WDYDWYRTW? Feb 21-22,2026

[DeltaRomeo]

What did you do with your RV this weekend?

Getting this weekend‘s thread started. Here’s what’s in the air 9:45 AM Saturday morning. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
v/r,dr

 

[DeltaRomeo]

Had a hole in the calendar Saturday afternoon, but the winds aloft around DFW got me thinking otherwise.
Vibe was more ‘why am I doing this?’ and less ‘I'm so glad to be doing this!’. <g>.
tomorrow….

 

[RNB]

WDYD?

First inspection I've ever done in progress. LSRM/A appointment at FSDO Monday morning! All kinds of applied learning with magneto timing, compressions, spark plugs, wheel grease. Awaiting 5 degree ratcheting line wrenches to access fuel filter. Doing lots of things over. Vivid dreams. Fun.

I have new respect for anyone that coordinates a shop.

 

[Daddyman58]

What did you do with your RV this weekend?

Getting this weekend‘s thread started. Here’s what’s in the air 9:45 AM Saturday morning. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
v/r,dr

View attachment 110577

DR,
For those that know the Washington, DC airspace- I flew into the FRZ zone aka "the heart of the zone" with my new double-secret pin.
Landed KVKX, re-filed for exit, then flew home.
This was 14 months in the making which included fingerprinting and multiple background checks.
Not particularly pretty weather, but joyful anyway.
Daddyman58

 

[planenutz]

DR,
For those that know the Washington, DC airspace- I flew into the FRZ zone aka "the heart of the zone" with my new double-secret pin.
Landed KVKX, re-filed for exit, then flew home.
This was 14 months in the making which included fingerprinting and multiple background checks.
Not particularly pretty weather, but joyful anyway.
Daddyman58

Interesting. For those living quite a few miles away from DC Airspace and unaware of the background, can you explain a bit more what this is about? Why do you need DNA testing and water-boarding interogation just to enter the airspace? What is the FRZ zone? And why would you go to so much trouble to get clearance just to fly there and back for giggles? Seems like a lot of trouble just to be able to go flying on a bad weather day, especially if there was no $100 hamburger at the destination.

 

[Marlonyoung]

Cowling - via DanH's explanation. I guess I got lucky as I have not had to cut off the joggles (will have to sand them and reshape a bit) but perhaps the product has gotten better over the decade

 

[Daddyman58]

Interesting. For those living quite a few miles away from DC Airspace and unaware of the background, can you explain a bit more what this is about? Why do you need DNA testing and water-boarding interogation just to enter the airspace? What is the FRZ zone? And why would you go to so much trouble to get clearance just to fly there and back for giggles? Seems like a lot of trouble just to be able to go flying on a bad weather day, especially if there was no $100 hamburger at the destination.

Planenutz,
Fair question, yet not the 1st self-imposed flying challenge I'd set.
It required exacting flight parameters in every way, altitude, direction, communications.
The DC airspace is congested with multiple major airports, and military fields.
For security reasons the fingerprinting and additional measures from more than 1 federal agency, is to make sure someone will ill intent does not get too close.
It is made very clear that failure to comply does bring with it the possibility for armed jets to shoot down aircraft. Not a joke.

I took approached this flight methodically in my planning and execution (pun intended).

There are others that come to mind in my logbook-such as the Hudson River New York City flight past Manhattan and past the Statute of Liberty.
Memorable.

I intend to return, and the next time more relaxed.
I had done it about 15 years before on an IFR flight plan with a friend. Martin Walker who was an excellent teacher, pilot and good guy. He died a few years ago, I intend to pay that forward for a younger pilot.

The picture I took captured the remains of ships from World War I left there over 100 years ago.

Daddyman58

 

[N890GF]

Second flight this weekend. Plane flew as advertised, CHTs in the 360s and Oil Temp max of 177. 30 minutes of so much fun! can't wait to fly more.

Edit - Third flight, today, also went really well. Phase 1 is well underway!

 

[Biggiesauls]

Enjoyed a very nice 39kt “tush push” from NE Texas to Western Kentucky on Friday. Good day flying North East. New Madrid earthquake area below in pic.

Still grinning after 2+ years.

 

[docjjrmd]

Enjoyed a very nice 39kt “tush push” from NE Texas to Western Kentucky on Friday. Good day flying North East. New Madrid earthquake area below in pic.

