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Another extended weekend trip

The school was on the way, not the slightest detour. A wildfire developed northwest of the school, large cloud, could smell it.
The fog at LAX and Torrance disappeared so could fly as planned. Torrance temps at 23C, very nice after having 33C at Buchanan.

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Over LAX
 
Celebrity sighting! Just saw you take off from Corona.

I was at the fuel island and missed the chance to get a photo.

But in my defense, all I had on hand was an Insta360 x4, Ace Pro 2, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPad Pro. So basically enough computing and photographic power to put a man on the moon…
 
ronrapp said:
Celebrity sighting! Just saw you take off from Corona.

I was at the fuel island and missed the chance to get a photo.

But in my defense, all I had on hand was an Insta360 x4, Ace Pro 2, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPad Pro. So basically enough computing and photographic power to put a man on the moon…
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Plus photoshop….
 
Not too much flying out of Torrance, only short daily trips to satisfy my addiction for flying. First day over LAX to Bif Bear. The usual marine layer allowed takeoff only late mornings these days. Something was different there, oh yes the restaurant building was gone so no breakfast - again! So up again, backwards to Corona, this time success with the food. Of course had to go to Aircraft Spruce shopping things which I might need one day. The next day was July 4th so better make a call to the restaurant in Santa Paula, they said they are open til 2 pm. After breakfast I strolled around watching the airplanes come and go and then refueled with the cheapest fuel around here at 4.90. The next day July 5th might still be aftermath of July 4th. Flew to Mojave and parked in front of the restaurant and - you know what´s coming - closed til Monday. Looked and made some pics of the scrapped airplanes there, some of them I flew many many times, very sad. I thought let´s try Kern Valley to where I flew now and then 30 years ago in a rental plane out of Long Beach. The airport restaurant was open and so the day was saved.
This morning I headed towards Page AZ where I will stay a few days and thought Corona is on the way so land there for some food. I met Steve a second time on this tour (first time three days ago at Aircraft Spruce). Two years ago he showed me his beautiful RV-8. I passed the Grand Canyon and flew the corridors up and down, it was very bumpy and I might fly them again early mornings or one evening.
Tomorrow Monument Valley is the plan, Tuesday Salt Lake for an oil change, Wednesday probably Phoenix and then I will see.

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Mojave, B744 former D-ABVS - my other plane for some time

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Over the Grand Canyon

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Wild fires, very common these days, here on the northern rim of the Grand Canyon

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Final approach Page rwy 33, the markings still say 34
 
Got up at 5am this morning and walked to the airport. As said Monument Valley was the destination with landing and breakfast at Gouldings airport. During the night I got note that friends from Germany on a world trip in a Mooney are at Gouldings and thought what a coincidence. When I reported to land at 7am on the radio they were ready for departure so we didn´t actually meet. I delayed my landing and so we flew formation around the Mesas making some pics.

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This plane always flips over

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The worldrounder

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This once was standard
 
This week in Page I went flying every day. Tuesday I went up to Skypark just beside Salt Lake City were I was invited to do an oil change. While I was there we did a short 3ship around the area. My RV-8 was loaded and it was hot and so the two Rockets had easy play to keep up. On the flight up there I passed Hidden Splendor, since I first heard of it and saw some videos I was determined to land there if it is possible at all. In 2023 I circled the area but didn´t find it - wrong coordinates. This time not so. So down I went through the Canyon and had a look at the strip and environment but not before circling overhead to get a greater picture. The runway looked suitable and infos from pilots and what I saw on videos all were in line and so I choosed a day to land early morning. Next day was Wednesday, a breakfast flight to Sedona was the plan. Still hesitant with Hidden Splendor I committed myself for the next morning. I left some staff at the FBO and made sure not having too much fuel, I wanted the airplane light, at least reasonably light. I took off at around 6am in Page and headed towards the Factory Butt, a pronounced landmark a few miles southeast of Hidden Splendor and itself a worthwile sightseeing spot. Circling overhead the field I saw an airplane parked on centerline at the northern end - what?! I flew an approach through the Canyon, passed the runway for one last look and judged the situation with the parked airplane - no people around. Ok, I don´t need the whole runway but a late go-around and the parked plane could be in the way. But it also could prevent me from falling off the cliff. Next approach will be the one, now I have an idea how tight is everything and what speed and configuration I will use. I came in a little low but this helps to land short and on speed. Just after half down the rwy I turned and taxied to the north end for parking - off the runway of course. When I left the airplane I "heard" how quiet it was, relaxed and enjoyed the scenery. About 30 minutes later two guys walked to the parked airplane on the other end and departed. I walked down the runway and cleared the first half of it of the largest and sharpest rocks and so minimizing the chance of damaging my wheel pants and tail. There was a noticable southerly wind and so for takeoff the direction was out of question. The rwy slopes uphill and you takeoff towards rising terrain at a density altitude of 8000 ft, but climbing northbound through the canyon has it´s own risks. 1000 ft climb at a given distance with practically no chance to turn around, I didn´t want to try anyway!
I headed towards Mineral Canyon and did an approach to have a look, the rwy didn´t look bad but I didn´t have enough infos for my liking and so moved on and returned to Page.
Today another breakfast run to Monument Valley. Tomorrow Phoenix and Tucson for the weekend.

