M20 or Airwolf? They each attack each other on their websites. M20 need 2 different units with a wet vac pump - which I have. Airwolf needs only one unit. Although I've been happy with my M20, it sounds like the Airwolf makes more sense with a wet vacuum pump. -- Jay Honeck Iowa City, IA

FINALLY got some time to put a quick and dirty Oshkosh 2006 webpage together. See it he http://alexisparkinn.com/oshkosh_2006.htm If you want to jump straight to the Wednesday Night North 40 Party, see it he http://alexisparkinn.com/wed_-_north_40_party.htm I haven't had time to add some...

As some of you know, Jim Weir missed OSH this year, for the first time in 30+ years. He did, however, ceremoniously ship his beloved OSH airshow chairs to Montblack, for use at the rec.aviation gathering. Here's a photo of me putting Jim's chair to maximum use during...

While shooting the breeze with the avionics techs today, I started to sketch out the perfect aircraft music system. Basically, we came up with an in-dash MP3 player that looks very much like my daughter's portable MP3 player. It would consist of a little display (to tell you what's playing), a...

Although I am starting to resent the whole annual inspection process. More on that in a minute. All compressions on our O-540 are 78 or better out of 80, so that's always a relief. The oil filter was clean (as always), and the exhaust system is sound. Those are three big-ticket items off the list...

Mary and I just returned from 6 glorious days at Sun N Fun in Lakeland, FL, where we enjoyed the most amazingly perfect weather I have ever seen at such an event. The nights were cool (almost cold the first few nights) -- perfect for sleeping -- and the days were sunny and warm. No humidity, no...

You're invited to not one, but TWO Oshkosh parties! That's right, TWO Oshkosh blow-outs, organized by pilots, for pilots and their guests. Check 'em out: 1. ** Saturday, July 21st -- 5th Annual Iowa City Fly-In Pool Party ** Each year, on the Saturday before OSH, we host a fly-in pool party...

When I started Atlas yesterday I watched the voltage on the JPI and the EI volt meters. It was pegged right at 14, which my A&P says is nominal. It drops to 13.4 or 13.5 in cruise, which he also says is fine. So, the JPI EDM-700 is now enroute back to JP Instruments in California. The tech I...

So, things are going about the way they always do when it comes to aircraft panel work... 1. Trim switch problems As previously posted, electric trim switch dismantled, slightly modified, and repaired. Worked fine on the ground. Test flight today -- nothing. Works forward, not backward, just as...

http://www.scn.org/~bk269/gps.html This is an interesting site that explains why some pilots (seemingly mostly running Garmin-brand portable GPS units) are having trouble with losing satellite lock. So far I've not had any trouble with our new 496 (and I've never had any trouble with the Lowrance...

I have been remiss in updating our rec.aviation "Rogues Gallery" for several months. But now that Dan Luke has sent some pix of his beautifully repainted Cutlass, it's time to get back in the swing! (See his new pix at http://www.alexisparkinn.com/rogue's_gallery_i_-_p.htm#L ) What's this Rogues...

Are now available on the Rogue's Gallery, at: http://www.alexisparkinn.com/rogue's_gallery_a-h.htm#A We're still (Hint! Hint!) awaiting the pictures of the interior and panel, and will post them ASAP. Great plane, Jack. I can't wait to see it! -- Jay Honeck

May was an active month for the Gallery! Click on http://www.alexisparkinn.com/rec_aviation.htm to see: *- From Sacramento, CA, more pix of Jack Allison's beautiful Piper Arrow... *- From the United Kingdom, pix of Chris Blythe's French-built Wassmer 52...

One of our least favorite jobs (thanks to our "Fancy Pants" with their stupid, under-sized access doors) is airing up the tires on our Pathfinder. I pull the plane back and forth while Mary fishes around for the stupid nipple. If you want to hear a woman cuss like a sailor, just stop by...

I'm looking for any old props you may have laying around the hangar. Cued tips? Great. Bent? No problem. Tips shattered? Fine. These will be used as decor in our aviation theme-suite hotel in Iowa City, IA. I will pick up if you're close enough! Email me at if...

It's been an incredibly busy summer, and I haven't had time to update -- or announce updates -- in our rec.aviation "Rogues Gallery" since well before Oshkosh. Well, that nonsense ends right NOW -- it's time to get back with the program! What is this "Rogues Gallery" you ask? It's a webpage...

In the next few weeks we'll be opening our 16th aviation theme suite (the "Apollo Suite" -- all 1960s NASA moon flight stuff -- with many thanks to this group's own Jim Weir) -- and the next one will be our "Oshkosh Suite" -- one that will be near and dear to EAA member's hearts, I'm sure! We're...

My bad. Things have been so nuts around here, that I've COMPLETELY forgotten my duties as keeper of the rec.aviation "Rogues Gallery." For October, check out http://www.alexisparkinn.com/rec_aviation.htm to see: - David Gamblin's awesome new '76 Piper Warrior (yes, he's switched from girly...

Ahem. (tap-tap-tap --- Is this thing on...?) Just an FYI to all of you rec.aviation regulars out the Jim Burns turns the big FOUR-OH today, in Steven's Point, WI, U.S.A. (His wife, Tami, promised him that we'd keep it quiet...) :-) Unfortunately, 1/8 mile vis with freezing rain and snow...

My A&P is doing a field overhaul on an O-540 (he used to own an engine shop, and did our overhaul back in '02), and he showed me what happens to a plane that isn't flown often. Two valve lifters (the things that rides on the camshaft) have faces that look like someone took a hatchet to them. The...