Summer's over -- where'd you go?

[Jay Honeck]

With school started, and family vacations a soon-to-be-distant memory,
it's time to reflect on a summer of flying. Where'd everyone fly to?
What was the coolest flight you made this summer? Help us plan NEXT
summer's flight, by describing your "must-see" place from this year.

I'll get the ball rolling. We flew more this year than ever before,
and hit some pretty cool places -- but the most lovely, by far, was
Madeline Island, up in Lake Superior. My son and I flew to the island
with our mountain bikes, camped on the field right next to the plane,
and enjoyed three fantastic days of riding, swimming, and flying.

Aside from the quality time spent with my son, this is what stands out
most in my mind: On our last day, we departed into a crystal-clear,
azure blue sky, and made a round-robin, low-level tour of the Apostle
Islands, most of which are inhabited only by wild life. We stayed down
low over the water, never over-flying the islands themselves, but
rather shooting along side of them, marveling at the old lighthouses,
the dense forests, and the way the deep waters of Lake Superior could
be so impossibly clear.

This was my first low-level flight (low meaning, like, 500' AGL -- I'm
no dare-devil) over water, and the sensation of speed going past island
rock formations was fun, and the beauty of the scenery simply
breath-taking. The sun, the sky, the water, the sailboats, all
combine to make this a must-do trip for anyone looking for a few days
of peace and quiet in a stunningly beautiful setting.

You?
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Ron Lee]

Best flying weather is yet to come with less heat, humidity and
thunderstorms. Projected trips to Key West, Bahamas, Kitty Hawk with
possible return via Iowa City. Plan on a Devil's Tower trip (100th
anniversary). Possible trip to see the ABQ balloon fiesta.

Several trips so far to Page AZ to photograph Antelope Canyon.

Weekend trips to mountain airports for breakfast.

Ron Lee

[ktbr]

Seems like most of my flying this year was spent flying forestry
fire patrol with all the hot dry weather we've had.

We did fly out to Austin, Tx. to visit some family and also
to go to San Antonio. The Riverwalk is a great place to visit,
lots of great places to eat. Of course, the Alamo is a must if
you've never seen it. Of course flying over the Mississippi
River is always a blast. It looks bigger at 10,000 feet than
the Oconee does at 1000 feet. :^0

We also got up to Nags Head for a few days and go to see the
Wright Brothers monument and the museum there. That's sort of a
mecca for all pilots and I highly recommend it. I can't believe
it took me so long to finally go there.

We also flew up to Asheville, NC to poke around at the Biltmore
Estate and also Hendersonville, NC. That was a remarkable place
and I found the best Mexican Resurant I have ever experienced
in the old Biltmore Village.

[[email protected]]

Just got back from an adventure to Jackson Hole, WY (from Wisconsin).
Dodging TFR's of the fire and Cheney variety, the smoke from the fires,
a plugged pitot when we took off from Jackson hole to return to WI
(that necessitated a return to the airport and the tower asking us if
we needed assistance...), my first experience with night IMC and a
night ILS approach, etc, etc. Seeing fireworks near Omro, WI when we
broke out on the Appleton ILS 3 approach (which was truly odd to see as
we were in the murk until I saw the glow of fireworks!).
Also saw why the restricted area north of Fort McCoy, WI is restricted:
the firing range was active at night which made for some interesting
firework-like displays!

Also very briefly met Ben Haas, from Jackson Hole and on the r.a.p.
rogues gallery on Jays' website. It's a small world!

Ryan in Madison

[Ross Richardson[_2_]]

Jay Honeck wrote:
> With school started, and family vacations a soon-to-be-distant memory,
> it's time to reflect on a summer of flying. Where'd everyone fly to?
> What was the coolest flight you made this summer? Help us plan NEXT
> summer's flight, by describing your "must-see" place from this year.
>
> I'll get the ball rolling. We flew more this year than ever before,
> and hit some pretty cool places -- but the most lovely, by far, was
> Madeline Island, up in Lake Superior. My son and I flew to the island
> with our mountain bikes, camped on the field right next to the plane,
> and enjoyed three fantastic days of riding, swimming, and flying.
>
> Aside from the quality time spent with my son, this is what stands out
> most in my mind: On our last day, we departed into a crystal-clear,
> azure blue sky, and made a round-robin, low-level tour of the Apostle
> Islands, most of which are inhabited only by wild life. We stayed down
> low over the water, never over-flying the islands themselves, but
> rather shooting along side of them, marveling at the old lighthouses,
> the dense forests, and the way the deep waters of Lake Superior could
> be so impossibly clear.
>
> This was my first low-level flight (low meaning, like, 500' AGL -- I'm
> no dare-devil) over water, and the sensation of speed going past island
> rock formations was fun, and the beauty of the scenery simply
> breath-taking. The sun, the sky, the water, the sailboats, all
> combine to make this a must-do trip for anyone looking for a few days
> of peace and quiet in a stunningly beautiful setting.
>
> You?
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"
>
Well, I stayed on the ground most of the time with, what I hope is a
temporary medical condition. I hope to get back in the air sometime
towards the end of the year. Otherwise there may be a 180 horse IFR
Skyhawk for sale.

--

Regards, Ross
C-172F 180HP
KSWI

[rps]

Jay Honeck wrote:
> ...
> This was my first low-level flight (low meaning, like, 500' AGL -- I'm
> no dare-devil) over water, and the sensation of speed going past island
> rock formations was fun, and the beauty of the scenery simply
> breath-taking. The sun, the sky, the water, the sailboats, all
> combine to make this a must-do trip for anyone looking for a few days
> of peace and quiet in a stunningly beautiful setting.
>
> You?

