rdeurloo Posted October 26, 2015 Report Posted October 26, 2015 This month I flew my Light Sport Flight Design CT (affectionately known as "Tweety") from Salmon, Idaho to Burlington, Vermont and back to Tucson, AZ. Vermont was the only state that I have never visited, and I also went to see the fall foliage, and to visit come close friends and family along the way. The airplane performed flawlessly, and I learned that with a small plane, a bicycle, hiking shoes, and a little time, you can go most anywhere in this beautiful country. The weather was generally good, but I did have some weather delays; 2 days in Ames, Iowa waiting for the 40 MPH winds to subside, 24 Hours in Valparaiso, IN waiting for the low overcast to lift, and an unexpected afternoon in Saratoga Springs, NY because of rain. With the ForeFlight App, I felt I had almost as much information and capabilities as a 747 captain. I stopped in Hopkinsville, Kentucky and visited Mac and Vicki Brame, who I had met at the Page Fly-In. They couldn't make Page this year, but it worked out well for me, as I had a great visit! They showed me how to catch bass in their private pond. They kept reeling them in, but I couldn't catch one for the life of me. They also have a grass strip on their farm, where they land their CT. I didn't attempt it, as it was fairly windy. It was a great adventure. Bob Deurloo
Ed Cesnalis Posted October 26, 2015 Report Posted October 26, 2015 Tweety, and Woodstock should get to know each other better?
gophersd Posted October 27, 2015 Report Posted October 27, 2015 I have a twin to the yellow and green CT of yours.
azleejay Posted October 27, 2015 Report Posted October 27, 2015 Very cool, thanks for the trip report.
Brian Petersburg Posted October 27, 2015 Report Posted October 27, 2015 Interesting. I was flying in my home state of Iowa the weekend you were io Ames. A pilot heard on the radio that I was flying a CT. He saw your Yellow Tweety at the Ames airport and asked if that was my plane. I hope you enjoyed your stop in Iowa.
Ed Cesnalis Posted October 27, 2015 Report Posted October 27, 2015 I have a twin to the yellow and green CT of yours. Got any photos?
Olarry Posted October 27, 2015 Report Posted October 27, 2015 This month I flew my Light Sport Flight Design CT (affectionately known as "Tweety") from Salmon, Idaho to Burlington, Vermont and back to Tucson, AZ. Vermont was the only state that I have never visited, and I also went to see the fall foliage, and to visit come close friends and family along the way. The airplane performed flawlessly, and I learned that with a small plane, a bicycle, hiking shoes, and a little time, you can go most anywhere in this beautiful country. The weather was generally good, but I did have some weather delays; 2 days in Ames, Iowa waiting for the 40 MPH winds to subside, 24 Hours in Valparaiso, IN waiting for the low overcast to lift, and an unexpected afternoon in Saratoga Springs, NY because of rain. With the ForeFlight App, I felt I had almost as much information and capabilities as a 747 captain. I stopped in Hopkinsville, Kentucky and visited Mac and Vicki Brame, who I had met at the Page Fly-In. They couldn't make Page this year, but it worked out well for me, as I had a great visit! They showed me how to catch bass in their private pond. They kept reeling them in, but I couldn't catch one for the life of me. They also have a grass strip on their farm, where they land their CT. I didn't attempt it, as it was fairly windy. It was a great adventure. Bob Deurloo
Olarry Posted October 27, 2015 Report Posted October 27, 2015 Nice trip report. What kind of bike and how did you pack it in the plane?
Tom Baker Posted October 27, 2015 Report Posted October 27, 2015 I believe there were only 4 yellows ever produced. The yellow color messed up their molds to bad. The guy who ordered them lives in Phoenix. Roger, that make no sense. IIRC from composite class there is no paint in the molding process. Filler and paint come after the mold.
rdeurloo Posted October 27, 2015 Author Report Posted October 27, 2015 Interesting. I was flying in my home state of Iowa the weekend you were io Ames. A pilot heard on the radio that I was flying a CT. He saw your Yellow Tweety at the Ames airport and asked if that was my plane. I hope you enjoyed your stop in Iowa. Brian, I had a great stay in Ames. Rode my bike all around town, including through the campus, and ate at some nice resturants like "Aunt Maudes" On Saturday I went to the Iowa State vs. Kansas football game and rooted for the home team, and thus, they consequently won!
