Enroute to Oshkosh 2010

July 23, 2010: The night before my departure to Oshkosh, I went to the Sacramento International Airport (SMF) around 5pm. I prefer to spend the night before my flight at the airport, just because I want to and I can. I had no plan for what to do to entertain myself, except to tweet and read tweets, and visit the ever changing faces at the Southwest Airlines Baggage Services Office. While at the SWA BSO, an idea struck. I asked the ladies behind the counter if they might happen to have some left over string and cardboard so I could make "Oshkosh or Bust" signs. One of the agents produced paper luggage tags with elastic straps, some logo envelopes, and some markers. I began to get to work. This was the final result: Not only did I increase my level of excitement, I gave the Baggage Services ladies a special experience! In other words, I made a difference... and so did they! :-)



July 24, 2010: The night flew by fast, and as usual, I breezed through the TSA line at 4am, proudly wearing my banner. The TSA guys commented positively about it. It was an easy conversation piece. Once on the gate side, I carried on taking pictures. Here is a glimpse of the early morning airport activity. The highlight was certainly seeing Southwest Airlines Lone Star One. I willed it to be my aircraft, but it wasn't to be so. It was also enjoyable to see the consistent presence of Hawaiian Airlines 767-300, Akohekohe.



Finally, it was time to board my flight. my aircraft was N915WN for flight WN3118 SMF - DEN. My flight attendants were Tina, Mark and Michael. Every once in a while, I like to participate in an activity called "Laviating" which was introduced to the "twitterverse" aviation community by flight attendant Heather Poole, @heather_poole on twitter. She is an avid blogger about her life as a flight attendant in the sky and on the ground, Another Flight Attendant Writing . All it is is simply taking a picture of yourself in the aircraft lavatory.

Here is a picture of me "laviating" in full "Oshkosh or Bust" regalia-



During the course of the flight, I took a few pictures outside of the aircraft. I like getting the winglets and flap track fairings in the picture. Here are a couple-


If you look hard you can see the Reno-Tahoe Airport on the lower edge of Lake Tahoe.


Some Eastern Utah/Western Colorado scenery

My layover in DEN wasn't long enough, and soon I was aboard N720WN and MDW bound.

Upon landing at MDW, I collected my luggage and called my twitter friend Robin to let her know I was in town. We arranged to meet at a Subway Sandwich shop on the 6400 block of South Pulaski Road. Thinking it wasn't very far, I chose to walk. Carrying all my luggage slowed me down. It took nearly an hour, but that was alright because both Robin and I arrived there within minutes of each other. It was a nice visit. Robin offered to take me to the Southwest Airlines Customer Reservations Center where she worked. Just as we pulled into the parking lot, who decides to taxi by but Southwest Airlines' Shamu One-


That was pretty exciting seeing Shamu One! I also had a nice meeting of some of Robin's co-workers. Unfortunately, I became very shy and didn't mingle properly. That happens. One of Robin's co-workers was willing to take a picture of the two of us. Here it is. :-)



Too soon it was time to say good bye to Robin. She drove me to the airport where I planned to take the light rail to the Greyhound station. No sooner did I get on the train then I was overcome with tiredness. I slept all the way to the end of the Orange Line, and back to MDW. Once again I took the train into downtown and managed to exit at the right stop. It was time for me to charge my phone, so I walked to the Subway sandwiches shop on Dearborn and Van Buren. There I ate the other half of my roast beef sandwich and bought a drink. It was getting late when my phone was charged sufficiently, but I bravely walked the 3/4 miles to the Greyhound station, passing by the Willis Tower (formerly known as the Sears Tower) and crossing what I think was the Chicago River.



Just before I arrived at the Greyhound station, a man approached me, pleading for financial assistance to get to Louisville because his mother was very sick. In the course of his petition, he said he was a veteran. I asked him what branch he was a veteran, to which he answered Army. I asked then asked him whether he worked with aircraft. He said he did marshall a couple helicopters. This conversation satisfied my sacrifice of $6.50 which I gave to him to do what he needed. Whether I was scammed or not didn't matter. I got my money's worth of "entertainment".

I knew I didn't want to remain in Chicago overnight, so I requested a ticket to Milwaukee. It was a mere $16. The ride was nice. I slept the two hours there, after waiting less than 20 minutes in the line. I knew I was cutting it close. As planned I overnighted at the Milwaukee Intermodal which housed the Greyhound Bus station.

July 25, 2010: In the morning, I set out to explore the city, as my bus wasn't due to leave for Oshkosh until after noon. My main desire was to see the lake. as I walked in the direction of the Waterfront, I passed the Pfister Hotel. I became aware of that hotel when I participated in the Southwest Airlines station opening at MKE back in November. My Southwest Airlines twitter friends that also participated in the event were staying there. I decided that if they had a restaurant that I would have breakfast there. They did indeed. I felt out of place, carrying my luggage in with me, some of which made me look homeless. I tried to ignore it and enjoyed an expensive breakfast of biscuits and gravy. That is my favorite thing to eat at a new restaurant because the recipes differ sufficiently enough to discern a difference. In the end, I didn't like the Pfister's recipe. It was too dry. I continued on my "walking tour" of downtown Milwaukee. The streets were filled with people doing a walk for a convention they were in town for. I found my way to the Waterfront.

