.........anyone want to bet it will be an RV ???
http://www.airspacemag.com/history-of-flight/the-country-where-nobody-flies-19550851/
Insider information tells me to take that bet because to paraphrase Charle Daniels - ?I?ll take that bet cause you?re gonna regret...?
It will happen real soon.
Sorry to pop everyone's bubble here, but I believe a Canadian homebuilt Seawind went into Varadero about 10 years ago. I will get details and report back.
John Van Lieshout
RV6A QB 85%
The first homebuilt to fly to Cuba was Loving's Love WR-1, flown by Neil Loving, and was accomplished in December 1953. It was just one stop on a flight from Detroit to Kingston, Jamaica. Neil lost his lower legs in a glider accident during WWII, and later designed and personally built the airplane while standing and working with artificial legs. He recalled landing in Cuba and having some curious Cuban kids lift up his pantleg to see those artificial legs. Neil went on to work at Wright Aeronautical Labs doing research on high altitude turbulence to support the U-2 and SR-71 programs. He and his wife Claire were both very gracious and wonderful people.
The prototype Lovings Love is in the EAA Museum or possibly in storage at EAA. I have the EAA article on Neil's flight from Detroit to Kingston Jamaica in the Love. Neil sold plans but very few were ever built. There is a picture of an unidentified Love at Taildraggersinc.com.The first homebuilt to fly to Cuba was Loving's Love WR-1, flown by Neil Loving, and was accomplished in December 1953. It was just one stop on a flight from Detroit to Kingston, Jamaica. Neil lost his lower legs in a glider accident during WWII, and later designed and personally built the airplane while standing and working with artificial legs. He recalled landing in Cuba and having some curious Cuban kids lift up his pantleg to see those artificial legs. Neil went on to work at Wright Aeronautical Labs doing research on high altitude turbulence to support the U-2 and SR-71 programs. He and his wife Claire were both very gracious and wonderful people.
Cool, find info and let us know.
Dimitrios Mamais has been flying his Seawind Kit #36 since May, 1996.
July 8, 1999
To whom it may concern:
Regarding the elevator stop, it was done before the airplane had its first flight test. When I was asked at River Ranch Resort concerning this matter, it only meant in good faith and not to be politically controversial - which I dislike very much and want no part of. The only thing that I can say is that I have been working on airplanes all my life- and hold licenses an many types of aircraft such as the following: L101 1, 747, and A340 including all types of pistons and turbines. I am sure that there are people out there that before the Seawind came to market did not know what a cotter-pin was and all of a sudden they became aeronautical experts (most academics/instructors that are legitimate experts realize how little of their field of study they know anyway)! This is the reason that I am keeping a safe distance away from REAL EXPERTS.
Regarding our conversation about my trip to Bahamas and Cuba, it was the most exhilarating experience of flying my Seawind with my wife and Mends. First, my wife and I and my friend Bobby arrived in the sun and fun for the day and had a nice talk with all the Seawind people which I haw not missed any year since purchasing one. From there, we departed to Fort Lauderdale and stayed the night. In the morning, we flew to Nassau, cleared customs and filed for Havana, Cuba. The people were very friendly when they determined that we were from Canada. It took two hours purposely flying at low attitude so we could enjoy the scenery. On return to Nassau, my wife and my friend's wife met us and we also met another 10 airplanes from Toronto, Canada. In addition, we went to different islands every two days. I was the only amphibian and the funny part was that I would fly at fifty feet above sea level and they were really jealous - do you blame them? After all that's what the seawind is all about.
Furthermore, my wife was initially afraid of flying, however, after touring these Caribbean islands she has conquered her fear and is waiting impatiently for our next sojourn.
Lastly, my memories of these islands from flying above them were that I could not only see the turquoise water and vibrant green foliage but could hear these colours calling me to return to them and send me to similar scenarios of my native homeland Islands of Greece which is my next big trip.
Yours truly, Dimitrios Mamais
...so pardon my ignorance, but has travel to Cuba EVER been prohibited for Canadians?....or our pilots? can't find an answer to that question anywhere.
I will proudly take being the 1st US registered EAB aircraft into Havana. I will get around to doing a write up of the whole trip but I have to figure out my notes first. In the mean time here is a link to a photobucket album showing how bad the weather was when we arrived. We didn't have any lightning just torrential rain and a bumpy ride. We saw the runway lights at about 1,200ft and finally broke out about 800ft.This was the flight that I was referring to, in my earlier post. Dimitri is currently in Greece. I am trying to get in contact with him so that he can give us details. I think Galin has to be satisfied with the 1st US experimental to fly to Cuba title. Congratulations! I hope more US pilots pick Cuba as a destination. It is a wonderful country and Havana is spectacular. You may think you are in Europe.
John Van Lieshout
RV6A QB 85%
.........anyone want to bet it will be an RV ???
Can you direct me to the list of requirements to go there?
Thanks,
Galin,
Great accomplishment. Very cool. Thank you for blazing the way for experimental aircraft in Cuba. Looking forward to the trip report and pictures.
Saludos,
Fernando