Progress report on the grass-strip tour

[Diana]

Well, some of the first few days have been covered in another thread...dang those keys!

It’s time for a day off, besides it’s rainy where I wanted to go today. I’m in a lovely B&B and it’s about time to get out and get some exercise on this beautiful day in Michigan. Breakfast with Marty Mayes and his son was enjoyable. Afterwards we wandered out to the airport to visit the Citabria.

Here are a few photos from the trip so far.

 

[SkyHog]

Awesome photos Diana! Green looks so good under airplane tires.

 

[EdFred]

Sheesh. I have TWO airports in Michigan, BOTH with grass and I get passed over.

 

[Diana]

Oh, and here are some pictures of stuff other than my airplane.

That pretty tractor belongs to the nice man who replaced my missing rivet. He was fascinating to visit with. He's owned 65 airplanes.

The antique airplanes are at the Antique Airfield in Iowa. It is unbelievable how many airplanes are hangared there! If you land going up the hill there and don't know you are going up a hill, you might bounce...don't ask me how I know that.

I liked the sign inside the building at Tri-County (2C6), the airport that Bruce flies into with his students. It's a neat little airport, and Dave has worked very hard to keep it up and active. Dave was incredibly helpful when I stopped there. It's wonderful to see a grass airport flourish and grow.

BTW, why is there a strong crosswind everywhere I go every day?????

 

[Diana]

Awesome photos Diana! Green looks so good under airplane tires.

Thanks Nick! I'm working on submitting the ConUS claims now.

 

[TeenDoc]

Hi Diana,

Beautiful pics! I envy you! When and where are you landing in or close to New York?

Gil

 

[KennyFlys]

That pretty tractor belongs to the nice man who replaced my missing rivet. He was fascinating to visit with. He's owned 65 airplanes.

There's a joke in there somewhere!

The man is obviously a lover of the classics. Between the planes and the old Allis-Chalmers, he's part of a rare breed. Old tractors are rare to find, one appreciated even more rare. I hope the same doesn't happen to airplanes.

Enjoy the ride!

 

[Diana]

Beautiful pics! I envy you!

Thanks Gil! I keep trying to get people to get in the pictures, but they run and hide when I get the camera out.

When and where are you landing in or close to New York?

Well, the weather forecast wasn't that great for Indiana and Ohio today, so I'm enjoying this neat little town in Michigan one more day. Tomorrow, I fly to Graham Field (OH82) and stay a day or two, and then backtrack to Indiana. Then on to PA for a day or two. Then on to the grass strip where a Citabria pilot lives only a few miles from the Old Rhinebeck Airport. I'm still avoiding cities like the plague. That's the latest plan, but you know how that goes.

Gil, is there a grass strip near where you are?

 

[TeenDoc]

Then on to the grass strip where a Citabria pilot lives only a few miles from the Old Rhinebeck Airport.

What strip is that, Airhaven, Green Acres...? These are the closest to Kingston/Rhinebeck that I know.

Gil, is there a grass strip near where you are?

I did a quick search on the New York Sectional (the new one), the AOPA airport directory and AIRNAV and made the summary attached to this post.

Of those, I'm familiar wiht Bayport, Trinca, Vansant and Chapin but I have not landed there recently.

I promise you this, if the weather in our area is as beautiful tomorrow as it was today, I'll go grass strip hoping with my son to check as many of them as I can and report back to you here.

Gil

 

[Greg Bockelman]

Harv Applegate is a cool guy. I am kind of envious. He sold Larry Nelson his 195. And bought a Cabin Waco. I am sort of envious.

Antique field is the meca for us antique airplane lovers. A little bit of everything has been there over the years.

 

[Diana]

What strip is that, Airhaven, Green Acres...? These are the closest to Kingston/Rhinebeck that I know.

Hi Gil. His strip is not on the sectional. Here is what he posted on the Citabria forum. He invited folks in to visit.

