> > colin hales via KRnet <krnet at list.krnet.org >> wrote: > >> >> Larry, I now need to know (My first impression of this fellow when we were >> standing and waiting to pass the airshow line was that he wasn't an >> aircraft owner,)So what does an aircraft owner look like? >> >> >> Colin, that's a very good question! I just went and looked in a mirror and >> realized that I don't look like an aircraft owner either! Shouldn't a >> aircraft owner be wearing a full jumpsuit with pockets for reflective >> mirrors, maps, whistles, survival gear, dark flowing hair and really cool >> dark sunglasses? I don't know exactly what I meant by that statement, I >> think I was intent on taking photos of that nice little KR2 airplane and >> when I saw you by me and then heading for that plane as well, I thought what >> is this guy doing getting in the way of my photo taking. It never crossed my >> mind that you may be the aircraft owner. I really was surprised when you >> opened the canopy. I thought initially this guy really wants a good look at >> this airplane. In the end I enjoyed meeting you and learning a little about >> your trip. Once you told me that you were in a hurry to find someone I knew >> I had to let you go your way and mind my own business. It is funny in a way >> that the very next person I ran into and spent at least an hour sitting and >> chatting with was an Australian. Two people in a row who didn't Speak >> Texan! Colin, what you are accomplishing takes a lot of courage and will >> power. I pray for your safety and continued success. I hope the rest of your >> tour is mechanically safe. I was going to say un eventful but that wouldn't >> be any fun. The little events are what will make your journeys memories. >> Good Luck and I hope to see you again Colin.
>> Larry Howell >> >> >> >> >> >> Bellow are a some links to the photos and, those not following on Facebook >> I'm sorry but the blog just took up too much time that I didn't have. >> Thanks all, and please pass on to anyone you might think I've missed. >> Colin. >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> Hi >> colinhales at hotmail.com! >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> kr2worldtour (krii worldtour) >> shared their Flickr album with you. >> >> >> >> >> >> >> KR2 Worldtour ii >> >> >> >> >> An album by kr2worldtour >> Here are the >> photos so far, from the very first day and leaving Shenington until last >> night in a Burger bar in Oshkosh. >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> ? You can also view all 564 items >> as a slideshow >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> You received this email because a Flickr member wanted to share something >> with you. To report abuse, click here. >> >> >> Flickr is a global photosharing community. Learn more. >> >> >> >> Your use of Flickr is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service and Privacy >> Policy and the Flickr Community Guidelines >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> Day 42. 02/Aug/2014 Kapuskasing >> to Sault se Marie 198 miles 1:58 hrs >> Sault se Marie to Oshkosh >> 312 miles 3:07 hrs >> >> Day score 100. >> >> About 510 miles to Oshkosh. >> >> >> >> The first thought of the day was that >> the route I had been advised to take since leaving Iceland was exactly the >> one >> I wrote on a piece of paper, when knowing nothing back in Iceland. How >> bizarre? >> I must be a genius? >> >> >> >> Right, it?s 6.am, where do I start? John >> had written a list of things to do today. First was to file ?A Notice of >> Arrival? with EAPIS on my laptop. Gosh, they wanted to know everything, >> but I >> had registered with them already, so it was easier and I had my ?Aircraft >> Decal? number now instead of just a reference, which was: 830127. Time of >> arrival in America at Chippewa County Airfield would be? Well if I take >> off at 8.am and gain an hour >> due to arriving in Chicago which is in the Central Time Zone in America >> and it?s a 2 hour flight then I?ll land at 9.am and they want >> it in local time. Ok, all sorted and sent. I got my EAPIS code by return of >> email and it was EAPIS: 5292724. >> >> >> >> Ok, now I need to phone the Customs and >> Immigration office at my port of arrival to confirm their attendance at >> the airport. >> Hang on? Sault Se Marie is still in the Eastern Time Zone? Bugger, I?ll >> have to >> modify the EAPIS. It told me I could do