Upon returning to the Milwaukee Intermodal, I met a couple guys from New Zealand, Kevin and Sandy, who were also taking the bus to Oshkosh. I carried on a conversation with them, learning one worked for Cathay Pacific and the other owned a Sonex. (I get really excited about Sonex's!!!) When we got on the bus, we went our separate ways. They told suggested meeting up at the Sonex Owners' party later on. I fell asleep most of the ride, but when I was awake, I was looking for air traffic headed to Oshkosh. I didn't see any, but I happened to see the airport at Fond du Lac was filled with airplanes and tents.

I learned this was because the grounds at Oshkosh had become so saturated from the recent rainstorm, aircraft parking was all messed up. I learned also that EAA Airventure had reserved the good parking for show planes and antiques. Most of the mass arrivals of Cessna's, Pipers, et al, were diverted to other airports. I think the Cessnas2Oshkosh group were diverted to Juneau.

When I unloaded at Oshkosh, I waited for Bob and Sharon while Kevin and Sandy waited for their host. Just before he arrived, I learned their host was none other than Wayne Daniels. I had met him back in October at the Chili Bash for the local EAA chapter at his hangar. I greeted him when he arrived, and soon after that, Bob and Sharon arrived to pick me up. I accompanied them as they ran some errands on the Oshkosh grounds. Meanwhile, I saw Duggy the DC-3 land.



Bob and Sharon were looking for a friend who was flying his Stearman in. I had to stay close to them because at any moment they were going to be ready to take me to the farmhouse that was to be our living quarters for the week. Finally it became that time. We drove to the farmhouse where I was given my wristband and credentials. I put the wristband on, next to my aging Sun 'n Fun wristband. Everyone was amused that I made it this long with the old one. It was a personal goal of mine to see them together on my wrist. I met Jim and Kathy McManus and called it an early night. Tomorrow was going to be busy!

July 12, 2010 Sacramento Executive Airport Visit

So there I was at Sacramento Executive Airport, just walked through the door five minutes earlier. I had just sat down after checking out N10G on the ramp. My first hunch was it was a CRJ. I was just setting up to work on my Auburn Air Show blog post, when a guy excitedly walks up to me an with a thick accent asks me if I have a camera phone. Figuring he wanted me to email him a picture of the "CRJ" on the ramp, I say yes. he then asked me to follow him. As I followed him right through the gate onto the ramp, I learned his name is Niluka, and he's working on his instrument rating. I also learned he is from Sri Lanka, although Indonesia crossed my mind as well.

I entered the ramp and approached the jet. At the bottom of the stairs, I looked up as the pilot gestured for us to enter. Once at the top of the stairs, the pilot, Bert, invited us to sit down in the cockpit. I learned then it was a Bombardier Global Express. I took a few pics of Niluka and then he took a couple of me. I emailed them to him immediately.
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Auburn Air Show, Thunder in the Sky July 8 - 11, 2010 (part b)

Tony Wright asked me to meet him at his airplane at 5pm, which I did. Two guys waited there also. We boarded his Stinson Reliant, I was put in the front right seat. We taxiied to the runway where the airplane had to be restarted because the adjustable prop adjusted too far and wouldn't budge. After it was reset, we took off and flew in the direction of Folsom Lake. On the way, Tony pointed out I-80 and demonstrated the stability of the high wing monoplane. I imagined being a passenger in the 40's when the airplane was new.

So there I was, flying over Folsom Lake in Tony Wright's 1944 Stinson Reliant, getting ready to take some video, when Tony Sr. says to me, "Your airplane". I took the yoke and put my feet on the rudder pedals. My situational awareness was not up to par. I tried to maintain straight and level. Tony instructed me to fly to 3000 feet in the direction of the airport. I couldn't see the airport, but thought I saw the huge tanks near it. He took control of the airplane and I took video of the last 7 minutes of the flight! The landing at AUN was characteristic of a tailwheel airplane. Tony mentioned that he was left of the center line because he was landing based on the left edge of the runway, which he could see. We taxiied and parked next in the Stinson's designated parking place, I had an opportunity to talk to the two aviation podcasters who were along for the ride.

It was time for dinner at the Auburn Airplane Works. I went over there and joined the Wright brothers and their wives, and Evan. Special thanks to Eric, Mike, and Rob from Auburn Airplane Works for hosting it and inviting air show staff, volunteers, and pilots!

We started with nachos and beans for appetizers. The main course was tri-tip I think. I had a Heineken to drink with dinner. It was nice, but knowing I had to drive later tonight, I had only one, and then some sodas. I shared my Stinson Reliant ride video with Evan and Tony who said it'd be okay to put on Youtube. When we had finished eating, I stood up to throw away my trash.

Upon returning to the table, I was stopped in my tracks by the sight of a Monnett designed airplane. My first thought was this v-tailed glider was a Monnett Waiex. I found out the plane belonged to Eric who had been the pilot of today's Aerocar flight, and son of the owner of the aircraft, Ed Sweeney. I had also heard a story about a baby turkey that wandered into the hanger a while ago. I wanted to ask Eric if he named it Avenger, for the Grumman Avenger who gained the not so flattering nickname of Turkey. Having two burning questions for Eric, I eagerly sought him out. I found out the aircraft is called the Monnett Moni. Eric said he was redoing much of the previous builder's work on the Moni and that he had just a few months of work left for it. I also enjoyed hearing about the family's other aircraft, especially their PT-22 Ryan which they sold. We also talked about experiences in Florida, and an exciting event involving the Aerocar.

