Merkel Motor Wheel
Joseph Merkel founded the Merkel Motor Company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1902, its first product being a bicycle powered by a ‘clip on’ engine attached to the front down tube. In 1908 Merkel merged with the Light Manufacturing and Foundry Company of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, which had been making motorcycles since 1901. Merkel production shifted to Pottstown and the range – marketed as ‘Merkel-Light’ – expanded to include chain-driven types and v-twins. The move to Pottstown signaled a serious commitment to racing and the hiring of factory supported riders, while the slogan ‘Flying Merkel’ began to appear in the company’s advertising. And fly they did, winning countless races over the next few seasons before new owners the Miami Cycle and Manufacturing Company of Middletown, Ohio pulled the plug on the factory’s racing program in 1911. Limited support continued for employees that wanted to go racing, and the 1915 catalog contained a list of 1914-season race wins extending to a page-and-a-half. When Miami ceased production of Merkel motorcycles in 1915, Joseph Merkel designed and patented the ‘Merkel Motor Wheel’. A self-contained power unit for attachment to the rear of a bicycle, the Merkel Motor Wheel was launched at the Cycle Trades Association Convention in Atlantic City, New Jersey on December 4th 1916. It was claimed that there was ‘no skill or special tools required to install’ the MMW, which consisted of an overhead-vale engine driving the wheel by gears, a hub incorporating a coaster brake with freewheel, and a fuel tank mounted on top of the steel frame that carried the driving wheel. Speed was regulated by means of a valve lifter while the provision of a clutch by Hendee made the MMW a practical proposition for town use.
In December 1918 the Hendee Manufacturing Company – makers of Indian motorcycles – purchased the rights to the MMW and recommenced production at Springfield around 1920. A complete powered bicycle cost $85 and it was claimed that operating costs were as low as ‘400 miles for one dollar’! It is estimated that around 2,000 Merkel Motor Wheels made, of which only a few are known to still exist.
1991 Mazda Suitcase Concept Car
1991 Mazda Suitcase concept car
The Mazda Suitcase Car was originally designed and built in 1991 as part of a design contest held at Mazda’s Engineering department. One of the engineers had an idea. What if you could get off a plane, get your luggage, and instead of waiting in line for a taxi or shuttle just pop open your suitcase and drive off?
Assembly takes about 15-20 seconds. The Mazda Suitcase car is powered by a 40cc two stroke motor. Fuel capacity is enough for approximately 2 hours of driving. The exhaust exits through a silencer and out through a small hole in the rear of the suitcase. It comes with functional headlights, brake lights, and turn signals. The rear brake is a small caliper and rotor. Top speed is 27mph. Click here for more pictures.
Flymall October 2016 Newsletter
Welcome to our October 2016 Newsletter.
The team at the Flymall recently attended a steam engine show at the Maryland Steam Historical Society in Arcadia, Maryland. If you like to see steam engines at work this is the show to attend. Click here to see a few pictures from the show.
Here is Harry’s YouTube video that highlights the show.
The week after the steam engine show we were part of the Montgomery County Airpark Open House. Harry organized a car show with awards for the event. We had a few of our vintage 3 wheelers on display – Our 1969 Ural with sidecar, our 1975 Lomax Roadster, and our 1920’s Briggs & Stratton Midget Mobile. The Ural won 2 awards, Lomax 2 awards, and the Midget Mobile won an award. Click here for some pictures from the event.
Bookmark our events calendar so you don’t miss events such as these. You can have our calendar email you a reminder about an event. With over 25 categories these is something for everyone. To see where we will be next visit our appearance calendar by clicking here.
We are sad to report some bad news in this post.
Bill Hughes (pictured above), a friend of Pat & Harry Kraemer died in a plane crash on Sept 27 2016. Bill was one of the friendliest folks you would ever meet. He was always willing to help you, and would stop whatever he was doing to do so. He will be missed. Here is a link with information regarding the crash.
