Journey Home for
Yankee Yankee Tango
Yankee Yankee Tango
SoCal Wind and myself just before we left CA.
Tailwind C-GYYT left Chino airport CA for the last time, Friday morning, July 21st, 2000 at 10 AM. On board were the pilot - me, Earl Trimble, and co-pilot, Tom Griffith - navigator/flight attendant/flight engineer/ramp attendant/tour guide and photographer, among other things. While fueling up at the self serve, we had our picture recorded for posterity by Tom's wife, Lucia, for this historic flight to Canada.
On our initial call to the Chino Tower, I let Irene, a controller who had taken an interest in my Tailwind, know that YYT was finally leaving.
We lifted off into the haze and did a shallow climb to stay under 'Charlie' and also to not overheat the engine. Up to this point, I had not solved the running hot problem so it was going to be high temps for a while.
Out through the Banning Pass, we talked to Palm Springs, then over a ridge and on to the first of many VORs. Soon we were crossing the Colorado River at Parker. Visibility was excellent and the ride, smooth at 9500 feet.
While crossing Arizona en route to the Winslow VOR, we saw Prescott off to our right so we tuned in the AWOS and got a new altimeter setting. Almost every airport has an AWOS and you get great information from them. Not long after that when we were crossing another ridge, at 9500 feet, we heard a lot of noise and I knew that the exhaust pipe had cracked again; so it was a quick 180 and a let down into Prescott.
On our initial call to the Chino Tower, I let Irene, a controller who had taken an interest in my Tailwind, know that YYT was finally leaving.
We lifted off into the haze and did a shallow climb to stay under 'Charlie' and also to not overheat the engine. Up to this point, I had not solved the running hot problem so it was going to be high temps for a while.
Out through the Banning Pass, we talked to Palm Springs, then over a ridge and on to the first of many VORs. Soon we were crossing the Colorado River at Parker. Visibility was excellent and the ride, smooth at 9500 feet.
While crossing Arizona en route to the Winslow VOR, we saw Prescott off to our right so we tuned in the AWOS and got a new altimeter setting. Almost every airport has an AWOS and you get great information from them. Not long after that when we were crossing another ridge, at 9500 feet, we heard a lot of noise and I knew that the exhaust pipe had cracked again; so it was a quick 180 and a let down into Prescott.
The controller asked what the nature of our emergency was. I said, a broken exhaust pipe and could he direct us to a repair shop. He progressively led us to the front doors of Airco where we met up with the crash truck and the proprietor, Pete Baxter and his son, Pete. A few words with the crash truck operator, then we sent him away and on to describe our problem to Pete and Pete.
They immediately got things into the works and then we all went to lunch. After lunch, I decided to try another oil cooler. So waiting for the exhaust, we installed another one, hoping it would solve our problem. It did not, to my dismay.
Around 5 PM, we were buttoned up and ready to go - but we dallied a bit. We could see thunderstorms in the distance as we climbed out from Prescott. Going over a high ridge, I could see Cottonwood off to our left and that put us in the Sedona Valley. About 10 minutes later, we could see Sedona further off to the left and it had a big dark cloud over it with Virga hanging down. To our right, in the distance, there was a thunderstorm and it was dark right to the ground. It slightly overhung our path which was a clear spot in the distance. No, it was not a sucker hole.
Before we left Prescott, we could see the top of the Q and it had already anvilled and was petering out. When we passed by it, it was dark and foreboding but very quiet.
They immediately got things into the works and then we all went to lunch. After lunch, I decided to try another oil cooler. So waiting for the exhaust, we installed another one, hoping it would solve our problem. It did not, to my dismay.
Around 5 PM, we were buttoned up and ready to go - but we dallied a bit. We could see thunderstorms in the distance as we climbed out from Prescott. Going over a high ridge, I could see Cottonwood off to our left and that put us in the Sedona Valley. About 10 minutes later, we could see Sedona further off to the left and it had a big dark cloud over it with Virga hanging down. To our right, in the distance, there was a thunderstorm and it was dark right to the ground. It slightly overhung our path which was a clear spot in the distance. No, it was not a sucker hole.
