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Mark, that's genius! We should honor him at Oshkosh by wearing "I've got VLADITUDE!" Tee shirts!
 
So, clearly I missed something. Where the heck is he headed ultimately?
 
I just met Vlad the other day, looking to move into his hangar. I asked him how the planning for this trip was going, then 20 minutes later asked him where his month long trip was to. I had no idea he was actually going so soon!!
 
He left a day early because of the weather. He got into Lansing last night about 9:30 and left this morning about 8:30. I thought he was going to WY today, but looks like he is headed a bit north of that. Someone must have offered to feed him!
 
Vlad's Travels

Just a week or so ago, I met Vlad for the first time while at Sentimental Journey in Lock Haven. Within minutes we were like lifetime friends. Later that eve., he followed me in my 7A as I gave him an aerial tour of central Pa. He was so gracious to put a friend of mine in his right seat. Boy, did we have a good time!
I wish him the best on his journey.

Jim Diehl 7A
Based @Lock Haven, Pa.
 
I posted this picture on a different thread. Vlad is an easy guy to get to know. My grandmother was from Ukraine, so we hit it off right away - but he appears to get along with everyone. We met a couple years ago on his cross country trip. He stayed at my house in Colorado and took me for a ride. It was bumpy as all ****, but it was fun flying with him.

I don't think he will be posting much on his trip but I sure can't wait to see the pictures and read about the whole thing!

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Looks like the Missouri River and Montana provided some good eye candy for our friend. Can't wait to see photos!
 
Update

2:45 EST Missoula Montana. :) Sorry for the update but my wife says if I give her one more update on "that guy" , she's going to slap me. :eek: Just had to tell someone.:D
 
Vlad Sighting - Montana

Vlad dropped in on us in Missoula today. I heard he was coming, took him to lunch at Famous Daves and bought him a SIX pack of local beer (Moose Drool). It was a pleasure to meet you, Vlad. Next time stay a little longer and we can sample some of the local zymurgy. We might even talk you into leaving the Least Coast and moving to God's country where flying is cheaper and lots more fun. Montana is full but there are some special visas for former Russian pilots that always go unused.

Obligatory food picture:
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As we arrived back at the airport to see Vlad off, we ran into a familiar RV couple from Colorado...it is indeed a small RV world.
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I think he distributed the other three in his very full plane to maintain CG.
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And where he stops next, nobody knows!
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Will this evening end with a nice flight down the Columbia River Gorge?
 
Must be doing the Winery tour at Prosser, WA with RV-10 builder, Jack M.
 
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Glad Vlad has made it from NJ to WA in less than 2.5 days!

As for APRS, it will be very spotty at best in major portions of Alaska. I did not interrogate Canadian infrastructure and sadly it was too costly to ship iGate to our Northern members.

We may need to keep an eye on our Russian friend the old fashioned way - SPIES!
 
Spies

Vlad asked me if I knew any state secrets he could sell to his former countrymen for gas money. I suggested that since he would be flying over Hanford he might get a few rubles for some aerial photos of the new "super secret" American nuclear facility. From his APRS track it looks like he took me up on it.:cool:
 
Small World

It is most definitely a small world when traveling by RV. :cool: Pretty amazing that we ran into each other while on different trips headed to different destinations. Always fun to meet up with V-Man. Safe travels while flying the Aleutians, see you at OSH. We'll continue on our trip of the Northwest. Weather has been perfect so far.

BTW... I was able to pry two of those Moose Drools from Vlad. :D


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Vlad is in good hands

Secret mission underway in Prosser WA with Vlad. He wanted all to know that he claims prison food here in WA is best he has had:) Pictures to follow.
 
I have the tires and wheels here, but doubt they will fit on his axles - I have custom (longer) axles to take the wider 6" wheels. I do, however, have 6 quarts of oil waiting.

Greg
 
Boats, Bikinis, and Vlad

Secret mission underway in Prosser WA with Vlad. He wanted all to know that he claims prison food here in WA is best he has had:) Pictures to follow.

Vlad told me you enticed him to land in Prosser with promises of free gas, boating, babes, and bikinis. I'm not sure which one of them he'd be most disappointed about if it didn't happen.

