new guy in northeastern NC

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potterfield

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port angeles, wa
greetings CCD forum. i'm new here. my name is blaze potts and i currently reside in kitty hawk, nc. a quick bit about myself - i'm originally from Bluffton, OH where i joined the U.S. Coast Guard right outta' high school in 2001. i'm currently an active duty helicopter mechanic on the H65 'dolphin' and serving in my 20th year. tours of duty include the presidential honor guard in washington DC and operational tours at KMIA, PADQ, KSFO, KACV, and presently the overhaul facility in KECG. got my AP in '07 and PPL in 2019 at KEKA and tw endorsement a few weeks ago up at KCPK in a 7KCAB.. now i'm shopping for one!! simply too much fun. been eyeballing projects here and there (Bartman, thanks again for your patience and info) and currently watching one on ebay. totally stoked to be here, reading, gleaning, learning. gonna' give a test run at posting photos. cheers!

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7KCAB, or indeed any ACA or Aeronca product is among the true bargains in aviation. Good that you have mechanic experience - you can fly forever for just gas and oil.

Get your military experience documented, then get an A&P and an IA. Get the documentation nailed down, like, tomorrow.
 
thanks Bob. i need s'more time under my AP belt before i give the IA a go... though, i really want to work towards it. it's not totally parallel but i've had my 'primary quality assurance letter' in the CG for... about six years now? one thing i don't quite have yet (and may not during this tour) is what we call a 'maintenance release letter' which in a round about way, approves a CG aircraft safe for flight.

appreciate the input on bargains in aviation. it probably goes w/o saying, but flying that citabria is just so much fun! hoping to get more time this weekend.
 
What I meant was - each and every hour you spent working on CG helicopters counts. But you must document it. Be sure your CO does that for you. Then you don't have to spend three years apprenticing.

If you already hold an A&P, the three years can qualify for the IA - that one is trivial in comparison - just a written test.
 
Welcome from Winterville NC, where I have a 7KCAB and a PA-20.
 
Thanks for the welcome, BB57. I'll grab my mobile atlas (once this lap dog gets down) and scope out where exactly Winterville, NC is.

No more official movement on the ebay project. Just getting lots of good info from the seller and weighing options for potential pickup. Keep ya'll posted!
 
Glad you decided to join us here Blaze, hope we can help get you set up with a project. I don't normally say this but, cool helicopters! And thank you for your service. That's an admirable mission that the CG does so it's appreciated.

Let us know as questions come up and when you've got something nailed down, we'll be here waiting to see pictures. :)

Welcome!
 
Bartman, thanks for the service sentiment. The CG has provided me quite the experiences over the last five or so tours. While i'm definitely looking forward to the next phase of my life, i'm not quite done with the coastie uniform yet!
No update on the ebay project today.. just kinda' patiently waiting to see what the end of the auction yields.
 
sorry to hear it. maybe find a flying plane with a high time engine and in need of fabric? make an offer that reflects the work needed and start there?
 
happy holidays gents. appreciate the pro-tips. i'm scouring the internet nearly every hour it seems... heck, even got my mom posting little flyers/notes around airports in NW ohio. i think she'd like to see me pursue this career/dream maybe even a little more than me!
trade-a-plane, barnstormers, controller, 265aigsalvages, craiglist, alaskalist, CCD classifieds!

merry christmas and enjoy the holiday week ahead. happy new year!
 
anyone live out in Arkansas? specifically the greater Melbourne, AR area? curious to maybe have a mechanic or someone get eyes on a plane for sale out there. thoughts?
 
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