And another month has rolled around and time to get another edition of Around the Patch up on the web site. And... Hooray!! the pony express came through, and we have the final installment of the Kitty Hawk trip of the three pilots from the North Coast Lite Flyers (Club #027).

When we last left them, they were in Dinwiddie County, Virginia, trying to decide on their next destination. From their log, it appears that the decision was made to head for Orange County, a 77 mile flight. A 1630 departure put the guys in Orange County, Virginia at 1820, where a quick stop at the fuel pump gave them very little time to observe the increased hang gliding activity to the north of the field. With the day rushing to a close, they departed Orange County at 1835, heading for Grant County Airport in Petersburg, West Virginia.

Their flight plan called for a climb to 5600 feet to cross the mountains, calculated thusly - Ridge Line = 3600 + National Park clearance = 1000 + good measure = another 1000, total = 5600 feet. (Works for us, guys). The "Plan B" called for a return to Orange County if the headwinds at altitude were stronger than those experienced to date.

They estimated the headwinds as being only "a little bit stronger" and forged on toward Petersburg. Jonathan, in the slower airplane, watched as the sun slipped behind a mountain at about 2030 hrs, while he was still about 10 miles from the airport. Don, in the lead, was approaching the airport, but admitted that he wasn't really sure where it was. He decided to try to activate the pilot-commanded airport lights with his handheld, and "Presto" on came the runway lights and a strobe beacon that made locating the field a piece of cake.

Both of our adventurous pilots made successful landings and welcomed the arrival of the airport manager and his wife. These good folks opened the facility so the pilots could make a "pit stop" and buy some home made sandwiches, drinks and snacks, all topped off by some free homemade cookies. A bit of hangar flying followed, as it usually does when folks from out of town drop in for a visit. (One of the nicest things about cross country flying is the really great folks you get to meet and share stories with.)

Both of the aviators pitched their tents for the night and enjoyed a good night's sleep, interrupted only by the call of a killdeer, that most likely, judging by the aroma that filled the air, had been startled by a skunk.

Morning found the Grant County Airport shrouded in a light fog as the travelers packed and stowed their gear and fueled their airplanes. After the morning fog burned off, both were airborne at about 0740 and headed for Garrett County, Maryland. Once at altitude, however, they decided that the winds were not nearly so troublesome in regards to ground speed and quickly changed their plans to land at Green County, Waynesburg, PA, proving, once again, what we all know - "a plan gives you something to deviate from". Radio traffic from Green County indicated that folks were experiencing "rain with embedded thundershowers" so the guys, after landing at 0935, decided to tie down their airplanes, have breakfast and wait out the weather. The day passed by visiting with folks who stopped by, watching the weather channel, and logging on to the weather computer, wondering if the weather would ever clear.

Using a tower on a hill to the northwest of the airport as an "individually activated, locally tuned weather gauge", they decided, at about 1700 hrs, that a departure to the west with a subsequent turn to the northwest, should keep them clear of rain and other nastiness. Departing in a light sprinkle at about 1735 they cleared the rain about a mile from the airport and set a course for Portage County and home. Don landed at Mayfield and Jonathan at Portage County at nearly the same time - 1935 hours.

Day 1 - 370 miles - 7.2 hours
Day 2 - 388 miles - 9.3 hours
Day 3 - 201 miles - 3.9 hours

Totals 959 miles - 20.4 hours or 39.46 MPH (slow but loads of fun)

and some thoughts: "Have a longer window of time for the trip. Take more time, stop more places and look at more things, meet more friendly people and take more pictures."

Guys - it was a great trip and an outstanding write up, for which we all thank the authors - Jonathan Gamble, Gerald Jackson and Don James. You have added a great chapter to Ultralight flying and to this web site. Wish I could meet you all some day and shake your hands.

And we'll end this edition of "Around the Patch" with yet another definition from Tools in an Aircraft Owners Kit brought to us by the Albuquerque Ultralight Association:

HAMMER - Originally employed as a weapon of war, the hammer is used as a kind of divining rod to locate expensive parts not far from the object you are trying to hit.