General Aviation for Transportation

Until recently when we got the Bellanca, I never really thought of these small airplanes as transportation. Sure, Rudolph gets me places. Sure, flying is usually a little better than driving. But the journey (and it did feel like a journey) was always more important than just getting to the destination. Getting to my parents' house is a 7-8 hour drive (or more, if there is traffic). With Rudolph it is more like 5 hours (including time on the ground at a fuel stop), but factor in time spent at the airport on both ends of the flight (driving there, prepping the plane, fueling, tying down) and we are back up to the 7 hour range. With the faster Bellanca, it doesn't always have to feel like a journey and can save quite a bit of time over driving or commercial flights. Sometimes. Two recent events really drove that home for me.

Columbus Wedding

On a nice weekend in August, Allen and I had a wedding to go to in Columbus, OH. It would have been about a seven hour drive, which we were not looking forward to. Due to work and other commitments, we wanted to fit this into a regular (two day) weekend. Fortunately, the weather was perfect to fly. This trip could not have gone any smoother. We left on Saturday morning, and after an approximately two hour flight arrived at Ohio State University (KOSU). Parking on the ramp at the FBO went smoothly, and we got an Uber into town. We arrived with plenty of time to check in to the hotel and change for the afternoon wedding. After the festivities, we slept in the next morning, then took an Uber back out to the airport and still made it home by early afternoon. We weren't stressed or overly tired. It was a great weekend and we saved a lot of time over other transportation options.

Approaching Columbus

Downtown Columbus

Despite a few clouds, there was still great weather for the flight home

Aiken Meeting

On another fairly nice weekend in August, I had a meeting to go to in Aiken, South Carolina. I have traveled there before, once with Rudolph (see South Carolina 2016), but typically I fly down on an airliner. There is no commercial service into Aiken though, so the closest you can get is Augusta, GA or Columbia, SC. Flying into either typically requires an intermediate stop in Charlotte, NC. By the time I drive to the commercial airport, get on the plane, get off the plane, get on the next plane, get off that plane, and drive to Aiken, it has been an all-day affair. So naturally, I jumped at the chance to fly the Bellanca down.

The flight down was great and only took about 2.5 hours. Some strong, gusty winds at Aiken had me worried, but they were right down the runway and I made the best landing I ever have in the plane. With the aid of the winds, I was able to get the airplane down and stopped in plenty of time to make the first turn off. The guys at Aiken (KAIK) are superb. Their gas is a bit pricier than some other airports, but their service is top-notch. It doesn't matter what you are flying, they really go all out to make your stay a great one. So, when I pulled up to the ramp, I was marshaled into a spot right in front of the FBO, where my rental car was waiting for me. I threw the bags in the car, and headed off to my hotel while the guys at the FBO pushed the Bellanca into a hangar for me.

Approaching Aiken over Lake Murray

The Bellanca on the ramp at Aiken with the rental car

At the end of the week when it was time to return home, I discovered the downside of using a small aircraft for transportation, especially one that isn't IFR equipped. The remnants of Hurricane Harvey had moved into the area, and despite great weather at my location, were blocking any progress to the north. While the area along the coast looked to be ok, getting trapped between weather caused by a hurricane and the ocean didn't seem appealing. The other possibility I considered was going over the weather. The Bellanca can CLIMB. But, getting trapped above an overcast also didn't seem appealing, and that seemed to be the most likely scenario. So, after an amazing flight down, I waited out the weather in Aiken for two additional days before making it home. But when I did, the weather was great and it only took about 2.5 hours.

Beautiful weather for the delayed flight home

As an added perk, during my extra time in Aiken I ended up with an extra passenger. I found a beautiful orchid for my mom of a variety she had been wanting. After its ride from South Carolina to Virginia, it got to take a nice two hour ride up to New York. 4.5 hours in the logbook isn't bad for a plant!

My additional passenger, comfortable in the back seat

Total Solar Eclipse 2017

The event of the summer for both pilots and non-pilots alike was the total solar eclipse which was visible across a wide swath of the United States on August 21, 2017. Like many pilots, Allen and I decided to use our airplane to go see the eclipse. We talked about viewing it from the air, but decided we would rather find a nice spot to watch from the ground so nobody had to concentrate on flying the plane. After making this decision, Rudolph's (my L-16 Champ's) greenhouse was deemed unnecessary and we decided to take the Bellanca so we could get down and back in the shortest amount of time.

