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RV-8 Skyrunner on tour

Air Zoo - yes I liked it - if I only could fly these planes!

I will not cross Lake Michigan and fly around in the South. I shy away from all this water and will look for one more destination before the show.


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C-47


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F-14
 
Hermann, thanks for the photos and updates of your adventures! You should write a book!
 
You should write a book!
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He has already! Well, a private publication on his first 2019 transatlantic adventure… I had to rip it off his hands to get a copy during a visit a couple of years ago :D
Loads of inspirational and fantastic pictures with plenty interesting text and explanations. In German language.

Maybe there will be a Atlantic Dream RV-8 nach Oshkosh 2023?
 

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Oshkosh is very close. I was looking for a place with hotels and shopping close by the airport and came up with Illinois Valley VYS. My original plan was flying into Oshkosh on Friday but decided for tomorrow. A straight flight from Kalamazoo seemed too simple and so I planned the flight in the morning northbound along the skyline of Chicago under the class B airspace then around ORD finally to the southwest. The sun was still more in the east so had a very nice view of the skyline.

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Made it this afternoon - Oshkosh finally! The Notam was already active but very little traffic during my arrival. Choosed rwy 27 as I had a camera on the left wing:

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Saturday I left Oshkosh after a phantastic week there. Only the storms were a little annoying but no damage done so all is good. I met many pilots which I knew from my 2019 visit already and also met many others. I apologize not remembering all names, it seems my memory is made for numbers only! On Tuesday during the show I had the honor to show my airplane and be part of a questionaire about my aircraft and my tour at the Homebuilders Headquarters with Joe Waltz. I enjoyed hanging around and talking with you all at the Pavilion more than the actual show, I miss it already. Now I have to be quiet for a while at home (you know what I mean after being away for 10 weeks) but I really hope I can repeat this tour or part of it and be there again with my plane I built myself.
So today was a long day flying and I´m sitting in Florida now and heading to the Bahamas tomorrow - so more to come.

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Only airplanes

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At the Homebuilders Headquarters

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Leaving Oshkosh
 
After a long flight from Oshkosh to St Simons Island I joined a group of club members flying around in a Bonanza, from there we headed to their home field Witham Stuart KSUA on the Florida east coast. Forflight showed $20 tiedown fee for a day. They waved me in to a parking spot with no tiedowns. The actual cost for one day was around $75, 20 for the non-tiedown, 40 facility fee and 10 security plus tax. I cannot recommend the place although the FBO is nice. Stay away from places were the jets are parked. In the evening we prepared for a flight to the Bahamas and set off the next morning. Outbound is easy with good radio contact. Customs at the Bahamas easy too. It was good to have the Bahamas Flight Guide which I got at Oshkosh at their booth, I also attended a presentation about flying to and from there, so I was well prepared. All in all easy going and flying there is super relaxed. The water is so clear and the colors are amazing - just beautiful. There were thunderstorms forecasted for the next day for Stuart and we just made it minutes before one hit the field. We were actually waiting in the custom building for the rain to pass with a very friendly officer. It is summer and so thunderstorms are daily business in Florida.

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As seen from the Bonanza

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And so it looks from the other side

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Close Trail

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My new playground
 
After another night in Stuart/Florida I headed northbound and landed just west of Kitty Hawk for another night and refueling. The next morning I hopped to First Flight airport where the Wright Brothers did their first flying. I have been there before but it is on the way so I can´t just pass. It is always amazing standing right there where history has happened and where Wilbur and Orville actually were too.
Then I took off and flew nortbound between two TFRs and Restricted Areas near Washington DC to fly the Hudson River route at New York and circle The Lady - another impressive part of my flight tour. Lots of traffic and so looking for airplanes besides looking at the scenery. I wish I had a camera-man with me although my Gopros were just running, it is just too distracting to do everything alone and it is sure more enjoyable just flying along and look. Whenever I am here again this will be done again and again, always worth a detour.
Next day I was planning a stop in Geauga 7G8 to have my Whirlwind prop overhauled. The day before I got a text cash or check only, sh...! My cash is reserved for the return flight in case cards are not working. Don´t want to get stranded. I have enough to pay for it and can get some more from the ATMs the next days. But the mechanic there also insisted on cash, 5-600 USD - plus tax of course and may be some more for unforeseen extras for something I could do easily alone, just need a prop wrench and later a torque wrench too.
It didn´t feel right to me so I said good-bye after a milk-run, very disappointing.
The weather turned bad in the North but meanwhile I made it to Northeast Kingdom EFK from where I will leave the US for now heading into Canada and towards home.

