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2009 Alaskan Tour
- Thread starter JBunn
- Start date
Alex
New member
Edmond, OK
- Aircraft Year
- 1977
- Aircraft Type
- 114
- Reg Number
- N900CD
- Serial Number
- 14213
Re: 2009 Alaskan Tour
Ok N900CD and its crew landed in Houston Texas at 6:40pm on Sunday the 9th of August. The day started in Cody Wyoming through Dodge City Kansas to Fort Worth Texas and finnaly Houston. On route to Houston form Ft Worth we heard Ian over the radio with Waco approach, on his way to New Orleans. Flew with 112DG until Dodge City and we parted ways form there. This was one hell of a trip. The kids had a ball.
FIRST OF THE DAY FOLKS !!
Ok N900CD and its crew landed in Houston Texas at 6:40pm on Sunday the 9th of August. The day started in Cody Wyoming through Dodge City Kansas to Fort Worth Texas and finnaly Houston. On route to Houston form Ft Worth we heard Ian over the radio with Waco approach, on his way to New Orleans. Flew with 112DG until Dodge City and we parted ways form there. This was one hell of a trip. The kids had a ball.
FIRST OF THE DAY FOLKS !!
Prentiss, MS
- Aircraft Year
- 1977
- Aircraft Type
- Super Commander
- Reg Number
- N4959W
- Serial Number
- 14279
Re: 2009 Alaskan Tour
Hello folks out there in commander land i made it home today around 130 pm central after fliying till 1 am this morning to get back to springdale and drop mark off. I got a little sleep and flew home today and was greeted with 3 ladies that were glad to see Daddy home. It was the time of my life but is always good to come home to the people you love. I did however drink most of the supply of RB&V in Alaska and I'm in DT's not having a drink tonight. ha ha The people that went on the trip was the best folks and we will never forget the times we had and the sights and people we meet along the way. I highly recommend flying to alaska if you ever have the chance. I would also like to send out a speical thanks to Sven for helping lead the group on the side trips and showing us the ropes. Hope you all make it home safe and sound and be sure to check in and let us know when you get home. Thanks.
Hello folks out there in commander land i made it home today around 130 pm central after fliying till 1 am this morning to get back to springdale and drop mark off. I got a little sleep and flew home today and was greeted with 3 ladies that were glad to see Daddy home. It was the time of my life but is always good to come home to the people you love. I did however drink most of the supply of RB&V in Alaska and I'm in DT's not having a drink tonight. ha ha The people that went on the trip was the best folks and we will never forget the times we had and the sights and people we meet along the way. I highly recommend flying to alaska if you ever have the chance. I would also like to send out a speical thanks to Sven for helping lead the group on the side trips and showing us the ropes. Hope you all make it home safe and sound and be sure to check in and let us know when you get home. Thanks.
Pat
Guest
Sturgis, MI
- Aircraft Year
- 1993
- Aircraft Type
- 114B/115
- Reg Number
- N374JW
- Serial Number
- 14595
Re: 2009 Alaskan Tour
We arrived home safe and sound at Sturgis around 8:00 this evening. We also started out in Cody, Wyoming this morning. Thanks to Air Otto and his able co-pilot, Jim Bunn, for all of their assistance in guiding us through the weather and routing so that we could get home in time to pick up our boys. We couldn't have done it without you - at least not in the same style. The check is in the mail. We arrived home 15 minutes ahead of a storm that hit our area. A higher power, expert help from Bill and Jim and luck were with us all the way. It was an absolutely wonderful trip. It's beyond any adjective to describe the fun and beauty and the comraderie with the group. Thanks to everyone for a fabulous vacation and and memories that will last a lifetime.
Pat & Betty
We arrived home safe and sound at Sturgis around 8:00 this evening. We also started out in Cody, Wyoming this morning. Thanks to Air Otto and his able co-pilot, Jim Bunn, for all of their assistance in guiding us through the weather and routing so that we could get home in time to pick up our boys. We couldn't have done it without you - at least not in the same style. The check is in the mail. We arrived home 15 minutes ahead of a storm that hit our area. A higher power, expert help from Bill and Jim and luck were with us all the way. It was an absolutely wonderful trip. It's beyond any adjective to describe the fun and beauty and the comraderie with the group. Thanks to everyone for a fabulous vacation and and memories that will last a lifetime.
