Nabesna Glacier was obscured half the way to top but ride was relatively smooth.
We came on Tuesday. It was an interesting flight the MOAs were just heating up. My wingman was ahead of me on 12,500 (the bait) I scooted lower just enough for Center radar to see. Three F18s were playing up higher then descended which looked like an interception course on my lead. They surely picked up the wrong guy. It was fun to listen and watch. Fairbanks was all booked but extraordinary negotiating skills of my wingman got us a room. I ran away next morning he waited two days for wx to clear which never happened.
You are so close - maybe you can arrange a trade-in while you are there. One slightly used RV-9A . . .
Past 2 weeks of travel
Looks like you're drawing some sort of animal, you'll have to run a few legs south for the legs.
Seems like almost every other trip is crossing an international border with Vlad.
Would it be safe to say he is the most experienced US and Canadian border crossing expert?
Since no one has asked, I like to know what kind of job Vlad has that can pay for so much fuel and time off.Anybody else checking Vlads track like a hundred times a day? He's flown more in the last week than a lot of RV's fly in months. I don't know about you but this guys motivating the **** out of me. I can almost smell the 100LL.
Thanks Vlad
Quick update. Vlad is safe and sound in "sunny" California. Interestingly, we have the same weather here as in Barrow, AK. Cold and low overcast. Go figure! Arrival was a piece of cake.
Maybe Vlad is on the job after all!
It sure does look like he has been contracted to do a survey for the "Wall"
Any bets that he is going to fly the border and coast line all the way back to NYC?
Hey Vald -- just heard that you graced us with your presence here at HAF. You shoulda' stopped by and checked out the build (fitting the canopy now; could have used a practiced hand); you probably buzzed my house on downwind. Maybe next time!
Good to see that you hooked up with some of the Half Moon Bay Pilot's group.
Thanks for posting the story of your Alaska adventure; very fun to read!
The tach just clicked 100 hours on the trip since I left two weeks ago.
New callsign for Vlad
Hardcore!
I think the fact that Vlad can do what he is doing is a testament to what is possible in our great country.
To set the record straight the project moved to a rented garage on the NJ side at perhaps the half finished stage.While doing it in a plane he built in his upstairs apartment on the east side of Manhattan.
Is that with or without an oil change? 12 quarts will last me 100 hours if I change it twice!The tach just clicked 100 hours on the trip since I left two weeks ago. For statisticians stock Lycoming O-320 passed recommended TBO consumed the whole case of oil (12qts) I took with me to Alaska. Running mostly 65% power.
I received an email from Vlad yesterday at 1:00 pm asking for permission to touch Down at Bent Willies (52FA) around 2:00 pm. I replied yes of course and even warned him that he should make sure the runway was clear of a few cows I was letting graze. I'm guessing he was there about an hour by his checking his track log. I received an email a little later that he had landed and took a dip in my pond. Well little does Vlad know that that little pond has recently been home to Big Fred, a 10' long gator! So either Vlad saw the gator and went swimming anyway, which makes him completely fearless, or he didn't check the notam about swimming in Florida!
What say you Vlad?
BTW, you are the first 9a to land at Willies!
Vlad,
You have 35 miles to go and you'll be home. We shared every mile of your journey. Thanks for the inspiration.
Jim Diehl 7a
Lock Haven, Pa