Waaay too much fun in a Viking RV12

[gossend]

I just got home from a 3200 mile round trip exodus in my Viking RV-12. Flew from Georgetown in central Texas to Grass Valley in northern CA. It was the most fun trip in my 40 years of flying and 3500 hours. I flew the whole thing at 1000-1500 AGL talking to no one. What a hoot!

The V-110, now with 200 hours, ran like a sewing machine the whole way. At 5350 RPM I trued out at 132 mph. Fuel burn was 5.5-6.0 GPH, depending on altitude and temp. Over the 32 hours Hobbs time, I burned 1 quart of oil. That's 1 oz per hour - somewhat better than my LYC used to do!

[rv9builder]

Sounds like a great trip!

[RV6Danny]

Hey Dick,

Glad you had a good trip out to the Left coast and back to Texas.
It was good to see you and Bob.

Danny

[AirHound]

Sounds great! Generally what route did you take and any pilotage advice you learned is appreciated. Thank You - Doug in IL

[DonFromTX]

As I prepare for a first flight next week in my identical machine, that is very encouraging information you shared. Go Honda!
[IMG][/IMG]

[Slane]

Originally Posted by DonFromTX

As I prepare for a first flight next week in my identical machine, that is very encouraging information you shared. Go Honda!
[IMG][/IMG]

Nice emblem Don! I was anticipating something about Airforce One.

[gossend]

Originally Posted by AirHound

Sounds great! Generally what route did you take and any pilotage advice you learned is appreciated. Thank You - Doug in IL

I basically followed Interstate 10 west to overnight in Tucson. Then direct Blythe to Palm Springs, thru the Banning Pass, then headed north to Mohave and into the California valley at Tehatchapie Pass. Then north to Grass Valley in the Sierra foothills. I planned the trip to fly waypoints (airports) 50 or so miles apart, so In case all you naysayers were right, I might have a place to land. Not needed. One exception to this is the leg from KTUS TO KBLH, then to KPSP. No airports out there! No highways either....and no cell towers...and at 1000 AGL no radio contact. Kinda solitary...and beautiful.
I took this off my bucket list...then put it right back on! I'm doing OSH this summer (again) and the California adventure again next year!

[Driftdown]

Dick,

Tell us about your G3x.
Why did you choose that over SkyView?

[BigJohn]

Originally Posted by DonFromTX

As I prepare for a first flight next week in my identical machine, that is very encouraging information you shared. Go Honda!

Don, what are you doing to prepare yourself for that first flight? Have you been flying regularly? After following your build all these years I feel like I know you and am a bit concerned. John

[Mich48041]

At least one RV-12 crashed on the very first takeoff because the plane leaped into the air and stalled. Make sure the stabilator trim is properly set. And if the canopy is inadvertently left unlatched, fly the plane and worry about the canopy later. Tell everyone the intended date of your first flight. Then fly one day earlier when nobody is watching. You will be under a lot less pressure.