N8864R
This website is dedicated to the glorious adventure, that I have undergone with my antique Bellanca Cruisemaster.
About me
My name is Jan Koldušek and since I was a kid, I have always been fascinated by everything that could fly. Fortunately, my parents supported this passion, and I received hands-on education in various engineering departments. When the decision time arrived, I chose to pursue a mechanical engineering degree instead of a professional pilot career. However, I never let go of my dream of flying.
In 2022, two years after completing my mechanical engineering degree, I felt that the time was right to pursue at least a Private Pilot License (PPL). Immediately, I found myself captivated, just like that kid in the picture. I hope that in the future, my takeoff and landing ratios will be a bit better than that enthusiastic fool's. :)
About the Plane
N8864R is a Bellanca Cruisemaster, a 4-seater high-performance airplane featuring retractable wheels, a robust engine, and a distinctive triple tail. Manufactured in 1961, this aircraft boasts a wing constructed from wood and a fabric-covered body.
For the majority of its existence, it served on the west coast of the United States. In the mid-'90s, it underwent an extensive rebuild, which included the installation of a completely new left wing, engine reconstruction, and a new fabric cover. In 2019, it came into the possession of its previous owners, who originally intended to use it for training and travel. After three years with no flight time, it found its way to us through an ad on Craigslist. The rest, as they say, is our story.
