We were like brothers. First time Tony came to my hangar when DAR was there and my airworthiness inspection was in full swing. I was curious at first and asked do I know you? I am your cousin he said. Of course he meant RVs but we turned it into a good Uncle Sam's nephews joke. Since that June 2011 we were in constant touch if we didn't exchange messages for a day or two something was believed to be out of order. We flew to a lot of interesting places and we met a lot of wonderful people. We started thinking alike and understood each other in the air with a quick phrase or a hand sign.
Incidentally our last two letters on N-numbers were BK. He called his airplane "Good Bravo Kilo" and my "Bad Bravo Kilo". Unpainted, with wrong digits on the tail, no fancy instrumentation etc...We heard a lot of funny comments about our N-numbers from his fellow controllers and we loved it. Burger King the big whopper being the favorite.
Once I deliberately misled him and told to meet me at a Maryland airport and signaled airborne. Our airports are 40 miles apart. The same time I departed in the opposite direction toward Nantucket Island. I was shocked when close to destination at pattern attitude somebody said "Privet" and his yellow RV appeared on my six. How was it possible? He punched my tracker saw the treason and turned around to chase. Run full throttle all the time asking radar people for all kinds of transition and if "Bad Bravo Kilo" sneaked through their airspace. Of course I did there was no other way. We had good lunch and a good laugh.
Good memories. So many great things happened during those three years. Captain Steve tours the cockpit.
Bill tells a war story.
A weekend fly by the casinos.
Right after work we went to Sentimental Journey.
Watching RV Patriarch arrival.
Had a great time in Maine.
Keeping both Bravo Kilos in top shape.
Ready for fun ride along Digby Cliffs of Nova Scotia.
And much much more...
Rest in Peace my brother we will take good care of your RV8 project. It may take longer then you planned but she will fly. The way you wanted but don't call me bird magnet anymore...