I learned that Ed was going to be trailering the 1960 Moulton Taylor Aerocar down to Kissimmee where it has spent time at the Kissimmee Air Museum, only this time, his grandson is ready to solo in the Aerocar and get his driver's license driving it, both on the same day! That's a pretty lucky kid! I talked to Ed about the Aerocar a while, and received validation from him as an "air-head"! I wish I could remember the entire conversation with both Eric and Ed - both were wonderful!

Sadly my phone was out of my hands charging, so I missed a lot of photo ops, including the one where I was looking over the Aerocar, and Ed Sweeney opens the door and says, "I've got a better idea, why don't you have a seat." He showed me how the car had both rudder pedals and automobile pedals, and let me look over the instrument panel and handle the Aerocar's yoke. I couldn't turn the yoke, because it was attached to the wheels on the ground - that was until, he put weight on the tail section, lifting up the front wheels, so I could turn the yoke all I wanted. It was a very neat experience! Ed Sweeney is a remarkable man!

After most of the guests left, I was talking to Martha and getting ready to leave myself, when I learned she was married to Mike of Auburn Airplane Works. I talked with her further as people were checking out Eric's Moni. Eric demonstrated how he sat in the aircraft, and some others did too. Soon, Ed encourages Eric to let me try, telling him I'm a real "air-head" I found the entry and egress much the same as when I entered and egressed Brian Dempsey's Sonerai II Miss Annapolis last year at the College Park Aviation Museum AirFair100. Actually, once I was inside the Moni, I asked if I could sleep the night away in it. I got a good laugh for that request. Martha, who turned out to be Mike's wife, was fun to hang out with. I wish I could have had some wine with her, but didn't want to mix beer and wine. Besides, I had to drive to the other side of the airport.

July 11, 2010 Sunday

I emerged from my van about 7am when I saw the guys begin towing the airplanes from there temporary resting place on the western outskirts of the airport. I tried several times to get their attention as they drove back and forth and as I walked toward the offset parking. Barely so much as a wave in acknowledgement. I figured if I meet up with them where they are hooking up the airplane, I could at least get them to answer a question or two. I was wrong. They hooked up the towbar and made no eye contact as I stood right there in front of them. I waited until they left and came back but received the same reception, except I heard them say to each other as they approached: "oh, it's that girl". I decided they weren't worth my time and made my way to Wings Grill to have some coffee.

As I approached wings Grill, I saw Al and Debbie. Al and Debbie are building either a Curtiss Jenny or Stearman in their hangar. They invited me to join them at their table. They were expecting more people to come, including Nancy and Bill whom I had met at the Aerospace Museum of California Crab Feed and Star Trek exhibit grand opening. Bill does aviation photography and Nancy flies a 1940 Stearman PT-17.

I had the biscuits and gravy for breakfast. They were very good, but I could have gotten by with a half order.

As soon as I finished dinner, I saw Mike Duncan of Mach 5 Aviation. I said to him, "I should have gone to you first about helping with airplane towing"! Then I explained how the two guys this morning gave me a cold shoulder. Thirty seconds later, he had me working with Joannie Mooneyham and her husband. Her husband drove the truck, and Joannie and I hooked up the towbar. We did about 6 planes, and simply had fun! While working/having fun, Eric flew his Taifun at the airport runway and demonstrated its maneuverability. I also watched as Al Buchner departed in his Waco QDC.

Before leaving AUN, I talked to Ed and Eric at the Auburn Aviation Works hangar, and wished Ed a pleasant trip to Kissimmee. The Aerocar's wings and empennage were transformed into the trailer for the Aerocar and I asked Ed for permission to take some pictures, which he granted.

I also stopped over at Mach 5 Aviation and chatted with Abby, the receptionist. Then I got talking to the fuel guy, I think his name was Ed also. He had worked for United and was teasing me about my Southwest Airlines hat. I invited him to look at the chapter on United Airlines in my book called "Classic American Airlines" which he did. In turn he gave me stress ball airplane, and some other promotional items from AV Fuel.

Just as I was about to leave, Evan drove in. I talked to him and thanked him for such a wonderful experience. Then I got in the van and drove back to Elk Grove.

Next Tuesday, I'm going on a roadtrip with Phil Paguio to Montana where he has a clock repair office. Then on the 24th, I'm flying Southwest Airlines to Chicago and then making my way north for my very first experience at Oshkosh Airventure, the largest airshow in the US. I have already arranged with the Seaplane Pilots Association to work as a volunteer for them. They're even supplying a farmhouse style lodging!
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Auburn Air Show, Thunder in the Sky July 8 - 11, 2010

July 8, 2010 Thursday

Following a drive to Woodland to apply for a job at a day care for adults with Cerebral Palsy, I began the drive to Auburn. It was a little difficult at first because a money transfer hadn't completed itself in time to get some decent fuel for the van. I intended to take some items to my storage unit, but because of the shortness of fuel, I didn't.

I arrived in Auburn Airport (AUN) at around 5pm. There was pretty much nothing to do. Looking back on my twitter history, I saw a Beechcraft A60 taxi to the ramp to park, and also saw N310RR taxi to the runway and depart. Later in the evening, I saw Evan and shared my T-28 blog post. He was pleased with my write-up.

