|
Destination - SeaRay Cincinnati Ohio
8/20/99 Left home at 5:30 pm for a very nice Fly-In at Lake of the Woods in Wautoma. There was a nice campfire and stories, followed by under wing camping. Left for Ohio at 6 am. First stop, Lake Koshkonong to refuel. My Aventura Amphibian can not seem to pass up a good lake. I noticed a sign that said Food at a marina that looked good, but pushed on to Beloit to buy fuel. They had a free fly day for kids, I was swamped with questions and had to put the safety pin in the ballistic parachute.
Then off to fly around Chicago. I cut the corner slightly and landed in Lansing for fuel and a bite to eat, making good time with 5 mph tailwind. Then a long leg over corn fields, landing in Logansport. They offered a free meal and hanger, (small airports seem more friendly) but I pushed on to another lake to refuel, then on to Richmond Ohio. They had a constant flow of skydivers, everyone wanted to know where I came from and where was my chute.
Then off to Hickery Grove, a private ultralight strip near Cincinnati, where Bob Pazer picked me up. He is building the SeaRey at his farm there. I gave the SeaRey kit a close inspection, as I want to build one soon. My cousin, Jim Larson, also came over to look at the SeaRey and drive me to his house to stay the night. Thanks Jim! The next day was more SeaRey inspecting. I had the urge to mount the 912S engine that was still in the box.
Bob was hinting I should stay a week to help build, almost did, but instead started for home at 3 pm. Nice tailwind again, great flying, made it to Kokomo to refuel as most airports were closing. Then off to Rensslaer. I miscalculated sunset, as there is less daylight hours the farther south you go. That was 2 great days flying weather in a row - started raining that night.
Next morning, smooth south wind, 70-80 mph ground speed with my airspeed at 50. Great - what cruising! Landed on the Rock River at Lake Koshkonong, parked under I-90 bridge and found a restaurant while it rained. Continuing north, I hit clouds and rain, looked down and found Jana, a grass strip. Then off to Wautoma, Wausau and HOME!!!!
15 hours there, 11 hours engine time, 17 hours back 10 hours engine time, 12 pints oil used to mix gas. One sore butt! Never ever would have made it without my Lorance Airmap 300 GPS.
Where to next? |