) Thursday will be 2 days short of three months. The waiting has been agonizing. Although I bought this trike in perfectly flyable condition, (with a lot of love poured over her by Nacho, previous owner), I just wanted things to be PERFECT! ( 2004 model, 300 hours on the clock, and she is moving to Polokwane - FAR away from spares, services etc...)
300 hour Rotax 582 service,(two hours early), including full de-coke, crank inspection etc - DONE!
Rebuild Spirit 15 Wing with new sail / wires / etc. - DONE!
Full airframe disassembly and rebuild with new parts on all slightly worn components, including some major new components, bearings, bushings, rubbers, etc etc - DONE!
Gentlemen - I have a NEW Cobra!
( I love keeping older trikes alive - a trade not well-known at Microland! 
)The trepidation now kicks in..
I can pre-flight Geel Kerneels with my eyes closed. When I strap myself into his seat - it is like putting on my clothes. I know and anticipate every little thing he throws at me, from take-off, through turbulence, right down to landing him in a serious crosswind, or in a sojaboon land, or on the shores of Leeupan. I understand him, and he understands me! 
Now.. we start from scratch...
My (actual) point on this topic, other than sharing my excitement, is the following:
Having read through some accident reports on WCM's from the UK, it is quite amazing to read something along the lines of: "Total hours - 1000. Hours on type: 50. Fatalities: 1"
So.. I have to be VERY aware of the fact that this is NOT Geel Kerneels. I have to treat this trike in the same way I treated Geel Kerneels way back when - when I was learning to fly for the first time, and being just a little bit afraid of him .
I must not be complacent, thinking of it as "just another flight in my trusty old companion."
My brother-in-law, who have spent 50 + hours in the back of Geel Kerneels, was very excited to hear that I will be flying ZU-DLP down to the farm this weekend. I burst his bubble when I informed him that I will NOT be flying an extra helmet and headset.
I look forward to this long-weekend. I hope for wonderful weather. But I will be using that weather to get to know the Cobra - circuits, circuits, circuits. 1500 ft agl steep turns / stalls, LEARNING, like in the training days.
I will NOT take a pax in this trike, before I can:
1. Pre-flight her with my eyes closed;
2. Feel like I am putting on an old well-worn jacket, every time I jump into the cockpit.
Those who think she is pretty, will just have to watch her from below, for now. The two of us have to share some hairy moments first, and build a working relationship!
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