"From the Kingston Ulster Airport (20N) I am about 2 miles NW. Take a
heading of 300 deg from the airport and you will see 3 farms lined up
north south 1/2 mile east of I-87 the NYS Thruway. I am the mille
farm with the north south runway. Each of the farms has a big barn
and 2 silo's. My house is the log house next to the runway. At the
south end there are electric and telephone wires on poles. The
telephone wire is easy to see but the electric is not but it is in
the very top of the poles themselves.... so stay above the pole tops
and you should be fine"

I promise you this, if the weather in our area is as beautiful tomorrow as it was today, I'll go grass strip hoping with my son to check as many of them as I can and report back to you here.

Sounds like fun Gil! I'm looking forward to your report.

 

[Missa]

Well, the weather forecast wasn't that great for Indiana and Ohio today, so I'm enjoying this neat little town in Michigan one more day. Tomorrow, I fly to Graham Field (OH82) and stay a day or two, and then backtrack to Indiana. Then on to PA for a day or two. Then on to the grass strip where a Citabria pilot lives only a few miles from the Old Rhinebeck Airport. I'm still avoiding cities like the plague. That's the latest plan, but you know how that goes.

Hey at the rate your going you should be around PA to make the Wings Fly-b-q! Just give me a day (or at least several hours) notice for the PA section of the trip.

Missa

 

[Diana]

Hey at the rate your going you should be around PA to make the Wings Fly-b-q! Just give me a day (or at least several hours) notice for the PA section of the trip.

Missa

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.

 

[TeenDoc]

Hi Diana,

As promised, here’s my report, but first, a disclaimer. I think that guy Alzheimer is trying to get me. When I got to my plane, I realized I had left my camera at home. That’s because I always lean on Sue for the photo part of flying. So I only have text to offer. Second, the mission got complicated by having to go pick up my step son the marine at the Fort Monmouth AFRC. That knocked out 2 hours. We were able to visit only 3 of the strips I previously listed. Lastly to grade the runway condition we used Gaston’s as the standard to compare against giving it a 10 score.

TRINCA (13N) Andover, NJ
Unattended, semi-abandoned. To give you an idea, the old non-functioning gas pump showed a price of $2.30/gal for 100LL. There were four planes on the grass, an Aztec, a 1972 Bellanca-Citabria 7EAC, a J-3 Piper Cub and a Cherokee 140. All seem to be in flying condition. We roamed around for about 20 minutes and saw no one. The grass strip itself was in good condition, score 7/10.

VANSANT (9N1) Erwinna, PA
Attended, lively, beautiful. Many vintage aircraft. In one hangar alone there were 3 Stearman, 1 Chipmunk, a Great Planes Biplane and a Tiger Moth. Out on the grass we saw a Super Decathlon, a Champ (7AC) and several sail planes. Azhar, the person in charge and a legendary aerobatic instructor in the area, was as always very hospitable and kind. He fueled our plane himself. The grass strip itself was in very good condition 8/10. Runway 06 has a long displaced threshold and a dip that can get you to bounce, if you know what I mean and don’t ask me how I know. This is one place that if it is not too far out of your planned route, you’ll enjoy visiting. This is their website: http://vansantairport.com/

TWIN PINE (N75), Pennington, NJ
Unattended, abandoned, very sad. There were 4 Cessna 150, a Cessna 310 and 5 more planes, all in different stages of decay, some were totally ruined. We only saw one in flying condition but it had not been flown in awhile, there was bird doo doo all over it. It was a Gulfstream AA5R Tiger. Surprisingly, the runway surface was in excellent condition. We gave it 9/10 because the approach to Runway 14 is over a narrow clearing between very tall trees and at the departure end there are trees and power lines and just beyond the departure end and to the right a very tall antenna.

If I can get out the office early any day this week, I’ll go check out some of the other ones.

You were right, it was fun. I had a blast flying with my son Marcos and going to pick up my other one Vidal at the AFRC. The first time he’s ever flown with me. I gave him a treat. We came back to Westchester low (1,000 feet) and slow up the New York Harbor and the Hudson River. It was a beautiful day with unlimited visibility and by early evening the winds had died down, so it was a very smooth flight. NYC never looked so pretty from my cockpit.

