When Anil purchased N7014W, everything was still original – from the steam gauges to the paint job – so there were plenty of updates to be made. The first order of business was to give the engine a complete overhaul. B&G Aviation did outstanding work on the engine. Once finished, it “flew beautifully.”

The next thing Anil addressed was avionics. He re­placed these with all new Garmin instrumentation. The aircraft is now a fully IFR-rated aircraft. A new engine monitor, JPI 850, keeps this pilot well-informed of any engine and fuel-related concerns as he flies.

After addressing the Cherokee’s inner workings, Anil turned his attention to the airplane’s exterior. The new paint job, completed in August, gave the heritage aircraft a fresh look. It’s a head-turner with its sleek lines and striking color palette. He has plans to upgrade the inte­rior in the future.

Since COVID restrictions were lifted, acquiring most parts has not been a problem. The exception is a short­age of some small, plastic parts for the interior that are hard to find. Anil turns to Aircraft Spruce and Air Power for parts.

Anil noted his Piper Cherokee is well-designed, especially given its age. Because of its lightweight frame, it has amazing endurance – almost seven hours. Additionally, it can take off and land in relatively tight spaces while carrying an impres­sive load. The Hershey Bar wings give the aircraft a great deal of stability. It performs well and is very nimble, making it en­joyable to fly. And, considering the era in which it was built, the cabin is well-planned.

Despite the cabin’s well-planned design, Anil feels a few things could be improved. The soundproofing could be bet­ter and it could be a little roomier, especially for the rear passengers. Perhaps there was ample room when people were smaller in the early 1960’s, but they have gotten taller through the years! The limited space makes having only one door even more inconvenient. Anil would like to take his older parents on a flight but getting them in and out of the Cherokee is a challenge.

There are a few aspects of the airplane’s performance Anil would improve, if he could. While his Cherokee handles well, he would love to see better climb performance at altitude and greater forward speed.

The most concerning thing, because it is a big safety issue, is the stall light. In its day, the light’s location was perfectly fine. However, when Anil is using his iPad Mini in flight, the stall light is hidden by his device. This is especially problem­atic when he is flying through the clouds and depending on his instruments. Anil would prefer a stall horn to alleviate this problem.

Anil’s current goal is to build enough time in his Chero­kee to qualify as a professional charter pilot. To that end, he flies an amazing 35-40 hours each week, averaging about 100 hours per month. He has created the “Time Building Austin” Facebook page to collaborate with and encourage other pi­lots in the greater Austin area who have similar time-build­ing goals, seeking better job opportunities.

Additionally, Anil is currently a volunteer pilot with Civil Air Patrol, an auxiliary of the United States Air Force. He is looking forward to becoming an Angel Flight central volun­teer. Angel Flight Inc. is a charitable organization that serves people in need by arranging free flights for health care or other humanitarian purposes.

Anil’s devotion to flying is more than an investment in his future. It’s evidence of his love for aviation and community.

When asked about his operating costs, Anil explained that with fuel costs, hangar fees and maintenance, it costs about $130 per hour to keep his Cherokee in flight.