You're a braver man than I am. I try to stay within gliding distance
of land. For example, I flew with my family (wife of 12 years, 10
yr-old daughter, 5 yr-old son, and 6 month-old dog) to Friday Harbor,
WA (KFHR) during a long weekend. KFHR is on one of many San Juan
Islands that sit between Seattle and Victoria, Canada. It's a
beautiful part of Washington state, where one can sometimes still catch
glimpses of a pod of Orca killer whales. We saw just such a pod on our
trip there from an altitude of about 2500' near the main island. The
pods are easy to spot because they're generally surrounded by an armada
of whale-watching boats carrying tourists.

Another nice trip was a business trip to Portland, OR (KPDX). I took
as passengers my then-unemployed friend and his 6-yr old son so they
could visit a relative. They spent a nice, sunny day in downtown
Portland while I was stuck in meeting rooms without windows. We saw
the sunset-lit, perpetually snowy tops of Mounts Hood and Rainier, as
well as other volcanic peaks. This was their first trip in a small
plane and they were awestruck by the sights. Unfortunately, my
friend's wife won't let him learn to fly.

[Dan Luke]

"Jay Honeck" wrote:

> "Summer's over"

Maybe up there in the sub-arctic where you live. It's got another solid
month or more to go, here.

> With school started, and family vacations a soon-to-be-distant memory,
> it's time to reflect on a summer of flying. Where'd everyone fly to?

OSH, of course; Houston a couple of times; business trips within 300 nm of
Mobile.

Rockport, TX would have been the coolest trip this summer if I hadn't managed
to step on a stingray while wade fishing in San Antonio Bay. I can think of
a lot of adjectives for that experience but "cool" isn't one of them.

> This was my first low-level flight (low meaning, like, 500' AGL -- I'm
> no dare-devil) over water, and the sensation of speed going past island
> rock formations was fun, and the beauty of the scenery simply
> breath-taking. The sun, the sky, the water, the sailboats, all
> combine to make this a must-do trip for anyone looking for a few days
> of peace and quiet in a stunningly beautiful setting.

Yup, flying wide open down low is a blast. One of my favorite "warm up the
oil" trips is to fly up the river delta north of Mobile bay at 300' (that's
clear of the power lines).

--
Dan
C-172RG at BFM

[Dan Luke]

"ktbr" wrote:

> We did fly out to Austin, Tx. to visit some family and also
> to go to San Antonio. The Riverwalk is a great place to visit,
> lots of great places to eat.

> ...Hendersonville, NC. That was a remarkable place
> and I found the best Mexican Resurant I have ever experienced
> in the old Biltmore Village.

Ok, there's got to be more to this story.

You went to San Antonio and then found the best Mexican Resurant you have
ever experienced in ... North Carolina?

[Ross Richardson[_2_]]

Dan Luke wrote:
> "Jay Honeck" wrote:
>
>
>>"Summer's over"

snip
>
> Rockport, TX would have been the coolest trip this summer if I hadn't managed
> to step on a stingray while wade fishing in San Antonio Bay. I can think of
> a lot of adjectives for that experience but "cool" isn't one of them.
>
>
snip
>
Dan, my wife also stepped on a stingray this summer on the Gulf side of
Galveston. She is a pretty strong person and she was reduced to a baby
and she is a nurse. She said that was the worse pain she has ever had.
The only thing that eased the pain was keeping her foot in hot water.
Drugs did not do it. We had to have her foot X-rayed to be sure no barb
was left in. It was a very deep and nasty cut.

--

Regards, Ross
C-172F 180HP
KSWI

[ktbr]

Dan Luke wrote:
>
> You went to San Antonio and then found the best Mexican Resurant you have
> ever experienced in ... North Carolina?
>
>

Strange but true... and, I've spent a lot of time in San Antone,
have eaten in lots of good Mexican Restaurants. But I stand my
story.... La Paz in Biltmore Village.

[Dan Luke]

"Ross Richardson" wrote:

> Dan, my wife also stepped on a stingray this summer on the Gulf side of
> Galveston. She is a pretty strong person and she was reduced to a baby and
> she is a nurse. She said that was the worse pain she has ever had.

Agree completely. Kind of like having your foot hit with a hammer and then
set on fire. Unbelievably excruciating.

> The only thing that eased the pain was keeping her foot in hot water. Drugs
> did not do it.

Very hot water brings instant, blessed relief--breaks down the venom protein,
I believe.

Unfortunately, it took an hour or so to get me to the guide's house where I
could apply the cure. That was a long hour.

> We had to have her foot X-rayed to be sure no barb was left in. It was a
> very deep and nasty cut.

Fortunately, the beasty was not able to embed the barb in me, although it
certainly tried. That was Aug. 11, and the wound is just now looking like
it's healing well.

I've enjoyed wade fishing in the bays and surf since I was a little kid. No
more.

--
Dan
C-172RG at BFM

[Dan Luke]

"ktbr" > wrote in message
...
> Dan Luke wrote:
> >
>> You went to San Antonio and then found the best Mexican Resurant you have
>> ever experienced in ... North Carolina?
>
> Strange but true... and, I've spent a lot of time in San Antone,
> have eaten in lots of good Mexican Restaurants. But I stand my
> story.... La Paz in Biltmore Village.

I'll make a note of it.

What was great about it? What did you order?