this. Ok, I?ll now land at 10.am >> local, >> but now I?ve got a new EAPIS number? OK, write it down. EAPIS: 5292738 >> >> >> >> Now phone American Customs and >> Immigration. ?Good Morning, I?d like to confirm your attendance at >> Chippewa County International Airport please?? He replied, ?Why are you >> going there?? I didn?t have a >> good answer to that? ?Because I was advised to?? He was not happy, ?Heck >> no, >> its miles for us to drive there, why can?t you come to Sault Se Marie, like >> everyone else, it?s just up the road for us?? ?Ok, if it helps you, I?ll >> come >> to Sault Se Marie,? not wanting to make a fuss. He then added, ?And why >> have >> you filed two EAPIS?s?? Steady on mate? ?Because I got the arrival time >> wrong >> on the first sir.? I thought I would put a ?Sir? in to improve his manner. >> It >> didn?t. ?Have you filed an ESTA?? This was an (Electronic States >> Transferral >> Application) or something like that, but a Visa application to you and me. >> ?No >> sir, but I can do if you wish on line now?? I didn?t think it necessary. >> ?No >> you don?t need to do that, you are exempt due to your passage in a none >> commercial vessel. Ok we have enough information, we will probably be >> there 10 >> mins late as we are busy!? I asked as ever, ?Sir, can I have your name?? >> ?Bill, >> Agent Bill!? and the phone went down. >> >> >> >> Right now I can phone the Canadian >> flight planning service and file a ?Trans Border Flight Plan. This was >> relatively easy now for me and I made sure I told him I was now going to >> land >> at Sault Se Marie. The guy said he just needed to know what time I was >> expected >> to cross the border? I told him ?I expect to be escorted down at 13.50 >> zulu!? >> He laughed and said the weather looks fine with no NOTAMS and wished me >> luck. >> His name was Mario. I wrote it down. I sort of have to do that a lot now. >> >> >> >> I fired up the laptop again and found >> the plate with information about Sault Se Marie. I drew it out on a piece >> of >> paper as I?d done with so many airfields when a printer was not available. >> >> >> >> Ok, lets get in and go because its >> getting late. I?ll say now, I have to arrive at Oshkosh before 2:00pm CDT >> (Central D Time) whenever that was, as the main afternoon >> airshow starts and the airfield is closed to all arrivals, big time? By >> the time I took off it was 8:10 am local, But I will gain an hour! I?m glad >> they said they would >> be 10 minutes late as so will I be? >> >> >> >> It was hot already and there was a >> headwind. The engine oil temp went higher than I?ve ever seen it. If I >> climbed >> to get into cooler air, the speed slowed down and if I pushed it harder the >> engine temps went off the top without the cracked oil cooler. And if I >> descended lower to stay out of the headwind, then the air was warmer and >> you >> get the picture. >> >> >> >> What ever I did, the GPS said I was >> going to be 5 minutes later than their 10 minutes late. The engine was on >> melt >> down. >> >> >> >> You may ask about the Scenery? Yeah >> trees and stuff. >> >> >> >> Ok, I needed to get a ?Trans Border >> Transponder Code? or a ?TBTC?? The thing was, being this low, I couldn?t >> reach Toronto Control on >> 128.3 to get one. I heard someone else much higher obtain a code of 4347. I >> wrote it down, I could always use that one in an emergency if I couldn?t >> get my >> own. I would have to climb soon anyway as the ground, trees and stuff, was >> coming up to meet me. I climbed slowly to 4,000ft. Toronto could now here >> me and I requested a Trans Border Transponder Code and he gave me one of >> 4365. >> Brill! I thanked him and since I was only 30 miles away he handed me over >> to ?Sanderson?, >> who ever they were? It was the same frequency as Sault Se Marie, so I >> changed >> to it. It was busy. Aircraft coming and going and doing circuits but >> announcing >> ?Sanderson?? >> >> >> >> I approached the border and could see >> the town of Sault Se >> Marie. Now the airfield is to the >> south of the town which is south of the river, the river being the border. >> I >> could go and land straight into runway 14, but the training aircraft on >> this >> frequency are using runway 32 and possibly coming out at me coming in. I?m >> not >> going to fly low over the town, so I?ll go west. Now just to add to the >> confusion, there are two airfields called Sault Se Marie. One