Before we left Prescott, we could see the top of the Q and it had already anvilled and was petering out. When we passed by it, it was dark and foreboding but very quiet.
When we got to Winslow, it was late dusk and difficult to spot the airfield. It runs along the highway, almost in town. When we turned onto final we lit the airfield lights to make sure we were lining up with the runway. Winslow was a fueling stop for early airliners that crossed from coast to coast. At our spot, I noticed a large mostly empty hangar and I said to Tom, "Let's see if we can put the plane in there". If it rained, the plane would be full of water as I didn't bring the cover for it and it hadn't been sealed yet.
We took someone's spot in the hangar because they were away, so it worked out great. That great big black cloud just sat there, not too many miles away, covering one third of the horizon. Off in the distance, we could see other Q's and lightning reaching the ground. Being in the hangar eased my concern about one of those storms dropping hail on my new wings before I had a chance to get back to Canada.
There was a small restaurant on the field but the lights were dimmed. By this time, it was dark as you know what. We walked around to the front to see if we could find someone to take us to town. There was a chap in an apron, sitting there, having a smoke and he said to go inside and talk to Tilly; she would arrange a ride for us.
We took someone's spot in the hangar because they were away, so it worked out great. That great big black cloud just sat there, not too many miles away, covering one third of the horizon. Off in the distance, we could see other Q's and lightning reaching the ground. Being in the hangar eased my concern about one of those storms dropping hail on my new wings before I had a chance to get back to Canada.
There was a small restaurant on the field but the lights were dimmed. By this time, it was dark as you know what. We walked around to the front to see if we could find someone to take us to town. There was a chap in an apron, sitting there, having a smoke and he said to go inside and talk to Tilly; she would arrange a ride for us.
There were a few diners finishing their meal when we entered. Tilly stepped through a door to our left and I asked her about a place to stay. She said, "Well, I'm going to feed you first; then we will find you a place to stay."
She said, "I have a weakness for pilots."
While we were eating our meal, Tilly came by to say that she had arranged for us to stay at the Holiday Inn and they would send someone by to pick us up. Lovely lady, Tilly.
The chap who picked us up to take us to the Holiday Inn talked as though he owned the place, and maybe he did!
We passed through downtown Winslow on the way to the hotel which was out on the highway. The driver pointed out a corner with a statue on it - it was the famous corner from the Eagles song.
While we were checking in, a family was doing the same thing but with a twist - they had loaded up one of the big carts the hotels use to carry luggage - it seems they brought everything from home. On the cart, among the mounds of luggage, were a television and a refrigerator - I am sure if I looked hard enough, I would have spotted the kitchen sink - for a one night stay!
She said, "I have a weakness for pilots."
While we were eating our meal, Tilly came by to say that she had arranged for us to stay at the Holiday Inn and they would send someone by to pick us up. Lovely lady, Tilly.
The chap who picked us up to take us to the Holiday Inn talked as though he owned the place, and maybe he did!
We passed through downtown Winslow on the way to the hotel which was out on the highway. The driver pointed out a corner with a statue on it - it was the famous corner from the Eagles song.
While we were checking in, a family was doing the same thing but with a twist - they had loaded up one of the big carts the hotels use to carry luggage - it seems they brought everything from home. On the cart, among the mounds of luggage, were a television and a refrigerator - I am sure if I looked hard enough, I would have spotted the kitchen sink - for a one night stay!
SATURDAY JULY 22
Saturday morning we fueled up at a self serve, taxied to the end of the runway and did a full power run-up, being as we were at 5,000 feet. It was 8 AM and already the temperature was in the high seventies. We used a little more of the runway than usual but when the plane came off, it climbed out smartly.