--
Dan
C-172RG at BFM

[Ross Richardson[_2_]]

Dan Luke wrote:
> "Ross Richardson" wrote:
>
>
>>Dan, my wife also stepped on a stingray this summer on the Gulf side of
>>Galveston. She is a pretty strong person and she was reduced to a baby and
>>she is a nurse. She said that was the worse pain she has ever had.
>
>
> Agree completely. Kind of like having your foot hit with a hammer and then
> set on fire. Unbelievably excruciating.
>
>
>>The only thing that eased the pain was keeping her foot in hot water. Drugs
>>did not do it.
>
>
> Very hot water brings instant, blessed relief--breaks down the venom protein,
> I believe.
>
> Unfortunately, it took an hour or so to get me to the guide's house where I
> could apply the cure. That was a long hour.
>
>
>>We had to have her foot X-rayed to be sure no barb was left in. It was a
>>very deep and nasty cut.
>
>
> Fortunately, the beasty was not able to embed the barb in me, although it
> certainly tried. That was Aug. 11, and the wound is just now looking like
> it's healing well.
>
> I've enjoyed wade fishing in the bays and surf since I was a little kid. No
> more.
>
I had to keep changing the hot water at the hospital ER for about 2.5
hours. We had to wait until she could get into X-ray. The room was
soaked. She said she was through with the ocean.

--

Regards, Ross
C-172F 180HP
KSWI

[Dan Luke]

"Ross Richardson" wrote:

> I had to keep changing the hot water at the hospital ER for about 2.5
> hours.

My experience was a little different. The pain was GONE within 30 seconds of
applying the hot water, but it was *very* hot, as hot as I could stand it. I
soaked for about 20 minutes on the advice of my friends, and the pain never
returned.

> We had to wait until she could get into X-ray. The room was soaked. She
> said she was through with the ocean.

I can relate.

--
Dan
C-172RG at BFM

[Eduardo K.[_1_]]

In article m>,
Jay Honeck > wrote:
>
>You?
>

I flew 20.000 miles strapped in coach :)

my license is expired.. have not been PIC in 3 years :(




--
Eduardo K. | Some say it's forgive and forget.
http://www.carfun.cl | I say forget about forgiving just accept.
http://e.nn.cl | And get the hell out of town.
| Minnie Driver, Grosse Point Blank

[City Dweller[_1_]]

My longest trip this summer was from Caldwell, NJ to London, Ontario for
DiamondFest. That one was non-stop across the border. We had to land at
Buffalo Intl when returning to the US.

Other memorable trips were to Niagara Falls, Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard,
Block Island and Ocean City, NJ. Also several trips to Cross Keys, NJ for
some parachute jumps.

All in all, lots of flying this summer, lookng forward to the next one.

-- CD

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
ps.com...
> With school started, and family vacations a soon-to-be-distant memory,
> it's time to reflect on a summer of flying. Where'd everyone fly to?
> What was the coolest flight you made this summer? Help us plan NEXT
> summer's flight, by describing your "must-see" place from this year.
>
> I'll get the ball rolling. We flew more this year than ever before,
> and hit some pretty cool places -- but the most lovely, by far, was
> Madeline Island, up in Lake Superior. My son and I flew to the island
> with our mountain bikes, camped on the field right next to the plane,
> and enjoyed three fantastic days of riding, swimming, and flying.
>
> Aside from the quality time spent with my son, this is what stands out
> most in my mind: On our last day, we departed into a crystal-clear,
> azure blue sky, and made a round-robin, low-level tour of the Apostle
> Islands, most of which are inhabited only by wild life. We stayed down
> low over the water, never over-flying the islands themselves, but
> rather shooting along side of them, marveling at the old lighthouses,
> the dense forests, and the way the deep waters of Lake Superior could
> be so impossibly clear.
>
> This was my first low-level flight (low meaning, like, 500' AGL -- I'm
> no dare-devil) over water, and the sensation of speed going past island
> rock formations was fun, and the beauty of the scenery simply
> breath-taking. The sun, the sky, the water, the sailboats, all
> combine to make this a must-do trip for anyone looking for a few days
> of peace and quiet in a stunningly beautiful setting.
>
> You?
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"
>

[kontiki]

Dan Luke wrote:
>
> What was great about it? What did you order?
>

Atmosphere : excellent. Outside verandah plus inside. Clean.
Food: great assortment, fresh greens/salad, excellent margarita.

I ordered Fajitas. fresh, and not greasy and big portions, NOT greasy

[Jay Honeck]

> Well, I stayed on the ground most of the time with, what I hope is a
> temporary medical condition. I hope to get back in the air sometime
> towards the end of the year. Otherwise there may be a 180 horse IFR
> Skyhawk for sale.

Sorry to hear it, Ross. I hope everything works out for you.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Jay Honeck]

> You're a braver man than I am. I try to stay within gliding distance
> of land.

We were always within gliding distance of land. It was uninhabited
land, true -- but those islands would look pretty okay compared to Lake
Superior.

Although we were surprised to find how warm the water was up there. We
swam in it (admittedly, in a bay) in perfect comfort. Of course, it
was over 90 degrees, so it felt good, but it wasn't the bone-chilling
cold I would have expected.

Still, a few miles from the bay I know that water is in the 50s on the
surface. Which is why we "connected the dots" fo the Apostle Islands,
never straying beyond gliding range.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Jay Honeck]

> Other memorable trips were to Niagara Falls, Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard,
> Block Island and Ocean City, NJ. Also several trips to Cross Keys, NJ for
> some parachute jumps.

Yeah, Niagara Falls is unforgettable. Our flight to Niagara Falls
(with stops in Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New
York, overflying Canada, Michigan, and Iowa) was very cool, but those
three days on the island with my son, and flying low over those
beautiful islands, really stand out in my mind.

