Progress report on the grass-strip tour

[Hiperbiper]

Aahhh...
Now the truth becomes apparent! Diana has been on a Nation-wide search for the Best Merlot!

How about:
Though I'm closer to my Hubby than I was yesterday,
I'm gonna' owe him big time for these times I've been away:
He knows I'm on a Quest, He knows that it's been hard;
He just hasn't seen the charges on his Gold Mastercard!


Chris in Shreveport

 

[tonycondon]

diana - tafs and progs for tomorrow look doable. I hope it turns out well for you. ending of your trip may have been a little rough but i looked back through this thread and dang what a bunch of good times you and the citabria (does it have a name?) have had.

btw got my first hour of checkout in the clubs citabria. fun flying. my landings were decent, takeoffs could use some work. gotta get a feel for it. little heavier on the controls and more underpowered than the supercub that im used to.

have fun!

 

[Diana]

Aahhh...
Now the truth becomes apparent! Diana has been on a Nation-wide search for the Best Merlot!

Ut oh, my secret is out!

How about:
Though I'm closer to my Hubby than I was yesterday,
I'm gonna' owe him big time for these times I've been away:
He knows I'm on a Quest, He knows that it's been hard;
He just hasn't seen the charges on his Gold Mastercard!

Chris in Shreveport

I love it!!!!!! What's funny is the fact that it's so true!

Hey, when Eamon gets to Gaston's, maybe I can get him to put it to music and sing it for us. Or even Ben Rushing, I think he's going to bring his guitar.

I flew right over your airport yesterday. I took the good advice of some wise pilots who know your area and flew the Red River from Alexandria to Texarkana...it was a nice flight. I've always wanted to fly a river.

Chris, thanks again for finding a hangar for me just in case.

 

[Diana]

ending of your trip may have been a little rough but i looked back through this thread and dang what a bunch of good times you and the citabria (does it have a name?) have had.

It really has been a fantastic journey. The fun and generous people, the sights, the flying. There have been some real low points and rude awakenings, but those I'll probably save for the book. I have tried to see the good in some the bad situations and if nothing else, it will make the book more interesting.

btw got my first hour of checkout in the clubs citabria. fun flying. my landings were decent, takeoffs could use some work. gotta get a feel for it. little heavier on the controls and more underpowered than the supercub that im used to.

Cool! What model Citabria are you flying? Does it have spades? Does it have the O-320?

have fun!

Thanks Tony. Today will be a challenge. I'm always torn between risking having the Citabria sit out when storms are passing through and risking hail damage vs waiting a little longer where a hangar is available and getting her home undamaged. So far, the hangar wins.

 

[tonycondon]

It really has been a fantastic journey. The fun and generous people, the sights, the flying. There have been some real low points and rude awakenings, but those I'll probably save for the book. I have tried to see the good in some the bad situations and if nothing else, it will make the book more interesting.

where do i place my order?

Cool! What model Citabria are you flying? Does it have spades? Does it have the O-320?

Its a 7ECA. No spades, not sure about the engine. I would say that this checkout was more about flying than knowing anything about the airplane. Im going to have to dig through the POH and learn a little. I hope to fly with you at Gastons and learn a little from a Citabria expert. Im planning on flying this one to Edfreds labor day bash. Should be a good time.

Thanks Tony. Today will be a challenge. I'm always torn between risking having the Citabria sit out when storms are passing through and risking hail damage vs waiting a little longer where a hangar is available and getting her home undamaged. So far, the hangar wins.

Hangars always win.

 

[TeenDoc]

Hi Diana,

Look at this beauty, I know you're going to love her. Greetings from Auburn, Maine. I'm upgrading my float rating to Commercial here at Twitchell SPB.

Gil

 

[bbchien]

Yup. I was stuck at the Texarkana Best Western about five weeks ago, trying to get to Mineral Wells. Now that was a disaster.

 

[Let'sgoflying!]

hmmm if she hasn't checked in since....4:17am ! then I would like to assume she was not stuck in a hotel or fbo all day!

 

[Let'sgoflying!]

I too, followed a cold front into Texarkana about 1999. Stuck in Paris Tx for one night, Texarkana was still low (my first svfr) but I got in and out OK (was looking at a Bellanca Viking for sale - didn't like it, didn't like the demo ride almost on the deck either) That was a looong ride home in a C150!

 

[Diana]

Flying the Red River

hmmm if she hasn't checked in since....4:17am ! then I would like to assume she was not stuck in a hotel or fbo all day!

Hey Dave! I finally made it home this afternoon. Had to stop and call Twin Oaks FSS every so often to get an update on the storms and visibility. I flew over 375 miles today (often not on a straight line) with almost four hours of dodging weather. Visibility was not as good as they were reporting. It sure would have been nice to have that Garmin 396. Why do I always do things the hard way?