Please, pardon the long post.

 

[Diana]

You were right, it was fun. I had a blast flying with my son Marcos and going to pick up my other one Vidal at the AFRC. The first time he’s ever flown with me. I gave him a treat. We came back to Westchester low (1,000 feet) and slow up the New York Harbor and the Hudson River. It was a beautiful day with unlimited visibility and by early evening the winds had died down, so it was a very smooth flight. NYC never looked so pretty from my cockpit.

Wow. It sounds like you guys had a GREAT day! Thank you for the report! I don't know when I'll have internet access again, but I'll keep checking when possible to see what other airstrips you've discovered.

Thanks!

 

[Missa]

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.

You really are trying to make the Wings Fly-B-Q on the 19th! I don't think Wings has a grass runway but I'll pick you up from the closest one.

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.

Well I hope it wasn't too bumpy in OH for that ride!

The flight was really good once we got far enough away from the ground for the air to smooth out. In MI the air was really bumpy but something was wrong with DTW approach, not only did they take a VFR FF hand off from Toledo but they let us into the bravo so we could stay out of the bumps down low. We diverted from our intended airport because the wind was 080 @ 11G22 and Mettatal only has a N-S runway. We landed instead at willowrun which has lots of long runways orientated in all directions. We had a nice tailwind on the way there, but were fighting a head wind most of the way home, it started to die off as the day progressed. It took 3 hrs to MI and 3 1/2 home. It was a bit problematic because I was late getting back to the airport for departure and the club does not allow VFR flight after sunset. We had enought fuel to make it without a stop, but my waste tank was at capacity when we still had 1 hr to go. We pushed onward because we did not have the time to stop and still beat sunset to IPT. With the dieing wind we got there well before sunset and I made my best shortfeild landing ever in a Cessna, landed on the numebrs hit the first turn off and taxied like mad to the FBO! Rick's (co-pilot) comment was that neccesity was the mother of perfection in this landing.

I also learned that I will never try to make that 1 day trip as a single pilot. It's just too long of a day, Rick flew to Detroit (more recient crosswind experiance in the Cessna) and I took the homebound leg. Somewhere past Youngstown, between the need to empty the waste tank, the 11 hr day with only 6 hrs of sleep and the droan of the engine I ran out of (personal) gas. Rick took PIC for 15-20 min and I had a snack and zonned for a bit. That perked me back up for the great landing.

Have fun out in Indana, can't wait to see you and the Citabra!

Missa

 

[TeenDoc]

...but I'll pick you up from the closest one. Missa

Diana and Missa,

That'll be Vansant (9N1). It's only 22 nm northeast of Wings field. It'll give Diana a chance to see Vansant's Sport Aviation and meet Dazhar. I'll meet you both there or if Missa can't pick you up I'll do it.

Gil

 

[Missa]

Diana and Missa,

That'll be Vansant (9N1). It's only 22 nm northeast of Wings field. It'll give Diana a chance to see Vansant's Sport Aviation and meet Dazhar. I'll meet you both there or if Missa can't pick you up I'll do it.

Gil

It's all you. I'm bringing Shane and Cassie with me... I really don't have the weight aviable for a 4th person so I'd be making a special trip. Of course for all I know Diana may be well onto the southern part of her journey by the 19th... but the way it's been going I'm not possitive.

Missa

 

[Diana]

The good news is…it’s beautiful flying weather here in Ohio and would be perfect weather for flying on to Pennsylvania.

The bad news is…I’ve been sicker than a dog and am stuck in a hotel room wishing I were flying. I just started a Z-PAK and plan to fly outta here tomorrow, although the forecast is iffy.

One of the reasons for this trip, other than the grand adventure, was to go on a soul-searching journey of self-discovery. There have already been a few interesting challenges and obstacles to overcome. I am reminded of the lyrics from a Beatles song: “I get by with a little help from my friends”.

Here’s a picture to go along with that thought. I’ll post some more after my nap.

