(Sorry if I don't yet use all the correct terminology, I am a rookie you know)
The trip back from Florida was a real privilege for a guy with 88 hours at time of departure. 16 hours of flying to return home and lots of weather we don't get much of in CA. James was able to give me 6 hrs of actual IMC training. Learned much about the V tail in flight, but we did not get much time to practice pattern work or landings etc. as the weather kept us busy.
We averaged 14.5 GPH at 12,000' pedal to the metal. We stretched the final leg and ran 65% power with about 13.5 GPH burn to make the entire trip with just three stops despite about 3 hours of extra flight time for weather deviations. We did have head winds for about 1/3 of the trip, and James was able to find tail winds the rest of the time.
71VC ran flawlessly, started easily, and flew like a sports car drives, tight!
Nothing stuck to the finish on VC as Hyland has always kept about SIX coats of wax on every surface, bugs, bird crap what ever would hit us, slid right off as was proven each time we landed I walked around looking to clean something off and the finish continued to look like we just pulled it out of Hyland's hangar. Literally when I returned to SLO and a bunch of my buddies were there to watch us land, when we taxi'd to the hangar, they yelled, "what did you stop a few minutes ago and clean it!" When they saw how clean the motor was they realized why I had gone all the way to Florida.
I want to mention how happy I was with Red River State Bank who did my loan. Gail Thody the VP/loan agent I dealt with was straight up from start to finish, and did everything exactly as she said she would. They flat out performed, and when I asked that the money be wired to Hyland a day ahead even though I had not seen it in person, but did have Richard Porter do a Pre-Buy, she remarked, although it was unusual, she would do as I asked. Henry at Falcon Insurance also performed exactly as he said he would. I can recommend both without hesitation. I thank you folks on BT for the hearty recommendations that helped lead me in the right direction.
The hospitality of Hyland and his generous wife Sue was just icing on the cake for this experience. Hyland and Sue fed us Grilled Steaks and Beer. Then followed that up with their favorite cake and ice cream. We sat by the grill as Hyland grilled our steaks,...and yes his BBQ Grill was almost as clean as the plane.
I wish all of you the positive experience I had. Thanks to this forum, I am still glowing from the purchase as you all helped direct me to a quality seller, Hyland!
Tonight James took me out for Slow flight, Stalls, Steep banks, Slips, and hood work. I am amazed how easy the Bo is to handle in stalls. I was apprehensive, but now feel much more confident. The slip is a challenge, overcoming the connected controls. Landings I find significantly easier than the C172.
I have probably said enough to bore you to tears so here are a few pictures.
Our first ride in Florida, James actually fit pretty good.
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Silly Self Portrait (I felt like a 5 yr old with my first bike!)
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Sedona Arizona. not a great picture through the window, but I will go back there!
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