I met a very nice Aeronca guy from Naples FL, Ed Clark

james gevay · Post by **james gevay** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 21:05

On Friday I flew some people down to Naples FL from St Paul, every year we do about 8 round trips in 2 weeks starting the day after Christmas.

Well on about a 15 mile final we lost our primary pitch trim, no big deal, we went to our secondary and used that to land. Unfortunately there's no way we can take off without our primary with just the secondary working. On this Citation both primary and secondary are electric (AC and DC) and there is NO manual trim wheel. So we were dead in the water until we can get it fixed.

Well we line up someone to ship a part from Wichita to Orlando and then drive it down to Naples and install it. Bottom line is, the part made it to Orlando late Saturday night and the mechanic drove it down on Sunday morning, it took about 46 hours to ship it there and installing it was 1 1/2 hours. We finally made it home late Sunday afternoon.

The best part of the story is, I was standing there at the FBO in Naples Friday afternoon when a guy walks by wearing an Aeronca T-shirt and a AOPA hat. So I say "nice shirt" and ask him if he has a Champ, I find out he does and I tell him that I do too. We introduce ourselves and I recognize his name from the site, it's Ed Clark, he has the blue and white Champ in his avatar. We were talking "Aeroncas" some time there and having a good time. He mentioned the places he flys to and Nathan's name came up, small world. I tell him about our mechanical problem and he offers to let me stay at his place and or take me out to dinner. I didn't want to impose, and besides the FBO made arrangements for us at a hotel. But what a nice offer from a complete stranger, it must be some of that southern hospitality. To borrow an old phrase from Honda advertising, "you meet the nicest people flying Aeronca's".

Thank's Ed, for making the best part of my weekend, it was a pleasure talking to you, I hope we meet again someday.

By the way, your Champ was right next to the maintence hangar where our Citation was and I got a chance to check out your plane. Pretty nice, have a great time flying it!

Post by **joea** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 21:41

Got an email from Ed about this and glad that the two of you ran into each other.

Of course a Chief pilot would have had the parts to fix the Citation but then thats life...

Have lost both primary and secondary in flight on the plane we fly a while back. You guys were lucky to get it on the ground using secondary. Its no fun flying those things without pitch trim!

Joe

Ed Clark · Post by **Ed Clark** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 18:45

Thanks James!

I enjoyed talking to you too and only wish I could have made your stay more fun. Like I said though if your ever here again overnight we should take the Champ up and buzz around some.

Take care eh?

Ed

james gevay · Post by **james gevay** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 20:17

Thanks Ed, that would be fun, I haven't been in a Champ in 4 years.
I just got back today again from Naples and I'll be down there tomorrow and Saturday.
Take care, Jim

Capair · Post by **Capair** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 16:55

Hey Ed Capair here.i am going to be bringing my new Champ home to FMY soon. Keep me posted of any flyins that you may want to fly in formation to.

Ed Clark · Post by **Ed Clark** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 17:14

Capair,

PM me and I can give you my email so we can get together. I fly regularly and head past there going North all the time.

Ed