Landing at the NASA Shuttle Landing Facility

[Pat]

We just returned from a flyin at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It was a pilot’s group with connections with some astronauts. It started with us landing at the NASA Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF). It is not an airport for general aviation and the Space Florida NASA required FULL RELEASE, HOLD HARMLESS AND WAIVER OF RIGHTS and Insurance to land there with paperwork and release from the all passengers. There were 47 planes in our group, from a Cessna 150 to a Citation. About 190 people total on the tours.
We had tours of the Kennedy Space Center & SpaceX, dinner with speakers from Blue Origin, SpaceX and astronauts. We talked to engineers at SpaceX and could see and touch the rockets that were new and recycled. We even walked to the launch pad.
There were several professional photographers both still and video, but the pictures have not been posted yet.
It was a great trip.

 

[rringgold]

Pretty cool Pat, up close and personal with rockets!
There has never been anything more impressive than the Saturn V.

 

[gmores]

Sounds like a blast Pat. Looking forward to seeing some pictures when they are available.

 

[wiguy]

That does sound like an adventure.

 

[FS]

You didn't invite us?

 

[Pat]

I would have invited others but it was members only and it was fully booked in a day and half (180) plus astronauts

 

[kgrant]

Didn't Rockwell make the Shuttle? Here's the wiki:

The Rockwell International Space Shuttle was the first, manned, re-usable spacecraft constructed for NASA. The orbiter is launched as a spacecraft, but returns to earth as an un-powered glider. ... All but Enterprise have carried crews into low earth orbit.

Bet you had the only Rockwell in the group!

 

[alim]

Officially : We hate you !

ooops i meant envy ..

 

[Pat]

We must be honest and I understand. They say "it is better to be lucky than smart"
Kelly, you are right about the number of Rockwell Commanders. Most of the planes were Pipers. When they post pictures, I will get a count.

 

[alim]

Pat post some pictures.

I've been tempted to put a bigger Rockwell International logo on the tail ..

 

[Jaybird]

Flew over in a Queen Air I was helping a friend with. Can't miss a 15,000 foot runway--even from half a state away. .

 

[plight]

Sounds like a very cool adventure. Lucky! I did have the opportunity to meet Jean Kranz. It was awesome to chat with Jean. You might remember his quote "Failure is not an option".

 

[Pat]

The pictures are in.
Lonnie you should have been there!

 

[carllee]

The pictures are in.
Lonnie you should have been there!

Pat! Why didn't you have the smoke turned on???

 

[Pat]

Carl
I was never inducted into the exclusive Smoke Association
But it is a goal for me.

 

[carllee]

Carl
I was never inducted into the exclusive Smoke Association
But it is a goal for me.

Are you suggesting that we should be segregated? Like having a smoking, and non-smoking section at the next fly- in?

 

[Pat]

Carl
I thought there was 2 sections. It is the reason, I was told to sit in the other room. ????