It was just a great summer. With the kids back in school, Mary and I
will be limited to local flights of less than 200 miles pretty much
until Christmas break. Back to the $100 hamburger flights!
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[[email protected]]

I did all my flying here in the"Hole". It's like being on vacation
year round living out here<G>. I did see Ryan circle and land as I was
rolling my beast out of the hangar but by the time I went looking to
see if they were ok, off they went again. My first though was they got
into the icing layer I hit about 20 minutes later right in front of the
Teton range but a plugged pitot would nessitate a precautionary landing
too. As the clouds thinned out later that mornin the mountians had a
delightful dusting of fresh snow on them... Ahhh, Paradise is
great..... I am headed out in a few minutes and with the current temp
at 28f the ol N801BH will love the thicker air for sure...

Ben
www.haaspowerair.com
Jackson Hole Wy


wrote:
> Just got back from an adventure to Jackson Hole, WY (from Wisconsin).
> Dodging TFR's of the fire and Cheney variety, the smoke from the fires,
> a plugged pitot when we took off from Jackson hole to return to WI
> (that necessitated a return to the airport and the tower asking us if
> we needed assistance...), my first experience with night IMC and a
> night ILS approach, etc, etc. Seeing fireworks near Omro, WI when we
> broke out on the Appleton ILS 3 approach (which was truly odd to see as
> we were in the murk until I saw the glow of fireworks!).
> Also saw why the restricted area north of Fort McCoy, WI is restricted:
> the firing range was active at night which made for some interesting
> firework-like displays!
>
> Also very briefly met Ben Haas, from Jackson Hole and on the r.a.p.
> rogues gallery on Jays' website. It's a small world!
>
> Ryan in Madison

[Peter R.]

Jay Honeck > wrote:

> With school started, and family vacations a soon-to-be-distant memory,
> it's time to reflect on a summer of flying. Where'd everyone fly to?

My most memorable pleasure flight this summer was from NY state to Iowa for
a stay at the Alexis Park Inn, then onto Denver, Colorado, for a family
reunion.

Unfortunately this memory is clouded by the maintenance problem on the
return trip that stranded my boys and me in Nowhere, Indiana. I am still
paying off the favor of being rescued by a fellow pilot at my FBO.

IMO, fall in the Northeast US offers the most memorable flying conditions,
though, as the visibility is usually better, the threat of thunderstorms
lessened, and of course the landscape colors are the most vibrant.

The approach of winter doesn't stop my flying, as I am still commuting
weekly for my consulting job and see that happening throughout the
remainder of this year and into the next.

> but the most lovely, by far, was Madeline Island, up in Lake Superior.

Based on your description of the flight I have added this my list of
destinations. Hopefully next year I will be able to attend OSH for the
first time and have that as a summer flight memory.

--
Peter

[John Clonts]

Jay Honeck wrote:
> With school started, and family vacations a soon-to-be-distant memory,
> it's time to reflect on a summer of flying. Where'd everyone fly to?
> What was the coolest flight you made this summer? Help us plan NEXT
> summer's flight, by describing your "must-see" place from this year.


Angel Fire, NM. Field altitude around 8300 surrounded by 11-13k
mountains. Toured Taos, Questa, Red River, Eagle Nest, Cimarron
canyon.

High temperatures mid-70, lows upper 40's. Blessed relief from 100+
here in central Texas!

--
Cheers,
John Clonts
Temple, Texas
N7NZ

[M[_1_]]

Jay Honeck wrote:

> This was my first low-level flight (low meaning, like, 500' AGL -- I'm
> no dare-devil) over water, and the sensation of speed going past island
> rock formations was fun, and the beauty of the scenery simply
> breath-taking.

Jay, you really need to try 200 AGL (or shall I say AWL?) sometime,
over the water, when it's calm and the water is not crowded with boats.
It's a *lot* more fun than 500AGL. Trust me. Just stay 500 feet away
from the boats.

I do that from that to times over Puget Sound water. (for those not
familiar, that's Seattle area). There's few things that clear my mind
better than a hour of 200AGL flying over the open water.

[Grumman-581[_1_]]

http://gc.kls2.com/cgi-bin/gcmap?PATH=39.499N+119.768W-37.721N+122.221W-32.734N+117.190W-31.807N+106.378W-29.645N+95.279W&MARKER=1On
31 Aug 2006 08:45:41 -0700, "M" > wrote:
> Jay, you really need to try 200 AGL (or shall I say AWL?) sometime,
> over the water, when it's calm and the water is not crowded with boats.
> It's a *lot* more fun than 500AGL. Trust me. Just stay 500 feet away
> from the boats.

The most low level "AWL" flying that I've done was while I was over in
the New Orleans area... It seems that if you stay north of the
southern shoreline of Lake Pontchartrain, you can skirt right
underneath the MSY airspace without *having* to talk to the
controllers... Usually flew at around 200 ft, IIRC... Flying across
the swamps in southern Louisiana at that altitude is also
interesting...

[Morgans[_4_]]

"Jay Honeck" > wrote

> Still, a few miles from the bay I know that water is in the 50s on the
> surface. Which is why we "connected the dots" fo the Apostle Islands,
> never straying beyond gliding range.

And the reason that you were flying real fast, that low to the water, was so
you could perform a "zoom" to trade airspeed for altitude, in case the
engine suddenly quit, right? <g>
--
Jim in NC

[Ron Lee]

"Morgans" > wrote:

>"Jay Honeck" > wrote
>
>> Still, a few miles from the bay I know that water is in the 50s on the
>> surface. Which is why we "connected the dots" fo the Apostle Islands,
>> never straying beyond gliding range.
>
>And the reason that you were flying real fast, that low to the water, was so
>you could perform a "zoom" to trade airspeed for altitude, in case the
>engine suddenly quit, right? <g>
>--
>Jim in NC
>

Of course. Altitude is your friend and if you don't have that the
next best thing is airspeed. Sounds like a darn fine pilot to me.