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As I said when I left Page I flew to Phoenix/Goodyear to visit a club member doing flight training there, then on the same day on towards Tucson to see Pima Museum. This was suggested by John and I initially was hesitant. But his suggestions are always good with infos how and where. I just followed his advice, booked a hotel beside the airport and next day went to the museum. The museum is huge with many many airplanes inside and outside. It is hot in July but the outside exhibition has to be done.
Next day destination was Oklahoma with one fuel stop inbetween. Had to wait a long time on the ground in Tucson, two airplanes in front of me and quite some F-16s landed and taxiied in. I just choosed a place with no weather. In Tucson during late evening the wind refreshed significantly and I could see CBs in the vicinity. I went to the airport again to make sure everything is alright with the plane. Today onwards with another fuel stop to Illinois Valley. I wanted to land at Oshkosh Thursday or Friday, but wherever I look for another stop there is one day with CBs. So now it looks like tomorrow is the day for Oshkosh, intend to land there before the weather and let it pass, the next days are looking better. If I stay in Illinois Valley the weather will be here also but for the then following flight to Oshkosh there are low ceilings forecasted for Thursday. I hope I will make the right choice.IMG_8172.JPGIMG_E8218.JPGDSC03301.JPGIMG_8222.JPG
 

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I know this plane!
Yes, near the pavilion, all good.
Yesterday evening however the forecasted rain started and the wind pushed the rain slowly but steadily into my tent. Was sitting there for at least two hours soaking the water with a sponge and get rid of it. Ended up with completely wet clothes.
 
nice you're enjoying what is now a routine for you :)
As usual, fantastic pics (thanks no doubt to those Insta360)... how is the "invisible" stick held, and holding up, at RV speeds?

And above all, enjoy!

PS
Alle Kleidern nass... aber die Leder-Schuhe hoffentlich noch trocken ;)
 
Dan 57 said:
nice you're enjoying what is now a routine for you :)
As usual, fantastic pics (thanks no doubt to those Insta360)... how is the "invisible" stick held, and holding up, at RV speeds?

And above all, enjoy!

PS
Alle Kleidern nass... aber die Leder-Schuhe hoffentlich noch trocken ;)
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The stick is actually the second iteration. It is 25mm or approx. 1“ in diameter. It is held by two fixtures on the outermost wing rib and with a laminated brass bearing in the wing tip. It is slotted and springloaded and locks in and out. There is a 12“ extension to bring the camera a little more forward and there is a power supply included or fed inside, this new cameras can be programed to start recording when sensing external power. No more messing around with wifi or bluetooth connections. Works very well so far even in turbulence and with g-loads. Some footage I have is simply amazing but only a fraction of it will be used - and a lot of memory is reqired!
 
Now Oshkosh 2025 is history already. I flew there on Wednesday before the show and sure enough there was a heavy storm in the evening. I sat in my tent for two hours soaking up the leaking water with a sponge, looks like I need a new tent for the next event.
The show and everything was just great again and I believe I don´t need to express it here. I made some nice shots during the night airshow on Saturday which I share here.
On Sunday I flew to Lake Norman where Perry invited me to stay at his home. Today flew my plane to Greenville Downtown for repair of my canopy crack, Perry picked me up in his C-172 for the night and tomorrow all will be done and ready for the next flights. I call him a good friend.

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jbDC9 said:
No fancy cameras on me, just an iPhone 13, but… caught a pic of Hermann on my wing departing Fairbanks headed for the Ruth Glacier. Sure is a purty aeroplane;
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Hey JB you need to upgrade your photo equipment to keep up with Hermann he is loaded for bear.
 
Perry flew me to Greenville Downtown this morning in his C-172 to pick up my RV-8 with the repaired canopy. It was sad to say good-bye and especially when it hurts a quick good-bye is what I like. I owe him many thanks and more and hope our paths will cross again.

