Dennis Brindley

Dennis wrote "This here machine, which I have been waiting for all my life, is Piper Archer with a 180hp engine and will cruise at about 140mph in level flight and can fly for about 4 hours on a tank of gas. If you compare that with your car you will find that it comes out roughly the same in miles covered. It is a four place cockpit about the size of a Volkswagon interior and we have comfy grey leather seats. The plane is 29ft long and has a wing span of 35ft so it is rather a large machine. It takes off and lands at about 60 to 70mph and is capable of doing all maneuvers that a light plane can do but is not aerobatic. It can be flown from the left or right seat in front, usually the left, so is suitable for training. The airplane is fully equipped with all the instruments for flying in all weather conditions except icing and has all mods for extra speed,(streamlining). It also has GPS coupled to an autopilot, which is very handy to have on a long trip. Surprisingly enough, I found the plane for sale in Watsonville, and we ferried it down to its new home in Tehachapi! It is painted very nicely with white topsides and grey bottom with a couple of blue and red stripes down each side. I, We, like it very much and I am already talking to it or her, her name is Beautiful! Bob calls her Gorgeous. He cannot help it either. Club members are all welcome to have a look at her. I flew today, even though it was bumpy. Best regards. Dennis Brindley. Maybe we shall meet at the Picnic. Paso Robles or Santa Maria. (Triple Billy Goats Dennis.)"
Hanger photos were taken on a visit to Dennis and Phyllis in Fegruary 2006. The last three shots were taken with the Almaden Cycle Touring Club.

Photos by Bob Thompson