Ron Lee

[Jay Honeck]

> Jay, you really need to try 200 AGL (or shall I say AWL?) sometime,
> over the water, when it's calm and the water is not crowded with boats.
> It's a *lot* more fun than 500AGL. Trust me. Just stay 500 feet away
> from the boats.

Yeah, I *wanted* to go lower, but the thought of meeting a flock of
10-pound sea gulls at 140 knots kept me up just a smidge higher...

;-)
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Jay Honeck]

> Unfortunately this memory is clouded by the maintenance problem on the
> return trip that stranded my boys and me in Nowhere, Indiana. I am still
> paying off the favor of being rescued by a fellow pilot at my FBO.

Yeah, that really bites. What a shame!

Actually, our most memorable flight of the year was to Las Vegas with
Jim & Tami Burns, but I didn't count that one since I was merely a
co-pilot (and an unnecessary one, at that) on that trip -- and it
actually took place before summer started.

THAT was a helluva trip, in many ways. We had a fantastic time, but I
wouldn't want to duplicate that flight experience any time soon. (We
ran into intense, long-term turbulence that made flying slightly more
fun than being poked in the eye with a sharp stick...)

Once there, all was well, and the flight home was great -- but that 12
hour stretch on the way out will live forever in our memories as the
single most grueling flight, ever.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Montblack[_1_]]

("Jay Honeck" wrote)
> Actually, our most memorable flight of the year was to Las Vegas with Jim
> & Tami Burns, but I didn't count that one since I was merely a co-pilot
> (and an unnecessary one, at that) on that trip -- and it actually took
> place before summer started.


You chose a den of iniquety over the Holy See?

http://www.goldenwingsmuseum.com/Photo's/Buhl.jpg
First Pope to have flown in an airplane ...flew in this one. <g>

http://home.earthlink.net/~ralphcooper/pimagi46.htm
"In 1934, a very notable individual was given a sightseeing ride over Buenos
Aires. While attending the "International Eucaristically Congress," Cardinal
Monsignor Pacelli went for a spin over the town. Soon to be elected Pope
Pius the XXII, Monsignor Pacelli became the first Pope to have flown in an
airplane."


Montblack

[john smith]

This year has been light on flight for me.
Other than Spring Break to Florida and AirVenture, I haven't any travel.
Having an aging dog is crimping our travel plans.
She had two strokes while I was at Oshkosh 2005, so we are reluctant to
leave her without 24 hour care and monitoring.

[Ron Lee]

john smith > wrote:

>This year has been light on flight for me.
>Other than Spring Break to Florida and AirVenture, I haven't any travel.
>Having an aging dog is crimping our travel plans.
>She had two strokes while I was at Oshkosh 2005, so we are reluctant to
>leave her without 24 hour care and monitoring.

You are a good person.

Ron Lee

[Grumman-581[_1_]]

On Fri, 01 Sep 2006 14:20:11 GMT, john smith > wrote:
> Having an aging dog is crimping our travel plans.
> She had two strokes while I was at Oshkosh 2005, so we are reluctant to
> leave her without 24 hour care and monitoring.

How old is she? Sounds like it is likely time to cut your loses and
get another dog...

[Jon Woellhaf]

Jay Honeck wrote
> ... [the trip to Las Vegas with Jim & Tami Burns] was a helluva trip, in
> many ways.
> We had a fantastic time, but I wouldn't want to duplicate that flight
> experience
> any time soon. (We ran into intense, long-term turbulence that made flying
> slightly more
> fun than being poked in the eye with a sharp stick...) ...

I thought you said shortly after getting home that you'd do it again "in a
heart beat." <g>

[john smith]

In article >,
Grumman-581 > wrote:

> On Fri, 01 Sep 2006 14:20:11 GMT, john smith > wrote:
> > Having an aging dog is crimping our travel plans.
> > She had two strokes while I was at Oshkosh 2005, so we are reluctant to
> > leave her without 24 hour care and monitoring.
>
> How old is she? Sounds like it is likely time to cut your loses and
> get another dog...

She was eight last year, nine now.
She is a Golden Retriever, average life is twelve years.
She lives as long as she lives.
She has recovered quite well. The only after effect of the strokes was
the muscles on the right side of her face tightening up so her nose
points to the right, her right eyelid doesn't open as far as the left,
her right ear does stand up as high as the left, and her mouth mouth
tightened up so that her upper canine rubs her lip.
Our previous Golden had to be put down when he was nine.

[Grumman-581[_1_]]

On Fri, 01 Sep 2006 16:38:15 GMT, john smith > wrote:
> She was eight last year, nine now.
> She is a Golden Retriever, average life is twelve years.
> She lives as long as she lives.

My last few dogs lived to about 12 and then were just found dead
outside... They had been getting along pretty good with no noticeable
signs of old age... They were Chows... One of the younger ones got in
a fight with his father (even though both had been 'fixed'), and ended
up paralyzed from behind the front shoulders to the rear... I took him
out back, dug a hole, and put a bullet through his head severing the
spinal cord for a quick no-reflex kill... I was always taught that you
don't hire someone else to do your dirty work, you do it yourself...
I've had to do it with cattle on the ranch and with pets...

[[email protected]]

I took him
> out back, dug a hole, and put a bullet through his head severing the
> spinal cord for a quick no-reflex kill... I was always taught that you
> don't hire someone else to do your dirty work, you do it yourself...
> I've had to do it with cattle on the ranch and with pets...