about 5 miles >> west and in Canada, above the river and the airfield south of the river in >> American, the airfield I?m trying to land at. The Unicom frequency is sort >> of >> what it says. Everyone is uniformly on it and we can all sort out where we >> are >> going and what everyone is doing politely by ourselves. So I state ?G-BYLP >> joining down wind left hand for 35 at Sault Se Marie?. Another aircraft >> calls >> ?Short finals 35 Sanderson!? good for him. Then on the frequency comes a >> loud >> voice, ?Aircraft west of Sanderson you have just entered Sault Se Marie >> airspace!? Correct and that?s me. So I reply ?Terribly sorry about that!? >> as if >> I?ve done something wrong? ?I?m on a left base for runway 35.? He replied >> that >> ?It?s a right hand circuit for 35!? What, over the city, are you kidding? >> Anyway I didn?t know that so I?ll apologise again, ?Terribly sorry about >> that >> old chap, I didn?t know!? putting a bit of English tongue in there so he >> would >> realise I wasn?t from around here and he might leave me alone. He came >> back, ?Ok >> well, next time!? As if? The training aircraft called ?5 miles out on >> runway 35 >> at Sanderson and hanging back for the little plane on base!? I have no idea >> where he was but I was on left base for Sault Se Marie, the American one, >> and I >> called ?G-BYLP final 35 Sault Se Marie? and landed and taxied off the >> runway as >> quick as possible and taxied up in front of the little terminal building. >> There >> was a big sign saying ?Welcome to Sanderson!? It later transpired that >> because >> there are two airfields with the same name, they call the American airfield >> Sanderson. Oh, now you tell me. No wonder? Anyway I do not care, I?m on the >> ground. Hey, and I?m in America? >> >> >> >> Remember what John said, wait in your plane. >> There was a black and white wagon out in the car park and indeed two >> officers >> walking out to great me. But what a greeting! Again, like in Canada, a >> lady and a gent and as in Canada, the lady did all the talking. ?Sir you >> may get out of your >> plane!? Brill I went to say hello and shake hands, but she was carrying a >> note >> pads and he was carrying a Geiger counters, so there was no shaking of >> hands. >> ?Sir, do you know what an ESTA is?? ?Sort of?? I replied. ?Sir we have a >> problem with your documentation and the way you have entered the United >> States of America.? ?I?m sure you have!? I replied!!! What the flippin heck >> now? >> She seemed disturbed at my lack of a surprise that there was a problem? >> ?Sir, >> you did not file an ESTA with our Federal Government Immigration and >> Customs >> Department!? ?Yes but I was told I didn?t need to!? Sir you have committed >> an >> offence in defiance of our state law and this will have to be dealt with >> down >> at the main head branch.? I?m just about (can I swear?) I?m just about >> xxxxxx >> off with all the, ?I?ve done something wrong and it?s serious? stuff!? To >> me >> Customs officers are just failed police officers, and nothing I have done >> is >> that serious. I haven?t shot anyone, or stolen anything, its just >> paperwork and >> it?s not that serious!!! What can I do, I only do as I?m told, yet I?m Mr. >> Bad-guy. She asked me for my passport and said ?I?ll be holding on to >> that!? >> Fine? Whatever!!! >> >> >> >> I wish he would stop waving that Geiger >> counter at my plane. I very much doubt it?s radioactive? ?Look!? I said >> with a >> raised voice, ?I discussed this ESTA thing this morning with an officer >> Bill >> and he said I didn?t need to file one as I was entering your country in a >> none >> commercial aircraft or vessel!? I couldn?t see this little failed police >> officer?s eyes behind her shades, but she replied that ?We don?t have an >> Agent >> called Bill!? The guy Geigering my teddy bears now said ?We have an Agent >> Hill!? ?Hill, Bill, I don?t know? I said, ?It was over the phone?? But >> ahah now, that?s change things! I?m so >> glad I wrote his name down? >> >> >> >> ?Ok sir, can you arrange transport or >> call a taxi to take you to our department down town?? She asked. I >> shrugged my >> shoulders and we walked toward the terminal building. I opened the door >> for her >> out of politeness, but she refused saying ?Its ok sir, after you. I never >> let >> anyone walk behind me while I?m carrying a loaded and armed weapon!? I bet >> you >> don?t