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Introduction

R

rplittle

Member
Hi all. I figured I'd introduce myself and share a trip report since this forum has helped me recently. My name is Bob Little, and I'm a new owner of an RV-6A as of two weeks ago!

I heard of VAF over a decade ago while going to college and dreaming of owning an RV some day. I remember Paul Rosales and some other folks coming out in their RV's to my college in San Luis Obispo probably around 2004 to give rides to those of us in an aircraft construction class. Since that time, I haven't been on here much until recently when I was finally able to start shopping for an RV. When it was looking more and more like I would actually be buying an RV, I paid my dues (thank you, Doug!) and started using the forums to learn. Man there's a lot of information on here!

I found an RV-6A in Locust Grove, GA that had been finished up by Kent Gorton in 2014. After many phone conversations and quite a few prayers later, I purchased a one-way ticket from Seattle to Atlanta and headed off. Reading the positive reviews about Kent on this forum gave me added comfort as I headed to Atlanta.

After about a day and a half of inspecting and flying the airplane, I completed the purchase and headed back towards the west coast! After two days and just over 20 hours of flying, I made it back home to North Bend, OR (KOTH). A few days later, I was able to fly the airplane up to work in Seattle for the first time. What is usually about a 7 hour drive for me is now about 2 hours from engine start to engine shut down!

I'm looking forward to getting to know folks on VAF more, and hope to get to see some VAF folks in the Seattle and Southern Oregon Coast area!

Back at Mallards Landing after my final training flight
https://www.flickr.com/photos/151460904@N05/34821964940/in/shares-09mD25/

Proud new RV owner! First picture with my airplane!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/151460904@N05/34364397134/in/shares-09mD25/

Crossing the Mississippi!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/151460904@N05/34364396334/in/shares-09mD25/

End of day 1, in Big Spring, Texas
https://www.flickr.com/photos/151460904@N05/34821963480/in/shares-09mD25/

Sunrise on Day 2
https://www.flickr.com/photos/151460904@N05/34364395064/in/shares-09mD25/

Hot and windy near Phoenix
https://www.flickr.com/photos/151460904@N05/35168349796/in/shares-09mD25/

We go to EDW for work every couple of years, so it was cool to get cleared through R-2515 and fly right over the base!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/151460904@N05/34364398764/in/shares-09mD25/

Passing Mt. Shasta on the final leg
https://www.flickr.com/photos/151460904@N05/35168351066/in/shares-09mD25/

Short final at KOTH. Had to get a special VRF at sunset to make it in under the fog (the airplane is IFR current, but I am not!)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/151460904@N05/35078840781/in/dateposted-public/

Pulling in to the FBO where I first learned to fly, in an airplane I've wanted for nearly as long as I've been flying!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/151460904@N05/34399307923/in/shares-09mD25/

The route as flown. Amazing trip that I'll never forget!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/151460904@N05/34821962460/in/shares-09mD25/
 
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Bob welcome! Very nice airplane you got there and great pictures on the way back.
 
Bob, Welcome to the group from another RV6A pilot/owner. They are great
little airplanes that will do amazing things! Enjoy the RV Grin. I do every time
I fly!!
 
Welcome to the group, Bob.

Nice pics and airplane. I am curious about your route. What was the rational for going the long way? Sightseeing or perhaps just enjoying the trip? The reason I ask is that I am planning some long distance flights for this summer and I've been asking people where they've flown and why.

Anyway, enjoy the new RV (It would be impossible not to).

Joe
 
Welcome to Seattle

I have a very nice Rv6a based at Krnt, let me know if you want to meet up for some fish and chips at Kpwt or Friday Harbor? Where are you based? Jim
 
Thank you, Joe.

I spent a week or two looking in to various routes before I left. My routes changed in time, with the iterations/my thinking looking something like this:

shortest overall route--> leg duration 2-3 hours--> terrain --> cheapest fuel --> runway length/width and number of runway options available (since I was flying an airplane I wasn't too familiar with) --> amenities available --> current weather.

One of my routes was based more on sightseeing and visiting family and friends, but in the end I was just wanting to get the airplane home and not run the risk of getting stuck somewhere due to weather.

As the actual flight came closer, I kept the leg length fairly consistent between 2-3 hours, and cheapest fuel was no longer considered. I favored the multiple runways available more since I knew I wasn't going to be super comfortable with the airplane yet.

In the end, the route that I ended up flying was due to poor weather forecast along my preferred route, and quite nice weather forecast along the southern route. It was one of several routes that I had planned before flying out to Atlanta, and was originally my least preferred route. But, I'm very happy that I chose that route and greatly reduced the weather aspect in terms of sky coverage and visibility.

Hopefully some of that made sense! I'm happy to share more info on my thinking and the trip if you'd like!

-Bob

joe_rainbolt said:
Welcome to the group, Bob.

Nice pics and airplane. I am curious about your route. What was the rational for going the long way? Sightseeing or perhaps just enjoying the trip? The reason I ask is that I am planning some long distance flights for this summer and I've been asking people where they've flown and why.

Anyway, enjoy the new RV (It would be impossible not to).

Joe
Click to expand...
 
Hi Jim,

I'm keeping the airplane in RNT on the SW ramp when I'm up in the Seattle area. I've seen a few other 6A's around there...what does yours look like?

Yes, I'd love to meet up some time! I'm heading home to Oregon this weekend, but I'll be back next week!

AlaskaRV said:
I have a very nice Rv6a based at Krnt, let me know if you want to meet up for some fish and chips at Kpwt or Friday Harbor? Where are you based? Jim
Click to expand...
 
Well, there goes the neighborhood... Now they're even letting Little Bob in! :D :D :D

Congrats man! Hope to get a ride soon. Maybe some EZ formation?
 
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