Blog
First Solo Flight for Nilah!
This isn’t Chippy related, but still a fun video I put together of my student Nilah on her first solo flight. She has now graduated from high school and as of June 2021, was sworn into the Navy as a Midshipman at the US Naval Academy! She aspires to be a US Marine Corps Aviator …
Aerobatics with Annie
Chippy is available for aerobatics flights at airshows with media and sponsors, if coordinated in advance with the show. I need to bring the airplane configured for carrying a second pilot or passenger. I was able to take my daughter Annie up for a flight recently. She was a bit apprehensive at first as you …
Chippy is Performing at the Binghamton, NY Airshow!
I’m excited to tell everyone that Chippy and I will be performing at the Binghamton NY Airshow on 17 & 18 July! We’re bringing classic aerobatics, new wingtip smoke and some fun innovations to our airshow routine, while striving to honor the rich tradition of past airshow greats who have flown this graceful, old-school airplane. …
Chippy is Performing at the Binghamton, NY Airshow! Read More »
Chippy was “Reborn” 5 Years Ago Today!
This popped up as a set of photos from 5 years ago today. Wow! This was Chippy’s first flight after a 5-year rebuild, and now it’s been 5 more. And 5 great years they’ve been, both aviation experiences and for our family. Martha became the pastor or Rockville United Methodist Church, where she continues as …
Ready for the 2019 Airshow Season!
Chippy and I have had some great acro practice flights over the past couple of weeks! Getting ready for the airshow and competition season at last. Thanks to Lycoming Thunderbolt for the new 280+ HP engine, and Electroair and Smooth Power for a terrific electronic ignition! The engine starts easily and runs smooth and powerful …
A nice way to break in Chippy’s new engine
Chippy and I flew the Hudson River past NYC on the way back to Annapolis from Westchester NY. Beautiful day! After a trip to Chesapeake, VA a couple of days later, the break-in is complete. Ready to start flying upside down, preparing for the 2019 competition and airshow season on Monday!
Chippy First Flights With the New Thunderbolt Engine!
Chippy’s alive! First start of the new Lycoming Thunderbolt engine and ground tests were on Good Friday. It cranked right up using the Electroair electronic ignition on the left side, with the old Bendix mag on the right. It was the culmination of close to a hundred hours of work over the past 3 weeks …
Chippy First Flights With the New Thunderbolt Engine! Read More »
Chippy has a New Engine!
This winter has been a time of change, yet again, for Chippy! I began discussions in September 2018 with Jeff Schans, the Lycoming Thunderbolt engine manager, and soon made the decision in October to upgrade to a new 300 HP engine. My 250 HP Lycoming IO-540 had been very reliable and felt like an old …