At one point over Arizona at 9,500 feet indicated and 11,500 feet density altitude, the Tailwind climbed at 500 feet per minute. Not bad for full gross of 1620 pounds on a hot day.
We followed the highway, a few miles off to our right, since we were also on a VOR airway, to Gallup, New Mexico. At Gallup, the next planned VOR was Santa Fe VOR but it would be over desert with no roads or any place to land. My concern was the exhaust pipe; if it cracked again, we would be in great doodoo.
A change of plans - we would follow the highway to Albuquerque where there is the odd airfield along the way plus a double lane highway if we had to get down.
Saturday morning we fueled up at a self serve, taxied to the end of the runway and did a full power run-up, being as we were at 5,000 feet. It was 8 AM and already the temperature was in the high seventies. We used a little more of the runway than usual but when the plane came off, it climbed out smartly.
At one point over Arizona at 9,500 feet indicated and 11,500 feet density altitude, the Tailwind climbed at 500 feet per minute. Not bad for full gross of 1620 pounds on a hot day.
We followed the highway, a few miles off to our right, since we were also on a VOR airway, to Gallup, New Mexico. At Gallup, the next planned VOR was Santa Fe VOR but it would be over desert with no roads or any place to land. My concern was the exhaust pipe; if it cracked again, we would be in great doodoo.
A change of plans - we would follow the highway to Albuquerque where there is the odd airfield along the way plus a double lane highway if we had to get down.
Approaching Albuquerque, I called AATC. "Albuquerque Center, this is Experimental Tailwind C-GYYT, 25 miles to the west of the Albuquerque VOR; we will be passing overhead at 9,500 feet." They replied, "Experimental YYT, what is our destination?" Tom picked out a place for lunch called Moriarty and I had a problem getting my tongue around this word. When I told the controller this was our destination, it came out as something else. The controller kept asking me to repeat it, until finally another voice broke in with, "I think he is trying to say Moriarty", at which point the controller said, "I'm glad somebody can speak experimental!" I said to him, "I apologize; I am just a Canadian passing through and I hope you forgive me for my pronunciation." At that point, they cleared us right over the top of the Albuquerque airport.
Everything seemed to be in the green and the exhaust was holding out so we decided to press on past Moriarty. I called the nice controller and told him that we would be passing up on Moriarty and continuing on to Tucumacari, New Mexico. Another word I had trouble saying. He bid us farewell and we moved on.
After we passed Albuquerque, I noticed the desert had a green tinge to it; things were growing, unlike the desert from California to Albuquerque that was just plain brown. The further east we traveled, the greener it got, and later in the day it was solid green as far as you could see. The mountains ended at Albuquerque and the terrain turned into high plains. Nary or rarely a hill in sight.
Everything seemed to be in the green and the exhaust was holding out so we decided to press on past Moriarty. I called the nice controller and told him that we would be passing up on Moriarty and continuing on to Tucumacari, New Mexico. Another word I had trouble saying. He bid us farewell and we moved on.
After we passed Albuquerque, I noticed the desert had a green tinge to it; things were growing, unlike the desert from California to Albuquerque that was just plain brown. The further east we traveled, the greener it got, and later in the day it was solid green as far as you could see. The mountains ended at Albuquerque and the terrain turned into high plains. Nary or rarely a hill in sight.
We fueled up at Tucumacari; Tom asked the attendant if there was a way to get a lift to town for lunch. They had two old Chevy Caprice police cars with the 911 still visible through the spray paint. The one we used had great air and lots of power. When we returned from lunch, there was a flock of planes fueling up, all on their way to Oshkosh. Tom talked to a couple of the guys who were interested in the Tailwind while I paid our fuel bill. Everyone seemed to be ready to leave at the same time so we waited until they all lifted off. On climb out to 5,500 feet, we passed most of them. With Tom and I and at gross, it climbed at 1000 feet per minute at 100 knots, not bad for a little Tailwind.
