Flew 8KQ Today

Well, the weather hasn't been cooperating very willingly here in northern Idaho. There's been plenty to do on the ground, but sooner or later we need to fly the plane to confirm all its systems are operating properly. Today we got airborne for about 45 mintues and N498KQ performed true to the Kodiaks I've known. Tomorrow will be a small celebration at Quest, in which our JAARS President will thank the employees for their dedication.

It would be great if we could leave for North Carolina on Friday. The National Weather Service shows that there are some pretty strong high pressure systems moving in, and this may provide the perfect window for us to depart. We may head straight south where the warmer weather is, or if the clear skies are east, we'll head over Montana and southeast.

Got Skis?

Between snow storms, the Quest pilots were able to get 8KQ back to Sandpoint yesterday. This could be the last snow this airplane sees for a long time!

N498KQ in Fresh Paint

This image of 8KQ was captured on the ramp in Seattle by a Kodiak watcher who lives near the paint shop. I like the blue sky. Maybe that means it will be back in Sandpoint by the end of today.

8KQ Sports its New Colors

In spite of record bad weather in Seattle, the paint shop has been making great progress. At the first break in the weather it will be flown back to Sandpoint, ready for delivery celebrations on January 8!

N498KQ Off to the Paint Shop

N498KQ is the US registration number of Kodiak 008, and the "name" it will have until it gets its registration overseas. It will become known around JAARS as "Eight Kilo Quebec," or simply "Kilo Quebec." The weather broke in Sandpoint today in time for the Quest pilot to get the "green" 8KQ to the paint shop in Seattle (FlightAware snapshot here as it descends into Snohomish County / Paine field at Everett, WA). Plans are now on track for a January 7 or 8 delivery of a finished, shiny airplane. Standing by....

008 Flies, Pushing Headwinds

Bad weather in Sandpoint last week caused delays in the production test flying of 008. That flying finally took place on Monday (sorry, no pictures available at this time), and 008 is about to get its Certificate of Airworthiness. However, with 2-3 weeks needed for its paint job, we're no longer hoping to see the airplane here by Christmas. The current prediction is for delivery of 008 the week of January 5.

Stay tuned, I will keep you updated as I get information.

008 Gets a Blessing

How many manufacturing companies do you know of that would add a blessing of this sort to their product?