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04-18-2017, 03:08 PM
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Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 64
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Pittstown Point Trip
Quote:
Originally Posted by zilik
JimmyB, This sort of reminds me of out first trip to Pittstown Point. 1000' AWL and raining.

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Yes, I looked at the old pictures. The scene out the window was the same, but the color of the cowl was different.... There are stories on every one of these adventures! They all did an admirable job yesterday!

jimmyB
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04-18-2017, 04:29 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Cedar Park, TX
Posts: 3,156
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Everyone accounted for on St. Kitts.
__________________
Scott Card
CQ Headset by Card Machine Works
CMW E-Lift
RV-9A N4822C flying 2200+hrs. / Cedar Park, TX
RV8 Building - fuselage / showplanes canopy (Done!)
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04-19-2017, 01:41 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Walnut, Iowa
Posts: 50
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Great trip so far.
Moody Blue here. I was lead on Charlie Flight. Opie and Gail were # 2 and Jailbird and Indira were #3. We launched about 1/2 hour after Alpha and Bravo flights from Homestead. We flew direct MYEN and then followed the island chain 75 miles to MYEF(Exuma). Flew at 7500 to the MYEN turn then Jailbird and Opie flew cover at 2500 and Bun and I went down to 1000 ft to check out the greatest scenery of the trip. A million shades of blue, waves crashing on the rocks and beaches. Flew over at least 6 uncharted landing strips. Exuma has an advisory tower. In the past we have done formation approaches but this time we just landed single ship. Our flight was somewhat miss-matched for speed because we were staying at Puerto Plata. Since all three of us were experienced, we chose to break it off about 30 miles out. Opie and Jailbird would quit loafing along with us and contact approach singlely. This spread us out to a 5-10 mile interval before landing. The controllers in the islands like this. Formation arrivals are frowned on in the Caribbean. We flew at 9500 ft from MYEF (Exuma,Bahamas) to MDPP (Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic). It was a smooth all the way. We had to pick our way thru some layers and rain the last 50 miles in. We had flight following all but 40 minutes and my ADS-B traffic worked for all the Adsb equipped aircraft all the way. So even when Jailbird and Opie were out of sight, I could still see them. Sweet.
The approach controller spoke English but was hard to understand and with the weather conditions, she was a little overwhelmed. There were at least 8 aircraft arriving about the same time. I never did get a hand off to tower. So when I was within 10 miles I switched to tower anyway and the controller was gracious and expecting us. There were rain showers off and on upon arriving and Alpha and Bravo flight were still there trying to get fuel before launching to St Kits.
We headed to the all inclusive resort because I could hear a rum-punch calling my name.
About an hour later, we were relieved when Rosie and Victoria showed up. I'll let Rosie tell you about his adventure. We had a great time at dinner and a very good rest.
Next morning, the weather was better. Still had clouds in layers but with more and bigger holes. Rosie commandeered Charlie flight. Jailbird and Indira stayed behind as they were going to join Jim Parker (Caribbean Adventures)in Santa Domingo and head home to Florida next Saturday. It was really great to have them along even for a short time. We flew together to the Caymans in 2009 and to Exuma in 2011 and I think to Grand Turk in 2013 also. See you guys later.
So it was Rosie, Moody Blue and Opie off to St Kits. It was cloudy over Dom Rep and Puerto Rico but mostly clear over the water. We went up to 9500 ft and was on flight following all but the last 50 miles into TKPK (St Kits). ADS-B traffic and weather worked when we were in Puerto Rico airspace because it is US territory.
So now the gangs all safe in St Kitts. Had a good dinner and reunion with A and B flights.
Looks like about 10 of us are scuba diving in the morning, while the rest will check out the sights on the island. Charlie Flight...Out.
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04-19-2017, 01:52 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Walnut, Iowa
Posts: 50
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Sharks!!!!!
Yeah, Sharks. Ten of us just got back from diving. Did a shallow dive down to about 45 ft to a sunken wreck (boat) and a WWII era bulldozer. I was hoping the dozer would have a seat that I could sit in so Rosie could get a pic. No luck. It was in pretty bad shape.
The 2nd dive 2 miles off shore on a wall. Went down to about 80 ft. Austin and Terry, our master divers guides killed a Lion fish and here come the reef sharks. Initially, 3 seven footers showed up looking for a free meal. A little later, about 4 smaller (about 3-4 ft) sharks came along. Sharkbait found a Loinfish and pointed it out to Austin who speared it quickly. He then handed the spear to Rosie who fed it to one of the 7 footers. Rosie had the camera or we'd have it on film.
It was great first day of diving. Thanks Rosie for setting it up on short notice. We are hoping for even better diving in Grenada.
Rosie has pics, so hope he can post some later. Out...for now.
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04-19-2017, 03:42 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 311
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Monday - Homestead to St. Kitts
__________________
CQ Headset by Card Machine Works
CMW E-Lift
The other half of a flying RV-9A and an 8 in the shop.
Last edited by tcard : 04-19-2017 at 03:45 PM.
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04-19-2017, 03:44 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 311
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Monday - Homestead to St. Kitts (2)
Bunch of RVs on the ground at Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.
We passed DRINK waypoint and knew we would abide by the instructions later.
Roy and Sandy in not such great weather as we had to go beneath the clouds before our approach into St. Kitts.
The most beautiful set of runway lights that I've seen in a while. WELCOME TO SAINT KITTS!
We landed a half hour before sunset, but the clouds were so thick for miles around that it was getting pretty dark as we prepared the airplanes to sit for a few days.
The happy crew at Timothy Beach Resort.

