Homeward bound...

Wednesday June 22nd, 2011

All went according to plan yesterday. After checking in and catching up on some sleep in the afternoon, Hans arrived at 21:30 in Missoula. With the plane being flight ready it was a matter of a simple walk around this morning and off we went at 10 to Six. What? No Tower!? Change Frequency, still no answer! All-right than... call the intentions and lets get going before someone changes their minds, picks up the mic, talks back and makes you taxi for ever for no good reason. "Zero Mike Echo is through 4000 and clear to the North West"! Still no answer. Who cares, we are gone!

At about 7 am we are nearing Thompson Falls, MT and Hans' Bladder is once again calling for a stop ...nearest preferred! With being in a Canyon and the airport straight ahead I simply pull power and the 701 slides down like on the rails of a roller coaster, momentarily flashing us a yellow range speed signal from the MGL Extreme. Solid, capable, little aircraft. The more we fly and understand this plane the more we realize the attraction by so many. And we come to question why so many have had to fiddle with this design,  and really none have succeeded. Certainly not by sales numbers, otherwise the flight lines would have to be littered by Pegazairs, and Savannah's, just to name a few.
Our respect goes out to Chris Heintz for his design abilities and to the greater Zenith Aircraft Family for providing a great product from plans to kits, to quick-builds. I'd say we've put it to the test on this trip!

 Coming up on "Thompson Falls"

Looks like home! 

A lazy turn over the midfield and a nice landing into a gentle breeze and this time we are both off for the morning break. 10 Minutes later we are airborne again and heading along the valley for Sandpoint, ID.
Scenery, scenery and more scenery! I have been on the roads below on a Motorcycle Trip a few years back and remember looking up into the mountains. Not sure which one is better, I love riding, but you can't beat the view from a CH 701. It is the perfect low and slow scenery cruiser.
At 07:44 we arrive in a yet still and sleepy Sandpoint. Turn the watches back an hour and we are off again sooner than we landed. Home Stretch...

 Scenery from above! 

Low and slow...

One more little challenge is provided by the Monashee Mountains reaching into northern Washington. But after the Rockies, this is certainly a lesser obstacle and with 5600' we clear through some of the lower passes and are on a zooming descent into Dorothy Scott, speak Oroville, WA. We are clocking nearly 100mph groundspeed on a NW bound track once we reach the Okanagan. YaHoo!!!

On the downwind for Runway 15 we can see the bridge across the lake at Osoyoos, BC but it remains us denied for some unfinished FAA paper work. Mainly a properly filled in C of R. So we have to stop here, park it for a week and hopefully we can carry on soon once more NW bound.
47.8 hrs from Tampa to here in 26 legs in an aircraft that is not known for its cross country capabilities, but rather its off airport use. Well we had some of that too! Hans and I, have come to re-think some of the Ch-701 hearsay. We beg to differ on some of the "not really cross country suitable" and "yeah, but its too small" (...really, I am 6'2" and pack 220lbs with me at the leanest of times) and so many other rumours.  Don't believe everything you hear [...or read ;-) ]!

And yes, there is limitations; weather, timing, season, power, weight, distance and fuel use. Bigger is not always better. It ultimately comes down to a sign hanging in our office, the one and only I may add...       

...Learning to fly takes about 45hrs, learning when to fly can take a lifetime!

As we are strolling across the field my phone message light goes off. It's Russell from Flightcrafters "Congratulations, you made it to Canada!" Well, not quite, but as good as, we are only 2 miles short!!!

I guess the Spot Tracking is still working! Is it?

 Dorothy Scott - Oroville Airport, WA

Awaiting a new C of R and ...

                             ...after all, for Hans and N500ME the Adventure is only beginning!

 To finish off here, we would like to extend our sincerest "Thank You" to all those that we have met on this trip, have assisted us in a time of need and have touched our life's with their generosity! It will be remembered! See you in the Great White North!

With best regards, Willy T.

Solo across the Rockies...

Tuesday June 21st, 2011

We are three weeks into this adventure now and what should have been a shared highlight of the trip, crossing the Rockies, has left me solo, tired and worn in the left seat. Hans' seat occupied by the iPad in lieu of the Navigator and First Officer.
05:42 sees the wheels leave the ground and I am westbound along HWY 90 now for a little while. In a steady cruise climb I make it up to 6500' and than level off and head for Livingston. Beautiful Morning flight, a few little burbles, but nothing to serious for the first bit of flight. As we are nearing Livingston and Bozeman it is changing and by the time I head into Bozeman Pass the little Rotax is working near full capacity, angrily clawing itself up to 7000' into a buffeting headwind. The foam grip is getting a bit of a squeeze, no doubt.

 The "Big Hurdle"

 The awesome Montana Scenery...

...and still places to put down

No way we could have done this with both of us on board and gear and fuel. The little 701 is steady, although getting closer to the limitations put forth by being set up for sea level operation. Mainly re-adjust the prop to these new heights. Never the less at 07:00 we are passing the first hurdle at 7000' and as soon as we are through the air gets smoother again. Fuel stop in Three Forks and off again for the next Hurdle, Pipestone Pass at 6453' and on via Butte down to Missoula. Climb out is this good and I am glad to be alone, simply for the reduced weight. The aircraft is also a bit lighter in the winds, but you can't have everything. As I am nearing Pipestone Pass the air starts to act up again, buffeting winds coming through the pass and crossing over we find ourselves at 7600', the highest altitude yet for this little Aircraft. And once again, as soon as we are through the pass it gets smooth again. Wow!
Now all that's left is a slow descent into the canyon down to Missoula, talk to the tower, straight in is approved and at 10:50 MST during shut down, we have a mission accomplished, crossed the Rockies.

