Valdez Fly-In

[blueldr]

Shawn,

How much standard operating weight can you strip out of your airplane for the contest?

Dick

[ak2711c]

Anything that is not neccessary for flight. Most guys pull all of their seats except the pilots. Drain all of the fuel out and then pour back in only what you need for two touch and goes plus a 30 min reserve. Empty out the seat backs and glove boxes. Some people even pull out their radios and battery, they get it ok'd by the staff first so they know that they won't have any radio comunication. One guy removed his tail wheel and just bolted a little skid on there. Its pretty entertaining.

Greg, hope to meet you over there.
Shawn

[blueldr]

When I had my L-5 up in Alaska, there were times when I was going in to a short field set up that I pulled out all my radios, the battery, and any other non-essentials, in order to lighten things up. Fortunately, the old Lycoming O-435 was really easy to prop start. It's surprising the difference that stuff will make when you get down pretty light.

[bigrenna]

Sitting in 18F on a 737-800 at 36k somewhere over Cananada browsing the inter-web with in-flight wireless. I can't believe the world we live in...

Anyway, on my way to ANC, then Valdez. Hope the rain holds off!

[DaveF]

When I had my L-5 up in Alaska, there were times when I was going in to a short field set up that I pulled out all my radios, the battery, and any other non-essentials, in order to lighten things up

But you left the attractive young ladies on board, didn't you?

[blueldr]

Dave F.

To answer your question concerning the retention of the on board atracttive young ladies, YBYSAID!
(Translation = You Bet Your Sweet pAtootie I Did.)

(mASSaged by the moderator for older audiences.)

[alaskan99669]

Made it to Valdez. Had to take the 350 mile route as opposed to the 150 direct due to weather. I'll take some videos and post the results..

[akgreg]

Glad you made it. The weather sure seemed lousy when you left. Please keep us back at PASX updated on results.
Hope Shawn can repeat as champ and make us all proud!


Just makes you all warm and fuzzy inside.....doesn't it?!

[akgreg]

Congrats Shawn for winning the STOL Competition in Valdez! All us 170 owners are proud.

[bigrenna]

Indeed. Congrats Shawn! It was nice to meet you and Larry. Hope to catch up again!

Greg-

[ak2711c]

Thanks guys. It was great to meet you too Greg. Small turn out this year with the weather the way it was. I was glad to see the guys I was competing against. They were the ones that I figured would be my stiffest competition this year. JR and Larry made me work for it. Great flying guys.
Shawn

[gahorn]

Wheres the video?

[ak2711c]

I'll try to get some links up for some videos soon. I think my wife video'd most of the light touring category.
Shawn

[alaskan99669]

Here's the video...

http://youtu.be/Z67QkX00g-w

[bigrenna]

These aren't very hi rez, but here is an iPhone photo of Shawn winning...