Where to watch the eclipse from also merited some thought. We didn't want to have to take too much time off for it, and it would be easier if we didn't have to try to find a hotel along the path (since rates were astronomical), but we definitely wanted to be in the path of totality. We settled on Tennessee. Next, to pick a specific airport. We wanted one where we would mostly just be left alone to watch the eclipse instead of there being a big to-do (festival or event). I chose Smithville, TN (0A3). It looked like a nice little airport conveniently close to Allen's family, who live in the southwest corner of Virginia. We headed down to their place the day before so we would be closer to the path of totality and ready to change to a different airport if needed due to weather.

Airplanes converging on airports shortly before the eclipse began. Fortunately, most of them were going to the event at Upper Cumberland, not Smithville.

Nearing Smithville, TN

Smithville worked out beautifully. It was fairly small and peaceful, but with just enough people that there were food/drink vendors, and an ex-NASA employee turned science fiction writer who called out first contact and counted down to totality.

Taxiing in to the airport with the buildings and tents visible.

Smithville Municipal Airport (0A3)

Unfortunately, when she called out first contact, the sun was behind a cloud! We were worried that the clouds would obstruct our view of the eclipse, but less than an hour later, the skies were clear!

First contact...behind the cloud

Eclipse glasses are important for eye health!

Even less than a minute before the eclipse, the sun was bright enough to saturate my (cell phone) camera. There was a noticeable change in the light, but that didn't come until very shortly before totality. Many people I talked to were saying that at their house it would only be 80-90% totality, which they thought would be good enough. It is not. This experience made me realize the enormous difference there is between even 98% obscured and a total solar eclipse.

Less than a minute before the eclipse and still going strong!

A minute before totality, it was evening, with a sunset in every direction. The taxi lights came on automatically. The stars came out! Someone near the airport set off fireworks!

Sunset at the airport, with the sun 'setting' behind the moon!

The moment we had all been waiting for: totality. I understand now why people travel to the other side of the world to spend two minutes in totality. It is an experience unlike any other. Many amazing pictures were taken of the eclipse, but not by me. I considered buying nice camera equipment including filters and such before the eclipse, but decided to instead spend the time enjoying it, which I did.

The eclipse (by cell phone camera)

It was over all too soon and the sun came back out. After briefly basking in the beautiful moment we had all shared, everyone took to their planes and flew off on their separate ways.

The eclipse may have been over, but the fireworks weren't!

We hung around for a bit and talked to some of the locals. Then we also got in the plane and headed home. We had to fly over some clouds, which thankfully didn't impact our eclipse viewing. In about three hours (non-stop! I love this plane!) we were in the pattern at Warrenton at (real) sunset. It was a beautiful end to a magical experience.

Flying over and around some clouds

Arriving back at Warrenton

We are already looking forward to the next total eclipse on April 8, 2024. Coincidentally, my parents live right in the path of totality! See NASA's website for information.

Local Flying Destination - Cumberland Airport, WV (CBE)

Another nice local flying destination is Greater Cumberland Regional Airport (CBE) in Wiley Ford, WV (near Cumberland, MD). The flight up to Cumberland is quite nice, over the hills of West Virginia, and they have a restaurant right on the field.

A nice, but somewhat hazy flight

If you go, take some time to check out the second floor of the terminal. There is a little museum up there, complete with a Wright Flyer model.

Wright Flyer model in the terminal

The restaurant is a little ways behind the terminal. You can taxi around the terminal (follow the fence) and park in front of the restaurant.

Ground entrance to Cumberland Airport near the restaurant

The restaurant doesn't look like much from the outside, but it is filled with friendly servers, and there are plenty of windows.