The local "Northerstar Jet Center" is really helpful with fuel, car, food and getting me lost. No actually, I can do that just fine by myself, getting lost that is. As I am looking for a Pizza Place for lunch and try to follow the little map handed to me by a local flyeress, I am getting lost. Just tired and not with it a 100% i guess. Last night and this flight certainly wore me a bit.

Okay keep driving,  "Well look at that, ...a Subway!" As I pull in, I not only see the Bus Station, but also a small Hotel. Talk about lucky once again, everything in one place. Food, bed, ...get Hans from the Bus tonight ...and carry on tomorrow. Gotta love it when a plan falls into place!

 Looking "downhill" from Missoula

The "Northstar Jet Center" 

HWY 94 WEST...

Sunday June 19th, 2011

The weather is not playing along. Despite our best efforts and early departure from the Motel 6 we find ourselves back there at about 3pm and checking back into our rooms from last nights. Wind, Wind, Thunderstorms and more wind. Time for a rest, and after 8 days of flying, waiting, flying, and a bit more waiting a bit of rest is actually good. Laundry, a bit writing, phone calls, connect with family and hope that tomorrow will be a better day, ...weather wise.

Monday June 20th, 2011

 The Yellowstone River

"Montana"

Airborne at 06:10 and some nice morning flying! Hans is on the first shift and we switch up after about 45 minutes. The Yellowstone River below us and Highway 94 beside us we are cruising west. Not fast, but sufficient at 4500' and a bit of a headwind. After another 30 minutes or so Hans is getting uncomfortable in his seat ....brauch a WC!  or something like it is coming over the intercom. You need a what? ...already! We just took off! Okay, push "Nearest" on the 296 and the winner this time around is Hysam, MT for a brief Morning P-Stop. A quick little snack, granola bar and chocolate served on the cowling and we are off again westbound for Billings. It's again getting lumpy and bumpy and its only 8 am. I somewhat expected this and it is actually not as bad as I recall from previous trips east of the Rockies. The only problem we are a lot lighter than the Cessna 172, 180, Tripacer, etc. that I've been in before. But we are still making good time. Just prior to entering the Billings Zone, we contact approach and get a new Transponder Code to pass by along the north side. About halfway through the zone a desperate look from Hans' face is reaching me ...not again?! Yup, better go right now!!! NOO, you are not!! We can't just disappear of the radar and I am not about to declare an inflight..., make that a "coffee related liquid disposal" emergency. "Hans, you better clench and breathe for a few minutes longer...
And just about that time the controller calls with an "...Frequency Change approved, have a nice day!"
Nice day my ass... Out comes the power, and down we go into a freshly seeded Alfa Alfa field somewhere northwest of the airport. There is no longer time for a nearest search on the 296, nearest right now is right below us! Turn into wind, flare, nose down, stop ...and Hans has already departed the Aircraft and is providing valuable nutrients to the fresh grass. Walking back to the still running aircraft he's got the biggest grin yet on his face. Would it not be for knowing any better, one might think he just picked up and RV10  ...it's that big!!!
Back in and on the Headset comes the concerning question; "We gonna get outta here?" Good Question! With the Altimeter showing 4200', being on Turf, Grass and 2/3 fuel, this might be interesting. And in order to get into wind it is uphill. NICE!
We taxi to the bottom end and attempt the take off into wind diagonally across the field, almost, come one, nope, better abort while we have the room. Back down to the corner we go again, add some flap and bring it to full power on the brakes. Let'r run and the nose comes up and with a couple of hops, a bit of a gust we are flying and barely clearing the fence on the other end. Not much of a climb rate, but also nothing in the way, no trees, no power lines, no houses. Thanks God for that, because the little bird is labouring up to altitude. Finally back up to 4600' I release the flap and there is no gentle way of doing that. No long Johnson bar to release slowly and with my still sore elbow they just plunk themselves up. The according Nose drop sends Hans on a nervous Jump, sorryboutthat... got to get used to them things!
Another half hour of flight gets us in Columbus, Montana and to "Uncle Sam's Cafe", the local hang out, alternate Police Station and "Pilot Lounge".
Breakfast in good company at 10:30 and with the winds trying to pull the sock of the pole, it is time to fill up and await the afternoon. No better place than Columbus for that. It was chosen after a discussion with a fellow Luscombe Owner in Miles City and we have to admit ...great choice!!! Beautiful new airport building (see Photo) and Hardin, the local A&P let us use his internet to see the radar and flight briefings ahead. Where ever we look wind, more wind and a few disturbances, remnants of an unstable airmass. Oh well! Hurry & Wait again!

 The "Wolterman Memorial" 

 If you get stuck...

...this is the place to be!!!

