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

Allen's Cross Country: Expanding the Fleet

On December 13th, 2016, Allen and our friend Pete boarded a plane with one way tickets and headed out to Livermore, CA (LVK) for another cross country.

The flight west - the most boring leg of the trip

The objective: bring home a new addition to the fleet - a 1958 Bellanca 14-19-2 Cruisemaster. After five years of searching and convincing, we had finally found a good one. Allen and Pete landed in San Francisco and were picked up by John who was assisting the owner in the sale of the plane. Upon arriving in Livermore, they headed straight to the hangar, which was packed not only with this plane, but two additional Cruisemasters and parts. After checking into the hotel, it was back to the airport to do a ground orientation on the airplane, thoroughly going over the checklists.

The Bellanca at Livermore

The next morning, upon checking the weather, Allen and Pete were hopeful that they would be able to fly the Bellanca out of Livermore that day. They were picked up at the hotel by John at 8 AM and headed back to the airport early where John walked Allen and Pete through a thorough pre-flight. After waiting around for the weather to clear up, it was time for an orientation flight. Pete flew right seat to orient himself to the airplane and the flight went very well.

After landing, John topped off the plane and Allen and Pete swapped places for another orientation flight before heading to Walmart for some supplies for the trip. Then it was back to the airport for a 2 PM departure to Fox Field in Lancaster, CA (WJF), where Rudolph is from. They decided to spend the night there.

Clouds on the flight to Lancaster

View down the valley on the flight to Lancaster

Parked on ramp at Lancaster

Saying "Hi" to the museum Rudolph came from in Lancaster

The next morning, the weather was beautiful, but windy when Allen and Pete headed back to the airport with plans to go to Tucumcari, NM (TCC). Due to the winds, and the favorable runway at Tucumcari being out of service, plans changed and they headed to Flagstaff, AZ (FLG) instead with an awesome tailwind. After fueling and checking the weather, they headed to Amarillo, TX (AMA) and landed at dusk. Amarillo was COLD with high winds.

On the way to Flagstaff

Aerial view of Meteor Crater seen on the way to Flagstaff

Ground speed on the way to Flagstaff!

In the morning, a check of the weather revealed that the high temperature at Amarillo was planned to be in the 70s, with a low of -2 degrees. They headed back to the airport only to discover that it was far too windy with a front blocking their progress, so they decided to spend some time in town. First stop: the air museum on the airport. They tried out a restaurant on the field popular with the fighter jocks called the English Field House and watched the Ospreys flying around.

Air museum at Amarillo

On the ramp at Amarillo

The next day was a wash. High winds and snow prevented Allen and Pete from making any progress and they had some time to relax in Amarillo.

Amarillo's courtesy car

The morning of day three in Amarillo, Allen and Pete headed back to the airplane and found it covered with a layer of snow and ice. After cleaning it off, they found that the plane wouldn't start. The airport lent them the courtesy car (a really nice one) to go to the store for a battery charger, which did the trick. The plane started right up and they were finally able to leave Amarillo around 2 PM. After takeoff, they noticed that the generator wasn't charging the battery. They made it to Branson, MO (BBG) where they rented a car and got the plane stored in a pillbug-looking hangar overnight hooked to the battery charger. The FBO at the airport was made to look like a log cabin and was very comfortable and homey-feeling. Town was 18 miles away, and looked like a mini Las Vegas with lights and billboards everywhere. After an awesome dinner, Allen and Pete settled in for the night.

Pete and Allen on the way to Branson

On the ramp at Branson

The pillbug hangar at Branson

The next morning, on takeoff, the engine started running very rough. Allen immediately pushed the mixture in, which only seemed to make the problem worse. They turned back to the airport, and the engine smoothed out. They discovered that in this plane, it is very important to watch the carburetor temperature, as the roughness seemed to have been caused by some carb ice. The carb temp gauge quickly became one of the frequently-scanned instruments. The rest of the flight to Madison Municipal Airport (IMS) in Indiana was uneventful.

Scenery on the flight to Indiana

After a quick fuel stop at Madison, where the Bellanca drew some attention and compliments, Allen and Pete decided to forgo lunch and hit the road. As they headed east over the mountains the weather deteriorated. About an hour from home in Warrenton, VA (HWY), they had to divert north to avoid terrain, but were able to make it home without an additional stop. They landed at Warrenton at dusk and tucked the Bellanca into its new hangar.

The route

The fleet at Warrenton