Earlier this month I used the good old six to complete a "bucket list" trip to see Shuttle Launch STS 132.
I launched Out of KFWQ (western PA) at about 11:00 AM on Thursday on a two leg IFR flight plan via Darlington Jetport SC to Sandford, Orlando FLA. About 5+ 20 total enroute. Even got a "RV slow to 130 knots" call from the controller at Sandford - always a hoot!!
Button up for the evening, and off to the hotel. Next morning off to Titusville via rental car to hook up with local RV-8 guy Al Voss. Al has nothing better to do except hang with me for the launch. After setting up at a prime location on the Banana River, we kill a couple of hours comparing notes about RV's, and work in the aerospace biz.
Like clockwork, STS 132 lights the candle. SPECTACULAR!!!!! This was a most gratifying bucket list item for me. I had worked on quite a few SSME (Shuttle Main Engine) components over the years and was at Rocketdyne a number of times.
Back to the airport in Titusville to partake of a few cold ones with Al and his buddies. Excellent airport time and RV comradarie with a most gracious bunch of airport rats, wives included!!
That might be enough for most adventure weekends, but I got an RV and a credit card!! Off to P-cola Saturday morning to attend the VT-6 50th year celebration. First a visit to the Naval Aviation Museum. A quick stop at the squadron patch display to find my old helo squadron patch and then over to the Cubi bar. One Cubi dog - $2.50, One cold San Magoo - $2.00, Finding name on squadron plaque under the shuffle board table - PRICELESS!!
Then out to Whiting via rental car. Things are pretty much shut down there on weekends. The T-34 is starting to get tired but the new T-6 is slowly coming online. Off to the celebration that include a few tie cuttings and the commanding officer playing some tunes with the squadron rock band. Naval Air is in good hands.
Next morning launch into a sucker hole between cells. First stop in Vadalia GA, then on to home base after dodging numerous cells with a quick divert to Stauton VA. Back in the barn at about sundown.
This was my first trip using the Anywheremap Duo. See my comments under a separate post. The Duo rocks!! These airplanes rock!! RV people rock!! (thanks Al) Keep poundin' them rivets!!
I launched Out of KFWQ (western PA) at about 11:00 AM on Thursday on a two leg IFR flight plan via Darlington Jetport SC to Sandford, Orlando FLA. About 5+ 20 total enroute. Even got a "RV slow to 130 knots" call from the controller at Sandford - always a hoot!!
Button up for the evening, and off to the hotel. Next morning off to Titusville via rental car to hook up with local RV-8 guy Al Voss. Al has nothing better to do except hang with me for the launch. After setting up at a prime location on the Banana River, we kill a couple of hours comparing notes about RV's, and work in the aerospace biz.
Like clockwork, STS 132 lights the candle. SPECTACULAR!!!!! This was a most gratifying bucket list item for me. I had worked on quite a few SSME (Shuttle Main Engine) components over the years and was at Rocketdyne a number of times.
Back to the airport in Titusville to partake of a few cold ones with Al and his buddies. Excellent airport time and RV comradarie with a most gracious bunch of airport rats, wives included!!
That might be enough for most adventure weekends, but I got an RV and a credit card!! Off to P-cola Saturday morning to attend the VT-6 50th year celebration. First a visit to the Naval Aviation Museum. A quick stop at the squadron patch display to find my old helo squadron patch and then over to the Cubi bar. One Cubi dog - $2.50, One cold San Magoo - $2.00, Finding name on squadron plaque under the shuffle board table - PRICELESS!!
Then out to Whiting via rental car. Things are pretty much shut down there on weekends. The T-34 is starting to get tired but the new T-6 is slowly coming online. Off to the celebration that include a few tie cuttings and the commanding officer playing some tunes with the squadron rock band. Naval Air is in good hands.
Next morning launch into a sucker hole between cells. First stop in Vadalia GA, then on to home base after dodging numerous cells with a quick divert to Stauton VA. Back in the barn at about sundown.
This was my first trip using the Anywheremap Duo. See my comments under a separate post. The Duo rocks!! These airplanes rock!! RV people rock!! (thanks Al) Keep poundin' them rivets!!
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