In the picture below, Phil Maxson’s Corvair/601XL ends the day my hangar in north east Florida. In the foreground is the tail of my Corvair/Wagabond. Both of these planes were finished in my old hangar in Edgewater Florida, 100 miles south of here. Their first flights were in 2006 and 2005 respectively. For several months they were hangar siblings. The last time they were at the same spot was Corvair College #10 in November of 2006. Today, 13 years later, they are together in my hangar on a quiet day.
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Last night at sunset.
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Phil was here last week. He flew down to Florida, spent a few days here, then drove his dad up north. He’ll come back in a few weeks and fly home. I’m close friends with Phil, but don’t see him often. The relaxed time here was good, but it did draw the conversation to all the things which have changed in our lives in the 13 years. The most profound element being losing parents.
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But this also required looking at what had lasted, stood the test of time, and proven to be undeniable asset agains the slings and arrows of life. Prominent among these: Real Friendships, Exercising your craftsmanship and skills, and a love of Simple Flying.
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It hard to believe all those years have passed. It’s good too see the planes together again.
And you are 100% right. The value of the planes and engines is far surpassed by the great people and hands-on learning that I’ve found along the way.
Thanks for hosting me and I look forward to seeing you again very soon. Nothing beats the value of a true friend, like you, William.
Hey William have you got the Wagabond flying again? It would be great to see it flying.