madam, because at this rate you are going to get it shoved somewhere? >> They had a big wagon, surely they could take me down town in that, but >> maybe they >> had an anti aircraft missile system on the back seat. >> >> >> >> I knew about courtesy cars. They have a >> spare courtesy car at most airfields, it?s so pilots can go down town to >> sort >> out customs failures. All you need to do >> is place a donation or return it full of fuel. I asked if they had one and >> could I borrow it? This was not a problem, I was handed the keys and told >> it >> was the green Cadillac just outside the door. The lady agent asked if I >> was a >> safe driver? Admittedly the though of running her over had occurred. >> >> >> >> I followed them down town in my >> automatic ?Cadillac? and into their United States Customs building. It was >> a large building and built over the >> main highway and dealt with the main point of entry from America to Canada >> and vice versa. A ?multilane? customs area was below. A group >> of agents gathered in the middle of the room as soon as I walked into the >> public side of the assessment area. They left their counters and all the >> other >> ?Joe public? holiday makers wondered who I was to have caused this meeting >> and >> why was I dressed for Antarctic Survival? The discussion behind the barrier >> between them went on for some time, before it broke and the lady agent >> asked me >> to approach. Seemingly the problem was that they didn?t have my >> physio-metrics >> on file. Finger prints and all that, so she needed to take my picture and >> finger prints on a scanner. This was bull though because how, if the >> problem >> was me just not filing an ESTA, how would I have given them my >> fingerprints. I >> had to pay $6.00 for this and I was asked whether I wanted a receipt, ?Oh >> yes!? >> the reply. As it was being written out, I had to ask ?Look, I?m for ever >> going >> to wonder if I don?t ask, but was policeman Bill right or wrong this >> morning on >> the phone?? ?Agent Hill was not entirely correct this morning sir?. So >> tempting >> to ask for an apology for being accused of committing an offence in >> defiance of >> there state law? But I knew none would come so there was no point. >> >> >> >> With a stamp in my passport and it being >> handed back I could leave. ?Have a nice day sir!? She embarrassingly said. >> I >> will now I don?t have to deal with you I, I, I thought? >> >> >> >> Ok, back at the airport and handing the >> keys back, I asked if they had closed my flight plan for me. They said that >> ?yes? as it had been done with an automated system when I landed,? phew? >> Right, >> Jees, I?ve got now only 3:15 hours to get to Oshkosh before it >> closes for the airshow and it?s a 3:00 hour flight. >> >> >> >> Leaving the airport was somewhat easier, >> now I knew what it was called and the circuit pattern, but the engine had >> hardly cooled down in the sweltering heat. I climbed out but at 2,000ft the >> warning light was flashing and that was at the raised level I had set to >> stop >> it flashing? I could see some cumulous cloud caps ahead. It was quite >> windy and >> I thought that thermal streeting might be occurring. If I could find them I >> could raise Itzy higher and into cooler air using thermals rather than the >> engine. It worked well and soon I was up at 4,000ft and able to lower the >> nose >> for greater cooling speed and still not loose height, with the engine on a >> minimal cruise setting. >> >> >> >> The thermals died out over Lake Michigan and so did the >> tail wind as I turned south to follow the shore line. I could still use the >> Canadian map for a while as it extended into America, but soon I was off >> the end of that. So it was time to review >> my drawn map and put some places like Ripon, the start of the VFR route >> into Oshkosh that every one >> takes, in to the GPS. I read again all 15 pages of the Oshkosh NOTAM that I >> printed out in Iceland. I had hardly looked at them in case it brought bad >> luck. Well >> now I needed them and it felt good? Music, put music on to calm the >> nerves. I could hardly see the shoreline >> for the murk. Still 150 miles to go. >> >> >> >> I tuned into Oshkosh?s Airfield >> Traffic Information Service ?ATIS? on 125.90 and turned the squelch right >> down on the radio. >> ?Page 8 and 12 of the NO? This is Oshkosh inf at tim? He said ?Oshkosh >> info?. For the >> last 42 