We have made many wonderful trips in the RV10 this summer, the longest was across Canada to our home town in the maritimes. I flew my RV9 there a few years back and knew I wanted to do lots of the same type of travelling with the family. The RV10 build began and 17 months later we had a traveling aircraft with two more seats. The whole family could join in!! We made the trip the middle of July.
Our kids just turned 3 and 5 this month. They have been flying with me since they were 18 months old. Going on a trip of this length was going to be a big one for that age. They made it to the Pacific in the RV10 so I figured they could make it to the Atlantic. Better lobster there too. Our boy, who is the youngest was used to the headsets by then, we just did not know how that would go for a whole day of flying. The worst that could happen was cancelling the trip and turning back. It was worth giving it a try. Mom would have to sit in the back with one and the other would be in the front with me. This would be the safest way for us to travel with them until they get older. Maybe one day Mom and Dad will get to ride in the back.
The plan was to only fly for a max of 3 hour legs. We had friends in Red Lake Ontario that we had not seen in years so that would be the plan for the first day. Getting out to the airport early is always a challenge with kids. There is no schedule and no set departure on Branch Airlines so it works well for us.
All aboard and ready to go.
11:30 we were wheels up and on our way to Regina for the first stop for a late lunch. First Leg 2hours.
Trundling along over the prairies.
With full belly's the next leg would take us direct to Red Lake. A good chance that everyone would be sleeping as well. Red Lake is situated in the middle of no where in North Western Ontario. There is only one road in and is noted for it Mining and outdoor adventure. The Norseman Capital of Canada. We filled the HWA tip tanks so we could head in and head out if the weather got bad. Running LOP with 75 Gal total sure gives you lots of range in the 10.
Every one comfy and enjoying the ride. Mom likes the O2 as she gets Headaches on longer legs at 9500.
Lake Manitoba.
The air was smooth with few clouds until Lake Winnipeg. We had to duck under an overcast for the last 1/2 of the flight into Red lake. Total time 2.5 hours. The air was cold and windy on the ground. We all needed our Jackets on.
Our Chauffer arrived on time thanks to the spot tracker. His family watched us get closer and timed it perfectly. It was just after supper and we flew a good chunk of the country in 4.5 hours. It was far from difficult and much less stressful than driving. The beers were opened and the BBQ lit. It was time to catch up with old freinds.
The next Day we toured the area and looked at many Float planes. Lakes all around and many places to swim or go fishing.
The weather system that we flew under was moving east and it looked like we would have a good flight for the most part into Sudbury the following Day. There was forcasted storms at the time of our arrival so it was looking like a bit more work for this flight. The tanks were full and a direct flight to Marathon was in order. We flew the Victor into Souix Lookout and then went direct from there. There is an amazing amount of lakes in this part of the country. The 10 would feel much more comfortable flying if it had floats. I am glad the engine does not no the difference. Flight Time 2 hours.
South end of Lake Nipigon.
We had a nice Picnic at the airport and filled all 4 tanks. Marathon has the cheapest fuel in the country. Be sure to stop there if heading through the area. Next stop was Sudbury for the night. Many cells were showing up on the 496. There is very few alternates in these parts so lots of fuel is a great thing to have. We filed out of there direct to Sudbury for a look.
The scattered layer soon closed in and we got under the deck. There was many scattered rain showers that were easy to pick our way through. The worst of them were close to the Sudbury aiport. I changed my course slightly to pick my best way through based on the 496. Out the window it looked better on the north side of the airport, but what you could not see was that the cells were all closed in on the north side of the aiport. We went with the XM and slid in around the cells with hardly a drop on the window. Flight time 1.5 hours
We have family in Sudbury that we had not seen in over 12 years. They got us at the airport and we went into town for a big feast. It was nice to visit and introduce them to our kids. The next day looked good for the last leg but the day after that did not. We opted for a short Visit and headed east the next morning. We plan to go back.
Wheels up at 12:00. See told you we can't get away early!! The plan was a stop in Trois Rivieres (3 rivers) for an afternoon lunch. One thing about stopping here is you need to know some french. We had not spoken french in a long time and it was fun to get back into it. We over flew Ottawa and then used flight following for the remainder of the leg. The scenery was beautiful over the Ottawa River and ST Laurence.
We soon touched down in Trois Rivieres and made our way in to eat. We were sure to have a Poutine as a side order. The food and service was great. Flight Time 2.5 hrs
We bailed out of there for our final leg of the trip. Our Destination was Bathurst NB. Once airborne we climbed up to 9500 for a smooth ride east. We overflew Quebec City and then turned direct on course.
Quebec City
The winds aloft were giving us a nice 25kt push. Best on the whole trip was 10 kts on the tail. Seeing how we were so close to home I punched the throttle in and ran 100 ROP. 175 TAS and 200kts on the ground. The ride was smooth and the last leg was 1.5hrs. The family had all been watching our progress on the SPOT. We had no idea who would be at the airport to great us. We touched down and what a surprise to see so many people there to see us.
I wasn't lying.
Not sure if they were there to see the plane or the kids. I know it was not me. I think it was the RV10 that attracted them. He He. There was more people there then compared to when the Dash 8 comes in with paying customers.
Over all the kids did really well. We never even had to turn the DVD player on. Just the XM tunes and that was it. I was very proud of them doing so well. They are good sleepers too! The plane performed as it should with no troubles at all.
We went on many flight around the Maritimes (Actually my wife got her first ride in the front seat of the RV10 in the maritimes, we can't get babysitters out west, she liked it) and came back through Maine, Toronto and crossed into Michigan for the return trip through the US.
I can post that too if there is interest.
Building is a lot of fun, but traveling with your family in the plane you built is the best.
Calgary to the Maritimes
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