Lew at Greenville organized everything and put me into his schedule. The canopy went with him overnight and I was updated with pictures. As he said in the morning I got a text the canopy is ready and so the plane is ready to go again. BTW when I arrived the day before he tracked me and was waiting at the taxiway as my follow-me - a complete service. When he unloaded the canopy it was not only repaired, it was polished inside and outside and the locking handle was streamlined and polished - wow.
The repair and so the crack is visible but kind of blurry. But he said the material or glue he used in V-shaped notches dissolves the plexi and forms a solid bond, much stronger than the usual wicking glue. It is perfectly polished and super smooth. I don´t share his contact details here although he probably wouldn´t mind but using the search function will help if anybody is interested.

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I left Greenville Downtown for Winter Haven in Florida, passed some showers and developing thunderstormes. Unfortunately my hotel for two days is not what I expected and I don´t feel well, so tomorrow I just leave one day early. I was looking at hotels on the Bahamas, but the good ones are booked and with all the hassle I probably don´t go there. Instead I found a place at Marathon and hope it will be better there for a few days. No TS forecasted there so this is good too.

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Over Florida passing showers and TS in the afternoon
 
I was not very lucky with the hotels in Florida. At least in Marathon there were no thunderstormes and it was nicer than in Winter Haven, not so humid and a light breeze. I left on August 2nd and flew up the Keys and along Miami Beach under the Class B shelf. Had to call three different frequencies one after the other to get airspace clearances along the beaches northbound. It went quite well, sometimes it takes some time for the controllers to get my strange callsign and accent, but this time all went quick and smooth, looks like they are used to transitions along the beaches. A quick fuel stop abeam Orlando and I launched for Lumberton NC. There were buildups already in the late morning but was able to pass them with some minor deviations. Got a crew car for the night and the next morning showed up at 8 am and realized the FBO opens not until 10 am Sundays. So looked for a breakfast and was back some time later, refueled and took off towards Gettysburg. Gettysburg is just at the 60NM borderline of the Washington TFR. I avoided the outer 30-60 NM circle and made sure I´m not doing more than the precribed max speed of 230 kts - easy! Gettysburg is a very nice small city and a historic place, everywhere are small museums and of course the Gettysburg National Military Park is the main attraction.
Coming closer to home on each flight now, planning for the Hudson River again and may be Niagara Falls - will see.

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The Florida Keys and the Miami skyline are cool to see, but, I still prefer the scenery of Alaska, British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest… but then again, most anything is better than SE Texas!
 
I‘m with you - Alaska it is! But it is far away from here, the longest distance within the US.
 
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Unfortunately it became hazy the next days. Niagara Falls I planned next, then the Hudson River because the forecast was better this way. But the perfect weather was gone and it remained hazy. When I flew towards New York from Albany the visibility was really poor, the Metar of Newark promised better visibility though. After a quick fuel stop at Central Jersey I launched for the Hudson River, no TFRs this day and visibility improved some but was far from perfect. I flew the Hudson up and down and circled the Statue of Liberty, at least I did it and won´t regret it later. My destination on this flight was New Bedford where I was invited by Mario who also flies a RV-8, we met at Oshkosh and prior that exchanged some mails. He offered me to do an oil change while I´m there and so I was able to prepare the plane for the crossing. The next day he took me as his wingman around his playground. Although I was flying many times into Boston in the past I never realized how beautiful this area is. You see it with different eyes down low and with a tour guide ahead. We passed beautiful islands with it´s beaches and flew up all the way to Cape Cod where we landed and refueled. Then out the sea for whale watching with two RV 8s - how cool, and we actually saw them! Then towards Plymouth over the Mayflower before we landed back in New Bedford - what a day. Hey Mario if you read this, you made my day!
Yesterday I left for Bangor where I refueled and from where I departed the US, the day before did the eAPIS thing and filed a flight plan and so was ready to go right after paying the bill. The flight to Goose Bay was forecasted with temporarily TS moving in from the northwest. The last 80 miles I had to circumfly some and landed in dry and smooth conditions. When I taxied into the ramp things changed, the TS I just avoided followed me quickly and hit the airport with rain and strong and gusty winds. I was not able to turn the aircraft on it´s own power and park between the hangars, the wind was pushing on the fuse and tail so there was no way to turn. I parked into the wind and called Canpass while rain was pouring and my speed indicator was hovering around 20-25 kts while sitting there. Eventually it became better again and so could secure the plane.

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Mario and me

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Whale watching
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One having fun...

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Mayflower at the Plymouth Harbor
 
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Cape Cod, beautiful! I've never flown around up there... looks like that's a new target on my "to do" list!

