Not much

Well not much going on lately. Just some short flights to Apple Valley (KAPV), Big Bear (L35), Hemet (KHMT), French Valley (F70) for lunch and usually alone. I cannot even remember my last long flight, I think it was the flight to and from AirVenture 2012 (OSH) WAY back in late July and a few days in August. I do miss flying (flying with someone I can fly alone almost any time). O Well.

Just a generic picture of a past flight. Nice sunset from somewhere aground 9 to 10 thousand feet over California someplace.

OK I actually do have more to add about our OSH trip and a few pictures. I will add them this weekend.

One real COOL event happened on our last hop of the trip from RIC to CCB. We had flight following (Tami insists on it which is fine with me as she does most of the radio work. Nice having your own CTO siting next to you). We were at 10500 approaching Nellis AFB. We had heard for several minutes 2 flights (wish I could remember there names they were cool) so we knew they were heading our way. Nellis approach turned us to 260 degrees and told us there were 4 "Raptors" that were going to be flying by. We immediately got eyes on the first two. level with us but not to close. Two miles or so. Wow we told each other that is cool. Then we were told the other two would be slightly above us at 12 O'Clock. We were looking WAY to far in the distance. These two bad boys were probably 1000 above us and 1000 to 2000 feet away at 12 O'Clock if that!

That was the best air show EVER! We were cleared back on course and switched over to Las Vegas approach but before we changed we thanked Nellis for the air show and they told us no problem.

Highlight #1 of the trip was Tami was with me. Highlight #2 was by far the F22 Raptors!

Arrived AirVenture 2012 Sunday

Well I have not kept up this like I was planning on. We arrived Sunday afternoon. Not much happened on the trip out. Stopped in to visit Sharon in Montana. always a nice visit. Then the next into OSH after 2 fuel stops one in KCPR and one in KYKN. Interesting landing and taxi instructions. More in another post.njust thought you might like a picture Tami took of me on the way to sign in and pay up. Well it appears not able to upload image from iPad. Pictures will just wait till after trip is over.

Quick trip out to Inyokern (IYK) yesterday to drop off "The Claw" tie downs to a OSH bound pilot. Heat of the day and it was bumpy. I planned CCB - L00 - IYK  to avoid the restricted airspace over Edwards AFB R-2515. On the way out I thought I heard "N64GH cleared through R-2515 at or above 7000". Now I did not think they ever cleared you through the restricted airspace out there. I was not sure I heard the transmission correctly and not wanting to sound like a dope on the radio I just flew on my planed route (cutting across R-2515 would not save that much time any way). I got to IYK gave Axel the "Claw" and started my return trip. This time I was 100% sure I heard "N64GH you are cleared through R-2515 at or above 7000". I thought about it checked my chart and sure enough just as I thought R-2515 is right over Edwards and the lake bead. HISTORIC airspace in aviation. So just to make sure (I did not care about sounding like a dope this time) I keyed up and asked "So I am cleared direct to Cable then". The response was "YES". I was EXCITED! I keyed in Direct CCB on my GPS and let my AP take me right over Edwards AFB and the dry lake. I was seeing the same sights from the same airspace as the likes of Chuck Yeager and in my little plane! I wish I had my camera, rats!

OK not much of a big deal to those that know they clear you through that airspace often and no big deal to those that do not fly and probabily not a big deal to most of those that do fly. BUT TO ME IT WAS HUGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A great day of flying yesterday in my book (turbulence and all) just because of that few minutes spent over some of the most historic airspace in the world!

Well it is 10 out from the start of AirVenture 2012 (OSH) so I thought I would try and set up a blog to document the adventure. I am very excited as preparations for the trip are kicking into high gear and the planned departure date. A rough idea of our trip this year is to depart Cable (CCB) in the earily AM and head up to Dillion Montana (DLN) to visit Sharon. Now that is not exactly on the way to Oshkosh Wisconsin but it is flying, vacation and seeing a friend so I am good with that. From Dillion to Eau Clare (EAU) to visit another friend of Tami's. There will be 2 fuel stops in between but not sure where yet. From EAU a short hop into OSH. Hopefully we arrive before everyone else and have a uneventful arrival. Pland arrival is Sunday 22 July hopefully in time to set up and enjoy the mass arrival of all my RV friends.

As always the best part is the scenery because Tami is sitting right next to me and she is "One Hot Momma" as Trace Adkins puts it so well!