"Annual Inspection" under-way on Tri-pacer

Well, the annual exam for flightworthiness on N6173D has come. My wife and I went to the airport for a few hours to begin doing the parts that are allowed as the pilot/owner. Opening all the inspection ports, removing farings, cowlings, and seats to ease the ability of the inspecting mechanic to access those parts of the plane you do not want to have problems. . .wing roots, engine, etc. The plane is designed to be safe, and lots of parts could be inoperative and still capable of flying. This is an opportunity to correct those little "sqwauks" (how the hell do you spell that anyway?) that niggle over the year. Light bulbs that don't work, and minor stuff.

Back into the air as soon as possible.

Deposit Placed on Tri-Pacer

Well, I took a leap of faith today. Faith in the Piper aircraft company and the Lycoming engine company. Here is a front and back view of the plane that will be the next one in line I've been lucky enough to be able to own.

Thinking of this Tri-Pacer (instead of a new pickup)

PLANE

Step one of Bucket List Trip to Alaska

Things to do, places to see

**Be a better husband, man, brother, stepfather, bumpa (grandfather name for Fiona)
** See Yellowstone Park
** See the Grand Tetons
** Visit New Zealand
** See Spain
**See Mount Rushmore
**Visit Greece
**Visit the Balkans
(love all that Roman stuff don'cha know)
**Possibly visit Vietnam
** Solo a glider and soar on thermals
** Lose 50# while healthy, not dying of cancer.
**Play Tuba part in a Mariachi band
**Do volunteer work at a soup kitchen in Pueblo
**Fly a small plane to Alaska via Al-Can highway, camping along the way.
**See the Galapagos as an ecotourist, possibly by sail.
**Learn to dance properly with my wife, wearing my tux when it fits again!
** Attend the 4th of July at Esplanade Boston
**See a bullfight (real kind)preferably in Spain
**See an active volcano with lava flow
**See the Caves in Lascaux France (cave paintings)
** Tour DC in spring to see Cherry Blossoms