Motorcycle Graveyard Discovered
In April 2010 pictures popped up on someone’s flickr account showing a bunch of motorcycles abandoned in a warehouse. Internet rumors and guesses as to where the building was located flooded the motorcycle blogs. At some point the location was discovered or someone told. The topic showed up on a local sport bike forum I read and I was hooked. My friends and I talked about riding to New York and looking for the building, getting in somehow and taking pictures. Click here for full story.
Grumman Widgeon down in Hudson River
On Thursday May 2 2013 a Grumman Widgeon crashed in the Hudson River. Click here for the full story.
Plane Lands on Highway May 2 2013
Authorities are investigating after a small plane landed on a Long Island highway Thursday afternoon, Suffolk police said.
The plane landed on Route 231 near John Street, close to the border of Babylon and West Islip.
No injuries were reported.
Southbound lanes of the highway were closed to assist in the investigation.
Lost or Forgotten Maryland Airports / Airfields
Here is an interesting site I found that has some information on forgotten Maryland airfields.
N4692Z Appraisal
N4962Z Online Appraisal Report
1967 BELL UH-1E
Engine -LYCOMING T53-L11D
The aircraft is based at Beaver County Airport (KBVI) in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. The aircraft is certified in the restricted category and is set up for agriculture, forestry, patrolling, surveying, and sling work. The aircraft has approved 337s for spray gear.
The last annual was completed in September 2012
Time Life Limited Systems Status: Below are some of the life limited parts/components with the hours on those components.
Main Rotor Blades 176 and 324 hours on each
Main Rotor Head 898 hours
Main Servos 297 hours
Swash Plate Assembly 0 hours since new
Tail Rotor Blades 737 hours
Tail Rotor Gear Box 61 hours
Tail Rotor Yoke 1071 hours
Transmission 841 hours
The aircraft is in average condition for an aircraft that is used in the forestry, and surveying industry. The interior is utility configured. It has a basic utility military interior with lightweight pilot and co-pilot seats. No other interior is installed.
Additional Equipment:
Simplex Spray System – Current estimated value $50,000 Cargo Hook – Current estimated value $3,000 Ground handling wheels – Current estimated value $1,500
This appraisal on N4692Z a Bell UH-1E was completed March 29 2013. The appraisal was based on information provided to the appraiser by Mark Klokkenga.
Additional and/or optional equipment that add to the aircraft value are listed below with estimated current market values. This also includes spare parts that are included with the aircraft.
Spray gear system $50,000
Main rotor blade $140,775
Main rotor blade $167,624
Tail rotor blade $4,986
Tail rotor blade $4,986
Tail rotor grip $6,069
Tail rotor grip $6,308
Swashplate/Support $49,006
Cargo hook $500
2 Mil Set ground wheels $1,500
Flymall.org Market Watch – See below for applicable models
Click here for all Bell aircraft. This will allow you to view the 205 A-1, 204 B, UH-1E, UH-1B, and the UH-1H at the same time.
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 on 4692Z. At the time of the appraisal there were no comparables listed on the many “aircraft for sale” websites. All aircraft information provided to the appraiser was presumed to be authentic and accurate.
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 4692Z is based on the research stated in this report and historical sales data versus appraisal values. The appraiser used several similar aircraft listed for sale as a reference. The appraiser used the current asking price of those aircraft and calculated an estimated actual sale or purchase price based on the current market status. In addition the appraiser used a documented trade in value given to N4692Z in August 2011.
It is the opinion of this appraiser that the fair market value of the above aircraft is:
$383,333.00 USD
N39MK Appraisal
N39MK Online Appraisal report
1980 Bell 206B
Engine – ALLISON 250-C20
Comments: The aircraft is hangared at KHJO – Hanford Municipal Airport in Hanford, California. The aircraft is operated under CFR Part 135 and 133.
Maintenance Annual Date: The last annual was completed July 9 2012 at 15,775 hours. The last 100 hour airframe inspection was completed July 9 2012 at 15,775 hours. The last 100 Hour KAflex Driveshaft inspection was completed July 9 2012 at 15,775 hours. The last 100 hour engine inspection was completed July 9 2012 at 15,775 hours. Other hourly and monthly inspections appear to be current and up to date.
Comments: The maintenance/inspection tracking and/or record keeping is in the form of an Excel Spreadsheet and is organized and appears to be kept current. Life limited and/or cycle limited parts are tracked in the Excel Spreadsheet.
Historical Damage: On September 23 2005 the tail boom was cut/severed (Source NTSB website). Click here for NTSB report on accident.
This appraisal on N39MK a Bell 206B was completed March 29 2013. The appraisal was based on information provided to the appraiser by Mark Klokkenga.
Aircraft BlueBook Price Digest Spring 2013 Edition – The average Blue Book value not adjusted for actual times is $327,000.00 as of March 28 2013.
Flymall.org Market Watch – Click here for 206B III data.
National Aircraft Appraisers Association online Estimated Aircraft Value Calculator The NAAA estimated value for N39MK based on actual times is $365,458 as of March 28 2013.
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 on N39MK. All aircraft information provided to the appraiser was presumed to be authentic and accurate.
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 N39MK 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:
$346,229.00 USD
Frederick Tower May Close
Due to the cut backs the recently opened Frederick Tower may be closed. Click here for story on CNN.
Here is the FAA’s list of the towers that could be closed.
Gustave Albin Whitehead
Gustave Albin Whitehead, born Gustav Albin Weisskopf (1 January 1874 – 10 October 1927) was an aviation pioneer who emigrated from Germany to the U.S., where he designed and built early flying machines and engines from 1897 to 1915. Whitehead reportedly flew several times in his own powered aircraft designs in 1901 and 1902, before the Wright Brothers historic 1903 flights near Kitty Hawk. These claims, though supported by researchers in the 1930s and later, have been examined and dismissed by some mainstream aviation historians, especially those associated with the Smithsonian Institution.
Click here for more on Gustave
Wright Brothers Not First in Flight
Click here for full story in Flying Magazine
Airplanes Are Easy To Live With
Sixteen reasons why airplanes are easier to live with than women:
1) Airplanes usually kill you quickly – a woman takes her time.
2) Airplanes can be turned on by a flick of a switch.
3) Airplanes don’t get mad if you do a “touch and go.”
4) Airplanes don’t object to a pre-flight inspection.
5) Airplanes come with manuals to explain their operation.
6) Airplanes have strict weight and balance limitations.
7) Airplanes can be flown any time of the month.
8) Airplanes don’t come with in-laws.
9) Airplanes don’t care about how many other airplanes you’ve flown before.
10) Airplanes and pilots both arrive at the same time.
11) Airplanes don’t mind if you look at other airplanes.
12) Airplanes don’t mind if you buy airplane magazines.
13) Airplanes expect to be tied down.
14) Airplanes don’t comment on your piloting skills.
15) Airplanes don’t whine unless something is really wrong.
16) However, when airplanes go quiet, just like women, it’s usually not good.