Pat & Betty
Cortez, CO
- Aircraft Year
- 1976
- Aircraft Type
- 114 Hot Shot
- Reg Number
- N114MT
- Serial Number
- 14068
Re: 2009 Alaskan Tour
Hi all. Wayne and I made it to Phoenix, DVT about 11 AM today. Overnight last night in Elko, NV. To hot to fly on it to DVT yesterday afternoon. Greatest flying adventure of my life. All the COG members on the trip made it that much more special. The flying, friendships and cold beer made it a real Alaskan adventure. See you all in Oct. at the flyin. Hope all made it home safe and sound. Wayne had a ball and sends his best and thanks for a great time.
Hi all. Wayne and I made it to Phoenix, DVT about 11 AM today. Overnight last night in Elko, NV. To hot to fly on it to DVT yesterday afternoon. Greatest flying adventure of my life. All the COG members on the trip made it that much more special. The flying, friendships and cold beer made it a real Alaskan adventure. See you all in Oct. at the flyin. Hope all made it home safe and sound. Wayne had a ball and sends his best and thanks for a great time.
idcairns
New member
New Orleans LA
- Aircraft Type
- Other
Re: 2009 Alaskan Tour
Hey All! Made it home at 8:30pm and had a blast on the return trip.
The Alaska trip was one of the top ten experiences of my life, there is no simple or profound way of capturing that. I met some great Commander people and that was a bonus to the expected exalted experience of actually flying my own plane in Alaska.
Yesterday we flew from California to Santa Fe and that was a neat trip on its own.The mountains of Arizona/Nevada are beautiful in a different way from Alaska. Practiced our Alaska learned low flying technique as we buzzed up the Colorado River through the canyon at Needles and enjoyed the late evening views of the painted desert, passed over Sedona and over the petrified forest. Great Mexican food at the Blue Corn resturant in Santa Fe.
Then onwards today stopping at Stevenville, Texas (just south of Dallas) where they leave a golf cart at the airfield for a short run up a track to the Hard Eight Bar-B-Que, supposedly the best in Texas. Regina had a 2" thick pork chop. Amazing. The claim to fame may be true, I have not had better. Lonnie would have been in red-neck heaven with the rodeo motif and pictures of bull riders on all the walls. Didn't see no pictures of Red Bull and Vodka on the menu though. Had to dodge free fall ops on the way in and the jump plane pilot came to help us with the tricky pump while supping his Bud! He sat and told Texas stories for a while and cracked his second one. To be fair he said the last jump of the day hade been made.
Up again and as we climbed over Waco, Alex heard me on the radio and we crossed paths as he came down from Cody. Amazing coincidence!
Weather was a factor in the briefing but had disapated by the time we entered Louisiana and we picked up the Mississippi River near Shreveport and headed on down.
I am completely amazed that we actually made this trip. When I bought the Commander, a long cross country for me was a three hour run to Houston in a Cherokee. Now I have flown the length and breadth of this great country, from the Florida Keys to the State of Alaska in just this last year. I would never have attempted it without a great plane and the support of this group of people who inhabit this board both those who went as well as those who did not but offered advice and encouragement.
It also helps that Regina encouraged me from the start to make the trip. I will not make the trip to Michigan, I used up all of my alloted time and dollars on the Alaska trip but we hope to see everyone from time to time in local fly-ins and of course on the board.
First of the Day!
Hey All! Made it home at 8:30pm and had a blast on the return trip.
The Alaska trip was one of the top ten experiences of my life, there is no simple or profound way of capturing that. I met some great Commander people and that was a bonus to the expected exalted experience of actually flying my own plane in Alaska.
Yesterday we flew from California to Santa Fe and that was a neat trip on its own.The mountains of Arizona/Nevada are beautiful in a different way from Alaska. Practiced our Alaska learned low flying technique as we buzzed up the Colorado River through the canyon at Needles and enjoyed the late evening views of the painted desert, passed over Sedona and over the petrified forest. Great Mexican food at the Blue Corn resturant in Santa Fe.
Then onwards today stopping at Stevenville, Texas (just south of Dallas) where they leave a golf cart at the airfield for a short run up a track to the Hard Eight Bar-B-Que, supposedly the best in Texas. Regina had a 2" thick pork chop. Amazing. The claim to fame may be true, I have not had better. Lonnie would have been in red-neck heaven with the rodeo motif and pictures of bull riders on all the walls. Didn't see no pictures of Red Bull and Vodka on the menu though. Had to dodge free fall ops on the way in and the jump plane pilot came to help us with the tricky pump while supping his Bud! He sat and told Texas stories for a while and cracked his second one. To be fair he said the last jump of the day hade been made.
Up again and as we climbed over Waco, Alex heard me on the radio and we crossed paths as he came down from Cody. Amazing coincidence!
Weather was a factor in the briefing but had disapated by the time we entered Louisiana and we picked up the Mississippi River near Shreveport and headed on down.
