Trip to Bloomsburg PA
 

Robin and I started planning the trip in February. I could not manage to get there last year but this year I took a personal day at work and up we went.
Robin rented the plane out of Solberg NJ and his nephew joined us as a crewmember. Weather was great and we were lucky because we were heading West. Those who planned their trips to the East were surprised and confused by huge TFR. It popped suddenly early Sat morning on very short notice. Probably Commander-in-Chief was on his way to a Broadway Show.
Anyway weather was great, bigger than usual blue windsock indicated little x-wind.





Up there we picked up FF and enjoyed the trip. English Captain is instrument rated, current and in charge so no worries for Russian Navigator and American FO here.



ATC was helpful. Otherwise we would miss that Dash.



Scenery was wonderful.




As we got deeper into Pennsylvania, clouds were forming. In the spamcan we were flying the AI felt the clouds and started acting a bit. But we got the right Captain so no worries again.

Said Thank you to controller on duty and started to descend listening to Bloomsburg traffic.





A flight of three was coming and we were trying to locate them. Instead we found a Cessna on downwind which was nice to see too.



spacing is good turnigh final



After landing we were assigned "FollowMe" car and it led us to the farthest corner of the airport:) I was trying to raise a question about discrimination but Robin said it's better to park farther than closer. At least nobody will see on what plane we arrived.

We were a bit late for Lycoming presentation but still had good time. An R&D guy was talking about breaking in new engines. He said couple phrases I liked: first 15-20 hours run it hot and wet. The other one was: the cheapest things for your new engine are oil and gas.

Checked food court. They do excellent cabbage in Pennsylvania. Last time I ate something like that 20 years ago in Germany.
Fueled we went to see the expo. It was like micro Oshkosh. I snapped lots of pictures but the quality can not compete with these albums
http://www.bloomsburgairport.com/pho...g2_itemId=2007
http://picasaweb.google.com/gregg.sw...stRVFlyIn2009#

Polished metal attracted not only airplane builders but bikers too. The guy was probably looking for a know-how for his HD.



This Rocket has the panel worth my whole airplane



Nice paint job



and interesting sticker. Yes that round one in the middle.

Flying dogs. First time I see aerial animals live. This guys have a special stand installed in the baggage compartment of their (and the owners') RV where they can stand tall and direct their captain and navigatrix. I have an example how they do it. They fly without headsets by the way.







Oh, their names are not Belka and Strelka but Fred and Ginger. They drive Rich and Pat Zeidman in their RV7 N42PZ.

There were aerobatics and flybyes, multiple take offs and landings. Organizers did outstanding job to put everything together. For a visitor like myself the event was smooth and well thought of.

Couple of mods caught my attention. Flap position indicator.





there was nice gear leg fairing made out of metal but I could not find the picture. It's definitely in one of those albums referenced above.

I feel simpathy for this heli. He was trying to catch some attention taking care of the lawn but visitors were busy with the airplanes. The Heli got bored and fly away to look for his rotary-winged buddies.

Where else can two animals like these coexist peacefully and be very close to each other? In Bloomsburg of course.

Veteran AgCat and sexy canard.





Both have something to boast.

AgCat proudly exposed her powerful P@W radial and visitor can peek on her glass cockpit. The canard was loaded with lots of full size bicycles to show the capacity of back seats and baggage compartment. Or may be she is working for a Shimano dealer? She also has little windows under the fuel tanks. What those windows are for I could not even imagine.

It was excellent day and it was short. The Archer of our age patiently waited for us. Loaded, started, moved. Two RVs flew by probably giving escorts to guests.



Goodbye town Bloomsburg. We will be back!



On our way home we spotted a gliders nest. They are living right near that gap in the ridge. There is a river and a power station nearby. That glider's heaven is fully served with thermals. We spotted two soarers but my inferior optics could not make those shots.

Did some distance guessing on the way back. "Captain, if it quits, can we make that airport?"



"No, too far." OK, give me couple degrees bank to the right. There is one right here.



" What if here... it quits?



We could land safely by that tunnel, traffic is low...