Definitely need pictures...
 
Probably not

Did Vlad have something to do with this in Missoula, Montana yesterday?

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/...ntana-3-cars-in-river-265898791.html?mobile=y

:)

It is a suspicious coincidence I agree, but this happened before Vlad arrived. His departure route from Missoula took him directly over the scene of the crime but alas it had already been committed. I also did not notice any wing-mounted guns that he could use to strafe capitalist bourgeoisie airplane parts.
 
It is a suspicious coincidence I agree, but this happened before Vlad arrived. His departure route from Missoula took him directly over the scene of the crime but alas it had already been committed. I also did not notice any wing-mounted guns that he could use to strafe capitalist bourgeoisie airplane parts.

Let's think about this for a minute... It happened BEFORE he arrived. How do you know what he was doing before he got to Missoula? He could have gone out of his way, done the deed and then headed back to Missoula. :eek: Those Ruskies are pretty tricky when necessary. Don't want to cast stones here, but better proof of his whereabouts might be required. I think we need to be on the lookout for any other strange activity along his route of travel. ;) This could be part of an escape plan...

BTW the Moose Drool was excellent,
Thanks Vlad :D
 
APRS

I agree. I would not make the assumption that a sneaky Russkie wouldn't divert to take out a tempting target full of Boeing products. However, AND BECAUSE OF THAT, I was monitoring his arrival pathway. I wanted to make sure that our capitalist goods and women and children were safe so I watched his every move for a couple hours before he arrived - and escorted him continuously on the ground. Unless he figured out a way to trick the APRS, he was nowhere near the scene of the crime. If they find bullet holes and shell casings with cyrillic stamps I'll have to revisit this question. However, he must be a well trained spy because he behaved like the perfect gentleman the entire time.

Glad the Moose Drool was good. Stop in any time and I'll take you to the 5 microbreweries in town. Now what happened to the sixth Moose Drool?
 
Vlad has decided that he needed a well deserved break from aviation so...the well know 9 was placed in the hanger.
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Vlad has a new passion....RV9 may be on market in near future. Vlad was trained, soloed, and took his check ride in 30 minutes.

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The test was passed when Vlad conquered the wakeboard.
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Those are definitely pilot's legs - strong enough to press rudder peddles and flexible enough to egress cockpits. Minimal weight.

Jack - looks like a great day!
 
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La vita loco - just more Vladitude . . .

He's living the life . . . now get back in that plane Vlad! Don't know if your brain can take the O2 levels on the ground for too long . . .
 
The Great Motovator

This guy just amazes me. He definitely knows how to enjoy life. ;) Go Vlad! :D
 
I'm sure my office mates in the next cube are wondering what got into me today. There's got to be a hundred laughs in this thread.

Hey, if you can't have a hundred rubles. Just sayin'!!

Thanks for keeping us all entertained Vlad...
 
Question about the track... Are the altitudes and speeds shown on the track accurate to what the plane is actually doing?
 
I agree. I would not make the assumption that a sneaky Russkie wouldn't divert to take out a tempting target full of Boeing products. However, AND BECAUSE OF THAT, I was monitoring his arrival pathway. I wanted to make sure that our capitalist goods and women and children were safe so I watched his every move for a couple hours before he arrived - and escorted him continuously on the ground. Unless he figured out a way to trick the APRS, he was nowhere near the scene of the crime. If they find bullet holes and shell casings with cyrillic stamps I'll have to revisit this question. However, he must be a well trained spy because he behaved like the perfect gentleman the entire time.

Glad the Moose Drool was good. Stop in any time and I'll take you to the 5 microbreweries in town. Now what happened to the sixth Moose Drool?

It was found floating in the river near the Boeing fuselages....... :D
 
Vlad has moved on.

Had great day with Vlad Monday....His technical skills were well used.

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Vlad is focused and happy!!

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And the stories were good...laughs were long and Vlad ranks as a entertainer.

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Thanks Vlad for the great visit. Honored to have you as our friend!!
 
Vlad just reported in from Ketchikan and has one more "not so little" hop before the late setting sun. He's officially in Alaska!
 
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