Warbird Weekend

The weather cooperated just enough for us today so that I could take the T-6 over to Muncie while Nathan took everyone else over in the Cheyenne. I was supposed to go with Tre, but she decided not to go, so I had the plane to myself. On the way over I did a fly-by of Indian Hills, followed by Nathan doing a fly-by there, and we were on our way to Muncie for their fly-in today. The winds had picked up to the low 20 knot range, but fortunately it was fairly close down the runway at both places and wasn't a big deal. There weren't a lot of planes there today because of the winds and the scattered thunderstorm forecast. Last year our three planes were the ONLY ones there, and two of the three had to file IFR to even get in there, so this year was a definite improvement. :) We had lunch at Kacy J's, hung out and walked around and had a good time until we saw some weather moving in on radar and beat it out of there. At Muncie, Jay (Of Kacy J's restaurant) told me he'd give me a free dessert if I'd fly over the people on my way out. I'd have done that anyway--free dessert is just gravy. ;) So I requested a "left turn-out" with the tower, it was approved, and away I went, staying away from flying right over their heads, but flying by and wing-waving goodbye. The Cheyenne took off right behind me, and it didn't take Nathan long to blow past me. :) I half expected him to join up, but he was outta there...

When we got back, the guys worked on the Mustang and a gear door issue. Once they got that halfway resolved, then the winds blew up to 30 knots, and while we were waiting for that to calm down, there was another question on something on the Mustang. Finally everything came together okay, and Duane got to solo a Mustang for the first time. Nathan, Trey, Carol and me took a golf cart out by the runway, while Steve stayed back at the hangar with a hand held radio. Trey took photos and a video from a camera he stuck inside the canopy, and I took a few photos from by the runway. Not too many folks get a chance like that, it's more special than I think people realize. It's a big deal, and opens future door possibilities all over the place. That first step is the hardest one to get. So congratulations to Duane, who is now officially a fighter pilot. A prima donna fighter pilot, in fact. ;)

We celebrated his 3 solo takeoffs and landings in a Mustang by him buying us all dinner at Outback Steakhouse. Works for me. ;)

I got a few photos from today that are up on my site. In the meantime, here's a self-portrait of me in the T-6 on the way home today...