Orion Flight Center

5423J is coming out of her 100Hr/Annual inspection in solid shape, with a couple of small enhancements...

The inspection was good - compressions are all very strong and the airframe looks great.

We have replaced 23J's landing light with a fancy new LED light - it is much brighter, uses less power, and should last for 1,000 hours (compared with 30 hrs for the old style lights).

Also, in the photo you will notice a small sensor taped to the cowling below the air intake - this is for the dynamic prop balance that is being done as I write this. This should result in a noticeably smoother running engine with less vibration in the cabin, floorboard...everywhere. I'm taking it on a test flight to see the difference.

Also, I have sheepskin seat covers on order...this should improve the appearance and comfort of the front two seats.

Happy flying!!

Great news this week - Orion Flight Center has been approved by the Airport Authority to expand its operations to a full Flight School status. While we have been limited up to now to operate with limits on the number of instructors we could have (1) and the amount of instruction we could offer each month (40), we now have the flexibility to add more instructors and airplanes. This means you will now begin to see more instructors offering their instruction services through our flight school, and may soon see additional airplanes available for training and for rent.

23Juliet is coming out of her 100 hour on Monday. Very few issues...loose nose gear steering linkages, wiggly trim tab fitting, a couple of other small items, but generally very healthy. Compressions all good, cylinders in good shape. I'll be taking her on a longish maintenance test flight to beautiful Beaufort, SC for a couple of days of King Air training, and she will be back online Friday.

23J is creeping up on her 100 hour inspection - expect her to be taken off line for this inspection sometime near the end of May. She'll be down for three or four days. In the meantime, she is running well.

Thanks to the diligent efforts of all our students and renters, Julie remains clean and presentable despite the arrival of bug season. Thanks for the extra time you all take to keep her wiped down.

Check out this excellent photo taken by Greg E. on short final to runway 02 in Richmond