Thanks: 
Likes: Thank God you're ok, Bill! Glad you were well prepared!
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Thank God you're ok, Bill! Glad you were well prepared!
Sent from my LG-D850 using Tapatalk
Glad you're safe...
Last edited by bigrenna; 05-13-2016 at 06:57 PM.
x2Originally Posted by bigrenna
Bill, just view this as an opportunity to make any changes/improvements that you want to while its apart. You'll be back in the air in no time. Glad you're OK!
Bill, your our buddy, none of us knows what happened or why it happened, all we know is that it happened to someone we care dearly about. Your hurting about what happened so we are hurting with you. All we really care about is that you are ok.
Glenn
"Optimism is going after Moby Dick in a rowboat and taking the tartar sauce with you!"
Bill after talking to you at the show I am so sad to here about this, like everyone else though I am very glad you came out OK. I hope it all works out good with your recovery of your cub.
best wishes and again glad your ok.
John Pex
72A
Empathy is your pain in our heart. Lots of empathy for you here. When you get around to reading all the comments I hope it eases the pain a little. We met in OSH and you kindly gave some time to talk and show off your Cub. Can't even imagine but glad you're ok.
Very sorry to what happened to you and your pride and joy. The most and very important part is you are ok.
Your blessed Bill. All your friends here are pulling for you.
Very Blessed.
Borrowed computer which I don't know how to use. Thank you all for your support during this humiliating, embarrassing, difficult time. From the highest of highs to the lowest of lows in about 3 seconds. God Bless you all. Very busy now trying to recover acft, and make flyable. More when I have time and a new computer.
Humbly and Blessed by your support
Bill
Very Blessed.
Bill,
You are a class act. Few in this pool would have the composure and ability to share, communicate and look forward. I wouldn't. I am praying you are airborne soon and am moved by your spirit. Enough said
“We sleep safely in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm.”
Bill:
We all are living your adventure...ups and downs....all part of it. We are sitting at home drinking coffee while you are out "doing" Don't ever be embarrassed. You are the hero here.
We are all blessed by knowing you.
Mike
Light Hauler
A thought of encouragement, Sir:
THE MAN IN THE ARENA
Excerpt from the speech "Citizenship In A Republic"
delivered at the Sorbonne, in Paris, France on 23 April, 1910
download PDF of complete speech
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.
Theodore Roosevelt
whats that left boot cowl damage from? bent tubes hiding? or from flipping it back over?
Didn't even break the windshield - good! Great to see it right side up on its feet!
Gordon
N4328M KTDO
Great to see so many positives so far! Incredible recovery.
Just let us know when we can start the good natured ribbing about methods of washing aircraft
Takes a very strong person to be the one leading so many. You may stumble, but we are there willing to help you continue any time. I, and I think many others, envy you. You have and are doing. A stumble along the way is expected when you do.
I don't know where you've been me lad, but I see you won first Prize!
You have been in my family prayers....awesome to see you back. Bill keep the faith brother.
Very glad to hear you are ok Bill, and by the looks of those photos, you'll be back in the air soon. lots of positive energy coming your way.
all the very best,
Phil
Bill, just got my computor back on line and had this news staring me in the face. Sorry for your misfortune. Glad to see that you have retrieved your pride and joy, and are working to get it going again. God bless you. You have been an inspiration to me, and continue to be. As you already know the hurt will pass and lessons learned. Be well. Jon
Last edited by jon s. blocker; 05-14-2016 at 10:44 PM. Reason: spelling
Bill, Your Boots may be full of water but they are Still On! You have Allot more living ahead of You. I owe allot of my Cub knowledge to your kind, yet strong instruction both in flying and building. When your return to this epic adventure is over and camp fire story's remain, I know you will be once again be fixing any damage that remains. Please know that My Aircraft Keys will always be available to you while your working on yours. Glad Your Okay. Greg
Folks
Once again I am humbled by your kindness and support. I am typing this on a borrowed iPad look alike thing so it is a challenge. I lost all computer, iPad, camera, and phone. Unfortunately, Ketch does not have Verizon, nor does anyone sell Mac computers here, so it took a couple of days to sort all that out, and order (online) replacements. But of course my back up "Timemachine" is at home so even when I get a phone and computer I will still be pretty handicapped. My sister and Buck have really been lifesavers. Literally and figuratively. Joe Hicks at Temsco Helicopters has bent over backwards to help and has been awesome. The first two days were all about salvage. Long hours rounding up people and equipment. The next two days were all about trying to get the engine running and dried out. Focus on the most expensive items first. But while doing all that a long way from home where you don't know anyone you must try to salvage the instruments, dry out gear, lube the shotgun so it doesn't rust, get those seats out so they don't mildew, by the way the FAA and NTSB want a good chunk of your time, find a place to sleep, get a rent a car, eat, talk to mom and family (they want to hear your voice), borrow tools (my tool kit was salvaged and has been great), just sooooo much to do and it all needs to be done NOW.
