Headin' North

Arrival at Creve Coeur at 0630...little bit froggy.

 

What a pretty site! Sky took this one.

 

Steve Thomas took this one for us at Poplar Grove.

 

A new tradition at Poplar Grove; posing with Elray Jeppesan.

Steve took this one also.



In a place called Wisconsin there is a magical city known as Oshkosh.

It's push time again as we get ready to go to that mystical place called Oshkosh. Many of you know that I disagree with the direction the Association has taken over the past several years and that I was boycotting in protest of that direction.

 

However, I can't sit idly by and watch the Fracked-Up Aviation Administration rape my fellow pilots by charging the enormous and totally unjustified sum they are charging the EAA for their services.

 

And besides, Glenn asked me to fly chase for the Monosport and who can resist that?

 

 

Glenn props the Monosport on an early-morning test flight

 

Taking Off.

.

 

Sky tries out Ken Thomas's Bird's front cockpit. He says it's plenty roomy.

 

Ken practices hard surface landings in the Bird.

 

Beautiful, billowy, white puffy clouds fill the sky as Glenn makes a fly-by.

Photo-shoot: Luscombe 8a

Went out and shot Rob Stegman's Luscombe 8a tonite.

Although I got some great shots, I didn't have as many keepers as I'd hoped.

In my defense, it was my wife's Rebel, it was my first shoot of the year and the light was poor.

I know, whine, whine, whine, I sound like a jet engine....

Here are some of the ones I liked;

 

Stearman Formation Practice

I was lucky enough to be out at the airport early this morning when I noticed the Stearman guys were going up to practice their formation flying skills. The guys had a couple empty seats and asked if I wanted to fill one of them. Yea! You bet!

 

I didn't have my air-to-air lens with me, so all these pictures were taken with my little Panasonic point-n-shoot camera. I think it did a wonderful job considering the circumstances.

 

 

Taxiing out.

 

Lined up on the runway, we were No. 3 in the flight.

 

Les Heikkila's Recall Stearman forms up.

 

Changing formations.

 

Les is closer than he appears in this wideangle shot.

 

Cross-under.

 

Flying wires frame Rods Stearman.

 

Headed home.

Getting used to flying the Monosport.

 

Glenn decided to take the Monosport out this morning to

get some time on and in it in preparation for our

upcoming trip.

 

 

Fast-taxi.

 

Takeoff

 

It's a cute little bugger!

 

 

A real "Field of Dreams."

Finding the oil leak

Glenn Peck hand-props the Monosport to get its engine started. He's hunting

down an oil leak which needs to be fixed before the first flight this year

of the airplane.

Around the Patch: Flying a J-3.



Ron Magos came by and asked if I wanted to go flying in his Cub this morning. I hemmed and hawed, murmur something about helping Glenn and two-milliseconds later accepted his offer.

 

 

Armstrong Starter: Ron engages the Cubs 65hp Continentel engine.

 

Ron flying.

 

Turning final to Runway 16 at Creve Coeur.

 

We did 3 landings, two full-stalls and he got out.

A little inspiration to finish mine.

My friend Glenn.

Glenn Peck

 

My friend Glenn poses in front of the Monosport Saturday Morning.

Another wash job.

Washing the Monosport on Saturday morning.

Lindsay's Wash and Detailing Service

 

Lindsay helps was the Historic Aircraft Restoration Museums Piper Vagabond.

Ride Day in the Fairchild.

Gave my buddy Tom Mistretta (Ex-Trans States, Southern Air) and his family rides in my Fairchild this morning. Great day to go flying, temps in the mid-70's, no wind, just perfect.

Sunday at Creve Coeur.

 

Scott Johansson gets ready to fly a Waco YKS.

 

Waco and Stearman parked side by side.

Happy Birthday America!

No Grass Runway at Oshkosh... again....

I had heard the rumor and emailed EAA President Jack Pelton last night about the EAA not having a grass runway again this year.

His response,

"Don,

We had the grass for the first time last year. It was a special set up and not a very safe location. Only 1 aircraft used it and they landed the wrong way on it. The FAA was not too happy. The Oshkosh airport did not want to pursue the special permits for the same set up this year. We came to a collective agreement we would pursue a more permanent and safer / better solution for next year. I am a big supporter of having the proper grass runway since I fly 3 very tricky tail wheel vintage planes that prefer grass. We are going to make it better and safer for our Vintage friends. The final solution and permits just cannot get finalized until next year.

Jack J. Pelton"

 

When was this collective agreement came too? Did you ask the members what their thoughts on this was? Were they even consulted? The EAA (lack of) leadership had a year to deal with this problem, you're telling  me that in a years time, the brain trust couldn't come up with a place to put a grass runway?

 

And last year wasn't the first time, Oshkosh had one in the '70's before you put in an intersecting taxiway.

 

Looks like the EAA doesn't want any Vintage aircraft this year.