I spent the night camped under the wing of his plane. Before falling asleep, a hangar door opened in front of me, and a man nestled his beautiful 1941 clipped wing Piper Cub inside. Not wanting to draw attention to myself and my camping spot I sat there in my van chomping at the bit for a half an hour, wanting to get out and talk to the guy. Then I saw an RV-# that I thought I recognized. That was the final straw. I approached the occupant of the hangar. We carried on a conversation about his airplane and the RV next to it. We also talked about the Reno Air Races and he showed me some pictures on the wall. The visit lasted nearly an hour and I found out his name was Stu. He had what sounded like a Scottish accent. I would have shown him some pictures from my visits to Rio Linda Airport, but realized they were on my external hard drive.

July 9, 2010 Friday

When I woke up in the morning, I learned my Paypal transfer completed, so I bought gas for the van. The highway 49 to Grass Valley from Bell Road beckoned and soon I was on my way to Nevada County Airport (GOO). About an hour later, I parked in the airport parking lot and entered the airport office. I greeted the two men in the lounge area and talked to them a while. I told them my purpose was to visit their airport. I signed the logbook, which contained names dating back to 1996 - 14 years in a single book!

While chatting with the airport manager about my air show travels, I mentioned meeting Patty Wagstaff at the Sun 'n Fun Fly-In a few years in row. I was aware that she worked at this airport, but didn't want to disturb her, but the airport manager encouraged me to pay her a visit. It was still an hour until she'd arrive on site, and I wasn't sure if I wanted to get back to Auburn so late in the morning. I was about to leave without stopping at Patty's work, when the manager once again reminded me to visit her. He gave me concise directions to her job site. I decided that I would probably regret not visiting, so I followed through.

Upon arriving at the Cal Fire Station, I introduced myself and explained my purpose. The other team members were very welcoming. They offered me a cookie and one guy called Patty to let her know she had company. I felt a bit embarrassed... While waiting, I talked with the guys, I also shared my air show and airport adventures and the contents of my logbook. One of the guys told me I needed to have "Hoser" sign. He was a Top Gun instructor. With a little research, I learned his name is Joe Strapa. When I was introduced to him, I asked him for a story, but I gues he didn't take me seriously, or may have been too busy. That's okay.

Then one of the guys, I think his name was Justin, offered to take me out on the ramp for a close up tour of the OV-10 and S-2's! It was a neat experience. He showed me where the "hot load" goes into the aircraft.

Soon Patty arrived on site, so I went into the building to greet her. She took a look at the page of my logbook where she had signed 3 years before, and remembered. I forgot to remind her of my visit to the air show hangar where she stood in a picture with me, Greg Koontz and Matt Younkin. Then she told me she had a shirt she could give me. That was an unanticipated gesture! She gave me one of her Cal Fire Aviation Support t-shirts! (Funny, I didn't put two and two together until then, but on Wednesday after the Aerospace Museum of California monthly volunteer meeting, Phil, a fellow volunteer, took me into the DynCorp office at McClellan Field (MCC) to apply for a job there -- crazy coincidence!) Since it was time for everyone to go to work, I thank them for the great visit and drove back to Auburn Airport.

Back at AUN, I walked the row of hangars back to the hangar where I met Stu. He wasn't there, but I did meet some guys at the EAA hangar who were hanging out waiting for the airplanes come in. Tom, Tom, Dick, and Maynard decided to call me "Julie Not Clark" to help them remember my name. I was okay with that since I had met Julie Clark briefly at the Aerospace Museum of California Crab Feed, and had seen her perform aerobatics at Sun 'n Fun's past.

While hangar flying with Tom, Tom, Dick, and Maynard, I asked about one of the planes in the hangar. Kitfox was crossing my mind, so I asked them if that plane was smaller than a Kitfox. They replied it was a Kitfox. Then they pointed out the flap-erons that I hadn't noticed yet. I also saw a 1932 (1931 model) Waco QDC land and taxi off to the show planes parking.

Soon, I walked on, and while passing the Wings Grill, I saw Evan. I approached him and saw that he was talking to a man who was wearing a Watsonville Fly-In polo shirt with an image that looked exactly like that Waco (pronounced "wah-ko") printed or embroidered on his shirt. Evan introduced him to me as Al Buchner and I came to learn his airplane had a fascinating history. Here it is in his own words:

"I found this airplane in a barn in Merced, CA. in 1969. I bought it in 1972. Two years after buying this airplane, I discovered that my dad, Les Buchner, had owned and operated this plane in his charter service in Bakerfield, California from March 1938 to July 1938. I worked on this airplane for 15 years part time, to rebuild this airplane back to its original condition. There have been 17 owners of this airplane."

These are the specs for Al's airplane:

Continental W670 engine
220 HP Limited to 165 HP
Cruise Speed 115 MPH
Landing Speed 48 MPH
Price New: $5,985.00

Also I found that the 17 owners ranged from Washington state to Phoenix Arizona, and that of the 37 built, only the third and the the third-to-last built, remain. The Waco QDC was also named named Grand Champion at several air shows, including Watsonville and Oshkosh.

While sitting at a table at Wings Grill, Evan offered to buy me lunch. I had no idea what to chose, so I asked for what he recommended. I took the hot dog platter. It was good. I couldn't eat it fast enough because my legs were itching to walk among the new airplanes that landed. Also, Evan introduced me to his friends, the Wright Brothers, Tony Sr. and Tony Jr. Upon introduction, Tony Sr. says to me, "Do you know what's better than flying in Evan's T-28? (Pause) Getting a ride in my Stinson Reliant." You know those looks of shock and awe when people win big on TV game shows? Those are the emotions that surged through me.

