The aircraft has been in storage for a number of years and Doedo will now fly the 40 hours required by the FAA before the Bucker can be flown without restriction.
I had a great time flying George's Bücker. It is the nicest looking Jungmann I have ever seen and the workmanship is true to George's Ball aerospace background. This plane is better in all aspects then a CASA Jungmann. Every little part has been rebuilt or built by George with an attention to detail more fitting for a fine Swiss watch. The master switch is home designed and built and looks like a Ball satellite part ready to go in space. The lever for the tail wheel steering has very satisfying positive over center lock and has an identical lever below it for the tow hitch release. Much nicer then the original. George built the luggage compartment opening so it also covers the first aid kit space. The tail wheel steering cables have been re engineered to allow for modern cable swagged hardware. The gear fairings are aluminum but are shaped like the fabric covered ones. The whole plane is full of little engineering surprises. Its is a master piece.
George lives at a private airstrip with an actual grass runway. Getting to do the first flight of grass was perfect.Flying the plane was great fun and I was totally confident it would work out well. To stack the odds, I did wear my flight suit and a parachute. I had just flown our Jungmann that has a very similar weight and engine configuration. Flying George's was very similar. The biggest difference that all speeds now are in miles while we still fly metric. I look forward to the next flights.
Doedo