Finding Foxtrot Alpha Mike

[Tramp]

My father, Tony Rotondo, passed earlier this year. Although his life's work was construction - his great love was aviation...which he passed on to me and my youngest cousin.
If I had to pick a "creation moment", it would be sitting in the cockpit of a Smith Miniplane he owned and kept at Rockcliffe in the 1980s. It broke his heart to sell it and, from that point on, didn't want to know much about it.
After he died, I set out to track it down and in so doing, discovered so much more.
I've been documenting the story on a blog that you can find here:

http://findingffam.blogspot.ca/

If anyone has a stake in this story or would like to share any memories, feedback or comments - please feel free to do so.

[Tramp]

After some time off, I've posted another entry at findingffam.blogspot.ca

It is entitled "Encounters" and details how my father came to buy the Miniplane. The next one will deal with flying it! (Finally).

[Dutchpilotguy]

Interesting read!

[Tramp]

Thanks, Dutchpilotguy!

Here's the latest one:

http://findingffam.blogspot.ca/2013/01/ ... -bone.html

[Tramp]

COPA newspaper published part one of an edited version this week.

I've posted the latest entry here:

http://findingffam.blogspot.ca/

[Tramp]

The latest one is up here:

http://findingffam.blogspot.ca/2013/02/tonys-toy.html

Tons of really neat pictures of C-FFAM in the very early 80s, including one at an airshow next to Cliff Robertson's Spitfire and my one and only pic with the a/c.
I'll be writing the last few entries of the story this week - to get us to where the airplane is now.
Enjoy!
As always, if anyone has a stake or any info or stories to share - please do.

[North Shore]

Tramp,

What a great read. I picked up the last issue of the COPA over lunch yesterday and started reading (and got a little peeved that there wasn't more...) now I can continue with the story.

Thank-you.

[Tramp]

Thanks, North Shore!

COPA did a great job with the article but, understandably, I had to edit it down significantly so the blog has far more detail and goes into storylines I can't explore in the article.

Here's the latest one:

http://findingffam.blogspot.ca/2013/02/cold-feet.html

I'm glad you're enjoying the story. Writing it has been a journey.

[Tramp]

For those of you who are following the story, thank you.

If you don't want to wait for the abbreviated COPA editions, I will be publishing 3 blog entries before Saturday.

Here's the first:

http://findingffam.blogspot.ca/2013/02/departures.html

This one was the most difficult to write but probably the best one - if only because I brought everything to bear in it.

I've received many kind notes from AvCanadians and fellow pilots who have read the project thru here or the COPA publications.

Thank you.

[Tramp]

Here is the latest installment:

http://findingffam.blogspot.ca/2013/02/descent.html

If you don't like looking at pictures of broken airplanes, this is probably not for you.

[Tramp]

Here's the last one (for now) - that brings the story up to date.

http://findingffam.blogspot.ca/2013/02/ ... halla.html

Thanks for reading!

[Tramp]

I was in the middle of writing a version for the EAA, when the airplane's 2nd owner/pilot contacted me. He'd seen the COPA articles. I knew he was around but didn't know how to reach him.

Anyway, he's a pretty cool guy and gave me a ton of pictures and stories. I'll be writing a few entries, but here's the first one - if anyone's interested:

http://findingffam.blogspot.ca/2013/04/ ... t-one.html

The next one will be about dogfighting!

[Tramp]

Here's the latest one - as promised:

http://findingffam.blogspot.ca/2013/04/ ... t-two.html

Enjoy!

[Tramp]

After more than a year (as prepared for buying the airplane) of not updating the blog, I'm publishing 3 entries in the lead up to the release of a mini documentary done by a local TV news station.
I'm excited to get started again!
Here's the first of three:

http://findingffam.blogspot.ca/2014/10/out-of-mist.html

Enjoy!

[Tramp]

It's been more than a year since I updated this...
I've had two great seasons under my belt and several new blog posts and plenty of developments.
The goal for the off-season is to bring it up to date. Here's a link to the latest one...and there are many more before it, if anyone is interested in an update.

http://findingffam.blogspot.ca/2016/01/waves.html

Thanks for the interest!

[YYZSaabGuy]

Nicely done!