Still while sitting at Wings Grill, Al was ready to move his Waco QDC to the static display. As he stood up, he invited me to ride along as he taxiied to the static display area. I observed as he prepared to move his airplane, and then climbed into the right seat for the three-minute ride in this special airplane. While seated I imagined this scene playing over and over at various airports that he named he recently visited or was based.

After lunch, I went out to the flight line/ramp to help. I learned that pilots were parking their planes in the designated show area, which required them to be towed. Since I had no specific role at the time, I told Evan that I could patrol the area and direct pilots to alternate airplane parking, should they think that they could park there.

So, not too long after that a yellow Cessna drives up to the area and I signal to the pilot. When she stops, I approach and ask her to park in the alternate area, to which she replies she's working for Mach 5 and just needs to await instructions for going back out in a few minutes. Sounds reasonable to me, so I say okay. Then she asks me if I worked for Southwest Airlines (because I'm wearing a SWA hat that I bought at the company's store at their headquarters in Dallas). I told her I don't, but I want to work for the company someday. She then tells me she's a flight attendant for Southwest Airlines... Wow! What timing! I asked her if she'd be my new friend. I came to find out she knew Leslie whom I had met on my visit to Dallas. I looked for, but didn't see her the rest of the time I was at Auburn.

In the meantime, some interesting airplanes came to play:

Kitchen Pass, a T-6
Tinker Toy, a T-6
a Grumman Avenger TBM-3E
2 more T-28's plus Evan's
a Nanchang out of Sutter County
a Starduster
an all polished metal P-51

And many more! Evan gave me a box of wooden chocks and asked me to chock the airplanes' wheels.

I was very pleased with my ability to identify the Nanchang that landed and parked on the static display area. I also talked to the pilot and passenger who showed me on the fuselage where it said "NOTAYAK" Later in the evening, I found out that the passenger found my tweets about the Auburn Air Show and sent me a twitter message stating that he was the Guy in Back (GIB). He also said he is a friend of Jill Rutan Hoffman, who I also know from twitter, and who I hoped was coming to the show so I could meet her.

The time came for me to go to the Bella Oil hangar where the dinner/dance was to be held. I helped set up tables, chairs, and laid tablecloths. Then I returned to the static display area to make sure no planes were parked in the wrong place. They weren't, so I went seeking more to do.

I met David, who was in charge of chalking the lines for the exhibitors. He also had a banner to display and asked me to do that. It wasn't as easy as I thought it would be to attach it to the scissor-lift/announcer's stand. In the end, it worked.

In the midst of all the earlier activity, it was made possible for me to attend the dinner/dance as a guest. So with ticket in hand, I joined Al Buchner and his wife Connie at their table. At first, it was a bit intimidating deciding where to sit. I didn't recognize all the people I had met earlier because they were all dressed up. Al and Connie made great company. The dinner was delicious. It was catered by ABC Catering out of Elk Grove. I need to make a point to go there and find out their hiring practices. I had the tri-tip. When I finished my meal, I asked Joannie Mooneyham and Penny if I could start helping clear the trash off tables. She gave me the green light, but the people at the first tables I approached weren't ready, so I stood down for a while, then began again when whole tables were vacated.

In the meantime, I saw Darcy Brewer who was my first contact for the air show. She is also organizer/director of both the Auburn Air Show, Thunder in the Sky, and the California Capital Airshow. I admire her talent of organizing and coordinating such an event. She was talking to a guest at the dinner when I approached to say hi. She introduced him to me as Commander Bill, and I near went into a tizzy-fit! Darcy also introduced me as the ultimate volunteer. I talked to Commander Bill for a while, learned about his current and past aircraft. He told me to watch for him landing tomorrow morning in a 3/4 scale P-51 Mustang. I told him how I remembered hearing him give traffic reports on the radio.

I stayed until dinner was cleaned up, and spent a few last minutes talking to Evan and Duane. Evan told me he had a new job for me. I was going to be one of the Thunder in the Sky girls! My job entailed delivering water to the volunteers, air show staff and pilots, using a golf cart. Soon it was time to go, so I drove to the pilot Park on the airport, parked my van, met fellow camper, Vern, and fell asleep, after I gushed in awe over his tent erected on the roof of his SUV.

July 10, 2010

Morning didn't come soon enough, but it came! I cleaned up my van a bit, and reported to the Pilot Lounge. On the way there, I just happened to see Commander Bill land his plane. A shortage of coolers to carry water caused my job description to change slightly. I would be the breaker for the Thunder in the Sky girls, and help restock the water and ice when they came for a fillup.

"Shree" came back after an hour and let me take the golf cart out. It was then I met twitter friend Mark LaCoste. I also met some Challenger pilots whose plane I saw when I visited Lodi airport a week before. I sent a picture of me with them to my good friend Dan Wroe. I had too much fun meeting people I delivered water to, while watching the air show.

At one point Duane was sent on a mission to find a rental truck and return it to the rental company. It was being used by the TBM pilot, Chuck. I was sent with him so I could return the golf cart. Duane and I had trouble finding the truck, so we found Chuck who was at the pilot briefing, who showed us where he was.