 

[Missa]

The good news is…it’s beautiful flying weather here in Ohio and would be perfect weather for flying on to Pennsylvania.

The bad news is…I’ve been sicker than a dog and am stuck in a hotel room wishing I were flying. I just started a Z-PAK and plan to fly outta here tomorrow, although the forecast is iffy.

One of the reasons for this trip, other than the grand adventure, was to go on a soul-searching journey of self-discovery. There have already been a few interesting challenges and obstacles to overcome. I am reminded of the lyrics from a Beatles song: “I get by with a little help from my friends”.

Here’s a picture to go along with that thought. I’ll post some more after my nap.

More good news... once you hit PA you can stay as long as you can stand it... err me.

Tomorow I'm taking the car in for the annual inspection and riding my bike the rest of the way to work. I really wouldn't be avaiable to come over to Jersy Shore till about 5:00pm at the earliest. Call me when you get close.

Missa

 

[Kaye]

Hurry up and get over being sick, silly girl!!

I'm back from vacation and looking forward to your stop in Virginny!!!

 

[Diana]

Hurry up and get over being sick, silly girl!!

Okie dokie.

I'm back from vacation and looking forward to your stop in Virginny!!!

Looks like it will be early next week some time. Hope you had fun on your vacation.

 

[Diana]

More good news... once you hit PA you can stay as long as you can stand it... err me.

Tomorow I'm taking the car in for the annual inspection and riding my bike the rest of the way to work. I really wouldn't be avaiable to come over to Jersy Shore till about 5:00pm at the earliest. Call me when you get close.

Missa

Sounds good. If I feel better tomorrow (that's the plan) and if it is flyable weather (that's the plan), I will land at Jersey Shore sometime tomorrow. I don't mind hanging out at airports for hours. That's one of the reasons why I'm going on this trip. BTW, is there a bathroom at Jersey Shore?

 

[Diana]

Here are a few more pictures from the trip so far.

 

[TeenDoc]

Hi Diana,

Today, I had a chance to get out of the office early and went flying. I flew and circled over the strip of “the man with a Citabria near Rhinebeck” but didn’t land. After a few recognizance circles I went to the Kingston Airport (20N) to find out if anyone there knew him and could get me a number to call him to ask permission to land on his strip. Dan, a young guy in one of the hangars knew about him but didn’t know his telephone number.

The strip is very easy to spot following the instructions that he posted for you in the Citabria forum. It is just a tiny bit north of the approach path to runway 15, about 3 miles from Kingston Airport. It’s in very good condition; flat, with nicely cut grass. I saw two airplanes parked there, one yellow and one tan. I couldn’t tell which one was the Citabria. I got the coordinates off my GPS: N 42 00.57’ / W 73 59.74’ / 22.1 nm from the Kingston (IGN) VOR (117.6) on the 351.5° radial.

I also went to Airhaven (09N). This one is short (1,750’) and narrow (75’) with trees at both ends, about 75-100 feet off the centerline. There was one Cherokee 180 and a very nice and fancy hangar. The owner Steve was very nice and said that he doesn’t mind people dropping in. Not much to see. I wouldn’t go just to go; I must have a reason to land there.

From there I flew south to Long Island to check out the Bayport Aerodrome (23N). Unfortunately, by the time I got there the ground fog that usually creeps ashore from the ocean had covered Bayport. MacArthur (Islip-ISP) just 2 miles to the north was still VFR when I flew over it on my way south but by the time I turned around to come north it too was getting covered.

I’ll give it another try Friday. I hope you’re having fun!

Gil

 

[flyingcheesehead]

Diana,

Don't hate me for my timing... But I drove right past the farm last night. Doh!

 

[SkyHog]

Here are a few more pictures from the trip so far.

GREAT PICTURES!! This is awesome. I'm enjoying reading your updates, Diana.

Also, your claims are awesome! Really helping the cause, and also giving great info to those that follow to those airports!

 

[flyingcheesehead]

Here are a few more pictures from the trip so far.

