
Thu Oct 01, 2009 11:06 am
Ray,
That is good news!! Looking forward to seeing you and the Rose in Midland. And thanks again for helping us with info for our Flight Mechanic program on "Maid in the Shade"!
That is good news!! Looking forward to seeing you and the Rose in Midland. And thanks again for helping us with info for our Flight Mechanic program on "Maid in the Shade"!