A fly In of One

This weekend was the second annual Staggerwing and Radial Reunion.  This event is held at our home airport so it is really convenient.  What is a Staggerwing, this is a Staggerwing.

These classic planes were born in the 1940s mostly.  They have large cabins and cruise in style. They do burn a bit more gas.  While we will run 13 Gallons per hour to get 170 knots, they run 25 to get 145.  But they have lots of style.  So Staggerwings are radials.  What's a Radial?

That's a radial or round engine.  My engine is 6 cylinders horizontally opposed.  That means there are 3 cylinders on each side and they sit to the left and right in two rows of three.  Radials have their cylinders arranged around a the central crankshaft.

Last year's event was a blast so we signed up for this year.  It kicked off Friday evening with arrivals.  It wasn't only Staggerwings though.  One of my favorites was a 1942 Howard.  It had begun life as a Navy transport in WW2.  This is the advanced cockpit.

So Friday was arrivals, there were supposed to be 33 planes but the weather was iffy with a strong front across the country.  Less came but there seemed to be at least 15 or so planes.  Here are a few.

Today was supposed to be nice until late afternoon but we woke up to a front that had not listened to the forecast.  The plan was a fly out to Saint Simons Island to feast on Southern Soul BBQ.  I have posted about their food before.  The classic planes were all safely tucked in hangars around the airport.  That is where they stayed.

Lunch was scheduled for 11-3:00 and the weather was scheduled to roll in by 3:00.  The classic plane pilots decided to drive the 49 miles.  I looked at the front and the forecast and decided to fly.  In the end we were the only plane to fly to the fly in.  The guy below is another Staggerwing arriving Friday.

We were told to look for the DC-3, food would be at the Hangar behind the plane.  On arrival, it was quite obvious where to taxi, the DC-3 is big and has a distinctive look.  We taxied to the DC-3 and tied down.  Blue skies had started turning grey so we kept an eye on the weather.  Since we were first there we had the freshest and best BBQ.  Usually we need to walk half a mile and stand in line.  Today there were huge platters of pork, ribs and brisket. 

The host had set a hangar with tables and it had a plane hanging in the center and another classic in the corner.  After a few helpings of BBQ, the drivers showed up.  We socialized a bit and looked the DC-3 over as that was the only other plane there.  It did not count as a fly in as it is based there.

We watched the weather closely and around 12:30 figured that we better get going.  We easily cruised home though you can see from the zoomed out picture on the GPS, the storms were coming.  I stayed around the airport to change my oil and right around 2:30 the first showers came.  This slowed me a bit as I had to close up the hangar to keep things dry and then wait to do my leak check run-up.

We met back up with everyone tonight for a banquet.  The storms really showed up with full force around 5:00 but were done by 6:30.  The people who drove did complain that they had some bad weather on the highway as they rode back late in the afternoon.  In the end we had a great day, had a smooth safe flight both directions and I set a new personal record of being my own fly in.

UVA and the ride home

We came to see UVA so Rachel could decide if this was a possible location to hang for 4 years.  CC and Rachel had visited briefly over the summer but I had never been.

On our arrival day we strolled campus somewhat aimlessly for 90 minutes.  We did see the famed Rotunda and the lawn.  I was taught that it is not a campus, they have grounds.  The lawn is what we used to call a quad.  It is surrounded by low residence halls built some time in the 1800s.  They are sought after apparently.  Why I have no idea.  No air, no real heat, no running water, you have to walk outside for facilities and  you use a wood burning heater.  In Pitch perfect 2 when forced to camp one of the characters stated "we are voluntarily living like dogs".  My feelings exactly, history is to be observed so we are not doomed to repeat it.

Our day started way too early and we headed off to check into the event.  They were quite organized and soon we were by the Rotunda again.  They had signs and chalk so you could find your way about.   They provided tea and coffee and then kicked off.  There were student dancers and even an acapella group.  Just like pitch perfect, scary.   The band played next, they should have been at the NCAA but... sorry too soon.

After this was an intro for all majors and we got to hobnob with the VIPs.

The rest of the day was taken up with info sessions, campus tours and stuff.  While Rachel focused on scholarly pursuits, I explored the important stuff.  The food.  First stop was Bodos.

We had been tipped off to this local chain.  Who knew you could get great bagels in VA?  Not only that but they are insanely popular.  You enter and the line is like Disney as in it snakes back and forth.  The food is well priced making it a value with broke students.  The taste was excellent too.

We did some walking and then went back to another place for dessert.  As a parent you are not supposed to play favorites with your kids.   When in Berkeley I went to Cream with Sam so at UVA I went to Insomnia Cookies (oops forgot to take Rachel).  Cream is famous for ice cream between cookies.  Insomnia is famous for cookies that are held apart by ice cream.

To be fair they have very different philosophies.  Cream has better ice cream and more of it but Insomnia has incredible fresh baked cookies.  Bottom line as a parent I will just have to treat them both equally and devour any combination of cookies and cream that come my way.  It will be tough but I am up to the challenge.  In the end we walked about 9 miles (really I have a pedometer), ate a bunch and Rachel made a decision.  And the decision, you'll have to ask her.

The flight home was as easy as the flight up minus the kick butt tail wind.  We actually averaged 10 on the nose but were sill moving 185 mph.  As a pilot you must always be vigilant as to other aircraft.  You must see and avoid.  We have automated traffic detection that helps but keeping your head on a swivel is a must.  Passing Columbia we had traffic pass over us 1000 feet above.  This is normal separation and we were both talking with the controller.  The picture above is just before we passed.  Traffic is less than a quarter mile.  Can you spot it?  You might need to click the picture to see it.  It is a big sky but you don't want to meet anyone up there.

On the way down we stopped for fuel and comfort in Allendale, SC.  The staff was  efficient, friendly and 20 minutes later we were on our way topped off and refreshed.  We had great weather until the last 10 miles.  On approach there were some low clouds and we were in them for a minute or so while being vectored for the airport.  We broke out at 2500 feet and easily had a visual on the airport.  In the end we spent 6 hours total in the air and maximized our time at UVA.  The airplane can be a wonderful tool when circumstances and weather align properly.

I need to give the plane a good cleaning though.  While everything went well, the two days outside gave the plane a nice yellow tint and a coating of pollen.  Sunday is for washing and waxing because next week is a special event.