I'm in Love!

[Deleted]

So, I co-joed the last flight of Northern Mountains Air Cargo's MD-11 from Vancouver to Anchorage then up to Fairbanks. I've been on those machines as a FO for a few years now, along with captaining the 404's that we have on our smaller runs, and it was time for the MD's to be retired and for me to advance. I'm starting training on our new Boeing 777F's in a week (bookwork has begun now). However, that's still a week away, and in the mean time I was supposed to get myself down to Nenana from Fairbanks. Typically we hire a charter service for these flights, but I hopped over to a nearby private field where a fellow was selling a Cherokee 180. I have Cherokee time and have always been a big fan of the Pipers in general. As such, I arranged to do a test flight which would take me down to Nenana. He was fine with that and would bring the aircraft back up to his field while I would pick up the 404 for our next flight in that area. Well, I gotta tell ya, I'm in love with this plane! Talk about a sweetheart to fly! It's as nice as I remember them from way back when I got my night rating (something we need to qualify for up here in Canuckland before we can fly at night), and I really, really enjoyed the VFR ride down the river to Nenana. What with my increase in pay as a result of moving up to both a Captain's position and up to the 777, I told him I'd buy it right then and there. Only problem was, how was I going to get it down to Boundary Bay from here? The owner said he was headed down to Tofino anyway to pick up a 185 he bought to replace the Cherokee and he'd be happy to fly his machine down there. It would take a week or so, depending on weather, but that was fine with me. I only hoped mechanically it was sound, but I felt pretty good about this airplane. I was only left with the dilemma on what to do with my Super Cub that I currently owned. It would probably have to go. Sad, but I was really looking forward to getting into this machine and seeing some sights further afield than the Super Cub would allow for, and not from FL350. What a hoot!


On the way down to Nenana


Ditto


I love the mostly-vintage cockpit. This one didn't even have a GPS in it.


Final for Nenana



I was sorry to leave this machine behind. Especially since I was picking up a beat up, old cargo pig of a 404. Oh well, soon I'd see it again. Great flight, great airplane (thanks A2A!!)

[Bushpounder]

Nice plane! I hated that damned Hershey Bar wing. The Archer (with the laminar flow wing) was a DREAM to fly. Does the A2A come with optional wheelpants? She is a looker! No GPS? How can you find the hangar???

BP;)

[pivo11]

Spiffy!  Is there a float version? 

[Deleted]

I actually think one or two were put on floats IRL, but no, not in this sim. This is A2A's, who in my opinion are the best airplane makers out there (along with PMDG). It's sure a nice airplane to fly - not easy like some, but a lot more realistic.