We soon crossed over Dalhart, Texas, and the panhandle of Oklahoma. Then it was over Liberal, Kansas and on to Hutchinson, Kansas where we decided to end the flying day and seek out a beer. The tower pointed out where we could park on the ramp and as we climbed out of the plane, a ramp boy drove up and informed us of the services. He also said that the best steak house in Kansas was in part of the terminal building. He was right - it was fantastic! We also found out that Hutchinson's claim to fame is salt mines. They have six large salt mines in operation. Also, it is the home of the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center which has the second largest group of space artifacts in the nation, including the western world's largest collection of Russian space artifacts
We soon crossed over Dalhart, Texas, and the panhandle of Oklahoma. Then it was over Liberal, Kansas and on to Hutchinson, Kansas where we decided to end the flying day and seek out a beer. The tower pointed out where we could park on the ramp and as we climbed out of the plane, a ramp boy drove up and informed us of the services. He also said that the best steak house in Kansas was in part of the terminal building. He was right - it was fantastic! We also found out that Hutchinson's claim to fame is salt mines. They have six large salt mines in operation. Also, it is the home of the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center which has the second largest group of space artifacts in the nation, including the western world's largest collection of Russian space artifacts
SUNDAY JULY 23
When we arrived at the airport there was a thin fog layer but the sun was trying to shine through. The fuel truck arrived and he did his thing. Then we went into the pilot's lounge to put some more lines on our maps. Our intended route was generally from VOR to VOR since they were lined up in our direction of flight. Having two Navs in the plane, we could practice cross referencing with other VORs and pinpoint ourselves, exactly. Our main source of navigation for the trip was map reading. Map reading was how I learned and I never set it aside for another way. I like to check out the small and large towns and their names along the route. I wonder what drama might be occurring below as we fly overhead. I wonder why that town exists and what the people do; then all of a sudden, there is another town and my thoughts start again. About navigation, we also had two Garmin GPSs on board, but we really did navigate by the map.
When we left Hutchinson at 9AM, the fog was still there but broken so we found a hole and climbed through.
When we arrived at the airport there was a thin fog layer but the sun was trying to shine through. The fuel truck arrived and he did his thing. Then we went into the pilot's lounge to put some more lines on our maps. Our intended route was generally from VOR to VOR since they were lined up in our direction of flight. Having two Navs in the plane, we could practice cross referencing with other VORs and pinpoint ourselves, exactly. Our main source of navigation for the trip was map reading. Map reading was how I learned and I never set it aside for another way. I like to check out the small and large towns and their names along the route. I wonder what drama might be occurring below as we fly overhead. I wonder why that town exists and what the people do; then all of a sudden, there is another town and my thoughts start again. About navigation, we also had two Garmin GPSs on board, but we really did navigate by the map.
When we left Hutchinson at 9AM, the fog was still there but broken so we found a hole and climbed through.
I asked Tom if he would like to take the stick and he jumped at it, so I sat back and watched. He very soon realized that it is a sensitive bird in pitch and yaw but had a handle on it in no time flat. Tom flew for the next three hours as we passed over beautiful farm country, We stayed low so I could have a better view - over Topeka, and then just around the outside of Kansas City. The plan was to go over top of Kansas City but we would have to climb to 9500 feet. I was enjoying the countryside at 2500 feet so we elected to deek around.
We were soon getting close to the Mississippi River. I have seen it many times from an airliner but this would be a bird's eye view and I was anxious to see if it was memorable.
Burlington, Iowa was our lunch and fuel stop. The airport and city are right on the bank of the river. I took back control as we crossed over the river and flew up the Illinois side till we spotted the airport. At this point the river turns and runs north and south right beside the runway, so we crossed the river again and got a straight in to 33.
Burlington, Iowa is known for the Burlington Northern Railroad and to this day they still manufacture the train engines at a plant here.