By 18:15 and with the winds dropping to a more manageable 10 to 12 knots we decide to give it a try to see if we can get up to Big Timber. We get the answer pretty much one climb out when the winds push us back down into the Yellowstone River and we desperately try to get some heights. This is not going to happen. Full Power, nose up high and I can barely maintain altitude, never mind climb more than a few hundred feet. Time to blow for a hasty retreat out of this mess and return to Columbus. Now this was a horrid 30 minutes of flight. Winds, gusts, up, down and sideways and we are playing with altitude and temperature.
After a brief discussion we decide to check in for the night and hatch a new plan. After some discussion we agree that it may be best to go across the Rockies solo and meet up again in Missoula. Now that only leaves a means for Hans to get to Missoula. No Bus from Columbus, not even a stop, so we drive back to Billings in the Courtesy Car.  Finally and shortly before midnight I am back in Columbus and heading for Bed. Flying by 05:30, this will be a short night! Not really the best plan for the possibly toughest leg ahead, crossing the Rockies!

Into the Dakotas...

Friday June 17, 2011

 The prairies...   endless!

 "IFR - I follow Rivers"  ...in this case the Missouri 

Off at 09:18 into a bit of a headwind and working our way diagonally across the landscape on a heading of about 300. The land below us does not change much, but along the Missouri we can see the flooding, soaked fields and an emergency landing into these freshly tilled, water soaked fields would spell certain disaster. This is looking worse than the Florida swamps, actually not really, no creepy crawlies with big teeth below here. We finally pound our way across to Chamberlain and it is time to stop. Rough, windy, bouncy, just not nice flying anymore. Time for the lunch break and carry on in the evening.
11:16 sees us hovering to a landing in Chamberlain, SD and we are waiting out the winds. Not the best place to hang for a while. So despite some still strong winds we are off again at 18:42 towards Pierre and more of the same below. Field after field after field and we arrive at the South Dakota Capitol at local 20:00. Enough for one day, this was a tough day flying. And we are not sure what happened to all the nice folks, they are certainly not north of Yankton.

"I'll fill you right after the Citation Jet!" 

"Yup, we have a hangar, i'll be 50.- bucks for the night!"

The hotel will pick you up and drop you off in the morning and we arranged transport for you. Hans did you arrange a hotel? No, I thought you did? Noooo, ...well this should be interesting. Hangar Owner owns the hotel here too? Are we being fed down the Aerial Tourist feeder line?
Best Western in town it is, okay? Never mind the bar for a few beers, the bartender wins the all time worst service & personality award? Are we just tired, grumpy, ourselves or what has happened here. Out of a sudden we have gone from Southern Hospitality, followed by Midwestern Charm to northern "donreallycaretoknowandorgiveayouknowwhat"?

Gee, can we just miss these two places next time?

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Back up to the airport with yet another not quite awake and rather cool Dakotan in the Best Western Shuttle. Let's just get out of here! Not sure if 70mph is fast enough for me. Off by 07:36 and nothing too soon, as we are working our way towards the Badlands. Our destination, Buffalo ND, just 25 miles short of Montana. AAAHHH, MMOOONNNTAAANNAAAHH, doesn't that sound nice and almost like home?
Once again, about 2 hrs in, and the Rock & Roll starts in the air. Not a full rodeo, but a steady bucking ride like you would get from Grandma's Milking Cow. Hans is getting a bit of a taste of what I expect ahead and he is not liking it all that much. It is all new to him and I recall my earlier days flying, tight fisted and wondering how hard the next hit will be and if one can keep this contraption flying? It gets better with time, but the question does burp up every now and than on those hard, wing lifting hits.
Buffalo, ND was chosen for the grassy cross runway, just in case. The 701 does not have the best cross wind capabilities, but shines with its hovering qualities in strong winds. The owners manual recommends landing across the runway in winds exceeding 25mph.

 Into the Badlands...

and another look from above

Coming in on Buffalo is simply a no go. The X-runway is not mowed, not that it matters, since it is out of wind too. As we are circling the airport to the north I notice some fields mowed and nearing the runway to taxi onto it. Okay, fine, turn her into wind, hover down, land, roll out.
But what's this? A little flag with a number 6? F...? Whatta F...? "Zero, Mike, Echo, is down and clear on the sixth Fairway on the Buffalo Golf Course!?" Good thing, no one is around, probably too windy for Golf? Only Problem, we are about 50' short of the runway and fenced out, fenced in, depending which way you look at it. "Hans, you better get out and I'll see, if I can't grind her onto the runway by myself?!" No need to tell him a second time, he's "plane happy" to have solid ground under his feet and departs the plane, headset and all! Woaah, hold on a second and let me disconnect you!
Now, turned into wind, with one person on board and low fuel it launches into the air like no other. It surprised me and for a moment I just hung on, laughing my head off, watching this thing perform. UNREAL!!! Nose way high, skyward we go and slip & slide across the fence over onto the runway for an okay landing. Hans said it actually looked good, ...it just didn't feel that way from where I was sitting! But no harm done, no drifting, no hard landing. All's good!
Hot, high altitudes and cross winds! Gotta love it!
Upon back tracking the runway I pick up Hans along the way and we taxi over to the pumps where some onlookers are awaiting us. Well, Buffalo might have just had its own little air-show. Glad I could help, ces't mon plaisir! Nice Golf Course by the way! Got a lot a guys "FLY IN"?