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Obligatory Picture at First Flight airport

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Approaching New York in the Hudson River Exclusion

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Good weather and lots of traffic around me

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Circling The Lady
 
And he’s on his way! Right now at the midpoint between Goose Bay and Greenland. No big deal, just another North Atlantic crossing in an RV-8… :eek:

That’s a bummer about the prop shop… cash only? Weird.
 
Disappointing to be sure.

Vendors have long provided discounts for cash, but I've noticed an increased number of businesses seem to be going to "cash only" in order to avoid the credit card fees. Maybe their margins are shrinking and they're trying to keep the ship afloat?

--Ron
 
No problem with me for cash but at times when most things are paid by card a timely notice would be nice, especially when the amount is more than a usual pocket full of money! Somehow it felt strange so I left.
 
Yes reached Greenland already.
But there was the flight to Goose Bay the day before. Tried to book a hotel at Sept Iles but all were full. Wanted to pass a spot on the way to Goose Bay but this didn´t work via Sept Iles so filed directly to Goose Bay, flight lasted 4.7 hours. Now - the airports in Greenland are closed Sundays. The original plan was to fly up from Sept Iles but I was in Goose already so did a day trip towards Newfoundland. There is a very small island between Labrador and Newfoundland called Greenly Island which I wanted to see. 95 years ago there landed a German Junkers W33 on the first east-west transatlantic flight when the crew were looking for places to land in very bad weather. They saw a lighthouse, circled and landed happy to have the ocean behind. The lighthouse is gone, instead there is a metal structure now. The pilots name was Hermann Koehl and he was born very close where I live so I had to have a look when passing the area anyway. There is an airport close by which I called before asking if anything is left from that time but all seems to be gone. So I didn´t land and just passed overhead, circled, looped and looked and imagined how things happened long time ago.
Today - Monday - Narsarsuaq in Greenland was the destination. Seafog is always an issue and alternates are far away, going to destination is already 680 NM. Headwinds of course when fuel is urgently needed. But I calculated I can make it there and fly north to Kangerlussuaq, the best alternate in Greenland with reliable weather because more inland with good approaches, but another 380 NM - ouch! But starting the diversion earlier could have saved some fuel. My wife updated me with weather reports to the satellite tracker and an airliner reported clear weather over Greenland when I was offline for 2 hours from ATC with no VHF contact. Then I saw the coast, good radio contact, all clear. I did my sightseeing part which I still enjoy very much over the ice in Greenland even after a 5 hour flight. Before I climbed out of my RV the fuel truck was there, they are very efficient in Greenland with fueling and flightplan filing. No codes, no numbers, no pins - easy going - but the fuel is expensive.
Narsarsuaq airport was built in 1941 to ferry planes to Europe during the war and at that time was called Bluie West One. The old layout is still visible.

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Goose Bay on my local flight

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Circling Greenly Island

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Greenly Island with the lighthouse or tower

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Sightseeing befor landing in Narsarsuaq

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Narsarsuaq BGBW - former Bluie West One
 
Ah yes... Bluie West One will always and forever make me think of Ernie Gann and his book Fate Is The Hunter. Thanks as always for sharing, and glad we got to spend some time together at OSH. Safe Travels!
 
Hi Martin, nice to hear from you.
Have to check out this book, never heard of it.
And thanks again for the pics, some of them I shared here at VAF.
 
Soon be in Scotland. Very soon!
I didn't know whether to post here or in the 200 Kt club thread, but Hermann has just passed the Faeroes with a nice tailwind:
 

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Good to meet with you

Great to meet and speak with you in Reykjavik today Hermann, hope to catch you in Popham and chat more.
 
SuperCubDriver said:
Fate Is The Hunter is ordered - will receive it when back home.
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Excellent! I was surprised when you said you hadn't read it yet. I'm guessing because of your own experiences you will enjoy it much more than I have... and it's my favorite aviation book of all time.
 
SuperCubDriver said:
Fate Is The Hunter is ordered - will receive it when back home.
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You haven’t read Fate is the Hunter yet?! One of the best aviation books out there! I’m curious to hear what you think of his trip through Greenland and how accurate he’s description is..
 