We were soon getting close to the Mississippi River. I have seen it many times from an airliner but this would be a bird's eye view and I was anxious to see if it was memorable.
Burlington, Iowa was our lunch and fuel stop. The airport and city are right on the bank of the river. I took back control as we crossed over the river and flew up the Illinois side till we spotted the airport. At this point the river turns and runs north and south right beside the runway, so we crossed the river again and got a straight in to 33.
Burlington, Iowa is known for the Burlington Northern Railroad and to this day they still manufacture the train engines at a plant here.
After lunch and topping up we took off and crossed the mighty Mississippi once again and headed north east. The Mississippi River is impressive when you see it from a few hundred feet but I somehow expected a little more. Maybe in the spring when it is raging it's awesome.
Tom took the controls again while I played with the Navs and followed our line on the map.
Crossing Illinois didn't seem to take long and soon we could see the Chicago skyline in the distance.
I retrieved a ruler from our box of goodies, put it on the map and found out we would be passing 35 miles south of downtown.
Visibility was exceptional and it was quite a site to see this large city skyline with the sun shining on it. Wow!
We were soon in Indiana and not long passing south of South Bend.
Tom kept the course and I spotted a field I flew into years before, when I flew the Luscombe to Oshkosh.
Tom took the controls again while I played with the Navs and followed our line on the map.
Crossing Illinois didn't seem to take long and soon we could see the Chicago skyline in the distance.
I retrieved a ruler from our box of goodies, put it on the map and found out we would be passing 35 miles south of downtown.
Visibility was exceptional and it was quite a site to see this large city skyline with the sun shining on it. Wow!
We were soon in Indiana and not long passing south of South Bend.
Tom kept the course and I spotted a field I flew into years before, when I flew the Luscombe to Oshkosh.
It was Coldwater - I knew we were over Michigan and near the end of our flying day.
We figured we would stop at Jackson; that giving us almost six hours of flying for the day, should be enough.
I asked Tom if he wanted to land the squirrelly little thing and he said "Not on your life." or something to that effect.
I took control and called Jackson tower; we got a straight in approach.
Now this being around 5 PM on a Sunday, what would you expect at a sleepy little airport like Jackson when you arrive? Opposite to what we found I am sure.
When we taxied in, there was no room on the ramp; we had to park on the grass with a gaggle of other smaller planes.
The ramp was completely taken up with small expensive exotic jets - what a bummer.
We figured we would stop at Jackson; that giving us almost six hours of flying for the day, should be enough.
I asked Tom if he wanted to land the squirrelly little thing and he said "Not on your life." or something to that effect.
I took control and called Jackson tower; we got a straight in approach.
Now this being around 5 PM on a Sunday, what would you expect at a sleepy little airport like Jackson when you arrive? Opposite to what we found I am sure.
When we taxied in, there was no room on the ramp; we had to park on the grass with a gaggle of other smaller planes.
The ramp was completely taken up with small expensive exotic jets - what a bummer.
We walked up to the terminal to find out what this was all about. Heck, it was just a bunch of car racers' jets. It seems this weekend is the big Indy race in town and these jets are for the drivers.
While Tom and I were standing in the small terminal, Paul Newman came through and walked past us going into the restaurant. He didn't recognize us but that was OK.
We thought it was a good time to eat while waiting for the expensive iron to clear out so we could get a ramp tie-down; we followed Paul into the restaurant.
Our waitress was young, beautiful, outgoing and informative. She told us about what was going on and soon as the drivers dribbled in, one by one the jets departed.
When it came to Paul and his driver, the driver got into the new jet with PN on the tail and Paul took the older re-engined, only two engines, Jet Star with PN on the tail. They both departed in different directions. This left room on the ramp for us, finally.
Hey, we had more fun traveling across the country in the Tailwind then they would in one of those things.
While Tom and I were standing in the small terminal, Paul Newman came through and walked past us going into the restaurant. He didn't recognize us but that was OK.