Diana,

I can't quite explain it, but... Looking at these pictures... Your airplane just looks very happy. Looks like she's tryin' to wag her tail and say "Neato, this is fun! Where can we go next?"

 

[SCCutler]

Darlin', be sure you let us know (best you can) when you'll be getting down this way, I'd like to try to meet you at T82.

 

[Diana]

Hi Diana,

Today, I had a chance to get out of the office early and went flying. I flew and circled over the strip of “the man with a Citabria near Rhinebeck” but didn’t land. After a few recognizance circles I went to the Kingston Airport (20N) to find out if anyone there knew him and could get me a number to call him to ask permission to land on his strip. Dan, a young guy in one of the hangars knew about him but didn’t know his telephone number.

Wow. You've been busy Gil! Sounds like you're having a great time! I'll PM his phone number to you if you want. I may be staying there a night sometime within the next several days. I actually feel better about finding it now that you've been able to spot it from the air. He said there is an apartment in his barn where I can stay. His name is John Morrow and he is a CFI.

Weather permitting, I plan to fly to Missa's in PA tomorrow.

 

[gismo]

Diana,

Don't hate me for my timing... But I drove right past the farm last night. Doh!

You coulda stopped to see Tom!

 

[Diana]

GREAT PICTURES!! This is awesome. I'm enjoying reading your updates, Diana.

Thanks Nick.

Also, your claims are awesome! Really helping the cause, and also giving great info to those that follow to those airports!

Actually, the claims that have already been made on airports I've planned on using have been very helpful to me! You're doing a good thing Nick.

I've landed at lots more airports, but they're private, so I didn't get to claim those. I still have pictures and info about them if anyone wants to know more about them.

 

[Diana]

You coulda stopped to see Tom!

That's what I was going to say!!!!! Gee, Kent. Tom is all by himself now that I'm gone. OK, public notice! Anyone passing by the farm please stop to say "Hi!" to Tom.

 

[Diana]

Diana,

I can't quite explain it, but... Looking at these pictures... Your airplane just looks very happy. Looks like she's tryin' to wag her tail and say "Neato, this is fun! Where can we go next?"

Hey, you made me go back and look at the pictures, and sure 'nuff, you're right!

 

[Diana]

Darlin', be sure you let us know (best you can) when you'll be getting down this way, I'd like to try to meet you at T82.

Will do Spike! I'm looking forward to seeing you there!

 

[gibbons]

That's what I was going to say!!!!! Gee, Kent. Tom is all by himself now that I'm gone. OK, public notice! Anyone passing by the farm please stop to say "Hi!" to Tom.

Becca and i had lunch with him yesterday at the Blue Top.

 

[AdamZ]

Diana when will you be at Van sant?

 

[TeenDoc]

I'll PM his phone number to you if you want.

I may be staying there a night sometime within the next several days.

Let me know through this forum, my email mailto:gilberto_velez@nymc.edu or my cell (I'll pm it to you) when you'll be there. I'll drop by to say hello.

 

[Diana]

Becca and i had lunch with him yesterday at the Blue Top.

Thanks for stopping by to visit with Tom. I hope you guys had a good time in KC.

I like your new avatar.

 

[flyingcheesehead]

That's what I was going to say!!!!! Gee, Kent. Tom is all by himself now that I'm gone. OK, public notice! Anyone passing by the farm please stop to say "Hi!" to Tom.

Becca and i had lunch with him yesterday at the Blue Top.

You did??? Oh, you mean Tom.

Actually, I didn't have any chances to stop anywhere on this trip. I drove past the farm at about 12:30 or 1 AM . Chip, I sent you an e-mail yesterday to give you a heads-up that I might be in the area... And then found it still sitting in my outbox this afternoon.

Oh well... After my delivery in Baxter Springs, KS ("only" took them FIVE HOURS to unload me ) I had to RUN over to Branson, MO to get there by 3, only to have them take another 3.5 hours to load me back up. Sheesh.

At least we got to stop at Ozark, MO and eat at Lambert's Cafe. Mmmmm.