Details on Bill’s services are as follows:
Visitation, Friday October 7th, 7pm to 9pm Barber Funeral Home Laytonsville Maryland 301 948 3500
Funeral Service, Saturday October 8th, 11am Wesley Grove United Methodist Church Gaithersburg Maryland Lunch to immediately follow
The family is suggesting instead of flowers, gifts go to charities Bill might have favored. One would be the Traum’s Fund administered by the Congressional Flying Club. This helps young pilots get into solo school and also helps some get started in their formal training as a pilot. A check to CFC with note to go to Traum’s fund will work. This is just one suggestion. It is also suggested to just do something niice in Bill’s name. Good things happen when we honor our friends.
In addition to the service there will be a group of mostly Cessnas flying in trail leading the missing man formation of RVs. As of this post the plan is to fly over the church at end of service on Saturday at approximately 12 noon. Logistics and details yet to be finalized.
On October 2 2016 we celebrated the Israeli New Year with our friends at the Washington International Flight Academy in true aviator style – in an aircraft maintenance hangar. See picture below. Click here for more pictures from the event.
Pat Kraemer was involved in a bird strike incident at KGAI. She and a student (Uma Vishnubhotla) hit a goose shortly after takeoff at about 300 feet AGL. Both her and the student were unhurt. Not the same for the goose. Pat did a great job staying in control of both the aircraft and the student. She had to continue with her climb out and fly a complete pattern with a big hole in the windscreen. It was very noisy and windy! Click here for more pictures.
For our automotive enthusiast click on our Classic Car Cruise In icon below for information on local cruise nights, car shows, and more.
The Flymall advertises on Barnstormers.com
ADS-B Update
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Michael Huerta announced today that the FAA is delivering on its commitment to incentivize general aviation aircraft owners to equip their aircraft with required NextGen avionics technology before the January 1, 2020 deadline.
On September 19, 2016, the FAA’s Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) rebate website will go live, and general aviation aircraft owners will have the opportunity to apply for a $500 rebate to help offset the cost to equip eligible aircraft in a timely manner, rather than waiting to meet the mandatory equipage date.
Click here for the full story.
Flymall Newsletter September 2016
Welcome to the Flymall.org September 2016 newsletter. As we near the end of summer there are still a lot of great outdoor activities to do. Visit our events calendar for thousands of events with over 25 different categories. You can also visit our day tripper section of the Flymall for ideas.
Aircraft sales are still on the increase. We have also seen an increase in classic/vintage motorcycle sales. We have brought and sold numerous rare vintage bikes over the last several years and the market has been good. Checkout our market watch section to research sale prices, appraised values, etc. This is a searchable database for aircraft, classic/collector cars, vintage motorcycles, parts, GPS, and more. It’s free, no long on info required.
We need inventory to sell. We are cash buyers for single engine aircraft as well as vintage motorcycles and other collectable vehicles/cars. We can also broker your aircraft or collector vehicle for you.
The Montgomery County Airport is having an open house on September 24 2016. The Washington International Flight Academy will have a display there. New for this year will be a car show with trophies. The team at Flymall.org will have several of their vintage three wheelers on display at the car show. Click here for details on the car show.
Click here for an ADS-B update from the FAA that includes a $500 rebate.
Here is something to think about until next month. It should be plane to sea that this is true.
Flymall August 2016 Newsletter
Welcome to the Flymall/Kraemer Aviation August 2016 Newsletter.
Harry has good news for international flight students that want to come to the U.S. for flight training. Hopefully by September 2016 the Washington International Flight Academy will be able to issue M1 visas to flight students enrolled in the school. And later this year we’ll be able to issue F1 visas via Catonsville Community College for our students enrolled in programs at the college. WIFA is offering degree programs via the college. For more information on the degree programs click here.
There will be an open house at the Montgomery County Airpark on September 24 2016. Harry has organized a car show for this event. There will be awards for the show cars. For details on the awards click here.
The team at Flymall.org recently attend the Simple Transport show 2016 with our 1975 Lomax and earned a Top 5 Motorcycle Award. Click here for pictures from the show. Here is Harry and Jett at the show.