Nowhere to hide

The crossing went smoothly and fast. Every day one leg with around 5 hours, planning the next one, checking weather, booking hotel, filing flightplans and sending notice to the FBOs. Loosing time towards the east but even the normal 24 hours a day are not enough for me, need more - or sleep less. After a few days a rest is good, but then I need to "work" again. Even at home I can´t sit still, there is always something crossing my mind.
Yes Iceland to Wick in Scotland was fast, first 5-10 kts tailwind which picked up halfways to 35-40 kts. Landing at Wick is like coming home, the crew there already know me and everything is running smoothly there. Very efficient and caring - I can recommend Far North Aviation whenever crossing east or west. No problems here, they know what we need. I have a screenshot when cruising over 200 kts groundspeed but the USB drive is in the plane, but you know how it looks like. I met another guy from Austria there also crossing in a Monney231, we had dinner together and exchanged experiences.
In the evening planning again. Called Sollas and Glenforsa Operator and booked a room there. So again - not much free time. In the morning headed towards Sollas, was told the conditions are good and the tide favorable at noon. This is an unattendet landing strip on the beach and this attracted me. Also Dan from Switzerland was there before and he had good advices also and sent me approach plates which I didn´t have - thanks Dan. There was a strong wind out of 10 o`clock when landing towards the soutwest but it was no issue as I didn´t have to track a runway. Spent there some time and enjoyed the lonelyness. When I walked out towards the water I saw it coming back - quickly. I have no experience how fast this goes and how far the water will move and cover the beach, so off I went to my next destination Glenforsa, a grass strip on an island in western Scotland with a very nice hotel built out of wood, reminded me on Alaska. Again, very quiet here, the owner flies this Stearman you see on the webcam and pics.
Tomorrow one more leg to EGTN to visit Mark, he once gave me good hints when I was crossing the Atlantic Ocean the first time in 2019. I intend to reach home base again on Saturday afternoon.

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Passed a layer of clouds at freezing temps

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My office

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The beach at Sollas

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Landed at Sollas and relaxing

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Glenforsa/Scotland
 
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Happy to report that Hermann arrived in England this afternoon and I was able to host him at my base of Enstone Aerodrome with a hangar, a place to stay (RV Hotel always available) and a village pub.
 

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Nah man, that's not Hermann, he doesn't drink beer! Or is that a Coke, no ice? Use caution, he could be an imposter...
 
No fooling you guys. That's the genuine Hermann and it's coke, no ice, in an imperial pint glass. I'm sure he'll be back soon to elaborate on the challenges of today's flight.
Yet another incredible adventure done and dusted. I can't wait to see the video.
 
jbDC9 said:
Nah man, that's not Hermann, he doesn't drink beer! Or is that a Coke, no ice? Use caution, he could be an imposter...
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I thought the same thing! Coke is a good cover, it can masquerade for a good stout or porter.
Hermann joked with me at OSH: "I know; a German who doesn't drink beer, right?" I laughed along with him, but forgot to mention that one of the best beers I've ever tasted was a private brew made by our hotel in Berchtesgaden when we visited the German Alps in the '80s. He may not know what he's missing, but he doesn't need it. His life is filled with much better things. Beer can be good; sometimes very good... but in the end it's only beer.
 
This morning I left Mark in EGTN. He has a RV-14 build in his house and so I hold him back one day building his next plane.
Low ceilings initially in Southern UK, it cleared up some towards the English Channel. In France I thought I could climb and still make it over the clouds which will eventually develop into CBs according to the forecast. I was right and when I started my descent into Mannheim (my customs airport) I got clearance for a straight in rwy 09, very cool. Had a good tailwind and was really moving but 30 miles prior Mannheim there was an active CB with rain and low ceilings but Mannheim was still reporting good conditions. I gave up at 800 AGL with 1 mile visibility in rain and diverted the only time during my trip and cleared customs there in EDFE. An hour later departed again and made it to my home airfield reporting back from Oshkosh. Of course I flew over the runway first with a victory roll and only then prepared for the final landing of the tour. My family, friends and club members gave me a warm welcome and prepared coffee and cake for a sit together. An Extra 300 with smoke escorted me to the runway.
And - not to forget: The book "Fate is the Hunter" arrived.

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She is waiting

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Escorted by an Extra 300

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If she only knows what are my plans!!

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Some of the welcoming friends

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And THE Book
 
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Congratulations for the successful completion of your epic trip. I am happy to hear you are home safe. We enjoyed our long conversations in German at Johnson Creek and hope to meet you again sometime in the future in a place yet unknown.

