Charlie
New member
Albuquerque, NM
- Aircraft Year
- 1973
- Aircraft Type
- 112 Hot Shot
- Reg Number
- Former Owner N1094J
Greetings to all COG members! I have just assumed stewardship from Bill Helsabeck of N1094J – a 1973 112 Hot Shot. I’d guess that some of you know Bill and this plane, as it was used for test flying the 3-blade MT prop on the 112 series back in 2015. I can’t express enough thanks and gratitude to Bill & his wife (an incredible couple) and Judi for all their help through the process, as well as to Paul Davis for his superb checkout and accompanying me part-way home from Pompano Beach. We live in Albuquerque, New Mexico and thoroughly enjoy the sunny Southwest. Double Eagle airport (KAEG) will be the new home for N1094J. The elevation at KAEG is 5,837 - hence my desire for turbo ability.
So, about me. My love of aviation was instilled early on – both my father and step-father were career USAF pilots. Both were Vietnam vets who came home. Got my private in 1980 at the age of 23 while active duty USMC in Norfolk, VA, and hold a commercial, instrument & multi. Twice in my life I planned on pursuing a flying career; that didn’t work out either time and is a tale for another day!
I’ve been a rusty pilot for way too long & am excited about the chance to fly my wife & youngest daughter (along with our Westie!) around the Southwest and points further yonder! For those of you who don’t know, the Southwest has some of the best flying weather, picturesque scenery & great places to visit. (Do not consider this bashing anywhere else!). I’ve yet to have the chance to fly to & overfly many of the places we like to visit, such as the Utah National Parks and the Grand Canyon. Now we can do that!
Most of my complex time was in Piper Arrows. For the past few years I was “Mooney shopping,” as I had convinced myself I just had to have the speed that Mooneys are famous for. But after actually sitting in and flying one my need for speed was overridden with the inescapable requirement to ensure my wife is comfortable. Happy wife…Happy life & all that! So along the way I was led to Judi, from whom I received a truly great “Commander Education.” The rest is not history, but rather the beginning of our yet to be experienced adventure. Had a great flight home from KPMP to KAEG over this past weekend. Cruising along at 10K VFR on top certainly was alot of fun!
I have learned quite a bit from the COG already, thank you to all of you for your input into and participation in this forum. I look forward to learning much more as I go, and hope to meet many of you in the days ahead.
Charlie
So, about me. My love of aviation was instilled early on – both my father and step-father were career USAF pilots. Both were Vietnam vets who came home. Got my private in 1980 at the age of 23 while active duty USMC in Norfolk, VA, and hold a commercial, instrument & multi. Twice in my life I planned on pursuing a flying career; that didn’t work out either time and is a tale for another day!
I’ve been a rusty pilot for way too long & am excited about the chance to fly my wife & youngest daughter (along with our Westie!) around the Southwest and points further yonder! For those of you who don’t know, the Southwest has some of the best flying weather, picturesque scenery & great places to visit. (Do not consider this bashing anywhere else!). I’ve yet to have the chance to fly to & overfly many of the places we like to visit, such as the Utah National Parks and the Grand Canyon. Now we can do that!
Most of my complex time was in Piper Arrows. For the past few years I was “Mooney shopping,” as I had convinced myself I just had to have the speed that Mooneys are famous for. But after actually sitting in and flying one my need for speed was overridden with the inescapable requirement to ensure my wife is comfortable. Happy wife…Happy life & all that! So along the way I was led to Judi, from whom I received a truly great “Commander Education.” The rest is not history, but rather the beginning of our yet to be experienced adventure. Had a great flight home from KPMP to KAEG over this past weekend. Cruising along at 10K VFR on top certainly was alot of fun!
I have learned quite a bit from the COG already, thank you to all of you for your input into and participation in this forum. I look forward to learning much more as I go, and hope to meet many of you in the days ahead.
Charlie
