News Archives - Page 2 of 7 - Columbia Aircraft Sales & Service

Sun n’ Fun – Transition Day

With so many examples of fine aircraft at Sun n’ Fun it is difficult to select any one as a standout. The T33 aka Shooting Star has always been a personal favorite since my Revell model building days (I’m dating myself and many of you won’t even know what I’m talking about, but that’s OK because those who do will understand).

Developed by Lockheed from their P80, the T33 featured a longer fuselage and a second seat with flight instruments and controls. It quickly became the trainer of choice by the military for those pilots transitioning from piston to turbine aircraft. It lost its roll as a training aircraft to the more advanced T-37 and T-38’s in the mid 1960’s.

The B25 aka Mitchell Bomber is another one of those iconic staples of any airshow. Built by North American, over 10,000 were built in its four decade service run.

Founded in 1997 to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the US Air Force, the Heritage Flight formation has come to be a symbol of honor to all who have served in the USAF. The formation can include aircraft from any of the conflicts that the USAF has been involved in. We’ll see and hear more about the P51 later this week.

Also later this week…

Today was a day of transition. The temperatures are supposed to moderate (it reached 95F (35C) today). The crowds, though still light, were of the more serious nature. Even the performances seemed to be unsettled with large gaps between events and a rather slow start to the night airshow (I left after 30 minutes out of sheer boredom). After all, there are only so many loops, rolls, and hammerheads you can watch, right?But before you burn my pilots’ certificate, consider this. In reality, I think that anyone who has attended more than a few shows really goes to see the aircraft both old and new. The fact that there are some very talented and dedicated owner-pilot-restorers willing to put in the time is what makes these shows so special. This special group invests capital of both the monetary and emotional kind to bring their passion to the air and to us.

Until tomorrow, fly safe.
Ken
http://www.flysnf.org/
http://www.columbiaairservices.com/

Ken Dono Sales
Manager Columbia
Aircraft Sales, Inc.

A New Logo and New Look Ahead

(GROTON, CT – Sept. 11, 2017) There’s a story behind our new logo that we started rolling out this week. Along with the why and the what behind our new logo there’s a story about the value of experience in aviation that all pilots will understand.

The Why & The What

Like everyone else in general aviation we’re looking ahead to 2020. It’s a milestone year for the general aviation industry and for us marking the official launch of the NextGen airspace system and Columbia’s 40^th anniversary. Our company has evolved along with the industry and we wanted to reflect that in our new look.

Our name and original logo recognized our passion for aviation while honoring the seafaring heritage of our home in Groton/New London. The Cheyenne 400 aircraft and the trans-Atlantic packet ship “Columbia” each epitomized safe and speedy travel in their times. We feel that the swept wing, empennage and winglets pictured in our new logo represent both the evolution of GA and our company over the 40 years we’ve been in business.

Some trivia about our original logo: The “dot” or “hole” on the sail in was the logo of the “Black Ball Line” with the ball painted on its forward sail. In 1837 “Columbia” won $10,000 in the first recorded contest to cross the Atlantic in the shortest time. It made the voyage in 16 days beating the “Sheriden” by two days. The Cheyenne was the fastest production turboprop in the world in its day and a favorite aircraft of ours.

Because Experience Matters

As every pilot knows, no matter how you change your aircraft, your avionics or your ratings the thing that makes all the difference is experience. It’s not just the number of hours in your logbook, it’s the know-how and the ability to pass along that knowledge and sense of good judgment.

To us that means a deep, company-wide commitment to the quality of customer service. That begins with aircraft sales where our specialists make the entire selection and purchase process informative, exciting and stress-free. That customer-centric focus continues through our meticulous maintenance and avionics service.

Staff training and retention is one of the highest priorities within our company. By 2020, at least six Columbia^® Air Services, Inc. employees will have at least 30 or more years of experience with the company. We leverage that formidable knowledge base through our mentoring program to systematically pass along our culture of service, precision and safety to new employees. The company has also launched student recruitment and scholarship programs.

Commitment and Experience, that’s what our updated look means to us. We hope it signals the same to you so let us know what you think. We look forward to hearing from you.

Thank You,

Art Maurice & Harry Holt

Visit our new website! http://www.columbiaairservices.com

Happy New Year – Time for a Piper!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year from our Piper team here at Columbia Aircraft Sales! I hope that everyone is getting some flying time in despite the holidays and winter weather. That being said, spring will be right around the corner! Are you considering a Piper purchase in 2018?

New M600 Demonstrator

Our next Piper M600 demonstrator will be delivered in mid February. It will come fully optioned to show ALL of the awesome capabilities of the new Piper flagship, as well as having the new Expressions “EXP” package showing the latest in interior and exterior schemes and design. Please contact me if you would like to get on the schedule for a demo flight.