The local airport manager is Will and fuels us up. Nice Kid. During the week he delivers the mail to the outlying area and rolls on about 700 miles a week. Hans is paying for the fuel and trying to figure out if he should use his credit card or cash. Suddenly a frantic look on his face, as his hands slide from pocket to pocket, another pocket and than allpockets again ..and NO CARD! Oh no! The way home just got a little harder. Out comes the luggage, no card, check all pockets again, no card. No internet, no cell phone, no phone, no card, ...and suddenly a moment of no fun! We can't let that happen!!!
Okay, time to get organized! Phone the Hotel in Pierre, last place used, wait for a call back. No luck in the room, no luck in the Van, no Card. Twice back and forth with Will from the "Tipperary Motel" the only place with WIFI, phone and a very helpful owner (we should have stayed here!) and out for a walk on the sixth green, onto the runway, retracing every step ...no Card. Meanwhile, Will, is still assisting us all along. Great Guy!! After another trip to the local corner store and the only ATM, Will drops us at the plane and we are off again ...into the afternoon heat over to Miles City, MT.

Hans (note the smile) and our tireless helper Will

Arriving there at 14:16 ...make that 13:16 aaahhh back on Mountain Time! Big Party tonight, Football Game, street dance, and every hotel room booked minus a couple at the local Motel 6. Seems to go with the day today, 6th Green, Motel6, any other 6's? Oh Yeah, 06:00 departure tomorrow, can't wait!

Getting closer... 

In the footsteps of Amelia...

Thursday June 16, 2011

I am in a bit of a bind, literally speaking, and it comes from trying to find the beginning and the end of a story that revolves around life, or more so days, hours, minutes ...fraction of life really where once again you meet people in the passing of the moment.
Upon our late arrival here in Kansas, Russell a local pilot, was nice enough to call the FBO to get us gas so we can leave early morning on our way NW. That was the plan anyway, but as Robert Burns put it so nicely in his Poem ...the best laid schemes of mice and men gang oft ugly and leave nought but grief and pain, for promised joy! Well the pain started not with getting filled up by Leta late at night but about ten minutes into breakfast the next mroning when I decided to check the radar and noticed the big blobs of orange all around us. Hans was in the process to check us out, when I hollered and asked him to maintain the keys for a few hours. That was at 06:15 local time and we both decided to head back to the room for a bit more rest. Come 08:00 the power went out and looking outside the sky has turned dark with big looming clouds ...Tornado Alley here we go!
We expedited our departure for the airport and good thing we checked out after six, because everything was down and not about to come back on for a few hours. Hurriedly, not to say speedingly, we drove back to the airport in fear of a Pell City repeat. Blustering winds greeted us and the 701 was dancing in the ropes. Time to retie, strap it down good, and about that time the rain hit. Back into the rustic old airport building of Atchison, Kansas.

AAAHHH ...maybe not!!!

Not much we can do now, but hang tight, watch the winds and the plane. As the minutes turn to hours I am walking through this old building, with single pane glass windows, crackling paint and a smell of history in every corner you peek. Amelia's photo hangs on the wall and below it proclaims proudly, "How can life grant us boon of living, ...unless we dare!"
We can really relate to that, halfway across this mighty land in an awfully small, but also very capable little aircraft. As I am taking the memory lane tour down the row of pictures I also notice the plans to upgrade the airport. Bigger runway, E-W facing, aprons maybe a new building and probably bring it all "up to standard". Good thing you might think, but is it? Here you have a classic old midwest terminal, a relique to aviation days gone by, a small scale museum and most likely it will be traded off for yet another nice, new, clean and sterile Jet Center with the accompanying personality of a Coke Machine. Through in money and you will get service. Too bad the "personality part" is disappearing from a lot of airports and being replaced by 24 hour self serve fueling station, which will give you gas, but never any local knowledge of the next "best place" to land on your journey.
And it is also becoming harder to seek out people like Leta that have made Aviation their life, or maybe Aviation made their life? The kind of people that go out of their way to help you along on your trip, come in late to fuel, recommend the best deal in town to stay and hand you the keys to the Courtesy car. The kind of people you wonder if they have blood running through their veins or Aviation Oil? And I am not talking about synthetic oil here either, but straight 100, kind of the way they live their lives, pretty much 100% all the time, exception might be on a Sunday or Christmas. Midwesterners, pioneers, a hardy punch! From Clyde Cessna to Amelia, from Spatz Sr. to Leta, so much history in one Place. Do people realize what is here? I wonder? Hans and me are certainly seeing the Midwest with new eyes.
Time for a snooze on the classic 70's couch in the lounge. Wind in the trees, the rain steadily drumming on the windows, moving further and further away as I doze off.
A slamming door rattles me back to life and finds me about 6" above the couch..."Get up and come to town for a history lesson!" "Can't just lay around here all day and do nothing!" Leta proclaims with a big smile on her face. Talk about the proverbial human Kansas dust devil rolling into the lounge here.
"Sure, sounds good, Hans you go! I'll keep an eye (meaning one) on the plane, just in case the winds pick up any more!" ...and off the go!
Me, back to work on the couch! Listening again to wind and rain battering the old windows. The roof is creaking with every gust and I am thinking to myself of how much a feel good place this old building is and how many pilots might have been stranded here before us waiting out a storm. Once again, I am beginning to drift off and my mind starts wandering ...What ever happened to Amelia? Will they ever find her or will the mystery continue? But then I have to agree with Leta, what would life be without a bit of mystery, without a bit of dare, without a bit of adventure while it is still there to be had?