I did manage to get the Pmags working and ran the engine yesterday. Runs great. Checked for prop damage - none, rod damage, none, etc etc. As Stewart posted in another thread, the electrics will now be the biggest bugaboo.
Working round the clock so no time to post. When I get back on my feet (floats) I will post everything that I've learned to try to help others. Folks - I've lost all contacts, etc and still do not have a real phone (using a Wal-Mart by the minute thing) or computer. If you have contacted me and I've not responded please don't hold it against me. I will try to get back to you when I get back to the real world.
I refuse to quit or give up. Lord willing, I'll get back, and continue to post, and try to help when I can. There is much to share, both inspirational and informational. Equipment list, planning, survival, routes, photos, videos(depending on what I can recover) a really cool video of the helicopter lift out of the lake, etc. it just takes time, a computer, and good internet, all of which I'm lacking right now.
God Bless and Thank you
Bill
Very Blessed.
Best wishes for a successful completion of your adventure.
Last edited by stewartb; 05-15-2016 at 02:53 PM.
To Bill Rusk,
Being a fellow Air Force fighter pilot, you either come equipped with an ego or are issued one. I want to tell you, as a fellow Brother in Arms, that I feel your pain.
This transition into the taildragger world has been a humbling experience. I haven't shared this publicly. but wish to do so now.
On Nov 4 of 2015, I was practicing my short field landings at X58. Thinks were going pretty well, but being a type A personality, I wanted more.
Actually, I blame the whole thing on Bobby Breedon. Just a short time before, he had given me a demo with me in the back seat. The young man has a gift and I was trying to match it.
To make a long story short, I stood Miss P on her nose. Heel brakes have been a huge challenge for me. It is a combination of being 6'4" tall and having no experience with them. I was almost stopped and gave one last mighty heave on the brakes. I was over before I knew what happened. The engine was at idle and bent my new Borer prop as it embedded itself in the dirt.
Luckily I was fine but in disbelief. The shoulder harness did its job. It is a bit difficult to get out when you are at a 60 degree angle.
The worst thing was having to walk a mile for help to recover the plane. I kept looking back at her with her tail in the air and praying that another plane would not show up.
The damage was a minor dent in the lower cowl. Since the engine had 1700 hours SMOH, I decided to go with an overhaul and address some of the things I wanted to change.
The worst damage was to my belief that I am the finest pilot in the world!! Oh how the mighty have fallen.
In conclusion brother, you have lived to fight another day.
Sierra Hotel!!
Last edited by Eddie Foy; 05-15-2016 at 03:00 PM.
"Put out my hand and touched the face of God!"
Great to hear from you Bill. It's a GoodThing that your prob's are just stuff being wet. Make sure everything works, & continue your adventure. Sounds like you got your composure back, good on ya!
Thoughts and prayers with you my friend
Steve
Hey Bill! Glad to hear that you're getting things sorted out. Hang in there buddy! We're thinking of you!
Joe
Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat
Bill, sorry to read about your miss hap.. You are up for the task I am sure. I am saying a prayer for you
Last edited by jaypratt; 05-18-2016 at 07:27 PM.
