Keep the Skinny Birds Flying Safely

Andy Gelston's Comments

Comment Wall (51 comments)

At 1:11pm on March 20, 2018, Jim Holdeman said…: Hello Andy,

I would love to "supplement" the Bonanza with a Porterfield. I like old cars (63 Studebaker Lark), old trucks (78 Dodge D-100), old motorcycles (82 Goldwing, 67 Triumph), old airplanes (53 Bo) probably because I was born in 52 ( although I don't consider myself old...that "old" bar gets moved up as we age), and have a special appreciation for old yet useful things that were well crafted when they first were built. Plus, I believe having these old machines are of no use if we don't use them. So, all of these vehicles get used and maintained since, I believe, their useful life is not over with. And I enjoy the fact that in a modern cookie cutter society, these vehicles not only allow me to enjoy yesterday today, they have an identity all their own. A Porterfield would fit very well into that mode of thinking. Something to think about.

Thanks for the encouragement,

Jim

At 11:44pm on September 9, 2017, Mike Austin said…: Hey Andy! Say, is there any place I can get a complete plan or drawing set, while I keep an eye out for the right project and save $?? Thanks!

At 3:24pm on August 24, 2017, Mike Austin said…: Thanks Andy! I'm still snooping through the site art this point. Where are folks finding drawings, etc? And are most parts needing to be fabricated more so that finding spares?

At 4:44pm on August 23, 2017, Mike Austin said…: Hi Andy - a pleasure to meet you! That local Porterfield sold a week after it was posted. That's OK - I'm in no hurry at all, with other projects to finish first, but I'll save my pennies and keep an eye out. As far as being a tight fit, I'm a short guy at 5' 4ish but pushing 200. Does that make me too heavy? Also I was wondering about the scope of a Porterfield restoration, as opposed to other planes: comparable in time and skill and $ as, say Piper's? Much harder, and really for seasoned restorers and not beginning ones? etc. Sorry - lots and lots of questions!

At 11:45am on April 8, 2017, Jim Mullin said…: LeRoy was more than generous with his time. I hope I remember a good portion of the information he's shared. I spent two days up there and almost countless phone calls. I have a hanger and feel a privilege and responsibility more than ownership. I have a daughter in Brooklyn so there's a good chance we could meet in the next year.

At 9:10am on March 17, 2010, Mark Lawrence Storey said…: Andy

The encoder is actually remote from the radio panel, I made a "trap door" in the right side cabin wall just below the upper longeron and just behind the instrument panel. The encoder is mounted on the back side of the trapdoor. The altimeter, airspeed and encoder static ports a r connected together and vented behind the instrument panel through a .032 dia. orifice to reduce "gauge flutter" The wiring connections between the encoder and TXPDR are routed up the right side rear edge of the windshield just ahead of the door frame.

FYI, I recall recently seeing an ad by Microair for a low power consumption TXPDR, that would be worth investigating if you a re planning to use total loss battery power system.
Let me know if there's anything more I can help out with

At 10:01pm on March 15, 2010, Jerri & Chris Bergen said…: Andy, Yes the wheel pants on my CP-65 are original. I'm extremely fortunate to have picked-up a Porterfield that has been restored to, what I believe, is as close to original as you can get. Fred Hollaway is the gentleman that did the restoration in the late 70's. To give you an idea of the detail Fred went to, he braided all of the control cables in the original fashion with a waxed cotton twine wrap. Just one example of many that make NC37895 very special. She fly's like a dream as well.

At 7:20pm on March 15, 2010, Judy Birchler said…: Well, it's got a big tail but a C90-12F so it's got a starter and a generator. Yeah, no more propping for me!

At 10:45am on March 14, 2010, Mark Lawrence Storey said…: Andy
My craft is registered in Mexico, since they absolutely require comm. and XPDR I simply added them with out saying anything to anybody. I chose Microair 720 ch comm. and XPDR / King encoder as they were the lightest smallest lowest powered combination I could find as of 3yrs ago. Power is supplied via 7 amp hr sealed lead acid battery mounted on the cabin side of fus station #1. Everything works well with good TX/RX and virtually no engine ignition noise. Ingntion system is shielded type.

The installation required modification to the right wing root to pass the equipment through from the cabin. In the U.S. this of course would require an STC or onetime field approval, the Mexican DGAC (equiv to FAA) never thought to ask so I didn't tell, if they had it would have been impossible as they would have required Porterfield factory engineering approval, so you see where that would have gone! If your interested I can send you some photos of the istallation and a wiring diagram. Before retiring I was an electronics engineer for 32 years.
My email is: marklstorey@hotmail.com

At 4:32pm on October 23, 2009, Tom Porterfield said…: Andy,
I think that would be Kent Pramhus' Little Blue and Silver Porterfield. It is a beautiful airplane. He was one of the first members here. It is at Cable Airport in California. There are 3 Porterfields at that airport. I think the airport has a web site, I think it is www.cableairport.com and also www.foothillaircraft.com
There are pictures of it under used aircraft on the Foot Hill site.

Tom

At 9:44pm on October 22, 2009, Tom Porterfield said…: Andy

Welcome to our Porterfield Club. We are glad to have you join us. Hope we can all benefit each other with technical info on the Porterfields and build lasting friendships. We look forward to pictures of you and your airplane.

Tom