VIKING of the MONTH
December 2003
"Miss December"
N93634 is a 1973 17-30A owned by Jim Sinke & Barbara Rose
This Viking is based in Lawrenceville, GA (LZU)
Home Away From Home!
Jim writes: “Having a pilots license for 25 years now, and longing to be in the realm of 'owners', we began to search for our first airplane. Cross-country capability was first and foremost in our decision. We looked at Bonanzas, Mooneys, Comanches and several others in the spam can environment. We came across the VikingChat group and lurked behind the scenes for quite awhile, searching the archives. What a great group of people. We became convinced the Viking was our first choice - fast, strong, stable, fast, smooth, very responsive, fast, good looking, powerful and did we mention fast? As well, the best bang for the buck in the market. Our search was driven financially and upgrades can come in time. What we wanted was a safe pair of wings.”
“We found just exactly what we were looking for - a somewhat abused Viking - needing a good home and some TLC. She did come with a very nice recent interior. Pre-buy was done at Miller, price negotiated, purchase completed and 'let the repairs begin'. We are now responsible for N93634 and have named her Victoria (Miss Vicki). We elected to start from scratch with a fresh annual, although not due for six months. Nothing went untouched. All airworthy items were taken care of and several must have items complete. All recurring ADs that could end were ended with the appropriate kits (except 75-20-06 tail tube AD). Engine got a top, new oil and fuel lines, gear completely overhauled (new o/c springs), alternator including new bracket and pulley, hydraulic pump overhaul, brakes complete including new rotors, new tires and tubes, all new glass & glare shield, electric inflatable door seal and several more items addressed. We feel very safe to have all this done. We have acquired some used King avionics to upgrade the panel from the old Narco stuff, dual KX-155's (with 209A indicators for GPS), KT-79 digital transponder, KMA-24 audio panel. Vicki came with a KR-86 ADF, KN-62A DME and a KLN-89 GPS. We are still debating (saving for) which GPS to upgrade to, but soon she will have an all digital panel. For market value - we still have some room left to address paint - and still break even. At first we considered ourselves to be 'plane broke', but now consider ourselves to be very 'Bellanca rich'.”
“We attended the fly-in at Natchitoches, LA this last month. This was our first and now we are addicted. Great people, these Bellanca Owners! We are proud to have our names in the same air. Can't wait to fly to yet unknown destinations, meet more great people, and have fun dancing with the clouds. We just love our Miss Vicki and know we made the right decision. Life is good. Our only regret...we should have done this a long time ago!”
Jim can be reached at:
gjsinke@bellsouth.net
Picture YOUR Airplane Here!
Send me photos and some history about your Viking, and I'll place it on this page for all Bellanca Fans to see! Snail mail photos to: 3741 N. Forgeus Ave, Tucson, AZ 85716 (all photos will be returned promptly)...or e-mail .jpg files to:
Vikingdrvr@att.net
Previous "Vikings of the Month"
N 1285R...Don Ames' 1972 Turbo Viking
N 93570...Larry Smalley's 1973 17-31A
N 39819...Jim Howell's 1973 17-30A
N 4081B...Tom Binder's 1975 17-31ATC
N 4052B...The DeFoe's 1976 17-30A
N 28067...Craig Gifford's 1979 17-30A
N 6578V...James Gryder's 1970 17-31ATC
N 93554...Troy Foster's 1974 17-31ATC
N 110CB...RJ Lint's 1974 17-30A
N 6639V...Michael Waiwood's 1970 17-30A
N 147PH...Ron Bianchi's 1974 17-30A
N 7379V...Bob & Bette Nixon's 1969 17-30
N 7358V...Troy Foster's 1969 17-31TC
N 8811V...Jeremy Reiley's 1971 17-30A
N 9996V...Lee Moore's 1971 17-30A
N 14732...Lynn Walker's 1975 17-30A
CFMJT...Eric Hansen's 1974 17-31ATC
N 4101B...Peter Knize & John Sullivan's 1974 17-31ATC
N 8229R...Bill Dudley's 1972 17-30A
N 4851V...Carl Fleece's 1968 17-30
N 7300V...Lee McGee's 1969 17-30
N 8281R...Victor Catalanotto's 1972 17-30A
N 228CM...Curtis Hannay's 1973 17-31ATC
N 8842V...Richard Dews' 1971 17-30A
N 28058...Rex Warren's 1978 17-30A
N 77TV...Tim Averett's 1977 17-31ATC
N 9782E...Walt Peasley & Greg Treager's 1977 17-30A
N 4062B...Russell and Rusty Viers' 1975 17-31ATC
N 4935V...Hal Schroeder's 1969 17-30
N 8229R...Bill Dudley's 1972 17-30A
N 14798...Earl Gault's 1974 17-30A
N 39862...Craig Schwab's 1973 17-30A
N 8231R...Mike Carr's 1972 17-30A
N 281SV...Fred Olson's 2000 17-30A
N 28055...John Hartnell's 1979 17-30A
N 327CP...Jeff Baker's 1973 17-30A
N 6712V...Tom & Laurie Cox's 1970 17-30A
N 8813V...Bob & Bette Nixon's 1971 17-30A
N 5683U...Dean & Demita Crofford's 1973 17-30A
N 4137B...William Bruu's 1975 17-30A
N 73KP...Ross Seabrooke's 1973 17-31A
N 200EB...Frank Waltman's 1978 17-31ATC
N 89EL...Don and Shirlee Shapansky's 1989 17-30A
N 8862V...Mark Rooney's 1972 17-31ATC
N 28022...Frank Ayers' 1978 17-30A
N 93710...Tom & Dee Null's 1973 17-31A
N 14696... Dewey & Darla Elsik's 1974 17-31ATC
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