We thought it was a good time to eat while waiting for the expensive iron to clear out so we could get a ramp tie-down; we followed Paul into the restaurant.
Our waitress was young, beautiful, outgoing and informative. She told us about what was going on and soon as the drivers dribbled in, one by one the jets departed.
When it came to Paul and his driver, the driver got into the new jet with PN on the tail and Paul took the older re-engined, only two engines, Jet Star with PN on the tail. They both departed in different directions. This left room on the ramp for us, finally.
Hey, we had more fun traveling across the country in the Tailwind then they would in one of those things.
After we moved the plane to a ramp tie-down, Tom noticed a peculiar hole in the spinner, Looking into this hole you could see the side of a bolt head! One of the prop bolts had lost its nut and was trying to work its way out through the spinner! This was a properly torqued all metal self-locking nut (??). Since nothing could be done about it on Sunday evening (we had no tools with us), we headed to a motel.
MONDAY JULY 24
Eight AM and back at the airfield I said to Tom, "Let's walk over to the hangar that has the big EAA on the side of it. It seems to have a couple of cars out in front; maybe they have some tools so we could fix our prop bolt problem, or just get a coffee." Those guys were fantastic. When we told them our problem they said to bring the plane around the front of the hangar and they would have a look.
They were all over it.
We pulled the spinner, they came up with a nut ( they had everything ), chased the threads on the errant bolt, got the torque wrench, torqued all the bolts, tracked the prop and we replaced the spinner.
MONDAY JULY 24
Eight AM and back at the airfield I said to Tom, "Let's walk over to the hangar that has the big EAA on the side of it. It seems to have a couple of cars out in front; maybe they have some tools so we could fix our prop bolt problem, or just get a coffee." Those guys were fantastic. When we told them our problem they said to bring the plane around the front of the hangar and they would have a look.
They were all over it.
We pulled the spinner, they came up with a nut ( they had everything ), chased the threads on the errant bolt, got the torque wrench, torqued all the bolts, tracked the prop and we replaced the spinner.
All the while some were admiring my work and others were debating whether the propeller bolts should be safety wired. The consensus was that they should be, but no drilled bolts were available and we only had a couple of hundred miles left to go anyway. So they let us go but not before one of them bought us lunch!
This large hangar is home to Jackson Chapter 304, EAA. They call it Sport Aviation Center. In the hangar there is room for about five planes and on the back part of the building there is a substantial workshop area. In this area there was a plane fuselage already assembled as a work in progress. This building also houses their meeting room and a small museum. Chapter 304 has a very nice set up, I would say and we thank the members for their hospitality.
This large hangar is home to Jackson Chapter 304, EAA. They call it Sport Aviation Center. In the hangar there is room for about five planes and on the back part of the building there is a substantial workshop area. In this area there was a plane fuselage already assembled as a work in progress. This building also houses their meeting room and a small museum. Chapter 304 has a very nice set up, I would say and we thank the members for their hospitality.
By the way, Jackson's claim to fame is that it is the birthplace of the Republican Party, or so they claim.
I sat in my plane in front of the EAA hangar and called Canadian Customs on my cell phone. I explained I was a Canadian relocating back to Canada after five and a half years and that I was bringing back my Tailwind which I built while living in California. I also said that I would be clearing customs at Sarnia, Ontario.
Up to this time it was quiet but all of a sudden someone was cutting grass on one side of me and a train was going by slowly on the other side. I was also worried that the batteries in my phone would pack it in.
The customs lady was great. She said that a few quick questions now would save is a lot of time at the border. Obviously I answered them to her satisfaction as she pretty well cleared me on the spot. I told her I would be there in a hour and a half to meet with the customs person and said goodbye.
I sat in my plane in front of the EAA hangar and called Canadian Customs on my cell phone. I explained I was a Canadian relocating back to Canada after five and a half years and that I was bringing back my Tailwind which I built while living in California. I also said that I would be clearing customs at Sarnia, Ontario.