Here is a photo from yesterday’s flight from Alexandria to Texarkana. Marty Mayes and a few other pilots who are familiar with LA suggested that I follow the Red River for that leg. Boy, am I glad I heeded their advice! It sure is a good idea to listen to the ‘locals’ when it comes to landmarks, weather, and routing.

I’ve always wanted to follow a river, and this was the perfect time to do just that. The Red River was not only a good landmark to follow, but it offered many safety features in that part of the country. There were always open places to land in case of an engine failure, and there were numerous airports along the river. Plus, it was fun to fly the river.

 

[Diana]

Hi Diana,

Look at this beauty, I know you're going to love her. Greetings from Auburn, Maine. I'm upgrading my float rating to Commercial here at Twitchell SPB.

Gil

Hey Gil! Wow, that sounds like fun! I hope you'll give us a full report when you have time!

 

[tonycondon]

glad you made it home diana. the adventure continues...

 

[jshawley]

Welcome Home, Diana!

Jim

 

[Let'sgoflying!]

Home, sweeet, home. I bet you sleep better tonight!
Congratulations on a fantastic and successful journey, of which we are all envious, Diana!!

 

[wsuffa]

Welcome home, Diana! What a fab trip...

Now you'll need another case of Moosehead....

 

[Diana]

Welcome home, Diana! What a fab trip...

Thanks! It sure is good to be home. It's like Dorothy said "There's no place like home".

Now you'll need another case of Moosehead...

LOL! Actually, as soon as I landed we opened a couple of Mooseheads and sat out by the hangar and celebrated. And then it rained (again).

I'm still open to more song lyrics, btw.

 

[TeenDoc]

Hi Diana,

I'm so glad you're back home.

I've been so busy that I couldn't write before. I just got back from Turner, Maine. I'm a new Commercial ASES pilot. I haven't done so much airwork and practiced so many takeoff and landings in such a short period of time in ages.

The people in the first picture are; from right to left: Me ; Tom my instructor, with the back to the camera, the FAA examiner and 17 y/o Kevin, Tom's other student. Tom's is signing my logbook checkride endorsement.

Did you see what's in the background? Don't worry, I got you a close up.

I'll give you more details later. I'm going to take a nap.

 

[gismo]

Thanks! It sure is good to be home. It's like Dorothy said "There's no place like home".

Told ya. Welcome back.

 

[Diana]

I've been so busy that I couldn't write before. I just got back from Turner, Maine. I'm a new Commercial ASEL pilot. I haven't done so much airwork and practiced so many takeoff and landings in such a short period of time in ages.

Wow! Congratulations! Sounds like a busy and intense weekend.

Did you see what's in the background? Don't worry, I got you a close up.

Pretty bird!!! What model is it? Does it have flaps? You and I will definitely have to go flying together in the Citabria at Gaston's.

 

[TeenDoc]

Pretty bird!!! What model is it? Does it have flaps?

I don't know but I' ll find out. I'll call Julie, the owner.

You and I will definitely have to go flying together in the Citabria at Gaston's.

 

[SkyHog]

So Diana, is there a final map available for your trip? Preferrably with a timeline?

 

[Fast n' Furious]

The people in the first picture are; from right to left: Me ; Tom my instructor, with the back to the camera, the FAA examiner and 17 y/o Kevin, Tom's other student. Tom's is signing my logbook checkride endorsement.

That DPE is Guy Veilleux! He and I worked for the same flying outfit in Maine for many years. His name appears in my logbook sooooo many times it ain't funny. CFI, CFII, ATP and tailwheel along with many, many charter flights. Had a ball flying with him and hope you did too.

 

[Diana]

So Diana, is there a final map available for your trip? Preferrably with a timeline?

Chip made a map for me that I updated as the trip progressed. Thanks again Chip...you're good!

Grass strips and other odd places map

 

[TeenDoc]

That DPE is Guy Veilleux! He and I worked for the same flying outfit in Maine for many years. His name appears in my logbook sooooo many times it ain't funny. CFI, CFII, ATP and tailwheel along with many, many charter flights. Had a ball flying with him and hope you did too.

You're right, that's Guy. I've flown with him twice, both times for checkrides. Each time the checkride was more like a lesson in safe flying than an actual test.

Guy hangs out at Twitchell's a lot, that's where I met him. When Tom and him sit down to share flying stories, it's like listening to an audio book on the history of New England's aviation.

 

[Bob Bement]

I'm glad you made it home safe and sound. What a grand trip in your blue and white bird. I have been busy over the long weekend at the Owyhee strip fixing up the Owyhee Hilton Hotel. A bunch of flyers from Madras, Hood River and Winnemuca, Nv. flew in to help. There were about 20 planes parked on Pelican Point strip at one time.
I am looking forward to seeing you at Gastons in a few days. I am counting down the days. Bob

 

[Dougie01]

Cool!!
Followed ya on the web, someday I will do something like that.

