SuperScenic Cruiser Conversions

[lvmci]

From Wade Staleys site on facebook...

[ExplEngineer]

Thank you all for the great advice. I guess I was just unaware as to how hopeless this might be.

I am neither handy, nor especially wealthy, but the bus would double as my mobile office (another great reason for wanting the segregated lower deck). When I travel, it is usually with just one other person and my service dog and my current plan is to be running beta testing on a program I am developing for other disabled veterans who may not realize the potential careers that are available for them in the GIS career field. I am double, or triple retired, for the most part, having taken "Of Counsel" status from my firm, though I do special projects and handle the needs of some of my oldest clients until I can find a partner that they really like.

Right now I have a 45' Monarch RV, which can do the job, but I really would prefer to be on a chassis that was designed from the ground up to be on the road for long-distance travel. It has helped to train me to drive a long motor home with a long trailer behind it. I am also spoiled by the 515hp Cummins that powers it. Its internal layout has some shortcomings though.

I do know how difficult it can be to find the things that I have mentally "decided that I have had to have" along the way. Looking for one of the Volpar Conversion aircraft like the ones operated by Air America that I had the opportunity to fly just often enough to learn to crave flying them broke me of the "have to have" habit. Right now I am looking for a group of partners to invest in a Jetstar (Series II)731 aircraft. Probably one of the most underrated early "business class" jets ever made, though my current partners are convincing me that that a Sabreliner is more practical [2 engines (like the first ScenicCruisers )] rather than 4 engines and less expensive to maintain, but the Jetstar, if we can find the right one, with an engines program, can be a real deal if we shop correctly. And, quite honestly I would love to have a Chinook, though not he 1957 CH-47A models with the fixed rear gear (I think our ARNG unit was the last one to own one, they couldn't even transition us into them at Ft. Rucker, we did CH-47B, C & D models but had to come back to the unit to finish our in-type quals.) & I have even got an IFR (ILS/GPS) FAA approved approach at the heliport on the ranch (not even close enough room for a runway) but I wouldn't even think about it in a Chinook except for the F-models. Unfortunately, they require a record-setting winning Powerball ticket just to fund the 4-man crew and the replacement hydraulic fluid that any Chinook helicopter can consume.

I guess that being an anachronism comes from old age. I will either keep the Monarch, or trade for an interim late-model Eagle and then keep my eyes open should I ever stumble upon a 4501 that has already been converted and that can pass a pre-purchase survey and inspection.

Again, thank you to everyone who has contributed to my discussion, and if anyone should run up upon that "mystical creature a.k.a. the properly converted SuperScenicCruiser that is in the condition necessary for extended road trips in the Rockies (MSL>10,000') please take note of my interest in same, and send me a PM before the word gets out and the bidding wars start.

[freds]

Lot of small fortunes made out large ones in aviation LOL!!!