 Overlooking the Missouri River from Amelia's House

 Amelia's Earhart's House, now a Museum

 The Aviatior's rocking the deck...

Walk of Donations leading up to the House...

Finally, after the "Been there, done that" photo session in front of Amelia's House, a nice lunch at the haunted River Restaurant overlooking a very full Missouri River we get into the air at 16:16 ...pushing north! First stop, Wahoo, NE after 1.6 hrs of flight and stretch our legs. Squirt of gas for the little Rotax and off again by 18:36 with a final destination in Yankton, SD with an arrival time off 20:06. We finally got some tailwind and hoofed it North real good.
Jake Haffner, a local Ag Pilot rolls in about the same time and lets us park the 701 in his hangar and offers us a ride to the Hotel. I am wondering if my rear end hurts from the seat or the horseshoes on this trip?

Northwest bound...

Wednesday June 15, 2011

Hans' Toy is soaked in morning dew. It is dripping off the trailing edges and slowly rolling down the windshield. A thin layer of fog covers the lengths off the river that we can see if front of the Lodge. Hence the name, White River. During breakfast we met another fellow 701 builder and he joins as out in field during the walk around. We are wiping off as much water, dew and steamed up windshield as we can, but it seems to build as fast as we are wiping. Okay, better get the windmill going and see if we can blow it off.

 Tied down at "Gaston's Lodge" 

 Runway looking east

Another Sunrise beckoning us to go flying!

The little Rotax comes to life on the first try, and after a warm up and systems check we line up facing east. It is a bit of a oneway runway unless you're STOL equipped. Hans takes the honors of first takeoff of the day and we bumping down the runway to about 45 and up we go...
A little mix of canyon surfing and pylon racing finds us doing turns around the trees on the east end of the runway, OHHH YESS, this is a great little airplane. Grinning, smiling laughing we are climbing out along the north side of the canyon and a wide 180 back over the lodge NW bound as we bid our farewell to one of the really cool places in North America. Gaston's Lodge you will be remembered! And maybe one day "YA AWL CUM BACK HIR, YA HIR!" Who knows, but love too?!

 White River looking east...

 As serene as it gets!!!

Float Plane Country - Southern Missouri

The scenery from yesterday continues for another hour, our ground speed dropping to a mere 40mph..., this is going to be a long trip home and my rear end is already at full complaining stage. We are slowly working our way north towards Sumners our next planned fuel stop. Finally getting there after 1.8 hours we are faced with a stiff, gusty crosswind. Time to put the 701 to the test. Line up into wind and aim for the grass, stick back and we are settling, hovering, descending, trying to look for the right word here, maybe "zen-air-ing" it into the grass with the roll out being a mere dropping of the nose wheel. We are both amazed what this plane can do.
Fill up, weather check, talk to the local flight instructor about the route ahead, and we are off again by 10:00. Taking off on the pavement and facing the cross wind is less than enjoyable and in the heat we settle back down twice, before finally getting into the air. Bloody Rotors behind the trees lining the runway. Climb out is mere 180 feet per minute with the full load and the 85 degree temps. There is a huge concrete building in front of us and we are clearing it, not above, but off to my left. A little too close for comfort. Maybe half tanks and more stops are in order if we are working in these conditions. Climb out continues to 4500' and again we are only moving about 40mph. Forget it, this is only burning gas with no place going. 1.2 hours puts us into Lamar, KS. Again we are looking at a straight out windsock right across the newly paved runway. The old one is into wind, put supposedly XXX off. Yet another somewhat unconventional approach into wind over the old runway, touch down on the new runway at a 60 degree angle lining up with the taxiway (old runway again) for roll out and we are stopped right before the hold line. Now, what did the old folks know when the build the first runway? Hello? Is there an orange hint fluttering in the wind?
"Zero Mike Echo down clear in Lamar", and hoping no one saw this one, as we taxi to the flight line. Man, If I'd do that in Kamloops I'd be in for yet another "Leslie Spanking", but that's why we try to use smaller fields, the ideal being a nice patch of grass with no runways for this aircraft. Just face into wind, zenairing to the ground, roll a bit, let the nose drop and a 100' later it is all over. Love it, but not something I would want to do at a big and controlled airports, with controllers peering through their binoculars wondering what the hell he's doin, ...but than that is not the idea behind flying an aircraft like that anyway, RIGHT?
Snooze in the rustic airport building for about 3 hours, time to catch up on sleep since we snore each other awake constantly when rooms are tight and we need to share. Waking up a bit drowsy and dizzy, Hans the same, in the heat of the afternoon we head across the bridge into town where a large Golden Arches sign beckons us for a cold drink and some lunch. As we descend the other side of the bridge we notice a truck stop, Dairy Queen and what else, a Walmart Super Center. Big Blue Cornerstore we love you... Shopperama, Americana, Canadiana...time to deal with my complaining rear end. Yes Siree, and you will find even a cure for that at your local Walmart. Let me sell you this 20 dollar gel seat and your hurt'n A.. will love you forever on a long flight. Back to the airport after a bit of food, ice-cream and loaded with a few apples and fruit bars.
Now let's see, gel seat on top or under the cushions? HMMM? Decisions, decisions! Let's try under. It adds about an inch to the height and me, being 6'2, it still leaves sufficient head room.
Off by 17:30 into a beautiful Kansas Evening and we are finally cruising at 70, 80, 70, 85 ...aahhh, what a difference. Field after field after field flows by below, fields as far as the eye can see and as Hans put's it ..."what does it take to feed a nation?" Well the answer lies below, literally. Great flying, my A.. is finally gellin, now if we could only find a cure for Hans' knees!
We arrive at sunset in Atchison, KS and the Birthplace of Amelia Earhardt. The runway is placed on a slight ridge and overlooks the countryside in the setting sun. The Midwest, the Heartland stretches out before us, lit up golden by the setting sun and all is still...

