Warbird Information Exchange

So, here I go with crosswind Kurt. Took off about 18:15 and headed to OSH. Like flyingin Santa's sleigh with the moon shining bright! How friggin' cool! Called FSS in prep and told the guy I was a student and apologized for my stupidity up front. Led to a great call. So how much info do you really want????? Impressive, but like you guys said, this guy sounded lonely. Carefully explained things. Told me what I needed to know. Told me what I didn't. Asked if he was talking to fast, yes. Really nice experience and not as intimidating as I had thought.

Anyway, back to Santa's trip. I have driven that route so many times in my life going to Waupaca I could do it blindfolded. What a cool visual to do it at night from 3000 MSL. No problem with my pilotage. Wasn't flying as fast as I had planned so was off on times a bit but right on course. Full stop at OSH on 18, the parking lot. Off we go.

Kurt says, want to go home? (evil laugh inserted here) Next FLD. Flew over, turned on the lights (how cool is that?) Bet Dad would have loved that trick in 1943. Full stop there. Not so big and not so wide. OK. Evil laugh again from somewhere in the back. (going to have the mechanics look for that) let's go to West Bend. IFRR. Getting more exciting now. Winds changing to strong quartering left headwind. Runway, shorter, narrower, icier. So completely "uppengef**ked" 1st attempt. You know, when you start bad, then one thing piles onto the next and then the whole enchilada goes south. (Thank you Mr. Miyagi for saving my bacon on that one!) So, I did a second and got it in.

OK, there's that darn evil laugh again. "Find Hartford". That's not really a runway, is it? At night? Covered in snow? With a crosswind? darn him. OK, down and safe. Off we go! Find HOME! Piece of cake.

Cleared for 28 with 8K 60 degree cross. Kurt snoring in the back "Wake me when we are on the ground." Down, better but not perfect. So slow a night for ATC, I got a back taxi to stay off the icy taxiways and back to the hangar.

2.5 hours, night flight, 5 landings, night nav, pilotage, yada yada yada. What Fun

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"There are old pilots and bold pilots but few old, bold pilots."

Yep- Ain't it FUN!

Robbie

Scott...I found all the FSS people I talked to were just that...people. Never got a "I know everything, why don't you? " type. Once I told them I was a student, they walked me through everything like they were instructors. Which I guess they kinda' are.

Your flight sounds a little "hairy" but I'm sure you had your chest out when you finished. "drink3:

Mudge the jealous

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Land of the free because of the brave