New website at Columbia

Have you been to the homepage lately? Its new, improved, and forward leaning…from one of the oldest and most experienced Piper dealers out there. Click through and check it out: http://www.columbiaairservices.com

New Tax Plan

The new tax plan recently passed will affect many and their potential options for an aircraft purchase, both new AND pre-owned. Feel free to reach out if you have additional questions or would like to move forward with a purchase in 2018. Here are the high points:

1. 100% Bonus Depreciation applicable to new and used aircraft

2. Section 179 Expensing
a. Maximum expensing increased to $1 Million
b. Phase-out threshold for deduction increased to $2.5 Million
c. Effective date is January 1, 2018, applicable to new or used aircraft

3. 1031 Exchange has been eliminated for aircraft effective January 1, 2018

Thank you for your continued interest!

2018 is shaping up to be a great year. In addition to the upcoming M600 deliveries, we will also have new M500 and M350’s delivering from Vero Beach throughout the year. For pre-owned interests please check out our webpage, we have regularly rotating inventory as trade-ins come and go. Send me a signal if you are considering!

All the best,

Clay

New Year New Piper — Clay Hammond
Piper Specialist
Columbia Aircraft Sales

2018 TBM 930 SN 1216 – New In Inventory

(GROTON, CT – Feb. 13, 2018) Columbia’s first 2018 TBM 930 arrived early January. N930ZD features a pilot door and the Daher Elite Edition seating. Every place it lands the reaction has been the same, “WOW!” The exterior colors of Grey Metal over Black and Blue are striking and give the aircraft incredible ramp appeal.

The fully integrated Garmin G3000 includes the Garmin G710 autopilot, SatPhone, Wx Radar, XM Weather and music, TAWS, Traffic, ADS-B In/Out, Flight Data Recorder, Safe Taxi and Daher’s e-Copilot. e-Copilot adds protection modes in pitch and bank, EDM (emergency descent mode), an Angle of Attack indicator, stick shaker, voice alerts and the Garmin Flight Stream 510. N930ZD is RVSM ready and comes with a one year complimentary Jeppesen subscription.

The interior is the Black Diamond Edition with full leather heated seats, contrasting leather side walls and carbon trim finish on the table and panel insets. Each seat has its own fresh air vent and LED light. The TBM 930 features a dual zone environmental system allowing passengers and crew to independently control their own heat and air-conditioning. Pilot and co-pilot seats are equipped with airbag seat belts.

Every new TBM includes one of the strongest warranty programs in the industry covering all major systems, engine, propeller and avionics for 5 years. In addition, the TBM Care Program covers the costs of scheduled maintenance and annual inspections up to the 5th Annual or 1000 hours. Two training vouchers are included for factory training at Simcom. For a complete set of specifications click the link below to our website.

I’d enjoy the opportunity to provide you with an up close look at the incredible aircraft. I look forward to speaking and flying together soon.

Fly safe.

Ken

http://www.columbiaaironline.com/plane/2018_daher_socata_tbm_930-2/

Sun n’ Fun or Rain n’ Pain?

Usually I take so many photos of the daily events at Sun n’ Fun that I’m up into the early morning hours deciding which to use and then attempting to write some clever copy about it. Opening day of Sun ‘n Fun 2018 did not create any such problem for reasons you will soon understand.

The morning dawned overcast with low fog typical of a close temperature and dew point. As the early morning Sun worked it’s magic burning off the fog it began to look like the day would turn out well. But the reprieve was short lived. By 11am the skies over Lakeland opened into a deluge of water, wind, thunder and lightning. (For those of us who were in the static display during the Sun ‘n Fun tornado of March 2011 there were certainly some moments of deja vu.) Though the radar imagery showed a strong line of storms it looked as if the balance of the weather would pass north. This happy thought was soon proven to be just wishful thinking. Behind this initial line were several other cells that continued to dump rain and lightning over Lakeland for most of the afternoon.

With only the most dedicated air show goers wandering around (meaning those who could only get a one day pass or those who were totally oblivious to their surroundings) there was nothing to do but shut down the aircraft and watch the events outside from the relative comfort inside the Daher trailer. By 4pm most all of the static displays had shut down giving up the fight with Mother Nature.

Every morning during Sun ‘n Fun the AeroShell team takes a few lucky enthusiasts through several of the maneuvers that they use during their air show performance. The AeroShell team were the only performers to fly today which makes me wonder, were they just trying to escape the weather…

The weather for the balance of the week looks good with plenty of sun. Hopefully, it will dry out the ground enough to keep the mud down to a tolerable level (it sure makes the inside of an aircraft look less attractive).

