"I love Around the world in a Staggerwing | D-17S Beechcraft | Captain Biff Windsock | William M. Charney | Reno, NV"

2022-10-22 04:58:30

HomeAbout Captain BiffStaggerwing HistoryRecommended BooksLinks/ResourcesNews & ArticlesBlogContactSite MapWings of Hope2011 Nobel Peace PrizeNomineeFounded in 1962, Wings of Hope serves more than 1,000,000 people yearly at over 150 bases in the U.S. and in more than 40 countries.Wings of Hope is a non-sectarian, non-political, non-racial, international Humanitarian organization working to bring self-sufficiency to people in need.You can help:- Become a member- Make a donation- VolunteerLearn more...www.wings-of-hope.orgThanks to Mr. J. W. Engel of Handel-Jij Noviol BV (Netherlands) for sponsoring the oil needs of the Red Rockette during her European journeys.His assistance is very much appreciated. See the Phillips Aviation fuel/oil link at www.kendall.nl. The Bad Elf, Powers 5 multiple GPS unitsWilliam Michael Charney01 August 1935 - 05 January 2022The family and close friends of Bill Charney, a/k/a Captain Biff, regret that they must report his recent passing. As his many friends around the world and followers on this website know, Bill was a "citizen of the world-wide aviation community." His joy with his aviation pursuits broadly, and his flight to circumnavigate the world in his beloved 1944 D17S "Staggerwing," was infectious with the many who participated vicariously through this site. Bill asked that this web-site remain up for at least one year after his passing. It is the hope of his family that the many with whom he has crossed paths will remember him kindly, and continue to support his favorite charity - Wings of Hope.Latest Blog post: "Ukraine summer fly-in" - 3/18/13. Where is Captain Biff &the Red Rockette today?[Red Rockette's location][Capt Biff's Flight Path]Location pinpointed on the world map by the Track Plus system. and Great Circle MapperCopyright © Karl L. Swartz.Windsock takes to the skyThe Short StoryMy story really began when I was eight years old. I had been smitten by the Staggerwing type.  I was 58 years old before I could afford one—only a moderate 50 year wait.It's hard to explain my fascination with the Staggerwing. I think it best said in the book entitled "The Staggerwing", written by R. Smith. The experience within goes like this:"I walked into an open hangar the other day, alongside all the modern, shiny, all-metal jobs there was a Staggerwing. She is a rare site. When you see one, you know you are in the presence of one of the great ones.We all know she has no soul—she is an inanimate object made of steel, plywood and spruce. But in the dark, silent, hangar, surrounded by tricycle landing gears and sleek aluminum, the Staggerwing sits in profound majestic grace.For an instant, you are part of the past—you hear her low pitched, rumbling Wasp engine, you see her wingtips trembling in the gray light of an early dawn. She is a Queen, ruling quietly over her domain and like all royalty, she has no need to speak to prove her claim to the throne—it is a fact accepted by all who see her.People walking through the hangar idly glance at the other aeroplanes, but when they pass the Staggerwing, they stop. And their eyes go slowly over her—from the big radial cowling to the rapidly tapering fuselage, to the rounded fin and rudder, then back to the negatively staggered wings with their graceful struts, their steel brace wires, and their elliptical tips.They walk around her slowly and one asks, what is it? The other replies, I have never seen one before. They speak in hushed tones, as one does in the presence of a Queen. They stay one minute of perhaps five, then they leave, walking slowly.Outside the hangar, in the sunlight, they turn for one last look, their faces serious and filled with awe. They have been int he presence of one of the great ones".And so my adventure began—Flying around the world in Staggerwing.The aircraft was purchased late in my flying career.   The aircraft was well worn when I purchased it and I knew I had to either fly it until it was worn out, then trade it or rebuild it.  I did fly it for a few years until restoration was finally necessary.I chose to rebuild this machine for several reasons.The journey began April 2009• New Zealand• Norfolk Island• Lord Howe Island• Australia• U.S. for summer '09• Australia in winter• Indonesia• Viet Nam*• Cambodia• Thailand• Burma (Myanmar)**• India• Middle East• Europe• North Atlantic* Refused entry** No timeI had been traveling to New Zealand for a number of years and had the good fortune to meet many fine aviators in the vintage airplane movement during those visits.I had taken part in several vintage aircraft events there and time and again had seen the workmanship of a small company, the Croydon Aircraft Company, of Mandeville, NZ (near Gore), way down near the bottom of the South Island. They had never worked on a Staggerwing before but I made the decision to let them have a go at restoring their first Beechcraft product.  Maybe others would come to them after this one.The restoration is now complete after 3 years of final test flying and modifications.An extra year of delay was incurred due to the poor judgement used by an American engine restoration company during the Pratt & Whitney R-985 engine restoration process.  The engine had been restored in the US prior to shipping the entire aircraft to NZ for airframe restoration.Without going into detail, the engine required a good deal of disassembly and restoration of work that had been poorly completed in the first place.  This work was completed in NZ without compensation from the original engine remanufacturer.More test flying after the engine work was completed proved that the engine was now ready for long range flying.Finally, on 9 April, 2009, after being in NZ for 8 years, she was ready to begin the long journey home . . . westbound . . . the long way 'round.Continue the Journey with Captain Biff on 'Journaling the Journey'.A Big Day in the Life of the Red RocketteThe Red Rockette wins the Freddie March Spirit of Aviation, September 12, 2012.Let me share my favorite charity with you. As a donor of Wings of Hope you are helping to serve Humanity around the globe, as well as within the United States. Our headquarters is the base of the free Medical Relief & Air Transport Program that locates health care for children with birth defects and adults with advanced health issues. We also provide air ambulance transportation to those patients with little hope, giving them an opportunity for - Life. Every donation helps save lives and changes the world! Globally, Wings of Hope provides a variety of services to the poor in remote regions such as South America, Africa, India, Nicaragua and Cambodia. We have served the poor at 157 bases in 47 countries throughout our 50+ year history providing programs with a focus on health care, education, sustainable foods and community development. Home|Contact|Privacy|Site MapCopyright © William M. Charney. All rights reserved.