Doug

 

[Kaye]

Welcome home, Diana!!! We'll see ya soon at Gaston's!

 

[Diana]

Since Bruce and a few others suggested some kind of presentation about my trip at our Gaston’s fly-in, I decided to take the easy way out and made a video (to music) of some of my favorite shots or best times on the trip. If anyone would like a CD of the larger video file (with better quality photos), shoot me your address and I’ll mail ya one (or give it to you at Gaston's).

There are so may people to thank, I don’t even know where to start, but I’ll give it a try. Thanks again to Bruce and Sue Chien, Marty Mayes, Missa, and Barb for taking such good care of me. The most fun flying that I have done in years was made possible by John Graham, Gil Valez, and Bill Cloughley and the Trunk Monkeys back east.

What really impressed me was how wonderful you all were that night I was very down and discouraged in Louisiana. You have no idea how much better you all made me feel.

I owe a special thanks to Stephen Gray for being 'with me' on this trip and for offering words of support and encouragement every step of the way.

Thanks to Joe Areeda for hosting my video, and for helping me with that briefing the day the dog ate my lunch.

And a big thanks to Chip.

http://www.areeda.com/flying/dr/TheTrip.wmv

 

[Missa]

That's Fabulous! Even with all the rocks in the road it was quite the adventure and I'm happy I could host you for a night or so!

Missa

 

[Linda]

Love the video!!! What a great trip you had. I'm waiting for the book!!!:+}

 

[SkyHog]

That was a neat video. I like the shot with the cutouts in the grass!! I haven't yet looked at your photo CD, but I think there's gonna be a ton of pics I use as wallpaper here shortly.

 

[Diana]

Love the video!!! What a great trip you had. I'm waiting for the book!!!:+}

Hey Linda! We need to get caught up on your latest flying experiences!

 

[Diana]

That was a neat video. I like the shot with the cutouts in the grass!!

Thanks Nick! Yea, the crop art was fun to find. I haven't seen a peace symbol in a while, and seeing one cut out in a field was kinda neat.

I haven't yet looked at your photo CD,

OH, well, it's just the same video, but with the larger resolution photos in the video. If you want any of the photos, let me know and I will burn a CD for you. Chip was kind enough to put the video on a DVD, so I may send that to some of my friends and family. I'm not very good at this technical stuff.

 

[Dave Krall CFII]

Hey Missa! I'm leaving Graham Farm shortly and am headed for Indiana. I'm getting a cold, so I may needed a day or two of down time to get over that. I'll keep you posted.

Flying in the Scout yesterday was incredible!!!! I can't believe what that airplane can do!!!! We must have landed at and/or made a low pass at a hundred grass strips...some of them on the side of a steep hill! Wow! These guys were SO much fun! One grass strip had a camel sitting in the middle of it, so we couldn't land there.

I hope you had a great day flying yesterday.

You be careful out there... when we see a camel parked at BFI, we go on red alert!

 

[Diana]

You be careful out there... when we see a camel parked at BFI, we go on red alert!

OK, now I just have to post the photo of the camel on the runway as seen from a Scout on a low pass (just in case y'all don't believe me).

 

[tonycondon]

well usually i tell my students that there is a deer on the runway when i want them to do a go around. or they do go arounds when there are actually deer on the runway. but i think ill have to pull the camel out every now and then.

theres a whaaaat on the runway?

 

[Bill]

well usually i tell my students that there is a deer on the runway when i want them to do a go around.

Ray (my CFI): Bill, there's a deer on the runway.
Bill: I don't see him.
Ray: Bill, THERE'S a DEER on the runway.
Bill: Ray, you must be blind, there isn't a deer anywhere near the runway.
Ray: Do a go around all ready.
Bill: Oh, ok

Bill firewalls plane...

 

[Linda]

Hubby is close to his check-ride! I've been sitting in on as much as possible, but have not been flying.:+(

As soon as he's done, I get to start again! Can hardly wait. Watched a Christen Eagle play in the sky last evening and thought of you!

 

[Linda]

Oh, my gosh! A camel! We've had cattle and deer (live ones), but that's a first!

 

[Missa]

Ray (my CFI): Bill, there's a deer on the runway.
Bill: I don't see him.
Ray: Bill, THERE'S a DEER on the runway.
Bill: Ray, you must be blind, there isn't a deer anywhere near the runway.
Ray: Do a go around all ready.
Bill: Oh, ok

Bill firewalls plane...

Sounds like my instructor. At a safe hight on upwind, without saying a word, he pullls the throttle to idle. So I push the throttle in, He says no, engine out, and returns the throttle to idle... Oh I say and procced to set up best glide and pick a field as I say, well you should say that sooner when you pull out the throttle.

Missa