On a much sadder note, as most of you already know, their was a tragic accident last week involving two of the US Air Force Thunderbird aircraft leading to the death of one of their pilots. The thoughts of the entire aviation community are with these fine airman and their families.

Until tomorrow, fly safe.

Ken

https://www.flysnf.org/

SUN’ n FUN 2018

Are you going to SUN’ n FUN 2018?

For the longest time it appeared that winter would never end here in the northeast. But as it always does, the snow has finally melted and the temperatures have reached a “toasty” 50 degrees during the day !

Another sure sign of the changing seasons is the annual spring event in Lakeland, FL – the Sun ‘n Fun International Fly-In Expo. This years @SunnFunFlyIn will take place from Tuesday, April 10th through Sunday, April 15th. In addition to the many seminars, workshops and static aircraft displays, each day will feature an airshow including some of the best of the aerobatic, vintage and military aircraft from around the world. Certainly one of the highlights of this year’s event will be the return to Sun ‘n Fun on Friday and Saturday of the US Air Force Thunderbirds.

As always, I’ll be there with my camera taking photos and delivering a daily blog. When I’m not taking photos, you’ll find me next to the TBM at the Daher Aircraft display.

Hope that you can join me.

Fly safe.

Ken

Sales Manager, Columbia Aircraft Sales, Inc.

https://www.flysnf.org/

http://www.columbiaaircraftsales.com

Sun n’ Fun – Military Showcase

Sun n’ Fun – Military Showcase

Let’s face it, we’re all airplane junkies. We say we love going to airshows to see the latest in aviation gadgets and to be among others who feel the same. After all who doesn’t like a wrist GPS that not only tells you where you are but where you got lost and how to navigate to the next Starbucks using Victor Airways. Or perhaps it’s the new noise reduction headset so quiet you can hear the neurons in your brain fire in excitement as you put it on. And for sure we go to airshows for the culinary experience found only at such events (this is a topic unto itself and deserves a blog of its own).

But the reality is we go to airshows to look at, be close to and surround ourselves with airplanes. I’ll for sure get myself in trouble for this but I’ll go out on a limb and say that the majority of us go to airshows to see military aircraft. There is something special about these aircraft touch us on many levels. They are nostalgic yet futuristic. We are in awe of their technological innovations yet we understand where they came from. They appeal to our national pride and satisfy our hidden dream of being Tom Cruise in Top Gun buzzing the tower.

For the airplane junkie in us all, find below a few of my favorites. I hope you enjoy.

Despite the afternoon clouds it was a great day for an airshow. The weather for Sunday looks marginal at best. Even in its abbreviated format I don’t think there will be much flying. Tomorrow will be the better day. Until Then, Fly Safe!

https://www.flysnf.org/

Sun n’ Fun 2018 – Sun, Blue Skies & Airplanes!

That is what it’s supposed to be, yes? After the total wash out of yesterday’s event everyone was eager to make up for lost time. And, what better way to do that than with an F16 “screaming” across the show line to open today’s airshow. No one could possibly have had the mid afternoon sleepies after the first pass.

The F16 above was from the Air Combat Command F-16 Viper Demonstration Team. They are one of several performers being sent by the US Air Force to fill the spots left open after the Air Force cancelled the performances by the USAF Thunderbirds. More photos later in the week…

Not long after the F16 landed the crowds were treated to a very different experience, that of silence. Luca Bertossio, winner of many of international glider competitions, demonstrated that an aircraft doesn’t need thousands of pounds of thrust or near supersonic speeds to execute precision aerobatic maneuvers.

Embry Riddle is to aviation as Harvard or Yale are to the Ivy Leagues. Without taking anything away from any of their many graduates (did you know that there are over 20,000 ER graduates currently flying for the airlines?) Mat Chapman is perhaps the most visible representative of that institutions outstanding alumni. His performance never fails to make one ask, how does he do that?

If the thought of pulling G’s in an Extra 300 isn’t for you, then how about a bit more “civilized” aerobatic ride? Gene Koontz makes it look easy as he takes his Super Decathlon through a series of low altitude low g maneuvers. It may look easy, but don’t try this at home…

Quick, name the aircraft that was originally made of wood, was the first jet to cross the Atlantic, the first to be powered by a single jet engine, remained in front line service into the early 1950’s and remained in active service until 1966 after which over 3300 were produced? If you guessed the de Havilland Vampire you are correct. It was an integral part of the Royal Air Force’s move to replace many of the WWII piston powered aircraft and played an active role as an interceptor until 1953. It’s twin booms and fuselage shape give it a very distinctive profile both on the ground and in the air.