Well then, aren't we getting just a wee bit off topic now...?

[Jay Honeck]

> > ... [the trip to Las Vegas with Jim & Tami Burns] was a helluva trip, in
> > many ways.
> > We had a fantastic time, but I wouldn't want to duplicate that flight
> > experience
> > any time soon. (We ran into intense, long-term turbulence that made flying
> > slightly more
> > fun than being poked in the eye with a sharp stick...) ...
>
> I thought you said shortly after getting home that you'd do it again "in a
> heart beat." <g>

That was the TRIP, not the flight...

;-)
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[LWG]

I have what many would consider the ideal job. I have to attend hearings
across the state of Maryland. Luckily, the places I go have GA airports
very close to the hearing sites. So I took the family once to Williamsburg
(great trip, great GA airport) this summer, but most of the other flying
I've done has been for business.

The really neat thing is that I can use the airplane to be in two places at
the same time. All of the hearing are scheduled for 9:30. If you ask
nicely in advance, you can go first at one site, fly to the second, and go
last (or farther down the list) at the second. Yesterday I flew from
Baltimore to southern Maryland (2W5), and from there to Cambridge (CGE). I
would have been impossible to make the trip timely by car, but it's only 28
minutes by air. I was back in Baltimore at 12:30, and in the office by
1:15. Next week I'm going to try western Maryland (Frederick) and Cambridge
(Eastern Shore) at the same time. It should be about 45 minutes by air.
There will be some precise navigation involved, but it's almost a perfectly
straight shot between the DC FRZ and BWI.

I arrange for my worthy opposition to pick me up at the airport, and return
me there. In exchange, I buy them breakfast or lunch (unless they want to
come along, in which case I get a loaner or taxi). Ususually they're very
happy to help, because it expedites the case and avoids postponements. And,
the airplane becomes a tool, not a toy.

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
ps.com...
> With school started, and family vacations a soon-to-be-distant memory,
> it's time to reflect on a summer of flying. Where'd everyone fly to?
> What was the coolest flight you made this summer? Help us plan NEXT
> summer's flight, by describing your "must-see" place from this year.
>
> I'll get the ball rolling. We flew more this year than ever before,
> and hit some pretty cool places -- but the most lovely, by far, was
> Madeline Island, up in Lake Superior. My son and I flew to the island
> with our mountain bikes, camped on the field right next to the plane,
> and enjoyed three fantastic days of riding, swimming, and flying.
>
> Aside from the quality time spent with my son, this is what stands out
> most in my mind: On our last day, we departed into a crystal-clear,
> azure blue sky, and made a round-robin, low-level tour of the Apostle
> Islands, most of which are inhabited only by wild life. We stayed down
> low over the water, never over-flying the islands themselves, but
> rather shooting along side of them, marveling at the old lighthouses,
> the dense forests, and the way the deep waters of Lake Superior could
> be so impossibly clear.
>
> This was my first low-level flight (low meaning, like, 500' AGL -- I'm
> no dare-devil) over water, and the sensation of speed going past island
> rock formations was fun, and the beauty of the scenery simply
> breath-taking. The sun, the sky, the water, the sailboats, all
> combine to make this a must-do trip for anyone looking for a few days
> of peace and quiet in a stunningly beautiful setting.
>
> You?
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"
>

[Grumman-581[_1_]]

On 1 Sep 2006 11:26:47 -0700, wrote:
> Well then, aren't we getting just a wee bit off topic now...?

Perhaps, but I'm not gonna change the ****in' subject on the thread...
<grin>

Awh, 'ell, give it a bit of time and the topic will morph into sex,
politics, or a gun thread...

[Jay Honeck]

> And, the airplane becomes a tool, not a toy.

That *is* a cool feeling. We use the plane as a marketing tool,
dropping in on unsuspecting FBO and on-field restaurant owners and
pilots, barraging them with brochures, posters, and a fair load of
schmooze about the hotel.

It's fun, it's fast, and (most importantly) it *works*. Compared to
the response we get from simply mailing stuff to an FBO (and "asking"
them to post it), it's like night and day. There truly is no
substitute for "pressing the flesh" when you're promoting something,
especially something as complicated as what we have to offer.

It's best when you can combine work with pleasure -- that's what flying
is all about.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[cjcampbell]

Jay Honeck wrote:
> With school started, and family vacations a soon-to-be-distant memory,
> it's time to reflect on a summer of flying. Where'd everyone fly to?

I flew to Manila two or three times. Commercial. :-(

<sigh>

We fly home to the US of A in two months. Already my old flight school
is asking me if I will be coming back.

[Jay B]

cjcampbell wrote:
> Jay Honeck wrote:
> > With school started, and family vacations a soon-to-be-distant memory,
> > it's time to reflect on a summer of flying. Where'd everyone fly to?
>
> I flew to Manila two or three times. Commercial. :-(
>
> <sigh>
>
> We fly home to the US of A in two months. Already my old flight school
> is asking me if I will be coming back.

And...?

Are you considering it?

Jay B

[Jay B]

cjcampbell wrote:
> Jay Honeck wrote:
> > With school started, and family vacations a soon-to-be-distant memory,
> > it's time to reflect on a summer of flying. Where'd everyone fly to?
>
> I flew to Manila two or three times. Commercial. :-(
>
> <sigh>
>
> We fly home to the US of A in two months. Already my old flight school
> is asking me if I will be coming back.

Oh, and for what it's worth...

I hope you rekindle your photography skills too...

