How do you bring an airplane home that hasn’t flown in years? Easy! Take the wings off and stuff it into a box truck. How hard could it be?

There, that wasn’t too bad was it?

Lessons learned:

• Take more cushioning materials than you think you’ll need. Wrapping your aircraft in dirty laundry isn’t cool.
• U-Haul can cancel or change your reservation at any time. Be prepared for it if you schedule a one-way trip. Or go with the flow and enjoy an extra night away from home with that special someone.
• I’ve always had a deep respect for truck drivers as I believe it’s a job I wouldn’t last in. Got even more now as this 26′ truck is the largest I’ve ever captained. (What do you guys/ gals do while refueling?) OK, it’s not that bad, but noticeably different from the daily grind in commuter vehicles.
• Don’t try to remove an airplane from your box truck on Christmas Eve. While you have the family coming over. And a house to clean. A mantle to finish building. And presents to wrap. (i.e. Place in bags.)
• Above all, if I ever buy a non-flying airplane again, I’m paying someone else to do it. The people who do this for a living are worth their fee and the aggravation saved.

“It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.”

Ernest Hemingway