Harold Kroeker
MEMBER
Winnipeg, Canada
This is my first posting so I would like to introduce myself to the group:
I am a 56 year old Mechanical Engineer in Winnipeg, Manitoba and got my PPL last August with all of my training and most all of my flying since in a 7ECA Citabria. Late in the fall while perusing the local Kijiji listings I came across a Clipper for sale and, after doing the usual internet research, went to look at it with a friend who used to be an AME. Nothing bad showed up in the inspection so we decided that a test flight was in order but, since this was December in Manitoba and it was -30C out, we decided that it would happen on the next nice day. After experiencing one of the worst winters ever, the "nice day" finally arrived on April 22nd. In the four months in between the first look and the test flight, I read almost every post ever made in this group, ordered the drawing CDs, and read every AD and Service bulletin to do with Shortwings that I could find. The difference between my knowledge when I first looked at the plane and when I went for the test flight is truly astounding, thanks largely to all of the fine people who contribute to this group.
I ended up buying the Clipper and am in the process of fixing a few things before I get down to some serious flying. I am very fortunate that the hanger that I am renting space in is owned by an older AME who enjoys passing on his knowledge and is letting me do most of the work on the plane under his close supervision. When the question came up about the static system, or rather the lack of same, his response was for me to go see what SWPO has to say about it. A quick search revealed all that we needed to know.
The plane: Original registration N5351H, unknown first owner but bought by J. Euskine in Aug, 1953 who owned it until it was imported into Manitoba, Canada in August, 1963 when it became CF-PJB. It is a bit rough all over but there is nothing wrong with it that time and money can't fix.
The first picture was taken a number of years ago, the second picture is from the Kijiji advertisement, and the third is of the instrument panel as it was when I purchased it.
I look forward to participating in the group and possibly even meeting some of you at Oshkosh this summer.
Harold Kroeker
I am a 56 year old Mechanical Engineer in Winnipeg, Manitoba and got my PPL last August with all of my training and most all of my flying since in a 7ECA Citabria. Late in the fall while perusing the local Kijiji listings I came across a Clipper for sale and, after doing the usual internet research, went to look at it with a friend who used to be an AME. Nothing bad showed up in the inspection so we decided that a test flight was in order but, since this was December in Manitoba and it was -30C out, we decided that it would happen on the next nice day. After experiencing one of the worst winters ever, the "nice day" finally arrived on April 22nd. In the four months in between the first look and the test flight, I read almost every post ever made in this group, ordered the drawing CDs, and read every AD and Service bulletin to do with Shortwings that I could find. The difference between my knowledge when I first looked at the plane and when I went for the test flight is truly astounding, thanks largely to all of the fine people who contribute to this group.
I ended up buying the Clipper and am in the process of fixing a few things before I get down to some serious flying. I am very fortunate that the hanger that I am renting space in is owned by an older AME who enjoys passing on his knowledge and is letting me do most of the work on the plane under his close supervision. When the question came up about the static system, or rather the lack of same, his response was for me to go see what SWPO has to say about it. A quick search revealed all that we needed to know.
The plane: Original registration N5351H, unknown first owner but bought by J. Euskine in Aug, 1953 who owned it until it was imported into Manitoba, Canada in August, 1963 when it became CF-PJB. It is a bit rough all over but there is nothing wrong with it that time and money can't fix.
The first picture was taken a number of years ago, the second picture is from the Kijiji advertisement, and the third is of the instrument panel as it was when I purchased it.
I look forward to participating in the group and possibly even meeting some of you at Oshkosh this summer.
Harold Kroeker
You now own one of Piper's best kept secrets. Really nice flying airplane with amazing control harmony.