Take a moment and reflect, we have come long ways, ...got long ways to go!

Missouri denied...

Tuesday June 14, 2011

Up at 05:00 and 10 minutes later out the door into a still dark and humid Tennessee morning. A few birds are singing other than that it is still. Hans and me driving back to the airport in the Courtesy Car and with our eyelids still at half shutter trying hard to find the right way back in the mist.
A last weather check, file a flight plan, get the radar and all this from the back of the car. We are getting into the flying/traveling mode. I have to say, not being a geek, that all the little electro gizmos for sure ease the surprise factor in Aviation. The Ipad with fore-flight is working really well, even for the occasional cockpit use.

 iPad with foreflight showing the radar

 Tennessee Morning Mist 

Taking off at Sunrise!

Only about an hour in and the weather in front of us is getting less and less to our liking, time to divert. Click nearest on the Garmin 296 and the winner is...: drumroll please. dyers burg,TN off to our SW by about 2o minutes. As we are closing it is getting foggy below and we are only at about 2500', by about 3 miles out we are still looking for the airport. Trust your instruments, in this case the 296 which brings us dead smack over the runway. Awos 3 tells us the wind is favoring 16 and three minutes later we are rolling up to the terminal. Tie down and off to Breakfast. It's only 7:15.

 Dyersburg ...where are you?

Somewhere in the Mist...

Yet another courtesy car and a quick drive down to Huddle's for a real breakfast. Finally not a bagel. We both chomp down on some eggs, bacon, beef, ...toast and Jelly, aaahhh!
Off again by 09:00 with a new plan to head west instead of NW, weather being the issue. Next planned stop Walnut Ridge Regional, AR and we crossing the Mississippi after about 20 minutes in. Still smooth flying but by about 1/2 way in we are getting serious headwinds and our groundspeed drops to 48mph average... Time to divert again, this time it is almost off our nose in Paragould, AR. We line up for the main runway, but the crosswinds (about 10mph) are drifting us slightly too much, go around and head for the grass and into wind. AAAHHH, grass runways, soft, no brakes needed for roll out.

The "Glass Cockpit" at work...

After a bit of snooze and some Quizno's it looks like the winds are shifting. At 17:30 it is finally in our favor and we are off again from Paragould to the west. Next stop, Gaston's, a grass strip in the Ozarks near the Arkansas and Missouri state line. A local lawyer gave us the rundown on how to use this "wilderness strip" with trees, and canyons and all; ie. trying to scare the crap out of us. I guess he hasn't seen Nimpo, the Penfold and or Silvertip International. Love to hear his story on those ones!
At least we are making good headway, doing little spurts of 90+ ...finally. Flying on a westbound track just south of the Missouri Stateline is cruising over God,s Country. This is really, really nice and one can see why folks head this way. Landing at Gaston's is a real breeze in a 701. No worries for us, gears always down and we are pretty slow by the time we hit the soft grass. 20 minutes later we find ourselves sitting on the shores of the White River and debating how cool this place must have been a couple of hundret years ago. One starts to understand the love people have for this place, he connection to it is easily felt even for a first timer. It is an amazing place, and Hans and me agree, one could easily fall in love with this area and live here.

Tennessee Waltz...

Monday June 13, 2011

Breakfast at six ...no Hans! 06:10 still no Hans? I am talking a quick look to see if he,s already at the car; Nope, better call the room. Found him! He's had the same problem as me with the alarm on the room phone ...it did not ring! Quick coffee, check the radar for the route ahead and all looks good and sees us in the air by seven. Terry came out to bit us Good Bye and wish us a great flight. We really liked Pell City.

Flight Briefing in Pell City

 What a beautiful morning flying over NW Alabama from Pell City to Muscle Shoals. With Hans on the controls for the first leg, I have time so sit and look around at the scenery flowing past below us. The view from the Aircraft is outstanding. There is no better way seeing this countryside than right from where we are. No topless sports car, motorcycle or RV could give this view, because you'd never get out of the trees on the country roads below. This Hill Country here, at the foot of the Appalachians, is simply beautiful.

Somewhere...

Giving Birmingham Airspace a nice buffer to the NE we end up with 1.9hrs flying from KPLR to KMLS. Arriving there you get the red carpet treatment. A smile comes to my face imagining Nick with marshaling sticks and a red carpet pinched in his armpit at the 108. That'll be the day. I would be seriously worried about him! :-)

Nice airport, about Williams Lake size and with a certain sterility that comes with the slightly larger, and a bit more jet oriented airports, but friendly never the less.