days I?ve been trying to get there, trying my best and now I can >> hear Oshkosh? I listened to >> the signal getting stronger for the next half an hour. I even recorded it >> on my >> big video camera which had an audio input. >> >> >> >> Look at the time? Must go faster? Look >> at the temps? Can?t go faster? >> >> >> >> There was cloud on route that I went >> below, then coastal fog crept in off Lake Michigan, but no way, none of >> you are stopping me this time... You?ve >> tried all the time on virtually every flight, but not this time. It was too >> early to turn in land but I had little choice. Dam, there was a big airport >> there, better go low and south of it and hope nothing big comes along. Ok, >> way >> to the south of the big airport I was now on track for Ripon, but quite low >> now. I tried the thermaling technique again to gain more height. Ripon was >> 50 >> miles away and 35 minutes at 90 knots which is all I could do in fear of >> cooking the oil. Well it was cooked already, but it just had to get me >> another >> 30 mins, that?s all. They oil pressure was down at 45 instead of 60 psi. >> >> >> >> I changed to Fisk approach frequency >> 120.7 approaching Ripon, as requested by the NOTAM and there was a picture >> of a >> water tower I was supposed to be able to see, to recognise the town. I >> heard >> one aircraft changing to the tower frequency and then silence. On arrivals >> day >> on Monday, over 5,000 aircraft arrive at Oshkosh this way. It?s >> the busiest airfield in the world, by a very long way. The radio is none >> stop! >> But today, I could hear nothing. You are supposed to just monitor and keep >> quiet. They have spotters on the ground who call up to you and ask you to >> rock >> your wings if they?ve got you right, >> >> >> >> There is the water tower, there is Ripon, >> ok find in the murk the rail tracks to follow, well there they are? The >> rail >> tracks lead to Fisk. 10 minutes engine, just do me 10 more minutes, I >> promise a >> new cooler and oil, just 10 more minutes. Speed should be 90 knots at this >> location, well it?s all I can do. The NOTAM mentions keeping line astern >> with >> half a mile between aircraft, but I?m on my own up here, I?ve been very >> alone >> up here at times. Just the flight to Hurkadalshmela in Iceland and >> aircraft at Sanderson, never saw them though really. >> >> >> >> My head is full of memories, friends >> I?ve made, the unfairness of the journey. I pick up Fredy my lucky mascot >> and >> tears fall on his head because without him, I wouldn?t be here surely. I?m >> over >> Fisk but no one is looking up anymore, why would they? Who in their right >> mind >> turns up at the biggest airshow in the world 5 minutes before it?s closed? >> But >> it?s the best I can do. >> >> >> >> No one was going to see or hear me so I >> called, ?Fisk Approach, G-BYLP overhead? ?Aircraft calling Fisk say again?? >> ?G-BYLP overhead Fisk? ?Oh yeah, little white aircraft rock you wings!? I >> did. >> ?Good rock, thank you, ok runway in use 36 left hand. Contact tower on >> 126.60? >> ?Roger.? Oh wow, there it is coming out of the murk, the most amazing >> sight! Vast >> camping sites and there are a lot of aircraft down there. I had the video >> camera rolling, I was going to make a big speech. I failed. Could hardly >> breathe, let alone talk. >> >> >> >> You see the last 42 days has taken years >> of my life to achieve, about 10 years. I can?t be a Formula 1 driver, an >> Olympic swimmer, rower or cyclist. But I can do this. You may think it >> easy. >> But have a go at building your own plane and flying to Oshkosh, then add my >> luck into the equation and, well I think it?s hard. But this approach to >> runway >> 36 that I had just been cleared to land on and at the yellow dot, >> indicating >> half way down the runway, well this approach is my 100 meter Olympic >> final, my >> last lap of Monaco or Silverstone, chricky, why not my small step for >> mankind. >> It?s probably the best thing I?ll do. And did I land on the yellow dot? >> You bet >> I did? Aced it right in the middle? >> >> >> >> (That?s probably the most sentimental >> sentence I?ve ever written) >> >> >> >> Anyway, made it - made it - made it - made >> it!!! Well done plane, well done engine! >> >> >> >> ?Lima Papa vacate as >> soon as possible left? ?Wilco.? I taxied across the grass and on to >> taxiway ?Papa?. >> I lifted the canopy and held up my ?HBC? paper sign to >> tell the marshals that I want to be directed to ?Home Built Camping?. Not >> that >> Itzy was built at home, but I know what they mean. I was marshalled on and >> on >> towards ?Papa 1? and the ?Home Built? area. But then they turned me around >> and >> headed me back up towards ?Papa 2?. There was some confusion amongst them >> and then >> a John Deere Gator pulled up along side me and I stopped. A lady >> approached and >> asked ?Hi there, where have you come from?? ?England? I said, hoping she >> would believe me. ?No way!? See I knew she >> wouldn?t. There was some discussion between marshalers and then she came >> back >> and said, ?We are going to park you up near the Brown Arch. Would you like >> that?? I pretended not to know where that is, but I knew and humbly said, >> ?Yes >> that would be nice?? >> >> >> >> For those who don?t know, parking near >> the Brown Arch is reserved for famous aircraft, well not famous aircraft, >> but >> I?ve seen so many pictures of planes near the Brown Arch, like famous >> Earthrounder Jon Johansons ?RV4?, ?Voyager 1? that flew around the world >> none >> stop and so on and on. >> >> >> >> There was a convoy of scooters and golf >> carts and Gators following behind as I was marshalled in with about 200,000 >> spectators all wondering the same thing, like ?Who is that and where did he >> come from and why all the fuss?? >> >> >> >> I pulled up in front of the arch well >> just to one side, lets not get carried away, there were other aircraft >> there, >> but I checked Itzy?s engine magnetos again, all present and correct, and >> switched them both off. When taxing and manoeuvring you have to be in >> control, >> with the mags switched off and the propeller stationary, you don?t and I >> wasn?t. I had dared to dream this, dared so often just in case I never >> made it. >> I mean I never expected to be hurt, but I could have lost the plane at any >> time >> and almost did three times. Now it was not a dream. This was real, but >> still >> too much for my fried brain. I just wanted to be on my own a while to >> gather >> and preserve this moment and my thoughts, so I stayed in the cockpit with >> my >> head in my hands sobbing like a baby. But I could do more of this later, >> there >> were people waiting for me to get out. >> >> >> >> Valerie greeted me again properly, she >> was in control of this section of the flight line. She asked if there was >> anything I needed, food water. I was given sandwiches and a drink. I >> extracted >> myself from my immersion suit. Took off my thermals and put on some shorts >> and >> a fresh T?shirt. Valerie said to grab anything I needed from the plane >> because >> we had to leave this area for the start of the airshow and they were sort >> of >> waiting for us. I grabbed my phone and video camera and was escorted to the >> signing in tent. I met Alan, he took me through signing in. He asked me if >> I >> was a member of the EAA, I wasn?t but thought I better join. I was given >> bags >> of merchandise and a commemorative glass tanker and then was free to go >> and mingle >> with the crowd. >> >> >> >> I?m not sure if you want to hear or read >> more, I mean there, I made it? >> >> >> >> That?s not the end of the story, not by >> a long way? The rest of the day was pretty good too. But that?s where I?m >> going >> to take a break? But as ever I?ll end with: >> >> >> >> Thought for the day: We made it!!! I >> didn?t care if it was the last but one day, I could fill in with thoughts >> what >> it would have been like, the days I had missed. But to just be part of it, >> if >> only a little part, that was enough? >> >> >> Hope to see as many of you at Chino, if I make it. >> Cheers Coli >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Search the KRnet Archives at http://tugantek.com/archmailv2-kr/search. >> To UNsubscribe from KRnet, send a message to KRnet-leave at list.krnet.org >> please see other KRnet info at http://www.krnet.org/info.html >> see http://list.krnet.org/mailman/listinfo/krnet_list.krnet.org to change >> options >> > _______________________________________________ > Search the KRnet Archives at http://tugantek.com/archmailv2-kr/search. > To UNsubscribe from KRnet, send a message to KRnet-leave at list.krnet.org > please see other KRnet info at http://www.krnet.org/info.html > see http://list.krnet.org/mailman/listinfo/krnet_list.krnet.org to change > options
