New 980 owner

[Steve binnette]

The photo mod must have added some weight.  I would bet most of it is the glass, the structure itself looks very well engineered.

The empty weight now shows something like 6770lbs.  That is with photo mod but no interior.  Seems pretty light.

It will be interesting to see how much weight I gain.  I am replacing some heavy items like the radar but overall I am adding weight.

On the flight to paint one of the sqawks was noise from the left side of the cabin.  When it returns to florida they are going to look into the tuning forks.  If they are ok I was thinking of adding sound supressing foam.  It adds between 40 to 80lbs I have been told.

I want to know if it is worth it?  Do you have any experience with it?

Is Hillsboro oregon close to Corvalis.  One of my sons just started at oregon state so i will be making that flight a bunch.

[donv]

My airplane has no extra soundproofing at all-- just what it had from the factory, including the tuning forks.

I've had experience both ways. While the soundproofing does make a difference, in my opinion it's not enough. And, I wanted the extra useful load. So, I put in a 6-place intercom and bought 6 noise cancelling headsets. Everyone wears a headset, and they are all happy-- and if they want to listen to music or watch a movie in the back, they are all set up for it.

A quieter cabin is another advantage of a 1000, but I'd still probably do the headset thing.

My airplane weighs about 6950 pounds with full interior, and with the Keith Freon system (plus the Sundstrand).

Corvallis is about 75 miles down I-5 from where I am. It's a nice city.

[Steve binnette]

That's close in commander time!  I would love to stop by some time and see your airplane.

[EricDapp]

Steve. I live in Corvallis and have lived here all my life. I fly a turbo 210 and a PA-12 on Bushwheels. I have hanger space for you also when you show up. I farm in the summer so I have plenty of time to fly the rest of the year. If your son wants to fly around let me know.

I am doing my multi training so I can move up the ladder.

[Steve binnette]

Wow, what a nice offer.  He would love to!  He trained in a Cherokee.  He and I are always having debates on which is better high wing or low wing!   You can show him how nice it is to have a high wing.  His instructor was a low wing guy!  I love them all!

He joined the Oregon state flying club and is arranging his multi training.

He also joined a fraternity which is absorbing a lot of his time.  He is not sure what airplane they use for multi training.  Evidently it's a privately owned airplane that is used.  What kind of plane are you doing your multi in?

I was going to take him to a weekend multi engine crash course just so he could get it and start loggin the time in my commander, but his multi will probably have to wait until after the holidays.  Between my plane getting painted and his lack of a car and activities at frat house it's a little too much now.

It would be great to meet you when I go up to pick him up.

Looking forward to it.

Thanks

[EricDapp]

There is a small Japanese flight school here and they have a Seminole. The instructors name is ken. He is 24 and speaks very good English. Ken will be here another 6 months or so. As far as private plane used for training. I've got a couple guesses but nothing that was offered to me.

Go beavers

[Steve binnette]

I will let you know when he finds out what they use.  I got my multi in a Seminole! 

Cool photo did you take it from your 210?

[EricDapp]

No taken from a friends citabria. That's my PA-12 that we restored and finished last year.

There are only a hand full of twins on the field and Seminole is the only one for rent.

[donv]

When you think you'll be in the area, let me know and I'll try to fly down to Corvallis if the schedule works. We can have lunch or something.

[Steve binnette]

Absolutely will do.  Most likely be after the holidays.

[EricDapp]

Can you post some pics of the new paint job on the 980 Steve?

[Steve binnette]

I don't have any good ones yet, just some sent from paint shop yesterday.  I am planning on bringing back to Florida on Tuesday.

[donv]

Looks great!

[SKYFLYER]

Looks right tolerable... A FRESH-OUT-OF-THE-FACTORY look.... Colors of Thanksgiving....

[Adam Frisch]

Looks amazing, Steve!

Let me know when you're back in California and I'd love to come see it! Hopefully mine will be ready then as well so we can park them side by side!