Jay B

[Jose[_1_]]

> What was the coolest flight you made this summer?

Coolest? Hard to choose. They are all cool, but for different reasons.

I'm based at DXR and the wings are on the bottom, the compass points to
the left, and the ocean is on the right. But every September I take the
aluminum tube to the other side, (which is where I learned to fly).
There, the wings are on top, the compass points to the right, and the
ocean is on the left. But the lifting fairies still work without
complaining. :)

We usually do Santa Rosa (STS) to "Greater Pasadena" (El Monte, EMT),
but this time we went the whole way from San Diego to Seattle. It was
done over several different flights, since we started from Santa Rosa.
I got checked out in a 172SP from Dragonfly, and found to my amazement
that that airplane really =does= do 135+ knots. I had expected it to be
just a 172 with fancier avionics and a heavier interior, but it's a
really nice plane. It was the first time I'd flown up North, and we
picked early September hoping for the nicer weather. The trip up was
awesome; my wife, who was somewhat apprehensive about flying "right next
to" the big mountains (she calls them "pointies") found it to be
beautiful, serene, and absolutely loved the flight. We stopped in Yreka
(1o5) for gas since it was the last stop before things thinned out, and
a friend from college came from there. The FBO there was wonderful.
They were welcoming, gave us a courtesy car to drive around the area,
told us to call if we had any problems at all, offered us a room if we
needed it, and told us about some great local spots. Two hours later,
stuffed with local hamburger, pie, and ice cream which couldn't be beat,
we took off again in with Mount Shasta in the background, and headed for
Seattle, arriving just about at sunset. Passing Mt. St. Helens, it
puffed a bit of smoke for us in greeting.

The adventure was a few days later, on a short flight from Seattle to
Portland. It is just a one hour flight, but there were some mean
thunderstorms between us and them, which I understand is typical of the
area. Although I'm instrument rated, flying =in= a thunderstorm is a
non-starter, and we didn't want to get Seattle ice while trying to fly
around it in the soup. So, it was VFR or bust. There was a low
ceiling, but I carefully planned a low level VFR flight and figured we
could always turn back if it wasn't working out. We got about fifteen
minutes out and I decided that things were too close for my comfort and
we turned back. Halfway back, I spotted a hole in the clouds, and
figured that if we could get on top, it would be easy to avoid the mean
stuff visually. Katie wasn't too thrilled with that idea, but up we
went. It was absolutely beautiful, but we had to climb to over ten
thousand feet, and it was a solid undercast. A picture I took is at the
bottom of the flying20club.com website. Being below freezing, it
wouldn't be pretty if the pilot's cooling fan gave up the ghost. But
this is true in many places, so on we went, until we started getting
near the storm. It was a big grey mass in front of us, Katie wasn't
very thrilled, and alas, it was not going to be easy to get around. The
mountains were to the left, and the storm extended out over the ocean.

Not wanting to be debated on r.a.p posthumously, we turned around again,
flew back to Seattle, had a steak at Denny's (which was a much better
steak than one we recently had at one of Seattle's top restaurnats - go
figure!) and came back to see that the storm was still going strong. We
reclaimed the rental car and decided to take the very low altitude
route. For most of the drive I kept looking up and thinking "we could
have made it" but near the end, it was clear we made the right choice.

This meant we had to drive back again when we were done to retrieve the
airplane for the flight back to Santa Rosa, and we lost a day of
visiting friends, but them's the breaks. We'll be back one day.
Willamette Valley has some lovely pinot noirs and we picked up a few.
In fact, I've gained a new appreciation for this variety.

We returned from Seattle over broken clouds, stopped again at Yreka (the
FBO was closed, but true to his word, one call brought him out to fuel
us regail us with the courtesy car, and chat some more. Another burger,
more pie and ice cream (it's worth the trip just for that!) and we were
on our way. By the time we got to Santa Rosa, the fog had rolled in and
we got a popup IFR clearance. One ILS to minimums and we were back.
Boy that ticket comes in handy sometimes!

While we were on the left coast, I also got in some aerobatics time with
an old friend from college. That was memorable; it always is. We took
a decathelon up and flew upside down, and I polished my barrel rolls.
(I have a tendency to hesitate three quarters of the way through).

The trip from EMT to STS was looking especially promising - we'd done
this trip several times and it's always smoggy. This time it was
crystal clear, and I've been wanting to show Katie what it looks like
when you can see it. Alas, it was not to be, fires in the morning
quickly filled the basin and a good part of the desert with smoke up to
12000 feet. We could smell it in the cockpit and barely had three miles
visibility. But it cleared up after about a hundred or two miles, and
we got home fine.

In April I got up way early in the morning to fly to Lincoln Park (N07)
for the Space Ship One talk they were having there. I got the date
wrong and was one day late, so I surprised my brother and sister (who
live nearby), and then my brother and I flew down to see our Aunt. It's
a good three hour trip by car; forty minutes by air, so this turned a
real disappointment into a very nice day. I did a similar trip just
this month, except that after visiting my aunt, we flew out to the
middle of Long Island to see my other brother who lives near Islip
(ISP). Coming back at night (en route to Lincoln Park) I asked for a
Bravo clearance, and we were asked to let them know when we could see
Shea Stadium. Shortly they asked us if we could see "the lady". Well,
unless NY has another "lady", we weren't going to see it from 2000 feet
halfway out over Long Island, so then they asked if we could see the
Empire State Building. Bingo. "Fly straight towards it, and make a
right at the East River". Ultimately we were vectored right over
Manhattan at 2000 feet, just inches from the Empire State Building.
(ok, a fair number of inches, but it was awesome!)