I kept the golf cart with me and drove around delivering water out of a smaller cooler when I heard over the radio that Evan was looking for the cart. I returned it to him. He was working at the Radio Controlled airplane demonstration, which I stayed to watch, which was awe-inspiring. The guy had been doing it for years, since he was a teenager. Evan seemed pretty proud of the guy.

Soon it was announced that Ed Sweeney's Aerocar was going to fly. I've never seen a flying car, so I knew this was going to be fascinating! His son Eric was going to fly it. I waited near Evan's plane for it to take off, so I could use his plane for the foreground. The picture turned out okay, just the Aerocar was tiny and not that clear in the picture. I saw the 1956 Aerocar fly!!!

After lunch, Evan was preparing to transition from role of Executive Director to that of T-28C pilot. I accompanied him as he drove the cart around the show and checked on the needs of the performing pilots. He introduced me to several as his assistant and told them I put out quite a few fires for him. That made me feel really good! He needed someone to take his golf cart after he collected his parachute and drove it to his airplane. On the way, I asked him if I could do something for the Aerospace Museum of California volunteers at the EAA hangar, suggesting delivering left over cereal bars that were in the Pilot's Lounge. He gave me the okay to do it, if Martha said it was okay too.

When I dropped off Evan at his airplane, I delivered Evan's cart to Duane as instructed, loaded up the cooler in the remaining cart with water, soda, and juice and collected the cereal bars, candy, and fruit that Martha asked me to distribute as well.

For the last two hours of the show, I delivered candy to kids and water to the air show workers and performers, while watching the T-28's, T-6's, and Grumman Avenger dancing in the sky. Aerobatics weren't done because the FAA didn't authorize them. When I talked to the kids and their parents, I'd tell them to watch for my friend Evan flying the T-28, I'd also ask the how they like the planes, and which are their favorite.

Soon the show was over. It was a great show! The turn out was good. All the airplanes were intact. The only diappointment was that someone had grafitti'd a picture in the Mach 5 Aviation School's building, which I learned about the next day. What a shame!

Tony Wright asked me to meet him at his airplane at 5pm, which I did. Two guys waited there also. We boarded his Stinson Reliant, I was put in the front right seat. We taxiied to the runway where the airplane had to be restarted because the adjustable prop adjusted too far and wouldn't budge. After it was reset, we took off and flew in the direction of Folsom Lake. On the way, Tony pointed out I-80 and demonstrated the stability of the high wing monoplane. I imagined being a passenger in the 40's when the airplane was new.

So there I was, flying over Folsom Lake in Tony's 1944 Stinson Reliant, getting ready to take some video, when Tony Sr. says to me, "Your airplane". I took the yoke and put my feet on the rudder pedals. My situational awareness was not up to par. I tried to maintain straight and level. Tony instructed me to fly to 3000 feet in the direction of the airport. I couldn't see the airport, but thought I saw the huge tanks near it. I imagined being a passenger in the 40's when the airplane was new.

So there I was, flying over Folsom Lake in Tony Wright's 1944 Stinson Reliant, getting ready to take some video, when Tony Sr. says to me, "Your airplane". I took the yoke and put my feet on the rudder pedals. My situational awareness was not up to par. I tried to maintain straight and level. Tony instructed me to fly to 3000 feet in the direction of the airport. I couldn't see the airport, but thought I saw the huge tanks near it. He took control of the airplane and I took video of the last 7 minutes of the flight! The landing at AUN was characteristic of a tailwheel airplane. Tony mentioned that he was left of the center line because he was landing based on the left edge of the runway, which he could see. We taxiied and parked next in the Stinson's designated parking place, I had an opportunity to talk to the two aviation podcasters who were along for the ride.

It was time for dinner at the Auburn Airplane Works. I went over there and joined the Wright brothers and their wives, and Evan. Special thanks to Eric, Mike, and Rob from Auburn Airplane Works for hosting it and inviting air show staff, volunteers, and pilots!

We started with nachos and beans for appetizers. The main course was tri-tip I think. I had a Heineken to drink with dinner. It was nice, but knowing I had to drive later tonight, I had only one, and then some sodas. I shared my Stinson Reliant ride video with Evan and Tony who said it'd be okay to put on Youtube. When we had finished eating, I stood up to throw away my trash.

Upon returning to the table, I was stopped in my tracks by the sight of a Monnett designed airplane. My first thought was this v-tailed glider was a Monnett Waiex. I found out the plane belonged to Eric who had been the pilot of today's Aerocar flight, and son of the owner of the aircraft, Ed Sweeney. I had also heard a story about a baby turkey that wandered into the hanger a while ago. I wanted to ask Eric if he named it Avenger, for the Grumman Avenger who gained the not so flattering nickname of Turkey. Having two burning questions for Eric, I eagerly sought him out. I found out the aircraft is called the Monnett Moni. Eric said he was redoing much of the previous builder's work on the Moni and that he had just a few months of work left for it. I also enjoyed hearing about the family's other aircraft, especially their PT-22 Ryan which they sold. We also talked about experiences in Florida, and an exciting event involving the Aerocar.

I learned that Ed was going to be trailering the 1960 Moulton Taylor Aerocar down to Kissimmee where it has spent time at the Kissimmee Air Museum, only this time, his grandson is ready to solo in the Aerocar and get his driver's license driving it, both on the same day! That's a pretty lucky kid! I talked to Ed about the Aerocar a while, and received validation from him as an "air-head"! I wish I could remember the entire conversation with both Eric and Ed - both were wonderful!

