TOP’s Flying Club aircraft are looking great thanks to a fine group effort at the annual spring Wash-N-Wax. Over 20 members we’re not detered by the weather and gathered to wash, wax, and clean all four of the TOP’s aircraft from spinner to tail. It was a chilly but sunny April 27th morning with a stiff northerly breeze and temperatures only in the upper 30’s.
(To see the image gallery from the event – CLICK HERE)
Members gathered at Oakland Troy Airport at 8am bundled up in all sorts of winter attire. A warm pot of coffee, bagels, and donuts provided the fuel members needed and an antidote to the chill in the air.
The purpose of the Wash-N-Wax is to get the dirt and oil off club planes and get a fresh coat of wax on the surfaces. The plane interiors also got the attention they deserved with the winters dirt and dust removed from the carpets, seats, and other surfaces.
TOP’s maintenance director Dave Londal told us the planes look better when they are clean and added they preform a bit better too. Cleaning the surfaces and adding a fresh coat of wax may add a knot or two to airspeed and reduce fuel consumption.
Interacting with fellow club members for many is the best part of the event. Everyone took the opportunity to get reacquainted and enjoyed discussing future flying plans, recent flights, and experiences from over the winter.
The real star of the event was N182GH, our Cessna 182 and the latest addition to the TOP’s Fleet. With a new coat of wax our flagship aircraft looked great in the bright sunshine. Pilots who have not yet flown the plane had another opportunity to get up close and personal with a new friend.
Written by: Dave Scott