As I mentioned in yesterdays blog, choosing which photos to use can be daunting. Today was one of those days where I filled an entire 128GB memory card and started a second! If you think making a selection from a restaurant menu is challenging you should try sorting through a few hundred digital images. Hope you enjoyed my choices… https://www.flysnf.org/

Fly safe.

Sun n’ Fun 2018 – The Goldilocks Effect’ Fun 2018 – The Goldilocks Effect

Sun n’ Fun 2018 – The Goldilocks Effect

Everyone knows that when you go to the theater you don’t want to sit too close to the stage or too far left or right. Depending on the sport you may want to sit at center court or behind the goal. Well, this is all fine and dandy for events that take place on Mother Earth. Events that are, more or less, two dimensional.

But what happens when you go to an airshow like Sun n’ Fun, where the action takes place well above terra firma, that is, we add a third dimension? Is there really a “just right” place to view the event? Should you be on the flight line? How about in a comfortable chair that allows you to lean back to look skyward (holding your favorite beverage of course)? Or maybe somewhere above ground level? Is there really a Goldilocks seat?

I’ll let you decide.

Ground Level

On the Flightline

The view from an observation platform.

Sitting back looking skyward (use your imagination for the beverage). Sun n' Fun 2018

So, where would you choose?

For me, the real advantage of adding that third dimension is that any choice is a good choice. Because the venue is so large and most all of the action takes place overhead, just about every seat is a good seat (even if you’re sitting behind the lady with the big hat).

Of course, if you don’t agree, you could camp out the night before to get space directly behind the fence close to the flight line next to a porta-potty (which is quite ripe after a day in the sun). Or you could pay big bucks to sit in a “VIP” area (behind the same fence) on uncomfortable plastic folding chairs with 150 other guests who are also asking themselves why they spent money to be herded into an area the size of a third grade classroom in the direct sun with no facilities. Neither of these options has any appeal to me.

I’ll confess that I do have the advantage (I think its an advantage) of being at an airshow for several days. Through incredible mental deduction and complex statistical analysis (watch out Einstein), I’ve figured out that on any given day the format of an airshow or static event is essentially the same. This gives me the opportunity to plan where I think I should be to get the best views. In reality however, I’m often just looking for comfortable place out of the sun and this usually works.

The moral of the story is that you’ll always get the best seat in the house. Because, at an airshow, every seat is a Goldilocks seat.

Fly safe.

Ken

https://www.flysnf.org/

SnF18 – Wrapping Up

Today was my last day at Sun ‘n Fun. In place of the usual observations that I’ve made in previous “last day” blogs I thought I’d share of a few of the things that made my week.

Problem Solved

Some very ingenious exhibitor finally figured out a way to get small children with lemonade
fingers, muddy shoes and chocolate covered shorts away from their aircraft. This full bypass engine travels around the event stopping occasionally to open its door to eat, no I meant to take the little darlings to some undisclosed location. Now, if only they could build a bigger one to take away the kids parents… Not a bad idea, eh?

SnF18

Pride of Ownership

Give most owners a chance and they will quickly bore you to tears about their aircraft. But as you walk the show you will find some of the best looking (and running) aircraft are kept by a different class of owner. This is the owner who spends both of his weekend days off and most evenings tending to the details that make his/her aircraft truly stand out without their having to brag on it. Walking around early one morning I found this owner carefully wiping the dust and evening dew from his aircraft. With a little prompting he shared his name and even allowed me to this this photo. It was a wonderful encounter that made my morning.

One for the Good Guys

We all know that in the movies, the bad guys always have the fastest cars, coolest equipment and slick hide-a-ways. But, one look at this made me think that the good guys may actually have the edge this time. CBP (Customs and Border Patrol) displayed several pieces of equipment that makes me glad I’m on this side of the law, which is not unlike the feeling I get when I watch an F16 or an F22 do its thing. I’m not a boat person but I’m guessing that this bad boy needs to keep close proximity to a fuel tanker…

SnF18

When Pigs Fly

“When Pig’s Fly” is one of the more fun showings during the Saturday morning balloon launch. In addition to the pig this year saw Elsie the Cow and several other themed balloons make the early morning launch. The launch is definitely worth seeing but be warned! If you want to get a good viewing spot you’ll need to be at the launch site no later than 6:30am (I know, way too early).

SnF18 SnF18

Sun ‘n Fun has become a major event that brings together aviation enthusiasts (aka aviation junkies) from around the world. It also allows us northern folk to defrost for a week in the Florida sun. I hope that you’ve enjoyed these short posts as much as I’ve enjoyed putting them together. Thanks for coming along for the ride.

Until next time, fly safe.

Ken