So how's the weather in Narsarsuaq this morning? Remember, after takeoff you gotta head ENE, Reykjavik is over that way... 😆
 
Meanwhile I made it to Wick/Scotland. Greenland was breathtaking as ever. Easy approach into Narsarsuaq and the weather looked good for the next two days. I thought about two options: Flying directly to Reykjavik or stop in Kulusuk. Because I like it in Kulusuk but ever since I flew over Bluie East 2 back in 2022 I was thinking about landing there. I got an ok and weather looked good but a hotel room was only available for one night. Ok, still doable but the weather must cooperate which actually did. No fog next morning, clear and calm. So flew over to this old airbase, looped, rolled and checked the runway from above. A low and slow flyover next, saw rough gravel with a few rocks but nothing too bad. Decided to do a touch and go first with partial flaps and a little power - easy it was. Next pattern will be with a landing. No problem but taxiing required quite some power, the soil below the gravel was a little soft and so the wheels dragged while taxiing. I do have larger tires than standard but with the regular ones it shouldn´t be a problem either. Of course there might always be a spot softer or with rocks so a little extra risk is involved.
Standing there and nothing is to hear, same like in Narsarsuaq or Kulusuk, no background noise, complete quieteness. Then there are this rusty leftovers from the war, lots of rusty fuel drums, a collapsed hangar, trucks and other equipment. If anyone is looking for original spare parts like oil pans or drive shafts for their toys it can be found here. I walked around and enjoyed the scenery and was in contact with Kulusuk tower via my satellite tracker texting all is ok. When I returned to Kulusuk turnaround was less than an hour. Refueled, filed a flight plan to Reykjavik and airborne again. Nice weather there in the evening, cloudy this morning. I made the last ocean crossing and landed in Wick this afternoon. The forecast was not that good and I was looking into options. Each airport required PPR, handling, advance notice and whatnot - annoying. Filed to Wick anyway with alternates. The FBO there - Far North Aviation - is outstanding, they are holding what others are only promising.

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Back home again !
Departed Wick at 08:45 LT in the morning, ceiling 700 ft. For the next hour flew between 700´ and 3000´. It cleared up near Newcastle where I climbed to FL 095 and picked up TAS. From there the weather was good all the way to Mannheim in Germany where I cleared customs into the EU. Then followed the last short leg of the tour to homebase where I was greeted by friends and clubmembers. Two pilot friends followed me the last miles with their Extra 300 for a low pass before landing. As usual my wife "Miss Shan" and friends prepared snacks, coffee and drinks for the welcome home.
 
What a fantastic trip... again! You're quite the adventurer!

And it was an honor to meet you at KTOA a few weeks ago.
 
Wow, what an amazing journey!
I have begun going through the posts and transposing photos and narratives into a 'book' to print and read to the students. I will keep you all posted.
One aspect that I love is that some of the photos and story is from Hermann and some of it was added by other folks (Landed at Oshkosh!) (First person narrative vs. Second/Third). In addition to showing off the gorgeous photos, some learning may be involved!
 
jollygirl said:
Wow, what an amazing journey!
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Yep, seriously. This whole trip report is just epic, but, the narrative of the stop at Bluie East 2, just... wow! I can't imagine landing my RV on an old Army airbase gravel runway that's been basically abandoned since WWII. Just miles away from any form of civilization; remote, quiet... I'd love to be able to do that, yet I'd be scared stupid at the same time!

So, Hermann; you've been home for 2-3 weeks, rested up and with a fresh oil change on the -8... where to next??
 
He's posted his Part 2 video to YouTube a coupla days ago, and it's fantastic as usual. I gotta say though that his landing at Talkeetna "Downtown" airport kinda made me flinch! On final down in between the trees... I walked that street while I was there, saw the trees and thought "nah!!". But, I'm a chicken like that.
 
jbDC9 said:
He's posted his Part 2 video to YouTube a coupla days ago, and it's fantastic as usual. I gotta say though that his landing at Talkeetna "Downtown" airport kinda made me flinch! On final down in between the trees... I walked that street while I was there, saw the trees and thought "nah!!". But, I'm a chicken like that.
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Hi John, it looks scary approaching from this side. But in calm weather we stay on extended centerline anyway and our RVs pass through there easily. I wanted to land there back in 2023 already, remember we both had to turn around due weather when heading South. That was one reason coming back. I still have reasons....
 
Talkeetna "Downtown" airport
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weird, gotta admit not knowing/seeing the "runway" whilst there... and I strolled around it 😶‍🌫️ It is also unusual in that it is just a stone throw away from the "main" Talkeetna.
Hope you said hi for me to David @ Sheldon.

And yes, congrats on the editing... the flying is the nice easy part, but for remembering to start them cameras. But the time spent to achieve this kind of results is immense. Super takes, brings back quite some memories, thanks 👍
 
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