We were Rockford, Illinois bound!
Thursday July 17th dawned bright and clear, the airplane was already packed, fueled and ready, thanks to Mark. We were borrowing N35M for this adventure... A big thanks to Dave Friis for his generosity - without which the trip would be more of an armchair adventure!
I flew the first leg to Wayne, NE. It was uneventful to say the least, but then again, I was enjoying flying by autopilot and I'm sure Mark was enjoying the fact that we remained on course and at the correct altitude even when I distracted myself with a story or two.
On the ground in Wayne we fueled with 100LL at a price that makes a pilot's heart swell with appreciation and were treated to sandwiches by the local FBO. Yep... Not a more pilot-friendly airport have I ever been to. Free sub-sandwiches by the dozen and cold drinks too! Heaven.
The staff were still trying to convince us to take more food with us as we walked across the ramp and took off to the east. Next stop Rockford.
20 miles out and the inbound Bonanza radio calls started choking the radio. Our poor controller was having a few difficulties determining if it was several single ships deviating around clouds and converging on him or if there were elements of 2 and 3 ships on the way . It was going to be a busy afternoon for him!
He did a stellar job and 10 minutes later we were short final behind the Bonanza and with a Bonanza behind us. All the little pigeons were coming home to roost! The emotions from B2OSH 2012 came flooding back and it felt great to be here... And taxiing in a line of V-tails to a ramp that was fast filling up with Beechcraft. We were ready to be welcomed, to meet and greet and relax with a drink.
Friday night was just that. Everyone met at the Emery hangar so generously provided. There were drinks and snacks, then a fabulous dinner too. Pilots, co-pilots, families and friends mixed and mingled. Talk of airplanes (and airplane parts), camping, aviation adventures and suggestions filled the air. The B2OSH group is nothing if not the most supportive, fun, generous of spirit (and airplane parts) group I have the privilege of being hugged by. It was especially lovely to see familiar faces.
It was a hot and humid evening and gradually, folks spilled out onto the ramp to feel a bit of breeze in the air. From here, the Beech Nuts provided formation flight entertainment - inspiring pilots, children and photographers alike. It's not a stretch to count myself in all of these categories here.
What exactly is the average age of the B2OSH pilot? Not sure, but happy to tell you that there are a number of younger pilots out there and a whole generation of kids who are having the time of their lives at this event and other aviation related gatherings, vacations and adventures.
I ended the evening with ice cream (perfect!) then Mark and I boarded the shuttle to the Radisson and allowed the long day to get the better of us. For about an hour we delighted in using every towel and accoutrement provided. We filled the jetted tub and wallowed in it, played with the TV inside the bathroom mirror and charged devices using outlets mounted in furniture. Then we crashed. I don't remember the lights going out... But I do remember the bed being comfortable and that delightful smell of clean sheets as I drifted off.
There was plenty more planning, flying (and airplane parts!) to discuss in the morning...
Tomorrow the Bonanzas were going to Oshkosh!
Thursday July 17th dawned bright and clear, the airplane was already packed, fueled and ready, thanks to Mark. We were borrowing N35M for this adventure... A big thanks to Dave Friis for his generosity - without which the trip would be more of an armchair adventure!
I flew the first leg to Wayne, NE. It was uneventful to say the least, but then again, I was enjoying flying by autopilot and I'm sure Mark was enjoying the fact that we remained on course and at the correct altitude even when I distracted myself with a story or two.
On the ground in Wayne we fueled with 100LL at a price that makes a pilot's heart swell with appreciation and were treated to sandwiches by the local FBO. Yep... Not a more pilot-friendly airport have I ever been to. Free sub-sandwiches by the dozen and cold drinks too! Heaven.
The staff were still trying to convince us to take more food with us as we walked across the ramp and took off to the east. Next stop Rockford.
20 miles out and the inbound Bonanza radio calls started choking the radio. Our poor controller was having a few difficulties determining if it was several single ships deviating around clouds and converging on him or if there were elements of 2 and 3 ships on the way . It was going to be a busy afternoon for him!
He did a stellar job and 10 minutes later we were short final behind the Bonanza and with a Bonanza behind us. All the little pigeons were coming home to roost! The emotions from B2OSH 2012 came flooding back and it felt great to be here... And taxiing in a line of V-tails to a ramp that was fast filling up with Beechcraft. We were ready to be welcomed, to meet and greet and relax with a drink.
Friday night was just that. Everyone met at the Emery hangar so generously provided. There were drinks and snacks, then a fabulous dinner too. Pilots, co-pilots, families and friends mixed and mingled. Talk of airplanes (and airplane parts), camping, aviation adventures and suggestions filled the air. The B2OSH group is nothing if not the most supportive, fun, generous of spirit (and airplane parts) group I have the privilege of being hugged by. It was especially lovely to see familiar faces.
It was a hot and humid evening and gradually, folks spilled out onto the ramp to feel a bit of breeze in the air. From here, the Beech Nuts provided formation flight entertainment - inspiring pilots, children and photographers alike. It's not a stretch to count myself in all of these categories here.
What exactly is the average age of the B2OSH pilot? Not sure, but happy to tell you that there are a number of younger pilots out there and a whole generation of kids who are having the time of their lives at this event and other aviation related gatherings, vacations and adventures.
I ended the evening with ice cream (perfect!) then Mark and I boarded the shuttle to the Radisson and allowed the long day to get the better of us. For about an hour we delighted in using every towel and accoutrement provided. We filled the jetted tub and wallowed in it, played with the TV inside the bathroom mirror and charged devices using outlets mounted in furniture. Then we crashed. I don't remember the lights going out... But I do remember the bed being comfortable and that delightful smell of clean sheets as I drifted off.
There was plenty more planning, flying (and airplane parts!) to discuss in the morning...
Tomorrow the Bonanzas were going to Oshkosh!
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