Best birthday ever

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hydroguy2
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Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2007 11:13 pm
Location: Townsend, Montana

Best birthday ever

Post by hydroguy2 »

So as you may know, finished 40hrs yesterday. Today is my 50th Birthday, the weather was perfect, I had the day off AND Kris needed to turn in her 150page Master's portfolio to her Professor's. 2.5hr drive or short hop in a brandnew RV.....what to do, what to do? Kris has never ridden in any RV, only the nasty club 172, 182 and a friends Bonanza.

We launched at 1120 from Townsend(8u8) and in front of a few airport bums I flew down the runway at 120kts or so and pulled up for an initial 3000fpm climb, banking hard to the downwind. She swallowed and said well that's a little different. Headed toward KHLN, then pointed Aurora towards Missoula(MSO) while we climbed through some bumps leveled off at 10500 in smooth air.
Here's a pic she snapped with my cell phone.
Image

43minutes later made a nice wheel landing at MSO. Got the red carpet service at NorthStar Jet. they gave us a courtesy car to run to the University. We were very popular with her Professors as the word had spread that Kris had a private pilot fly her over just for them. :)

By the time we headed home the wind had picked up along with the turbulence. We hit a big sinker and I managed to smack the canopy, Kris had her belts good tight.
We ended up climbing above 13K for a few minutes to beat the bumps. Here's a dynon snapshot.
Image

And the corresponding GPS pic, GS=205kts Man I love this plane.
Image

When we started dropping into the valley, things got rough again and I had to slow up to 150kts. Kris loved the experience, said the plane felt very solid and safe. She even complimented me on the landings, even though we had a 10kt crosswind when we got home.

Life is good, better after 40 and even at 50.
Brian
Townsend, MT

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cjensen
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Post by cjensen »

Excellent trip write up Brian!! Glad the first experience was a good one for Kris too!!

That's just awesome... 8) 8)
Chad Jensen
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hydroguy2
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Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2007 11:13 pm
Location: Townsend, Montana

Post by hydroguy2 »

It was a excellent day. To top it off we drove to Bozeman to have dinner with the kids.
I figure I may as well start training for the Black Otter, so ordered the 14oz Bison Ribeye.
Image

speaking of OSH, we got a travel trailer and camping spot in Camp Scholler reserved. Still flying in, but my hangarmate wants to go and said he'll pay for the accomodations.
Brian
Townsend, MT

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Brantel
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Post by Brantel »

Way to go Brian! That steak sure looks like it was good! I still say you must have the fastest 7 out there.
Brantel (Brian Chesteen),
RV12-IS, #121606, N912BC - Building Now!
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dons
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Location: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

Post by dons »

Congrats Brian! Glad your birthday worked out on many fronts. Good to hear the bumps didn't scare Kris off, that is very good.
Don Sinclair
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RV-7A (Fuselage)

itisgood
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Post by itisgood »

Brian,
Happy birthday! Glad to hear that one milestone flowed into another. May you have many more happy flights.
Dave

lancef53
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Post by lancef53 »

Very cool!! Great write-up!!
RV 8
First Flight--4-3-2010

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Joe Parish
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Post by Joe Parish »

Sounds like a great day! Congrats 8)
Joe
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Bob Barrett
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Location: Sartell MN

Post by Bob Barrett »

What a Happy Birthday! :) :) Glad you wife enjoyed the flight! :) Great write up of the trip and photo's turned out great. May you have many more such trips!

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hydroguy2
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Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2007 11:13 pm
Location: Townsend, Montana

Post by hydroguy2 »

Brantel wrote:..... I still say you must have the fastest 7 out there.
indicated

I may have been posting some false numbers, Today we had smooth air and I was able to do a better airspeed/gps check. I am showing TAS about 2kts higher than the 3 way GPS track. Oh well I was still zoooming along pretty good and can get 190kts+

I slowed down to 110kts to have a Cherokee owner fly up and take a inflight pic. Can't wait to see them

Happy Easter
Brian
Townsend, MT

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