nesincg
BENEFACTOR
Chattanooga, TN (KAPT)
Kind of privately at the beginning of this year, I had started discussing with close friends about doing the entire trip from the book “Flight of Passage” some time next year. It would be my first time doing the trip, but the second time my plane, 71H, will have embarked on this itinerary. While being an homage to the the airplane, the adventure and tales the trip will bring is the reason I'm setting out on this journey. I'm hoping many folks will be able to join me on this. If not for the whole trip, then just a portion, even if just for the day.
I plan on leaving Somerset airport (SMQ) in New Jersey some time mid June of 2014. It will make a great gathering point being uncontrolled and having two grass runways. Trying not to conflict with too many other fly-ins, and trying to have as many accompany me as possible, I've decided this is the best time to leave. Deviating slightly from the route, my first major stop will be for some of the week at Sentimental Journey.
Nearing the completion of SJ 2014, and the weather looking good, we will rejoin the route westward aiming for Indiana, the Kentucky swale, Arkansas and the “Great Stearman Men of the West”. I'm not strictly sold on the same route, but as a general guide. When the weather is bad or the hospitality is too good to pass up, we will deviate as necessary. If there are local fly-ins along the way or pancake breakfasts, we should participate.
My exact destination is still not certain. San Juan Capistrrano has long since been a warehouse strip and all other close by airports are far from the coast or controlled. While I'm not opposed to a controlled airport, I'd really need the assistance of local pilots and controllers to coordinate landing if we have several cubs in our flight. Right now Oceanside airport (OKB) seems like a viable destination but I'm not sure about the hospitality after landing. VNY airport has always been kind to General Aviation but it would be an interesting flight through, around, under, LAX class B airspace to get there.
I'd LOVE to take off a few months to do this trip, but I know not everyone can. In order not to be in a hurry, I'm planning to take about 10 days to get out west from Lockhaven. I'm flexible here, but this also isn't a race. I learned from the Ohio boys that meandering through West Virginia on your own timetable and making some things up as we went was really the most fun.
If you can't take that long of time off, then take a few days off and meet up with us. The more, the better. Progress will be posted online and I'll have my spot tracker on board with real time updates. Once we depart our western destination, I'm not sure of the route to take, but It might have to be straight back to the Midwest. I'm hoping to have enough time at the conclusion of this to work one week or so and then head up to Oshkosh and New Holstein and show off my plane.
While still in restoration, I'm positive 71H will be done by early spring of 2014. (Charlie, I hope you aren't cursing my name right now). I've had so many offer help and assistance and progress is going real well right now. Funds for the engine will be saved by fall, which is my only stumbling block.
So many close people have asked to join me in the physical airplane, but my other seat will be occupied. The wife has crazily asked to accompany me on this flight. She has been very supportive throughout this restoration and will be my co-pilot. My dog Lenny will have to ride in the baggage or just stay behind, not happy with either.
I know this is very early in announcing this first ever national fly-out. It gives me an ultimate goal and a good mid-life crisis adventure. I also wanted to have time for word of this trip to get out, for people to look at next years vacations time, and to start saving up gas money. I'll also need volunteers to help out with local stops, accommodations and meals. Help spread the word and start saving up.
Hope to fly with you soon,
Chris
I plan on leaving Somerset airport (SMQ) in New Jersey some time mid June of 2014. It will make a great gathering point being uncontrolled and having two grass runways. Trying not to conflict with too many other fly-ins, and trying to have as many accompany me as possible, I've decided this is the best time to leave. Deviating slightly from the route, my first major stop will be for some of the week at Sentimental Journey.
Nearing the completion of SJ 2014, and the weather looking good, we will rejoin the route westward aiming for Indiana, the Kentucky swale, Arkansas and the “Great Stearman Men of the West”. I'm not strictly sold on the same route, but as a general guide. When the weather is bad or the hospitality is too good to pass up, we will deviate as necessary. If there are local fly-ins along the way or pancake breakfasts, we should participate.
My exact destination is still not certain. San Juan Capistrrano has long since been a warehouse strip and all other close by airports are far from the coast or controlled. While I'm not opposed to a controlled airport, I'd really need the assistance of local pilots and controllers to coordinate landing if we have several cubs in our flight. Right now Oceanside airport (OKB) seems like a viable destination but I'm not sure about the hospitality after landing. VNY airport has always been kind to General Aviation but it would be an interesting flight through, around, under, LAX class B airspace to get there.
I'd LOVE to take off a few months to do this trip, but I know not everyone can. In order not to be in a hurry, I'm planning to take about 10 days to get out west from Lockhaven. I'm flexible here, but this also isn't a race. I learned from the Ohio boys that meandering through West Virginia on your own timetable and making some things up as we went was really the most fun.
If you can't take that long of time off, then take a few days off and meet up with us. The more, the better. Progress will be posted online and I'll have my spot tracker on board with real time updates. Once we depart our western destination, I'm not sure of the route to take, but It might have to be straight back to the Midwest. I'm hoping to have enough time at the conclusion of this to work one week or so and then head up to Oshkosh and New Holstein and show off my plane.
While still in restoration, I'm positive 71H will be done by early spring of 2014. (Charlie, I hope you aren't cursing my name right now). I've had so many offer help and assistance and progress is going real well right now. Funds for the engine will be saved by fall, which is my only stumbling block.
So many close people have asked to join me in the physical airplane, but my other seat will be occupied. The wife has crazily asked to accompany me on this flight. She has been very supportive throughout this restoration and will be my co-pilot. My dog Lenny will have to ride in the baggage or just stay behind, not happy with either.
I know this is very early in announcing this first ever national fly-out. It gives me an ultimate goal and a good mid-life crisis adventure. I also wanted to have time for word of this trip to get out, for people to look at next years vacations time, and to start saving up gas money. I'll also need volunteers to help out with local stops, accommodations and meals. Help spread the word and start saving up.
Hope to fly with you soon,
Chris
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