Outside of the restaurant

Ready for our departing flight

Some clouds building on the flight back

Local Flying Destination - Hummel Field, VA (W75)

On a beautiful but chilly March day, we decided to head down to Hummel Field (W75) in the Aeronca accompanied by some friends in Cubs. Hummel is a great little airport right on the Rappahannock River, near where it dumps into the Chesapeake Bay. There is a restaurant right on the field at the Pilot House Inn. There is also a German/Italian restaurant right across the street (Eckhard's) that is supposed to be good, but they only serve dinner, so I have never had the opportunity to try it. For this trip though, we borrowed a car at the airport and went to Willaby's on the Rappahannock, just a short drive from the airport.

If you are ever in the area, it is a beautiful flight down along the river. They also hold a fun fly-in (Wings, Wheels and Keels) every year around the end of September.

Our flying/dining buddies on our way to the river

The airport is near where the Rappahannock empties into Chesapeake Bay

Willaby's On The Rappahannock

The view from the front of the restaurant

Vacation homes along the river on our way back north

Local Flying Destination - Chesterfield, VA (FCI)

One of our favorite local flying destinations is Richmond Executive Airport (Chesterfield), identifier KFCI. In either the Champ or the Bellanca, it is an easy flight down there for Sunday breakfast. The flight down is typically pleasant, with views of downtown Richmond in the distance as you cross over the James River. Outside Richmond there are also some beautiful horse farms.

Richmond in the distance and the James River below

Huge horse farm outside Richmond

On Sundays, the restaurant on the field (King's Korner) has a country-style Sunday brunch. The food isn't bad, and there is a huge variety of it, but the best thing is parking on the ramp right outside the restaurant. You can watch your plane through the window as you eat.

Rudolph parked outside the restaurant

The crowd is typically a mix of people out for a Sunday brunch after church and pilots. Get there early (before about 11:30 or so) to avoid the huge lines when church gets out.

Back Home

A big milestone was bringing the Bellanca to my parents' place so they could see the new plane. We found a beautiful weekend in February to do this. This trip, which is normally 7-8 hours by car (if the traffic isn't too bad) or about 4.5 with Rudolph (including time to stop for fuel) was accomplished in one leg and under 2 hours with the Bellanca. Honestly, it didn't even feel like a real trip.

We took off on a beautiful morning and headed north.

The Pennsylvania countryside

River in central PA

A bit farther north, we found the snow!

It is definitely winter in New York

Wind turbines in the snow

We had wonderful weather for both the trip up and back. When we left, the weather was warming and the snow was melting.

Parked on the ramp with the melting snow

In under 2 hours, we were back at Warrenton cleaning the plane off! Visiting our families is certainly easier with the Bellanca!

Local Flying Destination - Hanover Municipal Airport (OFP)

Another local favorite hundred dollar hamburger destination is Hanover Municipal Airport (OFP) outside Richmond, VA. There is no restaurant on the field, but the Bass Pro Shop is "right across the street" as my friend put it. Unfortunately, that "street" is Interstate 95. Fortunately, the airport has a courtesy car that they will lend you to go "across the street" to Bass Pro's Islamorada Fish Company Restaurant. The food is pretty good, but it is about a 10 minute drive from the airport and the wait can be long. Especially with the large number of people who want to join the party once they hear where we are going.

The gaggle headed to Hanover County

It seems a bit mean to eat fish while you watch fish, but Bass Pro has lots of really neat aquariums

Rudolph with the group on the ramp during one trip

The Bellanca with the group on a different trip to Hanover

Local Flying Destination - Shannon Airport (EZF)

One beautiful January day, a group of us decided to go check out the new air museum at Shannon Airport (KEZF), just outside Fredericksburg, VA. This is a very neat museum with some very unique aircraft and artifacts (including some from Admiral Byrd's first Antarctic Expedition). If you're hungry, there is a restaurant on the field (The Robin's Nest Cafe, so named because it is in what was once the Curtiss Robin's hangar). Even if you aren't hungry, stop in and grab a milkshake! Shannon also typically has some of the cheapest gas in the area, so all-in-all, quite a wonderful place to stop.

Taylorcraft L-3 that flew in with us

1917 Spad VII

1927 Pitcairn Mailwing PA-5

1936 Vultee V-1AD Special

The great-grandfather of our Bellanca - the 1928 Bellanca CH-400 Skyrocket ("The One Lindbergh Really Wanted")

1929 Curtiss Robin J-1D

Some of the gear from Admiral Byrd's 1928 Antarctic expedition