Our automotive enthusiast can click on our Classic Car Cruise In page for local cruise nights, car shows, etc. You can visit our appearance schedule to see where we will be at next. We will often be offering appraisals at car shows for a discounted rate. Click here for more information on our appraisals.
If you are buying or selling an aircraft, car, motorcycle, bicycle, or other vehicle and want to know the value of it, visit our market watch page. This is a searchable database provided by Flymall.org. For our clients purchasing an aircraft to leaseback to a flight school visit Harry’s leaseback calculator page (developed by Harry). This is a useful tool for aircraft owners that plan to leaseback an aircraft.
If you know of someone that wants to sell their aircraft, classic car, or motorcycle please refer them to us. We pay referral fees. We can often be a cash buyer for aircraft, classic cars, motorcycles, etc.
GAI Open House Car Show Sept 2016
Cars need to be in place by 9am.
Voting is 10am to 12:30pm
Awards at 1:30pm
Categories:
Antique
Classic
Custom
Muscle & Hot Rod
Modern American
Modern Import
Best Exotic
Most Unique
Best Pre-War
Kids Choice
People’s Choice
Vintage Motorcycle
Modern Motorcycle
Custom Motorcycle
Flymall July 2016 Newsletter
Welcome to our July 2016 Newsletter.
For you pet lovers we’re starting this newsletter off with some bad news / good news. In addition to Harry’s Wheels & Wings businesses Harry runs his own turtle rescue. He adopts unwanted turtles (different species form all over the world) large and small. Recently our African Sulcata tortoise broke down a fence and ran away (he got 3 miles from home in about 4 hours). The African Sulcata (pictured below with Harry) is the third-largest species of tortoise in the world, the largest species of mainland tortoise. Harry was able to get him back the next day via a Facebook post that went viral. Many folks saw this large tortoise walking down the road. He was returned safe and unharmed. Facebook works to help find lost pets. So if you see a lost pet post on Facebook, please share it. It just may help return a lost pet.
Harry has five large outdoor habitats for his turtles. All are landscaped with running water (man-made ponds or streams), plants, rocks, etc. Click on the image for a larger view.
And keeping up with the good news, Harry received a very nice note from one of his students. Harry recently prepared him for his CFI checkride which he passed on the first try. Anyway, here is a copy of the note. Click on the image for a larger view.
For all of your wheels & wings needs visit Harry’s Flymall, your one stop shop. Whether you are looking for flight training, aircraft sales or appraisals, collector/classic car & motorcycle sales and appraisals, we have it all at Flymall.org. So far this year we have sold numerous aircraft (pistons & jets), classic cars, and vintage motorcycles.
If you would like to advertise your business on the Flymall, please contact Harry via the contact us page on Flymall.org.
N736LE Appraisal Draft July 28 2016
Kraemer Aviation Services
Aircraft Appraisal Report
Client: LADY EDITH HAWKER FLIGHT CO LLC
Phone: (561) XXX-XXXX
Address: Bethesda, Maryland
This report is intended to be used by:
LADY EDITH HAWKER FLIGHT CO LLC & XXXXXXX
This report should not be distributed to anyone other than the intended user without his permission.
Aircraft Identification
Make: HAWKER SIDDELEY Model: DH.125-400A
Serial No: NA736 Reg. No.: N736LE Yr. Mfg.: 1969
Engine (s): Garrett/Honeywell TFE731series.
Airframe Total Time: The aircraft has approximately 8495 TTAF, 7740 cycles, and 7732 landings. Right engine – 4585.8 engine total time – 3471 engine cycles. Left engine – engine total time 4354.4 – 3471 engine cycles. As published by Aircraft Blue Book the average engine overhaul is $600,000 to $700,000 USD.
Airframe Condition: Poor condition
Log Books in Aircraft Appear: The log books are in poor condition. Some of the early log books have water damage. Several tail numbers and serial number appear in the log books. It was difficult for the appraiser to know if this was in error or if multiple aircraft records were mixed in with the appraised aircraft records.
