Franklin Fly-in

[george@t...]

Hi gang. Since Jim decided to tell his story, I figured I might as well tell
mine.... :-)

Saturday was a beautiful spring day here in North Texas. The forecast was
high 70s to low 80s with low sotherly winds. I know the weather in
particular because it was the second of a series of three weather seminars
given by the DFW Lite flyers president, Greg Ennis.

The seminar was to start at 9AM and did so right on time. The attendance was
slight, so it looked like we'd get through the curriculum quicker than
expected. The seminar was extremely well done, and well worth the time
spent. As Greg wrapped up, his final comment was now, let's go fly.

Considering that the seminar was in his hanger, just across the runway from
mine, it didn't take long to get Miss Leslie preflighted and ready to go. I
had not planned anything in particular for the day, so I was pleasantly
surprised to find out about a fly-in about 50 miles southwest. One of the
other seminar goers and his Phantom (503) and another club member in his
Nosely powered Hyperlite were going to the fly-in and asked me if I was
interested in going. I said sure. We plotted a couple of waypoints to keep
us from crossing into the local Naval Air Station Airspace, and off we went..

There was zero wind on the flight down and I played with the Phantom and
Hyperlite the whole way. The Gull with a 503 on it, is much faster than the
hyperlite or the Phantom, so I end up running circles around them just so as
not to get too far ahead... :-) And for the fun of it... :-) Most of the
way, I just throttle back to 4400 RPM and cruise along at 70.

So, we got to the fly-in and before we could land, the airboss told us to
land long, there was an accident at the approach end of the runway.
Apparently an RV-6 had clipped the power lines on approach and ripped the
gear off. The pilot pancaked in, but was unharmed. Too bad about the RV.
It's a beautiful aircraft.

While at the flyin we listened to the pilot of the GA aircraft, which pulled
the BRS chute a few months ago, tell us his story.

The return trip was a little more fun. We left the fly-in and plotter our
return trip. Jim, the hyperlite pilot said, "let's extend our trip home". So
we plotter a course for Parker County Airport. While on the way there, Jim
pointed out Triple S airpark. I said that I had never been there, so we
turned and dropped in there. They have a beautiful little pilot lounge.

Ok, so, we left Triple S and went on to Parker County, where we stopped and
walked down the hill to the little truck stop restaurant and had a coke.
Another first for me. I hadn't been to Parker County either. Jim showed us
the first RV that the group that he works with had finished putting
together. Definately a pretty airplane.

So, after the visit at Parker county it was back to the home hanger. All
told it was about 2.5 to 3 hours of flying on 7.5 gals or somewhere between
2.5 and 3.2 gph. A pretty good day.

George

[Jim C]

George

Sounded like a fun day - I love to read about the stories and
experiences of others - Some of those little airport stops have some
neat little things about them don't they. I have found with some of
the guys I fly with they know some of the neatest little out of the
way places to stop. I'm always finding a new place when I fly with
them and then I am able to share it with others.

Jim