After a quick brake, another weather consultation, we notice it is really building once again over southern Missouri and we decide to add only another 0.9 to the trip and end up landing in Savannah, TN. Nice airport, smaller again and the same friendly folks that seem to come with these installation. Montille, the airport manager, offers us once again a courtesy car and we are off to Wendy's for a bite to eat ...after the plane was tied down as good as we could. Just in case! We landed by 10:45 and it was building up, and getting already lumpy again. This should be interesting on the next few legs ahead.

We luck out once again with a hangar space, and Paul the Assistant Airport Manager helps us move the birdie into place. Filled up, pre-flighted and off to Town for a hotel. The first one, Days Inn, is booked up and we head across the parking lot to the the Comfort Inn. Their prices are out to Lunch, pardon my french, to say the least. What is this? Vancouver, downtown, with a view of the Lions. Get a Grip! READ MY LIPS (next sentence) ...don't come here, the bang for the buck is not in line at all with the offerings. This is a first on this trip, twice the money for half the room, but it seems the only 2 left in town...

Hans on the "Red Carpet" in Muscle Shoals

Gosh, I am looking forward to get across the Ozarks and out of Tornado Alley. Slightly cooler, drier air would be good too! Well are we even in it? We did notice the damage all along below us for the last hour of this mornings flight. Not a pretty sight, uprooted trees, buildings with no roofs, signs of natures fury everywhere.

So tomorrow we will have to get going even earlier. We need to cover a bit of country and hopefully get into Missouri before the "Lunch Time Tennessee Waltz" starts playing, tossing the little 701 from wing to wing and from tail to prop...

Sweet Home Alabama...

Sunday June 12, 2011

A little delayed start this morning, but beautiful flying conditions all the way up from Eufaula to Auburn, AL. Cruise Speed as high as 80mph, we are moving now, NNNAAATTT!!!

Alabama is not what we expected and in discussion with Hans, we were not really sure what to expect. Some huge farms along the way, and the parking lot across the botton of Runway 18 is certainly large enough to land if you can't make your climb out in the hot humid air. What we consider a Walmart Super Center up north, appears to be larger cornerstone down here. Everything is just bigger, larger super sized and so is the friendliness, outgoing fun attitude of the folks. That certainly goes for Pell City our second stop for the day and final one also.
After arriving, we were offered the courtesy car to get some lunch, a few miles from the airport and arriving back there about an hour later and nothing too soon as some black clouds building rapidly. A quick check on the radar certainly cancelled the flying idea, so lets go and tie down the bird for a few hours and catch some rest.

                                                  Alabama Storms ...shaken & stirred!!

Grabbing the rope kit from the back and taking a look down the runway, I am telling Hans that it is certainly coming. Not a black wall like at home but a white one...
Now this storm cleared a few miles in a few minutes, barely enough time to get three ropes onto the plane and it hits with a ferocity that is just not what one is used to coming from the Cariboo. Pummeling rains, gusting winds to about 30 kts and Hans and me jump into the plane to add some weight. Not that we had any intention to cross the apron without scuba gear. In the mist a red truck apears and barrels in, stops just beside the windward wing to break the force of the wind a bit. Meanwhile sitting inside Hans and me get pretty wide eyed wondering if we gonna get rolled down the apron, ropes, airplane and all. As fast as it starts it comes to an end. Puddles about 4" deep everywhere and as the sun comes out the steam feels like the Silvertip Sauna after someone added too much water. We instantly drench the rest of our clothing, this time from the inside out, of what didn't get wet while we tried to secure the plane. WOW! Glad to be on the ground! This is not something the little Zenair would handle too well in the air. Just too light! Pictures of sun and fun come to mind. Thanks to Emery Wheat for his quick thinking and placing the truck in front ...it made the difference!

                                                          Safe for the night again!

As the climatic conditions once again normalize, we follow (taxi) Emery down to an empty shade hangar. Go ahead, put it in here for now! ...followed by a "Not sure, wat yu awl want to do, but we'll have a potluck dinner at FOUUR at the Hangar on the end" Now I can't write this in the southern drawl that he speaks, but we love the sound of it. The drawl and the potluck. The rest of the afternoon is spent with the local folks here at KPLR wandering around hangars, peeking in on some planes, projects and than back to the hangar. Okay, potluck southern style, supersize too, 20 or so folks mingling, talking planes, politics, and the usual topics of American life. Not much different from the socials at home, and a lot of fun and some good laughs. Of course there is the usual grilling of past aerial mistakes and some stories that seem to get better each time they are being told, or at least the presentation is.

Emery & Hans

Part of the crew is Terry Capps, rolling around in his wheelchair and an avid flier and builder of Breezes. He is on number 3 now and a total inspiration to us! He modified the Breeze so he can use the rudder by hand and by talking to him you really get the sense of the passion for aviation he carries in his chest. Smoke Kit on the Breezie...? Now that tells me that someone is out there having fun. He also flies a modified Jabiru 250... there aint nothing slowing this man down. Good on you!!!
What a great afternoon! We could not have hit it any better, had one planned it this way. Crossing people's life by chance... in "Sweet Home Alabama"

Leaving Florida...

Saturday June 11, 2011

Early bird gets the fresh Bagel!

Something I am not going to miss for the next little while. How about some good Canadian Breakfast? Eggs, Bacon, Toast or even better some Pancakes slathered in butter and maple syrup. At this point just different sounds good.