Sadly my phone was out of my hands charging, so I missed a lot of photo ops, including the one where I was looking over the Aerocar, and Ed Sweeney opens the door and says, "I've got a better idea, why don't you have a seat." He showed me how the car had both rudder pedals and automobile pedals, and let me look over the instrument panel and handle the Aerocar's yoke. I couldn't turn the yoke, because it was attached to the wheels on the ground - that was until, he put weight on the tail section, lifting up the front wheels, so I could turn the yoke all I wanted. It was a very neat experience! Ed Sweeney is a remarkable man!

After most of the guests left, I was talking to Martha and getting ready to leave myself, when I learned she was married to Mike of Auburn Airplane Works. I talked with her further as people were checking out Eric's Moni. Eric demonstrated how he sat in the aircraft, and some others did too. Soon, Ed encourages Eric to let me try, telling him I'm a real "air-head" I found the entry and egress much the same as when I entered and egressed Brian Dempsey's Sonerai II Miss Annapolis last year at the College Park Aviation Museum AirFair100. Actually, once I was inside the Moni, I asked if I could sleep the night away in it. I got a good laugh for that request. Martha, who turned out to be Mike's wife, was fun to hang out with. I wish I could have had some wine with her, but didn't want to mix beer and wine. Besides, I had to drive to the other side of the airport.

July 11, 2010 Sunday

I emerged from my van about 7am when I saw the guys begin towing the airplanes from there temporary resting place on the western outskirts of the airport. I tried several times to get their attention as they drove back and forth and as I walked toward the offset parking. Barely so much as a wave in acknowledgement. I figured if I meet up with them where they are hooking up the airplane, I could at least get them to answer a question or two. I was wrong. They hooked up the towbar and made no eye contact as I stood right there in front of them. I waited until they left and came back but received the same reception, except I heard them say to each other as they approached: "oh, it's that girl". I decided they weren't worth my time and made my way to Wings Grill to have some coffee.

As I approached wings Grill, I saw Al and Debbie. Al and Debbie are building either a Curtiss Jenny or Stearman in their hangar. They invited me to join them at their table. They were expecting more people to come, including Nancy and Bill whom I had met at the Aerospace Museum of California Crab Feed and Star Trek exhibit grand opening. Bill does aviation photography and Nancy flies a 1940 Stearman PT-17.

I had the biscuits and gravy for breakfast. They were very good, but I could have gotten by with a half order.

As soon as I finished dinner, I saw Mike Duncan of Mach 5 Aviation. I said to him, "I should have gone to you first about helping with airplane towing"! Then I explained how the two guys this morning gave me a cold shoulder. Thirty seconds later, he had me working with Joannie Mooneyham and her husband. Her husband drove the truck, and Joannie and I hooked up the towbar. We did about 6 planes, and simply had fun! While working/having fun, Eric flew his Taifun at the airport runway and demonstrated its maneuverability. I also watched as Al Buchner departed in his Waco QDC.

Before leaving AUN, I talked to Ed and Eric at the Auburn Aviation Works hangar, and wished Ed a pleasant trip to Kissimmee. The Aerocar's wings and empennage were transformed into the trailer for the Aerocar and I asked Ed for permission to take some pictures, which he granted.

I also stopped over at Mach 5 Aviation and chatted with Abby, the receptionist. Then I got talking to the fuel guy, I think his name was Ed also. He had worked for United and was teasing me about my Southwest Airlines hat. I invited him to look at the chapter on United Airlines in my book called "Classic American Airlines" which he did. In turn he gave me stress ball airplane, and some other promotional items from AV Fuel.

Just as I was about to leave, Evan drove in. I talked to him and thanked him for such a wonderful experience. Then I got in the van and drove back to Elk Grove.

Next Tuesday, I'm going on a roadtrip with Phil Paguio to Montana where he has a clock repair office. Then on the 24th, I'm flying Southwest Airlines to Chicago and then making my way north for my very first experience at Oshkosh Airventure, the largest airshow in the US. I have already arranged with the Seaplane Pilots Association to work as a volunteer for them. They're even supplying a farmhouse style lodging!

Evan Wolfe's T-28C

Usually when I visit an airport, I know that I'm at the right place at the right time. Today was no exception! I drove to Auburn Airport and arrived around 12:30. I arrived early for a final 6pm coordination meeting of the Auburn Air Show being held this Saturday. Being an "airport bum" it's only natural for me to get to the airport as early as possible.

Upon arriving I sat just outside the Wings Cafe patio and struck up a conversation with a couple pilots from the Concord, CA area. While chatting about my air show adventures and our respective flight experiences, I saw an unfamiliar airplane with a dark green accent taxi by. It's paint scheme made it stand out. While watching the pilot and passenger deplane, I told the guys I was talking to that I wanted to find out what dind of plane N20GK was. I walked across the ramp toward the people and the plane. I struck up a conversation with them, learning their airplane was a Socata Trinidad, and that they were coming back from western Oregon, and returning to SoCal.

After returning to the patio area, I saw a polished metal airplane that looked like a Navion. I asked the pilots next to me. One said it was a flying Coors can. That got a good laugh from me.

Next I spotted an AirCam. Now, I'm used to seeing those with amphibious floats. This was the first time I'd seen one with wheeled landing gear. Besides, the red, white, and blue AirCam was twin-engined. That made it rather unique as well. I was told it was featured in an AOPA magazine recently.

