Aircraft Information
> Aircraft Make: DeHavilland Model: DHC-1 (T MK 2) Nickname: Chipmunk
> Aircraft Mil Civ Description: Airplane SE Piston
> FAA Category and Class: Airplane Single Engine Land
> Engine Description: single piston

Aircraft Experience
> As of: 11/6/2024
> Number of Hours Flown: 6
> Number of Times Flown: 5
> Other Aircraft Models Associated: none

First Flown Information
> Sequence First Flown: 65
> Date First Flown: 11/15/1989
> Location First Flown: Unknown
> Who and/or What Organization First Flown With: Qual Eval associate with USNTPS

Recollections: My Navy logbook from 1989’s first flight in a Chipmunk is scare with information.  Based on the timing, it’s likely that I conducted a Qualitative Evaluation (QE) of the design during a field trip but my records are poor.

The 2nd time I flew a “Chippie” was in 2002, while attending “FAA flight test initial training” at National Test Pilot School in Mojave, CA.  I flew then with Ron Bradley, on a “Spin Demo”.  This flight (which I repeated several times during my FAA career) involves conducting approximately 6 spins, applying various input and recovery techniques and analyzing altitude loss, spin attitude and rate, etc.  Priceless training for anyone involved in testing a new design’s spin characteristics.

The most recent time I flew was as an instructor, teaching formation flying to a Chipmunk owner.  The design is classic, well balanced on the controls and a challenging tail dragger to land.

Aircraft Information
> Aircraft Make: American Champion Model: 7/8KCAB Nickname: Citabria or Decathalon
> Aircraft Mil Civ Description: Airplane SE Piston
> FAA Category and Class: Airplane Single Engine Land
> Engine Description: single piston

Aircraft Experience
> As of: 6/25/2024
> Number of Hours Flown: 15
> Number of Times Flown: 11
> Other Aircraft Models Associated: none

First Flown Information
> Sequence First Flown: 164
> Date First Flown: 8/13/2009
> Location First Flown: Skagit Regional Airport, WA (KBVS)
> Who and/or What Organization First Flown With: Rich Stowell

Recollections: This venerable design escaped my gaze until 2009 when–as part of an FAA training program–our local Flight Test office decided to hire the famous instructor Rich Stowell to fly his Decathlon to our area and administer tailwheel and aerobatic refresher training.  I fell in love with the design’s light and responsive controls and its relatively well-behaved ground-handling characteristics.

I went on to get checked out in a Citabria at Fox Field, near Lancaster, CA (nearby Edwards AFB, where I spent quite a bit of time doing Boeing testing) and I’d take it to my brother’s place in central California during weekends off.  Both models are wonderful taildraggers.

Aircraft Information
> Aircraft Make: Columbia (later Cessna) Model: LC41 Nickname: Columbia 400
> Aircraft Mil Civ Description: Airplane SE Piston
> FAA Category and Class: Airplane Single Engine Land
> Engine Description: single piston

Aircraft Experience
> As of: 6/25/2024
> Number of Hours Flown: 19
> Number of Times Flown: 11
> Other Aircraft Models Associated: LC42, Columbia 350, Cessna 350 & 400

First Flown Information
> Sequence First Flown: 156
> Date First Flown: 6/21/2006
> Location First Flown: Salem, OR airport (KSLE)
> Who and/or What Organization First Flown With: Paul Damschen & Stacy Miller, Garmin flight test

Recollections: This aircraft started out life as a homebuilt (by Lancair), was later certified by “Columbia Aircraft” (with what I believe were fairly substantial changes to the wing and flight controls) and later the design was purchased by Cessna/Textron.  

I first flew an LC42 as part of my job as an FAA Test Pilot (the project was an autopilot certification of the new-ish Garmin GFC-700 Autopilot, installed in the Columbia 350; my first flight involved insertion of pitch malfunctions caused by the Attitude Heading Reference System and Flight Director), was FAST!  It didn’t fly all that great (side-stick with manual controls; heavy forces and disharmony, made more challenging by relatively high approach speeds for landing) but the speed for cross-country flights made it a winner.  Combined with the excellent Garmin G1000 system and GFC autopilot, this airplane was the perfect single-engine A-to-B airplane.

I flew 7 flights for the autopilot certification and later was checked out in a 400 at a local FBO (Galvin Training at Boeing Field).  Never flew it after the sale to Cessna.

Aircraft Information
> Aircraft Make: Aeronca Model: 11AC Nickname: Chief
> Aircraft Mil Civ Description: Airplane SE Piston
> FAA Category and Class: Airplane Single Engine Land
> Engine Description: single piston

Aircraft Experience
> As of: 6/25/2024
> Number of Hours Flown: 8
> Number of Times Flown: 9
> Other Aircraft Models Associated: Champ

First Flown Information
> Sequence First Flown: 38
> Date First Flown: 11/27/1987
> Location First Flown: Galt, CA (Wilton private airstrip)
> Who and/or What Organization First Flown With: John Stoney, owner

Recollections: This was my brother’s airplane.  At the time of flying it, I was NOT a high-time tailwheel pilot (by this time, I’d flown the Beaver at USNTPS as an instructor, but never in this small of an airplane).  The logbook shows two dual flights with brother John and then solo.  I distinctly remember that most of my time was spent in the landing pattern and that the airplane, somewhat surprisingly, was a real glider…pulling the power off at the 180 was not enough…I had to extend a bit, slip, etc.  The other thing I remember is John’s stories later that he was really worried I’d screw it up.  Brotherly love at work!

Aircraft Information
> Aircraft Make: Piper Model: PA-28 Nickname: Cherokee
> Aircraft Mil Civ Description: Airplane SE Piston
> FAA Category and Class: Airplane Single Engine Land
> Engine Description: single piston

Aircraft Experience
> As of: 11/4/2024
> Number of Hours Flown: 18
> Number of Times Flown: 11
> Other Aircraft Models Associated: Cherokee, Warrior, Arrow, Archer

First Flown Information
> Sequence First Flown: 10
> Date First Flown: 4/18/1982
> Location First Flown: NAS Moffett Field, CA (KNUQ)
> Who and/or What Organization First Flown With: Navy Moffett Flying Club

Recollections: The PA-28 “Cherokee” (or the later Warrior, Arrow, etc) competes with the Cessna 172 Skyhawk for the 4 seat, trainer or transportation airplane.   

When stationed at NAS Moffett Field, CA flying the P-3, I got checked out in the Cherokee and flew it a few times.  Later, while with the FAA in Wichita, I rented one from a local FBO and flew it a few times.  That same year I flew an experimental PA-28 configured for “Low L/D” (it had spoilers and speedbrakes to create significant drag) at NTPS.  Most recently, I flew with Stan “Sundance” Kaspryzk on his Formation Lead checkride for the Joint Liaison Formation Committee (JLFC).  11 flights in 32 years.  Lengthy experience, if inconsistent!  For those wondering–and without much justification–I’m a Cessna guy, I guess.  That may be a function more of availability than choice.