February 24th, 2001: my good friend Pierre took me out for a winter
flight on skis ! This was my first flight in NCJ since selling
it. Flight conditions
were perfect. Even if I was flying right seat and did not touch
the controls, it was an awesome experience anyway. A BIG thank
you Pierre !!!
Here's a picture of me in front of NCJ, parked on
the Lac Blanc in the Mauricie region of Quebec, in front of the inn
where we had a nice and warm Canadian pea soup ! What an awesome
day that was. Click here
for a close-up on my smile, you will understand it all !!!
October the 5th, 2010: it's done, MY AIRCRAFT IS SOLD !
After 6 years of ownership, the decision was taken and I found
a great buyer that will take good care of the plane. It is
actually my best friend and future partner in the dreamed 170B that bought it !!!
He will be learning his trade on
NCJ, buiding up experience and hours until we are ready to go
for the 170B. I know she will take good care of him, as she did
of me. A true win-win situation for both of us I have to say.
NCJ will be staying in the neighbourhood and will be well taken care
of by someone I trust. GREAT !
So, this page remains the historical account of my
buying and flying one of the best little plane, the famous Cessna 140.
I will miss her but at the same time, I can't wait to start looking
for our future 170B.
We'll talk about planes again later. Stay tuned !
PS: Some generous readers have graciously
sent me emails and pictures about really nice 170s for sale. I
appreciate the gesture, but since it will be a while before we are
ready to really start looking, save the effort and please do not
continue to do so. I will let everybody know here when we are
finally ready to proceed with this phase of the project...
Thank you !
Yes ! On January 10, 2004 I finally purchased my very own airplane, a
nice Cessna 140 fabricated in 1948 (s/n 14630), registered
C-GNCJ (ex-NC2390V). A true classic !
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At the purchase: |
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After
some personalizing:
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2004
flying season:
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2004 - A dream
come true: Oshkosh !!!
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2005
flying season: |
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2006 flying season: |
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Aerials - These
pictures were taken by friends with whom I fly formation from time
to time: |
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Pic #1:
Taken
by Patrick Cloutier at my first solo cross-country, right after my
tailwheel endorsement.
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Pic
#2:
Taken by Daniel Gravel during an early morning flight to the
Eastern Townships.
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Pic
#3: Taken by Mélanie Dubé during a
beautiful sunset, coming back from Three-Rivers with Daniel
Gravel.
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Pic #4: Taken by Daniel Gravel -
12 o'clock high
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Pic #5: Taken by Mélanie Dubé
- In formation with Marcel Deschamps's beautiful Stearman on our
way to the Carp Fly-in.
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Pic #6: Taken by Daniel Gravel
during the same flight, sepia finished for nostalgia.
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Pic #7:
Patrick joining formation
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Pic
#8: Break right !
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Pic #9: Near lachute
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Pic #10: Another beautiful sunset by Mélanie
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June 06 - The new
headliner:
The cabin ceiling used to be covered
with vinyl on the wing roots and painted aluminum on the ceiling and
the baggage compartment. Not bad, but far from original.
After carefully reviewing
Lorraine Morris
great instructional video, I tackled the job of returning the cabin
to its original finish with the precious help of my wife, Joana.
Look at the results:
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July 2006 - Back
to Oshkosh the magnificient ! |
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2007 flying season: |
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May 07 - A new yoke mount PTT from
ClassicAeroProducts
and a long needed engine compartment cleanup: |
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July 07 - Cool
birthday present ! |
This model is
a true masterpiece, fabricated from resin and has many metal
components. It can be ordered custom painted with the same
color scheme as your own 120-140-140A or just with one of the
original Cessna paint scheme for your model-year.
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For more
information and pricing, contact Mr. W.J. Kinsman at Classic &
Antique Aircraft Model Molding Co.
T: 800-468-9727
Email:
wjknjan@wolfnet.net
Don't forget
to tell him your heard about it from me !
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Aerials - More
in-flight pictures taken by my good friend Daniel: |
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Pic #1: Back lit by the sun, in flight
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Pic #2: In formation with Pierre in his C-150
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Pic #3: In formation with Pierre again
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Pic #4: With Pierre, turning
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Pic #5: In sharp light
on close formation
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Pic #6: Near Lachute
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Winter 07-08: My first winter without
flying: |
This winter,
after freezing for 3 previous seasons for not so much flying, I
decided to try not flying for the whole season. Well... it
just happens this is the most snow we ever got around Montreal !!!
Joana, for
who it's the first "real winter" is seriously doubting we will
ever see the grass again ! hehehe.
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Judge by
yourself with the following pictures taken on March 8th 2008:
Well, perhaps
I should have bought skis after all ! Something to consider
for next year... Stay tuned ! |
August 2008:
Pictures by
Jean-Pierre Bonin at the Classic Air Rallye in Rockcliffe, On. |
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October 2008: A
new GPS bracket & a new strobe light |
There is
always some minor improvements to be made when you own a classic
aircraft. Here are a few pictures of the latest ones I have
made:
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December 2008: A new winter flying season |
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My Northern Companion
Engine Pre-Heater:
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2009 Flying Season: |
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2010 Flying Season: |
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New tires !
One more improvement on NCJ. Before putting it on sale, I
decided to change the tires for the famous
Desser Aero Classic ones. They have the same thread as the
tires that were originally installed by Cessna in the late forties.
Enhances NCJ's classic look while handling better on grass !
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December
2010 Winter Flying: |
My good friend Pierre, the new
caretaker of NCJ has bought a set of Federal 1500 skis and is
preparing for the winter season fun ! This is somethning I
wanted to do but never did... Have fun Pierre !
I will post more pictures of NCJ
on skis later this winter...
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Here are Pierre's pictures of the skis
installation:
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