What's the schedule for this adventure?

Ed Walker's Phoenix in Richland, spoilers open, preparing to start the engine

The "adventure" began over a year ago, when I decided to order the Phoenix after talking to a couple friends of mine about the Phoenix and how they decided get one for themselves.

Here's what's happened so far (italics mean it hasn't happened yet, and it's probably a guess):

Dec 18, 2012 - I order the glider from Jim Lee, the dealer.

May 20, 2013 - Serial number 26 (SN 26) enters production at the factory.

Oct 1 ,2013 - All production halts to deal with a problem on SN 01 (in Hawaii), apparently caused by ethanol in the gasoline, despite tanks that are sealed to prevent that problem.

Nov 1, 2013 - Production resumes.

Dec 18, 2013 - SN 26 (ours!) is finished, waiting for good weather for test flying.

Dec 31, 2013 - Glider is shipped from Bremerhaven, Germany, to the USA.

Jan 12, 2014 - Our Phoenix arrives in Miami, FL.

Jan 22, 2014 - Land transport people pull the container with the Phoenix from the ship in Miami

Jan 23, 2014 - Land transport delivers the container to Jim Lee, the dealer, in Melbourne, FL
                    - In Richland, erection of the hangar begins after a 3 month hiatus

Jan 31, 2014 - Our Phoenix goes into the avionics shop to get the "glass panel" and other instruments installed.

Feb 21, 2014 - Avionics installation appears to be around 50% completed.

Feb 28, 2014 The instrument installation is completed.

Early March, 2014 The final test flying is completed, and the glider inspected and registered in our name.

March 11,  2014 - We fly commercial to Melbourne, where we will pick up the glider, and I'll get several days of training in flying and maintaining the aircraft. With luck, the hangar at home will be finished before we return.





April 1, 2014 - We change plans: Jan will fly home commercially, Russ Owens and I will fly the Phoenix home.

 April 2-8, 2014 - Excellent adventures ensue, punctuated by days of waiting for storms to move through wherever we are.


April 9, 2014 - Russ and land in Richland! The hangar isn't done

April 10, 2014 - the Blog continues, slowly and low RPM.