I bought this book the other day from the LAA online shop.
It had arrived when I got home at 7pm.
I casually started reading it...
...and finished it at 2am.
I think it's the first book I've ever read in one sitting.
What an adventure - flying around the world solo in a homebuilt aircraft. Manuel is one of only 6 people on the planet to have done so.
He is probably the least qualified and experienced person to do so too. A relatively low hours PPL.
He obviously writes well but it is his ability to put you in the moment of what is happening that stands out. Plus he has a neat way of talking about big issues without sounding overtly offensive when he puts across his point of view.
Hi Andy, on your recommendation I got this book and enjoyed it thoroughly. Thanks...
ReplyDeleteI also bought Sagittarius Rising by Cecil Lewis from Amazon- its definitely worth a read if you haven't.
Although Cecil wrote this nearly 80 years ago, it beautifully describes the passion for flying some of us end up being afflicted with today. He writes poetically and soberingly about his experiences flying fighters in the first World War. Let us know what you make of it.....
Howdy,
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it.
It's funny that you mentioned Sagittarius Rising - I am reading it at the moment! About 3/4 of the way through and really enjoying it.
How he survived all those adventures is quite a miracle.
A great read so far.
Wait for my next post on the kit! (say no more)
I look forward to the next post patiently....
ReplyDeleteHow do you find working in a one car sized work shop? Although I could crib some space out of our cluttered garage and work in there, I'd prefer to build another double garage. It would be less cramped but money is a bit tight after paying for the kit!
Working in a one car garage is not ideal. There are many jobs which I cannot complete because I cannot have the fuselage and wings in there at the same time.
ReplyDeleteSuggest you make the biggest space possible for your building. Try to get everything organised before the kit arrives - as soon as it does you will most likely end up working with what you already have.
A word of advice - don't start on the control surfaces and wings as I did.
Suggest you start on the fuselage first and laminate a few seams that won't be seen at the end of it all. In other words make your mistakes on the fuse and make them on a non critical area. (you will make mistakes!)
Leave the wings till you have a good feel for working with the manual and the materials.
Will you be running a blog too?
Hey man, that advice is truly appreciated. Probably will not start till mid June as will build a shed first and kit things out a bit. I think I'd enjoy it more if I had more space.
ReplyDeleteI too feel I'm going to have a slow build, with two kids under three and work it's going to be a bit tricky, but I've got a patient wife and might just cruise along savouring the process.
I'm not sure I'll run a blog, particularly as you've done a pretty good job of it for the next builders. Might put the pics up on facebook...look me up and I'll friend you. Best wishes for the new year. Krishna
Krishna Parikh, Geelong, Aus
Hey Krishna,
ReplyDeleteI've been trying to find you on Facebook but no-one with your name has Geelong as the address. I did find one where he (you?) were a fan of Dassault Systems. Is this you?