__________________
CQ Headset by Card Machine Works
CMW E-Lift
The other half of a flying RV-9A and an 8 in the shop.
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04-19-2017, 03:51 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 311
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Tuesday - St. Kitts
Tuesday morning arrived with many of us sleeping in after a difficult day of flying on Monday. Some were so wiped out they didn't work their way to breakfast until well after 10m. Breakfast was simple, eggs, bacon, omelets, but the banana pancakes were fantastic.
We assembled a crew to go to Brimstone Hill Fortress. The Thoma's got the sale's pitch from the tour operator hanging out at the hotel, and it was so over the top they couldn't even let him finish his spiel. So, we gave our taxi driver from the night before, Percy, a call, and he was more than happy to come earn some more dollars from our group. If you like the taxi driver that takes you from the airport to the hotel - get their number! For $20/per person, we got a ride to Brimstone Hill Fortress and a little bit of an island tour on the way.
We cruised throught the narrow island roads, most prefering to NOT look at the road ahead. Our shotgun passenger decided to pass on that coveted location on the return trip.
We had to drive by the airport, and the driver slowed down to let us take some shots of our little airplanes sitting on the ramp.
Mountain obscuration of the highest point on the island Mount Liamuiga with some RV tails and canopies just visible.
The egrets only nest at one location on the island because that is where a special type of tree grows that the mongooses can't climb and eat their egss.
This was the settlement established by the first freed slaves on the island.
We paid our entry fee to enter the Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park and proceeded to explore.

__________________
CQ Headset by Card Machine Works
CMW E-Lift
The other half of a flying RV-9A and an 8 in the shop.
Last edited by tcard : 04-19-2017 at 08:10 PM.
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04-19-2017, 03:52 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 311
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Tuesday - St. Kitts (2)
That is one steep incline. Check out the angle on the ankle to stay upright.
The monkies and humans both number about 30-35K on the island. We found one on the way up to the fort.
We had to wait for a traffic jam to get around a baby sheep taking in a snack.
Back into town for lunch at Lemongrass. A few wandered to the dive shop to set up for the next day, which was closed, and the rest returned to the hotel.
Thanks for the ride Percy!
Hi to Percy's son Joshyaun. Your dad had the coolest ride on the island. Study hard and do great things. Who knows, some day maybe you will be the one crossing the sea to visit exotic lands.
Upon arrival to the hotel we discover Charlie flight with Rosie in tow, OK maybe he was in front.
Rosie already making diving plans.
Then it was off to clean up from the day and start telling stories over drinks and dinner at the Shiggidy Shack. Andrew and Roy were ready to go.

__________________
CQ Headset by Card Machine Works
CMW E-Lift
The other half of a flying RV-9A and an 8 in the shop.
Last edited by tcard : 04-21-2017 at 09:57 PM.
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04-20-2017, 02:49 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Walnut, Iowa
Posts: 50
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Thanks Tanya for great pics
I guess Rosie was serious about waiting until he gets home to write the MOACWU (Mother of all Caribbean Write Ups). Meantime, all nine aircraft are venturing on to Grenada this morning. Tanya will lead Alpha flight, Opie will lead Bravo flight and Rosie will stay lead for Charlie Flight. This will put planes with similar speed together with the most experienced leaders.
The whole crew is planning on taking the tour of Grenada Island on Friday. Diving will resume on Saturday. A night dive might even happen Saturday night.
Meantime, I (we) will still try to get Rosie to post some of his great pics.
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04-20-2017, 04:41 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Stuart, FL /Hartford, CT/Virgin Gorda,BVI
Posts: 3,122
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__________________
TURBO YES =VAF= Payed Jan2019
Ed D'Arcy
RV6-A 5,200+ hrs, R-44 1,600 hrs, Helicycle 320 hrs, gyro sold,35,000 miles flown in 2015 
Stuart, Fl / S WINDSOR,Ct / Virgin Gorda, BVI - under major repair from hurricane damage
VAF #840 EAA AOPA FAC FABA QB SPA
addicted pickle ball player
https://i.postimg.cc/tn3h4svg/IMG-3101.jpg
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