1975 Piper Archer N1501X
Vans RV-9A N910BJ
Background
On March 8, 1987, while wandering around Palomar Airport in Carlsbad CA, I came across an FBO advertising introductory flights for $25. Within 30 minutes I found myself in the left seat of N49095, a Cessna 152, with a flight instructor talking me though the process of starting the aircraft, taxiing to the runway, taking off, and performing basic flight maneuvers. I was hooked, I especially liked the demonstrated stalls.
I purchased the ground school books and began lessons on March 22. I soloed in N49095 with 14 hours on May 22 and completed my check ride on Aug 20,1987 in N49095. On Sept 10,1987 I received a Cessna 172 endorsement. Tired of being grounded at Palomar airport due to the early morning and early evening low stratus, I started instrument training Nov 9, 1987. After 70 hours of simulated and 5 hours of actual instrument flying, I completed my instrument checkride on Sept 27, 1988 in Cessna N1296U.
Renting aircraft was really becoming a pain. It was bad enough having to reserve a plane a week in advance, then having to wait for the previous renter, who is late returning the airplane, only to find radios that don't work, tires flat spotted, or instruments not working correctly . So I started shopping for an airplane of my own. On Jan 3, 1989 I purchased N1501X, a 1975 Piper Archer 1. N1501X was the family car for 16 years. Upon retiring from Hughes Network Systems, and having accumulated 2015 enjoyable hours of flying in 1501X, I decided it was time to sell the Archer. The Archer was sold Feb 1, 2005, and the purchase of a Vans RV9 was completed Feb 24, 2005 and registered as N910BJ. I purchased this completed RV9A from the builder in Vancouver BC. The purchase, transport from Canada to the USA, registration, and certification is a story on its own.
I am a first time builder and chose to build the Rans S-19 over the Vans RV-12, or the Zodiac 601XL. It is my opinion the Rans S-19 is a better designed aircraft with features like a sliding canopy, push pull tubes for the ailerons and stabilator, wing tanks, safety features, and excellent reputation for kits.
Bayne
#23 N519BJ reserved
I purchased the ground school books and began lessons on March 22. I soloed in N49095 with 14 hours on May 22 and completed my check ride on Aug 20,1987 in N49095. On Sept 10,1987 I received a Cessna 172 endorsement. Tired of being grounded at Palomar airport due to the early morning and early evening low stratus, I started instrument training Nov 9, 1987. After 70 hours of simulated and 5 hours of actual instrument flying, I completed my instrument checkride on Sept 27, 1988 in Cessna N1296U.
Renting aircraft was really becoming a pain. It was bad enough having to reserve a plane a week in advance, then having to wait for the previous renter, who is late returning the airplane, only to find radios that don't work, tires flat spotted, or instruments not working correctly . So I started shopping for an airplane of my own. On Jan 3, 1989 I purchased N1501X, a 1975 Piper Archer 1. N1501X was the family car for 16 years. Upon retiring from Hughes Network Systems, and having accumulated 2015 enjoyable hours of flying in 1501X, I decided it was time to sell the Archer. The Archer was sold Feb 1, 2005, and the purchase of a Vans RV9 was completed Feb 24, 2005 and registered as N910BJ. I purchased this completed RV9A from the builder in Vancouver BC. The purchase, transport from Canada to the USA, registration, and certification is a story on its own.
I am a first time builder and chose to build the Rans S-19 over the Vans RV-12, or the Zodiac 601XL. It is my opinion the Rans S-19 is a better designed aircraft with features like a sliding canopy, push pull tubes for the ailerons and stabilator, wing tanks, safety features, and excellent reputation for kits.
Bayne
#23 N519BJ reserved