Comments: The aircraft is currently parked inside a hangar at the Cambridge-Dorchester Regional Airport in Cambridge, MD (KCGE). The hangar does show signs of water leaks. The aircraft does have some plastic covering on it in some places. The aircraft does have a lot of bird droppings on it. The bird droppings have damaged the paint and metals in some places. The air-stair is broken.
Maintenance Status
Maintenance Annual Date: The last recorded maintenance was in January 2009.
On Progressive Inspection: No
Time Life Limited Systems: Unknown Cycle Life Limited Systems: Unknown
Tires Condition: Poor Type Brakes: Disk Anti-Skid: Unknown
Exterior Paint Condition: Poor. The aircraft does have some plastic covering on it in some places. The aircraft does have a lot of bird droppings on it. The bird droppings have damaged the paint and metals in some places.
Repaint Date: The aircraft was last repainted around 1989. This was not verified in the maintenance records.
Comments: Overall the aircraft is in poor condition and needs paint, a new interior, avionics upgrade, and engines overhauled. The interior shows signs of damage due to insects and small rodents.
Interior Condition: Poor Cabin Configuration: Passenger
Cockpit Condition: Poor Panel Layout: Good – poor condition and outdated avionics
Pressurized Cabin: Yes Window Condition: Fair
Airframe Modifications
The aircraft appears to have the Garrett/Honeywell TFE731 upgrade
Damage History
Historical Damage: Several tail numbers were used in the aircraft maintenance records/log books. These were: N736LE, N800AF, N731MS, N852A, and N112M. There were also different aircraft serial numbers listed in the maintenance records/log books. A search of the NTSB database showed no records (for a Hawker) for either of the tail numbers listed above.
Engines & Props
Engine Manufacturer: Garrett/Honeywell TFE731series.
Engine Type: Turbofan
Engine Fire Detection: Unknown Engine Fire Bottles: Unknown
Comments: Right engine: 4585.8 engine total time – 3471 engine cycles. Left engine: 4354.4 engine total time– 3471 engine cycles. These engine times are from a log book entry from 2007. As published by Aircraft Blue Book the average engine overhaul is $600,000 to $700,000 USD.
Engine Modifications
Garrett/Honeywell TFE731 upgrade/conversion
Known Maintenance Problems with Engine(s): None known or reported. The engines will most likely need to be overhauled. It is not known if they were preserved properly before “parking” the aircraft.
Estimated Cost to Repair: N/A
Instrumentation
Full Panel: Yes Dual Panel: Yes
Panel Configurations: Average Panel Condition: Poor
IFR Equipped: Yes
Comments: The aircraft has full instrumentation as well as co-pilot instruments. The actual instruments and equipment in the panel are in poor condition. Most of the equipment and/or instruments will most likely need to be overhauled.
Avionics
The appraiser could not obtain an accurate list of all installed avionics. The aircraft has the typical avionics installed on a 1980’s vintage mid size jet. There does not appear to be many modern upgrades to the avionics. Due to the aircraft sitting and unused for so long it is likely that a lot of the equipment will not function properly when powered up.
The Avionics On This Aircraft Are Considered To Be: In poor condition.
Additional Equipment
Dual Controls: Yes Type: Yoke
Stall Warning System: Yes Stick Shaker: Unknown
Rotating Beacon: Yes Strobe Light: Yes
Taxi Lights: Unknown Navigation Lights: Yes
Fuel Qty: Yes
Additional equipment: Unknown
Comments: The interior is in poor condition. There are signs of insect and small rodent damage inside the aircraft.
De-Icing Systems
This aircraft is equipped for flight into known icing however it is not know if these systems are functioning properly.
Aircraft Appraisers Comments
Appraisal References
Flymall Market Watch by Kraemer Aviation Services – http://flymall.org/market-watch/
AOPA Vref – http://www.aopa.org/
NAAA Evaluator – http://naaa.trade-a-plane.com/evaluator/appraisals.php?req=new
Aircraft Bluebook Price Digest
And numerous “aircraft for sale” websites.