After the two pilots' friend landed in a DA-20, they went off to lunch.

I then struck up a conversation with a man standing nearby who had come to see if any of the air show warbirds had arrived. He told me about his desire to fly when much younger, but being denied by the Air Force due to his color blindness. He said he went into computers instead, and had a great career.

After our conversation finished. I was eager to check out that "flying Coors can" which I saw taxi to the other end of the airport. I walked across the ramp, admiring the airplanes as I went. Upon reaching the plane, I checked its identification label on the port side of the airplane. I became very pleased with myself when I confirmed my guess that it was a Navion.

Not too far away from the Navion was a dark blue airplane that looked a little like one of the airplanes at the Aerospace Museum of California. I didn't have a reason to approach it, so I passed by it once my eye glimpsed a small Pilot Park nearby. I sat there and watched a couple planes takeoff, and then decided to return to the other end of the airport. As I left I heard, then saw, the twin AirCam climb into the sky from runway 25.

Upon returning to the other end of the airport, I stopped at Sierra Aviation and said hello to Gary. I had talked to him last month when I visited AUN. Then I walked over to Mach 5 Aviation, where I met Abby, and saw Mike and Dennis again.

While talking to them, the navy blue airplane taxied up to the airplane washing station. Mike, Abby and Dennis encouraged me to ask him if I could help wash it, when I mentioned that I'd like to. So I approached the man who was still in the cockpit, and asked hime if he was going to wash his airplane- a T-28C Navy Trojan. He said he was, so I asked if I could help. (Later he told someone he was smart enough to accept the offer of help). :-) Turned out that recent surgery was going to make this a very tough chore, and my offer to help saved him a lot of time and effort climbing up and down the ladder. While he scrubbed with soap using a broom shaped scrubber, it was my job to keep the airplane wet and rinse off the soap. While washing, I told him of my opportunities working with Corkey Fornof, meeting Howie Keefe, and flying the Challenger II, Seabee, and Sonex. He told me that his uncle flew Hellcats in the World War and that he became interested in airplanes after he built his first model and painted it red. He said his Uncle often gave him a ride in the airplanes he flew... Those were the days!
While washing this T-28C, I came to like it and appreciate it more. When we were nearly done, Evan says to me that we need to take it out for its drying phase. I couldn't believe my ears! The rest of the time, I tried to imagine what it would be like to fly in one of these old Warbirds. That's when I started learning! First thing Evan had me do was strap on a parachute. It was my first time ever. He showed me how to attach it and briefed me on aircraft egress and parachute deployment procedures.

With my parachute strapped on, I entered the aircraft. Foothold doors opened to make way, first for my right foot, then left. A hand hold door did the same. I held on to both rims of the sliding canopy and climbed into the rear seat, about 12 feet off the ground. Evan handed me a Telex noise-canceling headset and I plugged the in as directed. The four point harness was much unlike any I had ever used- the loops weren't made of metal, but the material was tough.

Strapped in snug, and headset on snug, I waited until Evan had started the prop. My heart raced as fast as that prop spun! The pre-flight, taxi to the runway, and the run-up inspections were done ever so smoothly. I listened to the ATIS and checked the altimeter 1536 feet above sea level. We waited for a Cessna Cardinal to land, the canopy closed, and then it was our turn for takeoff.

I didn't feel the wheels leave the ground, but I certainly felt Evan's bird climb! We went around the pattern once. Upon approaching the runway again, I assumed it was for landing. Instead we flew over the runway, gained a little altitude and veered off the pattern at what appeared like a southeastern direction.

Next thing I knew, I felt the nose of the airplane pitch up as Evan initiated an aileron roll. I cheered for joy and savored every moment of the whole duration of the roll which lasted about 5-10 wonderful seconds! Amazingly I was able to snap a picture in a nearly inverted position. On the return, I snapped a picture of the instrument panel. I figure we had descended a little bit within the minute between the aileron roll and the picture.

The flight was 15 minutes of pure bliss! We landed on runway 25 and taxiied to the airplane's tie-down location on the ramp. At the nearest hangar, the N2N Stearman belonging to WWII P-51 (Old Crow, now based in Duxbury, England) ace, Bud Anderson was outside its hangar. The people were running its engine. I didn't have the opportunity to greet Bud because we were busy debriefing the flight, but I was able to get a good picture of his plane from my seat in the T-28C.

I am looking forward to watching Evan perform at the upcoming Auburn Air Show this Saturday.

Gates open at 8am and the show continues until 4pm. There will be a number of good old warbirds at the show, as well as antique aircraft, air racers, helicopters, jets, and radio controlled aircraft- something to satisfy every aviation enthusiast's expectations! The Patriots jets will perform a demonstration, and there will be plenty of aerobatics to watch. Sierra Vista will be giving airplane rides, a representative refered to the price as "fire-sale prices"

Admission to the airshow is $10 with special rates offered to various groups. Kids 5 years and under have free admission.

Speaking of kids, you can sign your kids up for Young Eagles rides through the EAA while you're there. For the clssic car enthusiasts, there will also be a car show event on the airport property.

For more information about the Auburn Air Show, Thunder in the Sky, you can call, Mach 5 Aviation (530) 889-2000 or visit the website www.thunderinthesky.org . There is some accomodation for transient aircraft for pilots who want to fly in.
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