With the Rental car returned to Tampa yesterday, followed by an outstanding Dinner at "Benetto's" in the Land of Lakes, Russell does the final honors and gives us a ride to the Hangar. A few photos, couple of folks to see us off, and we are finally starting the engine for the trip home. Spot Tracking is on, GPS up and running, no leaks, no sqeeuks, and communication a 5/5 minus a minor headset or intercom glitch. Did we get all those switches right. Is one on ISO? Hmmm? I wish all intercoms were "3S" intercom's, simple, solid and the same!

Looks like Hans can't hear me, and he has a hard time triggering the mic on his side. But at this point let's just get going. Enough fixing in KZPH, we can deal with that one along the way.

A last window polish, and with the run up done to the active 04 northbound it is. We are waddling along the taxiway like an overweight duck looking for a pond, more so than to take flight. We kept our luggage to a minimum, but it is funny how things always get bigger over time. The heat must have swelled our packs, I am sure. Blame it on the heat, after all the heat don't care, and seems everyone is complaining about the heat already as it is. Tampa Bay Tribune front page this morning 8 x 92 = HOT. Boy did we pick a time to do this!

Easing forward on the throttle, last check on the gauges, getting a little extra roll going before a slight back pressure lifts us in the air. I can only describe the rotation of a 701 as aggressive, being followed by what compares to translation in a helicopter, wondering if we going to settle back down or actually climb out. No worries, the moment is brief and the little Rotax is pulling us skyward at a steady pace. "Zephyrhills Traffic, Zero, Zero, Mike Echo is off zero four and departing northbound". I've been waiting to make this call for about a week now, to bad Hans can't hear it. He is just giving me an inquiring glance seeing if I am talking to him, patiently waiting for the "You have control" and getting some stick time in his nice new toy. First leg on the GPS is for KCGC and than up the coast for a little and on to Perry-Foley, 40J for fuel. It is a busy day in the air today. Passing Crystal River we a get call from an RV wishing us a great trip north. One of our visitors to the hangar from last week. Flying low level, combined with the bubble doors makes for some of the best Florida sightseeing yet. Easy to miss things when you never have mountain to take a good look around. But be forewarned they do have nearly 2000' high towers near the Georgia border...

The seat is not well padded and an hour in, my rear-end is already complaining bitterly, sending little pain messages down my legs. Missing the dual density seats from the Beaver and the accompanying leg room too... They build an 801 too, now that would be more my size!

2.3 hours later we roll up to the pumps in Perry Foley. Quick run to the air-conditioned pilot lounge, bathroom, internet, close one flight plan and shortly there after open the next. On the way back to the Pumps we notice we got company. A somewhat familiar, and very mint looking Carbon Cub from Cubcrafters in Yakima. I know this plane, I have seen this paint job, ...as it is being pushed back from the Pumps to make room for us. N711..? help me out here; "are you the fellow that wrote the article in Kitplanes about the trip from Yakima to Florida?" a big grin rolls up on his face, both arms go up in the air and a smiling ..."that would be me!"
Small world! Just before we left, I've tried feverishly to find this article to look at their route through the Rockies for reference. Anyhow they, yes the better half's a pilot too, are off to Yakima once again. He hands me his AOPA flight plan... tempted, but we'll go a bit further north first, before we head west. But Moab does sound good! Next Time!
Off on our next leg to 70J Cairo - Grady, as a reference only to avoid the Tallahassee Airspace and than over KEUF, Eufaula, Alabama. Repeat after me, Euphelia, NO, Eufaula as in "u folla" me? That's closer! U'AWL get it in TEEEIIIME! OKAY, we have entered the deep South.
The air is a getting a bit choppy as the day goes on and we see the OAT flicker up to 43c and this thing is placed well hidden from sunshine and air-cooled.
Hans watches in dismay as I change the GPS from 70J to KEUF and it offers another 1:57 minutes over an 106 mile course. No one ever said a 701 is a speed demon. About 20 minutes short of our planned destination Hans has had enough and is ready to just land.
Ah, let's just carry on and end up as planned! KEUF, "U FOLLA" with air-conditioned pilot lounge, bathroom, town, internet is just so much more appealing than spending the afternoon heat in the afternoon heat on some unknown tarmac. I am wearing a bit thin by now too and really look forward to a break. Just short of 5 hrs of flying with the last 1.5 being a bit of a climatic challenge. Arriving at KEUF, Hans is about 23 minutes of rough air past, and a few smiles short of a good time ...and I am not lagging much behind!

Looks like Aviation Lesson 102.1 has just made it's mark on us; "It a'int always as glorious as you think!"

"But Hey" ...blame it on the heat! Seems like everything else is being blamed on it these days! And while you are at it, might as well include the looming thunderstorms to the NW blocking our way. As we look over the radar maps on Foreflight we simply decide to call it day. Just as well! 4.9 hrs on the first day is being off to a pretty good start!

Eric the Airport Manager here at KEUF looks over our shoulders onto the displayed radar map, and promptly offers us a slot in the hangar to keep the plane out of the potential rain and/or hail. His wife Ruta, fluent in German, compliments the hangar offer with some fresh homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies. To top things off, Mark from Murray Aviation Services drops us at the near by hotel. Talk about getting spoiled!

                                                   N500ME put away for the night!

Or maybe simply put; "Southern Hospitality at its finest"!

Let us extend our sincerest gratitude, as for on this Journey it is really you, the good people we have met and keep meeting along the way, that make this Journey!