Journey Of A Lifetime (long)

[Vlad]

It took me two years to get ready. Enormous amount of planning and training went into it. I wanted to do something different on this trip. I wanted to use my airplane not as a means of my body delivery from point A to point B but rather as a sightseeing platform. I wanted to stretch the route legs as far as I could. To places off beaten paths, where very few homebuilt aircrafts ever been if any.
I wanted to prove to those who are still making decisions to build your own aircraft or not and for those hesitant to leave the home state. Build and go! If I can do it anybody can.

That's how my 20 days odyssey looked like when I planned it.




The plan was to fly every day unless adverse weather prevents it. I budgeted hotels along the route. To get a good night sleep was Task #1. I could skip a meal but I must have a decent rest.

The sightseeing platform is Day VFR RV-9A. Since manufactured in 2011 she accumulated more then 2,000 enjoyable hours. She has a carbureted Lycoming engine and a wood propeller. Platform driver is a Private Pilot who mostly works during the day, flies in the evenings and sleeps at night. He is also a weekend warrior and not instrument rated.











Let's see what came out of this grand plan.

[RKellogg]

This is going to be good. Lemee go get a large mug of coffee...
Thanks, Vlad!
- Roger

[Steve Melton]

agree, this is much better than the movie theater. where's my popcorn?

[Vlad]

My airplane was ready gear packed a day prior. I managed to get all work done an hour early without lunch break. Whew!!! Let's run out of this sweat shop as far as I can!





My first stop was Lansing, MI. My good old friend and an RV9A builder Rocky is still deployed there. Working on a huge construction project instead of building his own aircraft. Come here Rusky, said Rocky, you will be gassed, fed and well rested.

It was a great evening. We toured his job site, had a nice dinner at the best restaurant in town then went to a movie theater to watch the latest Star Trek.
I had a good night sleep. Early morning Rocky fueled me and I blasted off westbound. The Big Show of Oshkosh was still in full swing when I crossed Michigan Lake from Ludington to Manitowoc.





I landed at two grass strips in Wisconsin then headed to Superior KSUW for a lunch break.





Nice taxiway markings.





Couple hours more and two more grass fields under my belt.






One being Fort Peck, Montana.








The day of great flying ended at Chinook, Montana. Outside air temperature was on the warmer side as it usually is in July. A short walk to town and I was in a cozy and cool room at the lodge right under that water tower. It has a decent Asian restaurant and they served some fine spirits.




Day 1 3/4 was great. Later in the evening I walked to the airport through this small town. Just to check on my airplane tiewdowns. Local mosquitos were vicious. It looks like they liked those couple promille of alcohol in the blood.

[Vlad]

If you have an airworthy airplane, completed your BFR and never been to Montana, take a couple days off and go! One of the prettiest and friendliest places to fly. Flying in Montana never gets old you can even legally land on an adjacent road if you find a strip like Russian Flat is too rough.





I did visit one of the newest airstrips in US. M42 Russian Flat brought my first crack in nose wheel fairing. I looked through registration log and didn't see any RV listed. I am the first one I guess. Took a little hike very pretty place.







I landed at a big airport for fuel then flew to a picturesque location by Lewis Lake 7S7. Walked to town for a cup of coffee stretched my legs and in an hour or so was airborne again. I was heading to Cut Bank, Montana to meet the second ship who will join me on this mega trip.





Cut Bank was hot and friendly. Chip Diggins my wingman finally caught on me. He departed Boston area one day later zigzagging around lines of T-stoms. We will stay united for at least 18 hours.








Next run was to Del Bonita for Canadian Customs. We both hold CANPASS but Chip was going to Canada first time and had to meet the officers. There is a grass runway in Whetstone, Montana which has two identifiers and located between two outposts. That was our next stop to meet Canadian CBP.






Customs invited us to their building for some paperwork and we were heading north shortly. Weather was looking sketchy by Calgary and we decided to divert to High River instead of Vernon. Troy Branch, a serial builder and an avid traveller, shot me an email. Don't be shy guys he said come here and wait it over.




Winds were howling I don't even remember how I landed there. Chip went around and planted his RV on an intersecting taxiway. Troy with the coolest "Follow Me" apparatus scooted us down to his hangar.








We were serviced by BranchAir then Troy took us to a dinner. Later we toured his mansion, had a chat and slept like babies. Tomorrow will be a long day...

[rockwoodrv9]

What a great trip. Thanks for the chance to be a part of it on your first day! I can't wait to read the rest of "The Chronicles of a flying Russian!"

[NYTOM]

Thanks Vlad. You don't know it but your one of my biggest motivators. Can't wait for the next edition of " journey of a lifetime".

[roadrunner20]

Thank you Vlad.
Inspirational & motivational.
Can't wait for the remaining chapters.

[N804RV]

Thanks Vlad! You're trip threads are always interesting....

[Nedimbek]

Vlad,

If I knew you were coming to High River, I would come down from Calgary for the pleasure of meeting a great guy like you! You are the hero of VAF.

Nedim