A few weeks ago I took three children, friends of ours, down the Hudson
Corridor, and they were all enthralled. The next day their mom drove
them down past the harbor, and pointed it out. They responded "Oh, mom,
we saw that from the =air=!"

This May was this year's September, and we were back in California
again. Weather is different in May; usually it's dry, clear, and a
million miles, this time it was cloudy and we had to go IFR. Since the
clouds over the Gorman Pass would be icy, we took the Santa Barbara
route. It's the first time I've seen clouds of any significance on my
yearly pilgrimmage. But we could see lots of Los Angeles through the
clouds (the visibility was excellent), which we don't get to see when
flying the pass. We passed lots of vinyards in the Santa Barbara area
and north, which we may explore one day. But there are so many
destinations, and so few days.

I also got some tailwheel time in a few months ago; flying the J3 cub is
quite a blast and brings me back to what flying really is! After that,
our club planes feel like trucks. But alas, somebody upended the plane,
and it's no longer available for solo flight. I was quite close to my
tailwheel endorsement too.

Well, there are a lot of memorable flights I've skipped, and hopefully
there will be lots more to come.

Jose
--
The monkey turns the crank and thinks he's making the music.
for Email, make the obvious change in the address.

[Jose[_1_]]

> This was my first low-level flight (low meaning, like, 500' AGL -- I'm
> no dare-devil) over water, and the sensation of speed going past island
> rock formations was fun, and the beauty of the scenery simply
> breath-taking.

That's where I like to fly - 500 feet AGL. It's more fun over land, but
nowadays it's pretty dicey due to all the radio towers (don't even think
about doing this near Orlando!) It does take careful VFR planning,
which can sometimes take as long as the flight, but it is well worth it!

Jose
--
The monkey turns the crank and thinks he's making the music.
for Email, make the obvious change in the address.

[cjcampbell]

Jay B wrote:
> cjcampbell wrote:
> > Jay Honeck wrote:
> > > With school started, and family vacations a soon-to-be-distant memory,
> > > it's time to reflect on a summer of flying. Where'd everyone fly to?
> >
> > I flew to Manila two or three times. Commercial. :-(
> >
> > <sigh>
> >
> > We fly home to the US of A in two months. Already my old flight school
> > is asking me if I will be coming back.
>
> And...?
>
> Are you considering it?

I am considering it, at least to the extent of teaching some specialty.

[Jay Honeck]

> Coolest? Hard to choose. They are all cool, but for different reasons.

Ain't it the truth? But thanks for sharing yours...

Some day I want to fly the Left Coast. We've had family in California
and Washington since the 1950s, but I haven't been out that way much in
the last 15 years -- and it just takes too danged long to get there in
Atlas...

We've done that ride on a motorcycle, and it was gorgeous -- it's gotta
be even better at 1000 AGL.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Jose[_1_]]

> ...and it just takes too danged long to get there in
> Atlas...
>
> We've done that ride on a motorcycle...

The bike is faster?

Jose
--
The monkey turns the crank and thinks he's making the music.
for Email, make the obvious change in the address.

[Jay Honeck]

> > We've done that ride on a motorcycle...
>
> The bike is faster?

No, but back then I was a corporate drone with paid vacation time...

Now, no way could I be gone almost three weeks. 10 days was really
pushing our staff to the breaking point, this past summer.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Jay B]

Although I'm only in my second year as a pilot, I did expand my world a
little bit with trips to Valle, AZ (40G) and Page, AZ (KPGA).

Valle is home to an annex of the Planes of Fame museum most people know
as being at Chino, CA. They have a great collection inlcuding a Ford
Tri-Motor, a Bf109 and a whole host of other vintage aircraft.

The airport at Page is hard by the shores of Lake Powell so it's a very
scenic flight.

Flying wise, Valle was a relatively simple flight as it just requires
a bit more airtime than going to Prescott which I've done several
times.

Page was a bit more challenging as I had to avoid fire fighting TFRs in
the Sedona area. I had originally planned to expand on the Valle trip
and squeeze past the Grand Canyon's airspace, but I instead ended up
going via Payson, Winslow and Tuba City.

The rest of my flying in 2006 has been a smattering of breakfast runs
and taking friends for short sight seeing hops.

Now that my favorite club owned 172 is back from an annual and engine
overhaul, I hope to get back to seeing more of the SW from the air. I
also will be up for my very first BFR by the end of October.

Jay Beckman
PP-ASEL
Chandler, AZ

[[email protected]]

Sounds like you need some " better staff"... <G>

10 days away and the place goes to hell will not be good in the eyes
of a new buyer. Ya probably shouldn't have stated that on the
internet.....



Jay Honeck wrote:
> > > We've done that ride on a motorcycle...
> >
> > The bike is faster?
>
> No, but back then I was a corporate drone with paid vacation time...
>
> Now, no way could I be gone almost three weeks. 10 days was really
> pushing our staff to the breaking point, this past summer.
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"

[Jay Honeck]

> Sounds like you need some " better staff"... <G>
>
> 10 days away and the place goes to hell will not be good in the eyes
> of a new buyer. Ya probably shouldn't have stated that on the
> internet.....

Clearly you've over-estimated our operation. We have one (1) night
manager, (1) full-time employee, two (2) part-time desk staff, and
three (3) part-time house-keepers.

When you pull Mary and me out of the mix, that's 120 hours per week
that those few people must cover. Believe me, they work their asses
off when we're gone, and inevitably some little details that we attend
to start to fall through the cracks after the first few days.

Nothing major, mind you, but it's the little stuff that makes people
want to stay at our place, and what delineate us from the McHotels.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"