Up to this time it was quiet but all of a sudden someone was cutting grass on one side of me and a train was going by slowly on the other side. I was also worried that the batteries in my phone would pack it in.
The customs lady was great. She said that a few quick questions now would save is a lot of time at the border. Obviously I answered them to her satisfaction as she pretty well cleared me on the spot. I told her I would be there in a hour and a half to meet with the customs person and said goodbye.
The next call was to the FSS to file a flight plan to cross the border. The FSS person gave me a frequency to call after take-off so I could activate my flight plan and he also gave me another frequency to call so I could cancel just before I landed at Sarnia. One little snag, the Unicom or common traffic frequency for Sarnia Airport was not on the Detroit Sectional Chart that we were using. When I activated the flight plan with Lansing Radio I asked him if he had the frequency for Sarnia. He came back and said he had not but I could get it from London Radio when I cancel. "Thanks for your help, Lansing," I said as we winged on.
We were passing over an area of many small lakes on the edge of the Detroit Mode C area. All these lakes were surrounded by very expensive homes owned by people who have escaped Detroit problems.
Where we crossed the border into Canada; the two countries are separated by the St. Clair River. This river has a lot of traffic, from ocean going container ships, ore carrying lakers to oodles of pleasure craft plus the tall ships that come through these parts every year. Also the odd US submarine and light cruisers come to the Great Lakes for PR reasons. The Tall Ships are in the Port of Sarnia for a visit as I write this article.
We were passing over an area of many small lakes on the edge of the Detroit Mode C area. All these lakes were surrounded by very expensive homes owned by people who have escaped Detroit problems.
Where we crossed the border into Canada; the two countries are separated by the St. Clair River. This river has a lot of traffic, from ocean going container ships, ore carrying lakers to oodles of pleasure craft plus the tall ships that come through these parts every year. Also the odd US submarine and light cruisers come to the Great Lakes for PR reasons. The Tall Ships are in the Port of Sarnia for a visit as I write this article.
Sarnia, our port of entry, is a oil refinery city going back a long way. The first oil well in North America was drilled just on the edge of town and it's probably still there and working.
As we crossed over the river, Tom said, "Yankee Yankee Tango is almost home."
After a call to London Radio to cancel our flight plan and get the Sarnia frequency we were soon shooting the approach so to speak.
We were exactly one hour from Jackson and as we shut down, the customs man appeared. I said to him, "One hour exactly, right on time." His comment was, "You're the first one that ever made it on time."
The paper work was simple. I would just have to go to the nearest customs office where I live and pay a sales tax on part of the value of the plane. Judy had already declared the plane when she returned home with our household goods, so it was already on record. Not only that, it was already registered in Canada.
Tom asked the customs man, "What do you want from me". He looked at Tom and said, "Are you going back?" Tom said, "In about a week". Customs man replied, "I don't even want to talk to you". With that he left and left Tom shaking his head.
As we crossed over the river, Tom said, "Yankee Yankee Tango is almost home."
After a call to London Radio to cancel our flight plan and get the Sarnia frequency we were soon shooting the approach so to speak.
We were exactly one hour from Jackson and as we shut down, the customs man appeared. I said to him, "One hour exactly, right on time." His comment was, "You're the first one that ever made it on time."
The paper work was simple. I would just have to go to the nearest customs office where I live and pay a sales tax on part of the value of the plane. Judy had already declared the plane when she returned home with our household goods, so it was already on record. Not only that, it was already registered in Canada.
Tom asked the customs man, "What do you want from me". He looked at Tom and said, "Are you going back?" Tom said, "In about a week". Customs man replied, "I don't even want to talk to you". With that he left and left Tom shaking his head.
We climbed out of Sarnia to 500 ft and cruised out over the shores of Lake Huron, watching people on the beach in front of their cottages. Typical Ontario summer pastime.
