Porterfield Airplane Club

Keep the Skinny Birds Flying Safely

Steve Ahrens
  • Male
  • LYNDOCH South Australia
  • Australia

Steve Ahrens's Discussions

Fitting the Slick K4334 conversion kit, I had to add a small blister in the top coul to make clearance for number 4 spark plug.
3 Replies

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Started this discussion. Last reply by Andy Gelston Aug 19.

8081 (N37733) in her new home
4 Replies

I finally got my new bird home yesterday, June 6th, which is the anniversary of it’s first flight in 1941. I had to have a borrowed right mag fitted to complete the journey while I wait for the Slick…Continue

Started this discussion. Last reply by Mark Jun 16.

Serial Numbers
8 Replies

Hi All,Hopping some of you learned Porterfield experts can help.  I’m intrigued with the serial number of my Collegiate. Reading the history on the main page it appears that a total of 640…Continue

Started this discussion. Last reply by Andy Gelston Aug 19.

 

Steve Ahrens's Page

Latest Activity

Steve Ahrens commented on Steve Ahrens's video
Thumbnail

My first solo landing in the Porterfield

"Thanks Mark!"
Aug 31
Steve Ahrens replied to Carl Gingras's discussion N32428 is Flying Again
"Awesome Carl! She looks sensational!…. I’ve recently transitioned to tailwheel in my Porterfield and loving it! Enjoy!"
Aug 31
Mark commented on Steve Ahrens's video
Thumbnail

My first solo landing in the Porterfield

"Outstanding!"
Aug 30
Andy Gelston replied to Steve Ahrens's discussion Serial Numbers
"S/N 875 first flew 13 Jan 1941. The assembly line was smoking in early ‘41!"
Aug 19
Andy Gelston replied to Steve Ahrens's discussion Fitting the Slick K4334 conversion kit, I had to add a small blister in the top coul to make clearance for number 4 spark plug.
"Welcome to flying behind a Porterfield gas gauge! You can make a new one with 1/16” welding rod and two or three wine corks with a diameter that will just slide through the opening in the top of the tank. You’ll want to seal the cork…"
Aug 19
Steve Ahrens replied to Steve Ahrens's discussion Serial Numbers
"How interesting Allen! My CP65 first flew on 6th of June 1941 and registered N37733. Do you have a photo of your machine?"
Aug 19
Allen Self replied to Steve Ahrens's discussion Serial Numbers
"I have 41 cp 65 37714 serial  943 built May 27"
Aug 18
Steve Ahrens posted a video

My first solo landing in the Porterfield

My first solo landing in my 1941 Porterfield Collegiate LP65.
Aug 15
2 Comments
Steve Ahrens replied to Steve Ahrens's discussion Fitting the Slick K4334 conversion kit, I had to add a small blister in the top coul to make clearance for number 4 spark plug.
"I don’t put a clothespin on my gas gauge Andy. Should I? The thing seems unreliable and sticky."
Aug 15
Andy Gelston replied to Steve Ahrens's discussion Fitting the Slick K4334 conversion kit, I had to add a small blister in the top coul to make clearance for number 4 spark plug.
"That looks good, Steve! I wish Slick made a mag for the Franklin 90, with my unshielded Eisemann mags, I sound like a cross between Kathryn Hepburn and Henry Kissinger on the radio. While parked in the hangar, do you put a clothespin on your gas…"
Aug 14
Steve Ahrens posted a discussion

Fitting the Slick K4334 conversion kit, I had to add a small blister in the top coul to make clearance for number 4 spark plug.

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Aug 14
3 Comments
Steve Ahrens posted a status
"I’ve fitted the Slick K4334 conversion kit and she’s running sweet again."
Aug 14
0 Comments
Mark replied to Steve Ahrens's discussion 8081 (N37733) in her new home
"Hi Steve, the Bendix mags have only been on the engine about 75 hours. There hasn’t been any problems with them at all. I had to pull the engine back in early May and sent it to Georgia to get overhauled. They can’t call it an overhaul…"
Jun 16
Steve Ahrens replied to Steve Ahrens's discussion 8081 (N37733) in her new home
"Thanks Mark! Currently the left mag is an Eiseman and the right mag is a borrowed Bendix, because the Eiseman packed up. I’m looking at the Slick conversion kit K4334, but trying to find a kit with mags that aren’t subjected to to a…"
Jun 16
Mark replied to Steve Ahrens's discussion 8081 (N37733) in her new home
"That’s great! It’s nice she has a low wing hanger partner to keep her company. Did it still have the Eisemann mags? Our Continental did and they were problematic. Cliff at Aircraft Magneto Service informed us no one would  work on…"
Jun 15
Tom Porterfield replied to Steve Ahrens's discussion 8081 (N37733) in her new home
"Congratulations Steve. It's looking good"
Jun 7

Profile Information

About Me:
I live in the wine growing area of the Barossa Valley in South Australia, and operated a Piper Archer from a private strip close to home for the past 30 years. Purchasing the Porterfield is a new adventure for me, having to learn to fly a tail dragger after so many years of tricycle.q
Do you own a Porterfield Airplane?
I have recently purchased a Collegiate LP65 here in Australia.
Are You a Pilot?
Yes

Steve Ahrens's Photos

Comment Wall (4 comments)

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At 8:04am on May 10, 2021, Andy Gelston said…
The Collegiate is a great tailwheel trainer. She was the favorite among most CPTP cadets.
At 3:21pm on May 4, 2021, Tom Porterfield said…

Steve,

I don't know much about your Porterfield. Donald Bishop owned it from Bowie, Texas, about 75 miles NW of Dallas. I'd talked to him some and he told me it was heading to Australia.

I hope you don't have to wait too long for the Slick magnetos. Good Luck.

Here's a picture of N37733 and Donald in Texas 2009

At 1:27pm on May 3, 2021, Tom Porterfield said…

Welcome to the Porterfield Airplane Club Steve.

It's cool to see that Porterfield again. I believe it is the same one that went to Australia a few years back from here in Texas. Good luck on your transition to tail wheel flying. 

At 8:27am on May 3, 2021, Andy Gelston said…

Welcome to our wee club for the skinny birds, Steve!  You’ll find a lot of information on the Collegiate, scattered about the website.  Once you get acclimated to the claustrophobic feeling of having the instrument panel a foot away from your face, she’s a real sweet plane.

Soft landings, Andy

Steve Ahrens's Videos

 
 
 

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