I am completely amazed that we actually made this trip. When I bought the Commander, a long cross country for me was a three hour run to Houston in a Cherokee. Now I have flown the length and breadth of this great country, from the Florida Keys to the State of Alaska in just this last year. I would never have attempted it without a great plane and the support of this group of people who inhabit this board both those who went as well as those who did not but offered advice and encouragement.
It also helps that Regina encouraged me from the start to make the trip. I will not make the trip to Michigan, I used up all of my alloted time and dollars on the Alaska trip but we hope to see everyone from time to time in local fly-ins and of course on the board.
First of the Day!
S
sfaret
Guest
Re: 2009 Alaskan Tour
Made it home tonight at 1730. The car parked in the hangar was dead and had to jump it with the plane. The cell battery was dead. I was dead.
Twenty three days flying every day except for 2 wears you out. Add the Alaska crowd to the mix and all you have is pure fun and never want to sleep.
The mix was great, 10 planes and 22 commanderites.
We all got to know each other well and all learned from each other all lending a hand at when we needed.
Bill H and Ken narrated the highlights in the travel forums (Fuzzy and Andrew Tent). So much more happened tho and the trip was better than ever expected. Thanks to everyone for coming.
We spent 2 hours in Cody WY at Buffalo Bill's Museum and bolted out at 1200 MDT. Goal was CGI or bust. We had to divert 75 miles south to find a passable hole in the storm front, then 3 hours more to CGI arriving at 2130 CDT. Flew 1/4 mile formation and did a flight of 2 into CGI at night. (Much more difficult than expected)
Due to a bird strike I followed Bill B to CPAC, (with tape on the hole) and we dropped off his plane. They had a new skin in stock and the repair looks easy. Could have been 100 times worse.
Departed today from CGI, dropped Bill off in OH, VFR at 14,000 just ahead of the building storms in the north east.
Now sitting at home watching the light shows in the sky.
Nothing is better than having the privilege to live and see such a beautiful country with so many good friends.
Unforgettable. Thanks to all.
Made it home tonight at 1730. The car parked in the hangar was dead and had to jump it with the plane. The cell battery was dead. I was dead.
Twenty three days flying every day except for 2 wears you out. Add the Alaska crowd to the mix and all you have is pure fun and never want to sleep.
The mix was great, 10 planes and 22 commanderites.
We all got to know each other well and all learned from each other all lending a hand at when we needed.
Bill H and Ken narrated the highlights in the travel forums (Fuzzy and Andrew Tent). So much more happened tho and the trip was better than ever expected. Thanks to everyone for coming.
We spent 2 hours in Cody WY at Buffalo Bill's Museum and bolted out at 1200 MDT. Goal was CGI or bust. We had to divert 75 miles south to find a passable hole in the storm front, then 3 hours more to CGI arriving at 2130 CDT. Flew 1/4 mile formation and did a flight of 2 into CGI at night. (Much more difficult than expected)
Due to a bird strike I followed Bill B to CPAC, (with tape on the hole) and we dropped off his plane. They had a new skin in stock and the repair looks easy. Could have been 100 times worse.
Departed today from CGI, dropped Bill off in OH, VFR at 14,000 just ahead of the building storms in the north east.
Now sitting at home watching the light shows in the sky.
Nothing is better than having the privilege to live and see such a beautiful country with so many good friends.
Unforgettable. Thanks to all.
Cincinnati, OH
- Aircraft Year
- 1998
- Aircraft Type
- 114TC/115TC
- Reg Number
- N114AD
- Serial Number
- 20020
Re: 2009 Alaskan Tour
Safely in Ohio w/ help from my good firend Sven and totally wiped. What and adventure and what a group. Memories for a lifetime and a sore stomach for the next week from too much laughing. (no blue toes as of tomorrow!)
Thanks for everyone's concern about the bird issue. Dave made a good "dent" in the repair cycle today. Hope to have her flying in a couple of weeks. Could have been much worse... 18" left and I'd be looking at an engine teardown or worse as the intruder may have come through the windshield. 18" right and we may have lost the fuel tank. At any rate, good luck prevailed and the damage is repairable.
Can't wait for the annual fly-in in Michigan. Will be reliving the formation IFR approach to mins and glacier flying for years. What a rush.
Safely in Ohio w/ help from my good firend Sven and totally wiped. What and adventure and what a group. Memories for a lifetime and a sore stomach for the next week from too much laughing. (no blue toes as of tomorrow!)