About this time Tom's batteries gave out in his GPS. He loves his GPS. I said, "Don't worry, Tom. I could do this part of the trip with my eyes shut". He said, "I'm sure you could." I don't think I would want anyone to take me up on that. Maybe if I had one eye shut and the other just a slit.
We stayed low so I could see the countryside that I have flown over for years. It is still beautiful.
One hour and fifteen minutes later, we were on final for Brampton or NC3. This is where all my pals are, where my club is, where the Luscombe is and where the new Tailwind is going to reside. We landed.
The tanks were filled with fuel, the plane was parked on the ramp and I noticed it was
4 PM.
About this time Tom's batteries gave out in his GPS. He loves his GPS. I said, "Don't worry, Tom. I could do this part of the trip with my eyes shut". He said, "I'm sure you could." I don't think I would want anyone to take me up on that. Maybe if I had one eye shut and the other just a slit.
We stayed low so I could see the countryside that I have flown over for years. It is still beautiful.
One hour and fifteen minutes later, we were on final for Brampton or NC3. This is where all my pals are, where my club is, where the Luscombe is and where the new Tailwind is going to reside. We landed.
The tanks were filled with fuel, the plane was parked on the ramp and I noticed it was
4 PM.
I dug out my phone and called Judy to let her know that we had finally arrived. She was so excited!
Judy had been following our progress along the way and plotting it on a map. She was more excited than we were. She told me that we arrived at a good time. Monday night at the hangar and clubhouse on the north end of the field was burger and beer night. She would come out and join us.
Tom was duly impressed, not only that on our arrival it was burger and beer night but with the total situation. This is an active country airport owned by the members (you have to be a member to be on the field) that is just outside of the built up area of Canada's largest city, Toronto.
Tom met some of my old pals that night as we enjoyed the burgers and beer. They call it brown pop.
Thinking back, the trip took 17 hours from start ups to shut downs. We never pushed the plane because of the exhaust. Most of the trip was 2200 to 2300 RPM, which gave us a cruise around 130 knots.
Judy had been following our progress along the way and plotting it on a map. She was more excited than we were. She told me that we arrived at a good time. Monday night at the hangar and clubhouse on the north end of the field was burger and beer night. She would come out and join us.
Tom was duly impressed, not only that on our arrival it was burger and beer night but with the total situation. This is an active country airport owned by the members (you have to be a member to be on the field) that is just outside of the built up area of Canada's largest city, Toronto.
Tom met some of my old pals that night as we enjoyed the burgers and beer. They call it brown pop.
Thinking back, the trip took 17 hours from start ups to shut downs. We never pushed the plane because of the exhaust. Most of the trip was 2200 to 2300 RPM, which gave us a cruise around 130 knots.
We were full gross for the whole trip but there was no indication in its performance that we were heavy.
It did have a slightly different attitude in cruise because of the weight and the low power settings but I guess that is to be expected.
On the whole, not bad for this new plane considering: you cut up some tubes, weld them together, bend and hammer steel, fold aluminum, do a bunch of riveting, stretch dacron over part of it, and generally have it put all together by someone who has not done it before and the damn thing flies. Not only that, it flies well! Super!
Charlie Golf Yankee Yankee Tango is home.
Earl Trimble
It did have a slightly different attitude in cruise because of the weight and the low power settings but I guess that is to be expected.
On the whole, not bad for this new plane considering: you cut up some tubes, weld them together, bend and hammer steel, fold aluminum, do a bunch of riveting, stretch dacron over part of it, and generally have it put all together by someone who has not done it before and the damn thing flies. Not only that, it flies well! Super!
Charlie Golf Yankee Yankee Tango is home.
Earl Trimble
- Features in my web -
Home - SoCal Wind - Fuselage - Wing - Seat - The Building of my Tailwind
The Building of my Tailwind Continued - The Initial Flying - Journey Home
Metal Wing? - Wood Wing?