Still grinning after 2+ years.

Flying in my neighborhood! In your picture you are getting ready to cross the Mississippi River at Caruthersville MO. New Madrid is north of Caruthersville by about 20 miles but the New Madrid fault is real close to I-55 directly below your plane. If you looked hard enough, you can still see the sand boils from the 1812 -14 earthquakes as you fly over this area when the crops are out. Looks like you had a nice flight!

 

[Gino230]

DR,
For those that know the Washington, DC airspace- I flew into the FRZ zone aka "the heart of the zone" with my new double-secret pin.
Landed KVKX, re-filed for exit, then flew home.
This was 14 months in the making which included fingerprinting and multiple background checks.
Not particularly pretty weather, but joyful anyway.
Daddyman58

Can you share this location? I am BWI based and fly the DC area all the time, I have read about the Liberty ship "islands" over the years but have never been able to pick any out visually.

 

[Gino230]

A little tailwheel maintenance in order to get to know my airplane a little better. The Torque seal was probably overkill, but I bought the tube with my last Aircraft Spruce order and have been dying to use it on something.

Took a rip down the beach to celebrate.

 

[Daddyman58]

Can you share this location? I am BWI based and fly the DC area all the time, I have read about the Liberty ship "islands" over the years but have never been able to pick any out visually.

Gino230,
Sure.
There was an article about them in the Sunday magazine section of Washington Post (not sure) about 4 years ago. I had hoped it was visible from the southern SFRA boundary, but it is not. During the summer months there is a group that offers kayaking visits. I wrote it off because the FRZ was off limits to me. I was nonetheless intrigued by it.
I was studying my instruments when I was saw them. They were located in a tiny inlet on the Maryland side about 8 NM south of Alexandria on the east side of the Potomac river. If you reach The Marine Field at Quantico you have looked ventured too far south.

By the way there is a well marked location of WWII ships near Newport News, and more visible ships can be seen just below the surface on the James River.

Hope that helps.

Daddyman58

 

[Daddyman58]

Second flight this weekend. Plane flew as advertised, CHTs in the 360s and Oil Temp max of 177. 30 minutes of so much fun! can't wait to fly more.

Edit - Third flight, today, also went really well. Phase 1 is well underway!

George,
Nice looking panel. Sounds like your phase 1 is without any glitches.
Daddyman58

 

[N890GF]

George,
Nice looking panel. Sounds like your phase 1 is without any glitches.
Daddyman58

Other than the first flight engine troubles, so far so good!

 

[DanH]

They were located in a tiny inlet on the Maryland side about 8 NM south of Alexandria on the east side of the Potomac river.

Mallows Bay Ghost Fleet.

 

[Daddyman58]

Mallows Bay Ghost Fleet.

View attachment 110779

DanH,
You got it correct.
I incorrectly stated it was north of Quantico.
Funny to me as I flew at MCAS Quantico (QFC) for years and never knew it was there.
Daddyman58

 

[Gino230]

Gino230,
Sure.
There was an article about them in the Sunday magazine section of Washington Post (not sure) about 4 years ago. I had hoped it was visible from the southern SFRA boundary, but it is not. During the summer months there is a group that offers kayaking visits. I wrote it off because the FRZ was off limits to me. I was nonetheless intrigued by it.
I was studying my instruments when I was saw them. They were located in a tiny inlet on the Maryland side about 8 NM south of Alexandria on the east side of the Potomac river. If you reach The Marine Field at Quantico you have looked ventured too far south.

By the way there is a well marked location of WWII ships near Newport News, and more visible ships can be seen just below the surface on the James River.

Hope that helps.

Daddyman58

Thanks, I'll keep an eye out. Without Remorse by Tom Clancy is set in this area, complete with hideouts in the liberty ship "islands" and I always wondered if they were still there.

The Newport News ships I have seen many times flying over that area. Final to 27 in PHL is a big shipyard, I also saw the John F. Kennedy being broken up there. I visited that ship during fleet weeks as a kid.

Nothing to do with Vans Aircraft, so apologies for that.

 

[Notso]

Was able to get out on a beautiful Sunday afternoon here. 70F but with lots of snow in the mountains. I put a 4-ship together to do some local practice and it was SOOO much fun! "Winter" is THE best time to fly here!!