Martin Sutter (Swiss expat)
 
Home, woo hoo! Thank you for sharing your epic adventure with us; it's been rather fascinating to see you put down the miles... next time you're in Fairbanks, or maybe Prince George, let us know, maybe we'll run into you again! I still wanna get down to Homer and Talkeetna... :p
 
May be in two years from now - 2025. Don´t tell my wife!


jbDC9 said:
Home, woo hoo! Thank you for sharing your epic adventure with us; it's been rather fascinating to see you put down the miles... next time you're in Fairbanks, or maybe Prince George, let us know, maybe we'll run into you again! I still wanna get down to Homer and Talkeetna... :p
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Wow, I was about to say your wife is a keeper! I disagree on best aviation book. “West with the Night.” Beryl Markum

I’ve read sentences several times to extract the nuance. Ernest Hemingway said she made all the rest of the authors insignificant. Amazing book I’d go so far to say best book I’ve ever read..
 
Congratulations on a safe and memorable adventure! One of the things I like best about the experimental community in general -- and VAF in particular -- is the inspiration it provides.

I think you'll enjoy Fate is the Hunter. CBC did a program about it last year, and for whatever reason, they invited me to be a (small) part of it. The podcast link is near the top.

After the adventure(s) you've had, you might find some of the themes ring a bell...

--Ron
 
ronrapp said:
Congratulations on a safe and memorable adventure! One of the things I like best about the experimental community in general -- and VAF in particular -- is the inspiration it provides.
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Yep. The material of dreams.

Hermann, much respect here!
 
Congratulations on a great adventure!
Hope to catch you again next time thru the US!
 
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Come North With Me….

Congrats as well on another successful pond crossing and epic adventure in the books. Speaking of books, here’s another often overlooked classic by one of my aviation early heroes, Bernt Balchen, Come North with Me.
He helped secretly construct BW1 and 2 for the AAF and was the Base Commander of BW1 during WW2. There were many rescues (pilots of glacier girl and others) with adventures therein including special ops missions in B24s in Norway supporting Norwegian resistance fighters.
Also he piloted the second New York to Paris aircraft after Lindbergh, ditching in the Seine when Paris was fogged in.
Highly recommended!
:)
Viedersein
Smokey

Come North With Me: An Autobiography https://a.co/d/hnnqNx0
 
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An inspiration to aviation

I missed you at Johnson Creek by a few days but enjoyed our brief conversation at the HBC pavilion during Oshkosh 2023. Thanks so much for your inspiration.
 
Perma Grin

Her are some interesting details of the tour:

Tour lasted from June 7 to August 12 2023, 66 days.
Total flight time (air time): 164:50 h
Total legs/landings: 105
Estimated distance flown 24.750 NM
Fuel used 1365 USG
Average Fuel Flow: 8.3 GPH
Lowest Landing at Furnace Creek CA L06 -210 ft
Highest Landing at Leadville CO KLXV 9934 ft
Longest leg over water from Wick EGPC to Reykjavik BIRK 663 NM
Longest leg of the tour from Mannheim EDFM to Wick EGPC 805 NM
Longest flight from Yellowknife CYZF to Dawson CYDA 05:10 h

Highlights: Just everthing, especially enjoyed Greenland, Alaska, Idaho, Bahamas and of course Oshkosh.

I was prepared and equipped for ditching and was ready for the remaining risk. Sometimes I just lived and flew lower for sightseeing although higher altitudes are almost always safer. All in all this tour put a perma grin in addition to the Vans grin on my face!

Again I´m so impressed of the aviation community, the helpfulness and cameraderie especially of the Vans community.

Here is a scetch of my tour:

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Glad you are home safe!

Hermann, So glad you are home safe. An absolutely epic and inspiring adventure. I look forward to seeing you the next time around :)
 
You really know how to empty the bucket list. Congrats on an epic journey.
Enjoyed the interview at Homebuilts in Review.
 
What an inspirational graphic! Love it. Makes the little cross-state stuff I do look like a kid playing with Legos. :)

I'm amazed by how many people do stuff like this. Earthrounders. Guys in old classic airplanes. Homebuilts.

Reminds me of a friend of mine who took his 1929 TravelAir 4000 biplane and shipped it from SoCal to England. Reassembled it, flew it to Crete, then across the Med to Egypt and all the way down the east side of Africa to Capetown. Then he flew all the way back. Pretty impressive for a nearly 100 year old open cockpit biplane.

Anyway, there's a cool video on YouTube about it.

Congrats again. Can't wait to see your next journey!
 

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Nice! A spectacular video of an epic trip.

When I grow up, I wanna be an adventurer like Hermann.
 
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