Appraiser’s General Comments and Notes
The information herein has been prepared from many sources and believed to be correct. The appraiser cannot warrant the accuracy of the source material. The appraiser referenced numerous websites for data and information to compute a fair market value for N736LE. The appraisal inspected this aircraft at the Cambridge-Dorchester Regional Airport in Cambridge, MD (KCGE) on July 21 2016.
All aircraft records were presumed to be authentic, unaltered, and signatures and inspections therein by persons designated and appropriately licensed. AD compliance was attested to by referencing the date of last Annual Inspection or other appropriate Inspection.
The appraiser hereby certifies that he has no personal interest in this aircraft identified in this appraisal or any bias toward any of the parties who may be involved in the resulting transaction coincident to this report. The appraiser fee is not contingent upon a predetermined value being reported or a percentage of the value being reported.
The fair market value for N736LE is based on the research stated in this report and historical sales data versus appraisal values.
It is the opinion of this appraiser that the fair market value of the above aircraft is:
$XXXXXXXX.00 USD
Harry Kraemer
SENIOR CERTIFIED AIRCRAFT APPRAISER
Appraiser’s Credentials
Harry Kraemer is an industry trained appraiser for aircraft, vintage/classic automobiles, and motorcycles. Harry has been in the industry since 1978. He is a FAA licensed aircraft dealer (His company Kraemer Aviation Services holds the license). Harry has been involved in the aircraft sales/appraisal business since the 1980s. In most recent years (since 2007) Harry has completed an average of 70 aircraft appraisals each year. Such appraisals have been used in estate settlements, divorce settlements, and insurance claims. As part of continuing his education Harry has also served as a judge for industry related shows judging vehicles, aircraft, and motorcycles. Harry has received appraisal training from such companies as Cessna Aircraft and several worldwide appraisal organizations. Harry is a member of the Association of Online Appraisers.
Harry is also an active pilot and Master Flight Instructor. Before starting Kraemer Aviation Services in 2002, Harry held numerous senior management positions in aviation including: Assistant Vice President of a Part 91 and 135 Flight Department, Chief Pilot for a 135 operation, Chief Pilot of several different Part 141 Flight Schools, and Aircraft Sales Manager for Frederick Aviation Inc.
Harry holds an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate and is a Gold Seal Flight Instructor with Instrument Instructor and Multi-engine Instructor ratings. Harry has the distinction of being the only instructor (out of approximately 84,000) to have ever held three Master titles from the National Association of Flight Instructors: Master CFI, Master Ground Instructor, and Master Aerobatic Instructor. Harry has received dozens of aviation industry awards including several from the Federal Aviation Administration.
Harry has published over 90 papers in over a dozen different aviation publications including: FAA Aviation News, Aviation Maintenance, Avionics Magazine, and IFR Refresher. Harry has served as a contributing editor for several aviation publications. Harry is also a research consultant for Gleim Publications. Harry served as an Aviation Safety Counselor for the Baltimore FSDO for over 15 years and currently serves as an EAA Flight Advisor for the Experimental Aircraft Association.
159HR Appraisal Notes
159HR Appraisal Notes
Model Europa XS Tri-gear – SN A264
Engine – Jabiru 3300 120 horsepower
Daye of manufacturer 12-01-2005
About $60,000 value
Altimeter
Airspeed
Turn coordinator
Fuel gauge
Tac
Grand Rapids Technologies – Engine Information System
Garmin 296 with Air Gizmos panel dock
ELT
Becker transponder
Becker com
Dynon EFIS for horizon
Pictorial Pilot auto pilot
Finger brakes
Compass
Electric flaps
DIO
Hangared for 7 years
Dual push to talk switches
Electric elevator trim
Sensenich prop
Wingtip strobes
Navigation lights
Elevator trim
3 wheel pants
Dual controls
Glass in very good condition
Paint in vg condition
Rudder gust lock