Thanks for everyone's concern about the bird issue. Dave made a good "dent" in the repair cycle today. Hope to have her flying in a couple of weeks. Could have been much worse... 18" left and I'd be looking at an engine teardown or worse as the intruder may have come through the windshield. 18" right and we may have lost the fuel tank. At any rate, good luck prevailed and the damage is repairable.
Can't wait for the annual fly-in in Michigan. Will be reliving the formation IFR approach to mins and glacier flying for years. What a rush.
Attachments
Nr. Albany, GA
- Aircraft Year
- 1974
- Aircraft Type
- 112 Hot Shot
- Reg Number
- N1182J
- Serial Number
- 155
Re: 2009 Alaskan Tour
Still working our way back to Georgia. Having a great time.
Installing new starter this morning, old one was getting worse so we decided to spend the day in Nebraska City,Neb. Old one is removed and new one arrives at 9 am this morning.
Should leave here by 11 am and fly to CGI to refuel and then on to Georgia.
Had a fantastic time with all our Commander friends. Tom and Ben are catching up on sleep. It is time to wake them up now.
Life IS a barrel of fun.
Ken.
Still working our way back to Georgia. Having a great time.
Installing new starter this morning, old one was getting worse so we decided to spend the day in Nebraska City,Neb. Old one is removed and new one arrives at 9 am this morning.
Should leave here by 11 am and fly to CGI to refuel and then on to Georgia.
Had a fantastic time with all our Commander friends. Tom and Ben are catching up on sleep. It is time to wake them up now.
Life IS a barrel of fun.
Ken.
N4843W
New member
SE MI
- Aircraft Year
- 1977
- Aircraft Type
- 114
- Reg Number
- N4843W
- Serial Number
- 14173
Re: 2009 Alaskan Tour
First, glad all of you guys are back safely. Still sick that I had to cancel, but such is life. Sometimes you just do what you have to do. I eagerly read all the blogs and postings.
Bill ... I was looking at your repair pic and wondering. Could you have taken a can of "GREAT STUFF" foam, they have one version for around doors and windows that is more dense and does not expand as much, and layed a big mound of int in the dent, let it dry, the taken a razor knife and shaped it to match the wing surface ... then duct-taped overit, more closely preserving the airfoil?
First, glad all of you guys are back safely. Still sick that I had to cancel, but such is life. Sometimes you just do what you have to do. I eagerly read all the blogs and postings.
Bill ... I was looking at your repair pic and wondering. Could you have taken a can of "GREAT STUFF" foam, they have one version for around doors and windows that is more dense and does not expand as much, and layed a big mound of int in the dent, let it dry, the taken a razor knife and shaped it to match the wing surface ... then duct-taped overit, more closely preserving the airfoil?
Prentiss, MS
- Aircraft Year
- 1977
- Aircraft Type
- Super Commander
- Reg Number
- N4959W
- Serial Number
- 14279
Re: 2009 Alaskan Tour
Scott we didnt have time for that we had to fly. Bill used 200mph duck tape and it worked perfect.
Scott we didnt have time for that we had to fly. Bill used 200mph duck tape and it worked perfect.
Prentiss, MS
- Aircraft Year
- 1977
- Aircraft Type
- Super Commander
- Reg Number
- N4959W
- Serial Number
- 14279
Re: 2009 Alaskan Tour
Do any of you sit and think whats going on in Bettels or Fairbanks or Ketchikan or any of the places we were at? I am so overwhelmed with what we saw and what we did. I wish it was starting all over again.
Do any of you sit and think whats going on in Bettels or Fairbanks or Ketchikan or any of the places we were at? I am so overwhelmed with what we saw and what we did. I wish it was starting all over again.
Cortez, CO
- Aircraft Year
- 1976
- Aircraft Type
- 114 Hot Shot
- Reg Number
- N114MT
- Serial Number
- 14068
Re: 2009 Alaskan Tour
Not a minute goes by that I don't. Like Dale says, Flying will never be the same.....Words can't describe it. I'm having a beer and reliving the trip again. Ruth is getting tired of hearing about it already.
Not a minute goes by that I don't. Like Dale says, Flying will never be the same.....Words can't describe it. I'm having a beer and reliving the trip again. Ruth is getting tired of hearing about it already.
Prentiss, MS
- Aircraft Year
- 1977
- Aircraft Type
- Super Commander
- Reg Number
- N4959W
- Serial Number
- 14279
Re: 2009 Alaskan Tour
so is Joann and she just doesnt understand the saying first of the Day"
so is Joann and she just doesnt understand the saying first of the Day"
Prentiss, MS
- Aircraft Year
- 1977
- Aircraft Type
- Super Commander
- Reg Number
- N4959W
- Serial Number
- 14279
Re: 2009 Alaskan Tour
Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr