where I have been for 2 years-My airplane

[jeffp51]

So not archery, not primitive, but a couple of people expressed interest when I said why I haven't posted in quite a while.  I have been building an airplane in my garage, and have had neither time nor space to make any bows.  I still shoot in my backyard from time to time, and I am super thrilled to see this forum back up and running.  I have discovered such a community here and I would hate to lose it.

I am building a Zenith 601xlb Zodiac.  It is a low wing two-seat homebuilt aircraft from a company located in Mexico, Missouri.  I am discovering a great community there too.  there are a lot of similarities between building a bow and building an airplane--balance, precision, craftsmanship. . .it itches some of the same scratches.  My user name betrays one of my early passions, and I finally decided I had to either act on it or let it go forever.  When I turned 50, I broke both arms in a bike accident and spent a winter brooding over my mid-life crisis, and decided to just go for it.

Here are some pics:

And if anyone wants to see more, I post regular updates on Facebook.  Friend me as Jeff Packer (Pleasant Grove, Utah) and you can see more than you will ever want to.

[bjrogg]

Very cool Jeff. The first aircraft I ever piloted was a wizard j-3 ultralight.

Everything I knew about flying I learned from reading a book. It really wasn’t enough.lol I ended up stalling it when trying to turn back to the field i just took off from. Its stall speed was only 14 mph so it was a very slow motion almost under control crash. I didn’t get a scratch, but I gained a lot more respect for Orville and Wilbur Wright.

I really did love the ultra light it was so open and an amazing experience.

I did take flying lessons after that though and went in on a Cessna 150 with a cousin of mine.
I flew a lot before I got married. I haven’t now in over a decade. I don’t miss it like I once did, but once in awhile I get the bug to get a bird eye view of things. It is beautiful way to look at our world.

Bjrogg

PS my two all time favorite planes. P-51 Mustang and P-38 Lightning

[Parnell]

Wow, that’s just awesome.  I’ve got a wood canoe going out back.  It’s good to do different projects  and keep bow making, avoids burnout I think.

Best on your project.  Looking forward to seeing how that turns out!

[JW_Halverson]

Wow, that’s just awesome.  I’ve got a wood canoe going out back.  It’s good to do different projects  and keep bow making, avoids burnout I think.

Best on your project.  Looking forward to seeing how that turns out!

I do believe there is plenty of room for a new thread dedicated to your canoe project, buddy!

Jeff, Iowabow bought a garage project 1946 Taylorcraft and rebuilt it a few years ago. Not a lot of top end speed on that kite, but an excellent glide ratio.

[TimBo]

Super cool!  Mexico, MO is just a couple of hours from me.  Thanks for sharing some photos.

[Pappy]

Cool project, keep us up dated on how you and it is doing.
 Pappy

[WhistlingBadger]

Wow, that's a dream of mine too, but not one I'll realistically ever do.  Just get to live vicariously through others.

You know, the DH98 Mosquito was mostly built out of wood.  If it were held together with hide glue and sinew, would it qualify as a "primitive aircraft"?  I guess the engines would be a challenge.

[Muskyman]

Pretty cool project. I did take some lessons when I was much younger but, I decided I liked being on the ground better than flying 😀 I do love the P51 too buried. I remember when I went to the Dayton air show one year with a couple of my brothers and a guy in a P51 taxied up and got out. We started talking to him about his plane and I noticed his name along the cockpit and it turned out to be Johnny Rutherford. We talked with him for a pretty long time about his plane and p51s in general. Hard not to love a P51

[mullet]

That is a really cool project! looking forward to seeing it finished. I used to like flying till I had to do it so much for work. I was never real comfortable in small planes but I like being around and checking out the War Birds.

[jeffp51]

I'm a little surprised at the response--although I suppose I shouldn't be.  I appreciate all the kind words.  If you like, and if it isn't too counter to the spirit of this site, I'll post an update on the airplane from time to time.

Every now and then my draw knife looks at me accusingly and makes me feel guilty for its neglect.  I'm sure I haven't made my last bow, and now and then I really get the itch, but it might be a while, yet.

[bjrogg]

I would like that Jeff.

I really enjoy our campfire.

It’s nice to see and share our other passions.

Bjrogg

[Pappy]

Yep love for you to keep us updated Jeff, it always inspires me to see what others are doing and all the talent we have hanging out here. 
 Pappy

[WhistlingBadger]

Agreed.  I always enjoy seeing what everybody is up to.

[jeffp51]

Here is an update on my midlife crisis:  I spent a lot of the summer building on the airplane, but it is all little things that don't look like progress. also slowing down the progress is I decided it was finally time to act on getting my pilot's license.  This is me at my first solo earlier this month.  As you can see from my username, I have wanted to fly for a very, very long time.  It feels good.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/6K2Y0_RfOPc

[sleek]

Holy crap dude, thats awesome! A MASSIVE congratulations to you! I can never fly, I cant pass the physical but I do build and maintain aircraft professionally so I know EXACTLY what you are up against on the build. What have you accomplished yet on the build? Every now and again I find my mind drifting to design and build a P38 style ultralight. But I haven't died in an airplane crash yet and im trying to not do anything that will change that.