Jay Pratt
Paul Revere, Borrowed Horse, & Shooter
Folks
Thank you again for your support, it certainly means the world to me right now. I worked pretty hard for several days, and had just a little stress, and as a result I got sick. So, unfortunately I slowed down a little. I slept pretty much all day yesterday and did not get anything done. I was able to work a little today and got most of the sheet-metal straightened out to at least serviceable condition. Day before yesterday I ran the engine a couple more times and feel good about that. I have been very fortunate that I have been able to salvage most of my electronics. To include, electric trim, nav lights, strobe lights, transponder, Intercom, radio, Grand Rapids flight display, EIS, AHARS, master relay, and the P mags. I received a new set of P mags and will exchange the ones that I fixed for the new ones and have the others overhauled. Just to make sure that I have good magnetos.
I have a few parts on order, and owe a great debt of gratitude to Buck Wyndham, Dr. Randy Corfman and Jay DeRosier for all of their help. It seems that some bills have somehow been "taken care of". To all who may be involved in this conspiracy - thank you!! I will have to go home for a few days to work and take care of business at home, and then I will return June 1, hopefully at that time all of my parts will be here, and DW is going to come out and we should be able to put the airplane back together and be flying by the fourth or fifth of June. And barring any additional problems I anticipate getting back on schedule and continuing my vacation.
When I get home and get my computer sorted out I will try to start a thread on this trip to maybe share some of the adventure and perhaps inspire a few people (in spite of the mishap) to make a journey like this.
I honestly did not think very many people would be interested in following my goofy summer vacation and so I had a fairly select, small group of people that had access to my tracker, my emails, and updates along with photos and videos.
But, as usual, I hope to post some things that will be useful, and helpful to others, rather than simply "this is my vacation".
I hope to share what I have learned, sometimes expensively or painfully, so that you can learn without the associated cost.
In other words "hope this helps"
More in a few days when I get home.
Bill
Very Blessed.
So great to hear your reports buddy! Keep the spirit! Just awesome your ok and full of experience!
AKT
Bill,
You are getting the "full meal deal" with this adventure! See you and DW in a couple of weeks, and we can do some fishing then.
Hope you are feeling better soon, and glad things are coming together for you down there.
I don't know where you've been me lad, but I see you won first Prize!
Bill
Like everyone else here, I have followed this with my breath held. Hearing you were unhurt and now can talk of getting back in the air soon, we all can finally breathe! Life has lots of twists and turns, but you have shown that you know how to straighten them out. You are an inspiration to all.
Praying for you and your next adventure!
Lou
Hang in there Bill,
I have been following along also. Let me know if you need anything from SW.
Jerry
If the pilot fears to test his skills with the elements, he has chosen the wrong profession.....Lindbergh
Folks
If you did not see it I have started a thread on the trip. I am still working on it, so it is locked while I get some pictures properly linked in and get it all sorted out, but I will open it up for comments, and add to it for the rest of the trip, which will probably end around the time of Oshkosh.
http://www.supercub.org/forum/showth...to-Alaska-2016
Hope you find some useful info, or entertainment, or inspiration, or all of the above
Bill
Very Blessed.
Bill leave your float trip locked, that was or still is YOUR trip. Look at it like a book to read. Comments or questions could be made on another thread. Just a opinion.
Bill,
I've followed your Javron build like it was a great novel, and it pains me to see your plane upside down in a lake. However, as many on here have expressed, thank the Lord you made it through. Planes can be replaced - people cannot. 'nuff said. We are all extremely grateful for your well-being.
John
Totally agree, and suggested to SJ and Bill to do just that. I am glad they made that happen. I would suggest that those comments and questions would be best posted on http://www.supercub.org/forum/showth...l-Rusk-aviator!
Randy
"Keep enjoying that little airplane, and keep us posted as to your adventures. Your willingness to post all aspects of your travels, even the not so fun parts, is a valuable service to all pilots. Would that we were all as open and willing to share our experiences, no matter how hard earned. Good on you."
from mvivion, in the closed thread where Bill has his plane flying already.
Go Bill!!! and go little Javron supercub.
Thanks Bill, I'm building an Airframes Alaska wide body now, and after reading your post, and doing some research, I called Jay today and ordered this same floorboards and baggage
brekkeaerial
Congrats on the build. And thank you for the kind words. Glad I could help.
Bill
Very Blessed.
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