rdeurloo Posted October 27, 2015 Author Report Posted October 27, 2015 Nice trip report. What kind of bike and how did you pack it in the plane? It is a full sized Merlin Titanium bike. Took some engineering. Picture attached.
rdeurloo Posted October 27, 2015 Author Report Posted October 27, 2015 Nice trip report. What kind of bike and how did you pack it in the plane? It is a full sized Merlin Titanium bike. Took some engineering. Picture attached.
rdeurloo Posted October 27, 2015 Author Report Posted October 27, 2015 Roger, that make no sense. IIRC from composite class there is no paint in the molding process. Filler and paint come after the mold. I think mine was the last Yellow one produced (2005) I think the concern was differential heating and cooling, which would least affect the white color. I keep mine in a hanger all the time (except when traveling) and haven't noticed any problems. I told them when I ordered my CT that if I couldn't get yellow, I didn't want one, so I got what I wanted, but also probably have to accept any consequences.
Brian Petersburg Posted October 27, 2015 Report Posted October 27, 2015 Brian, I had a great stay in Ames. Rode my bike all around town, including through the campus, and ate at some nice resturants like "Aunt Maudes" On Saturday I went to the Iowa State vs. Kansas football game and rooted for the home team, and thus, they consequently won! Bob, I'm glad you enjoyed Ames. I forgot to mention that I've spent time elk hunting just outside of Salmon. Beautiful country.
kentuckynet Posted October 28, 2015 Report Posted October 28, 2015 I know everyone felt sorry for my wife Vicki and i not getting to come to page.....So as you heard from Bob we had our own little flyin...for now we will call it "Page East"....Bob forgot to mention some of the people who came to the flyin. I have posted the pictures that he forgot, everyone caught fish and a good time was had by all. We had a few celebrities and the airspace was even closed for a while ...thats really why Canary Bob couldnt land. We were all quite surpised when airforce one and donald trump stopped in. They were quite a hoot to fish with. Oh well so much for page easts first flyin..not telling who will be here next year?
kentuckynet Posted October 28, 2015 Report Posted October 28, 2015 Almost forgot my wife vicki....whew that would have been awful!
rdeurloo Posted October 28, 2015 Author Report Posted October 28, 2015 Mac is quite a "Photomeister"! He was actually able to put his head on the photo of the fish that I caught! Bob
CT4ME Posted October 28, 2015 Report Posted October 28, 2015 Harold Thomas ordered those and he lived in Phoenix. The book "Pilot with a Purpose" is his autobiography. He mentions the CT in it...
Rich Posted October 28, 2015 Report Posted October 28, 2015 Fantastic journey! Now that's an x/c. I enjoyed your photos. You were very close to where I'm hangared at Cherry Ridge, PA (N30.) Were you at all a little apprehensive crossing the lake in Tweety?
gophersd Posted October 28, 2015 Report Posted October 28, 2015 Here is the pic of my ct2k originally owned by Harold Thomas.
Ed Cesnalis Posted October 28, 2015 Report Posted October 28, 2015 My CTSW was ordered by Harold but I'm the original owner. Your 2k nose looks more 'modern' than my CTSW
rdeurloo Posted October 28, 2015 Author Report Posted October 28, 2015 Fantastic journey! Now that's an x/c. I enjoyed your photos. You were very close to where I'm hangared at Cherry Ridge, PA (N30.) Were you at all a little apprehensive crossing the lake in Tweety? Rich, Leaving Saratoga Springs, NY, early in the morning, I was planning on stopping in Hazeton, PA (HZL), but when I got there, it was covered by low clouds, so I flew on to Cumberland, MD As far as flying across the lake, I didn't! Two reasons; I didn't want to fly through Detroit's airspace, and the lake directly south of Detroit is in Canada. I flew west around Ann Arborm then south over Toledo, and again south of Cleveland to get to Ohio Regional, which was near my college buddy, who lives in Madison, OH
Runtoeat Posted October 29, 2015 Report Posted October 29, 2015 Hi Bob. You flew over me when you went around Ann Arbor. I keep my plane at KYIP (Yipsilanti - home of the B24 bomber plant) . If I knew you were flying thru Detroit, I'd have recommended you call KDTW tower and request a transition of the airspace. Detroit ATC is friendly and probably would have given you clearance. It goes without saying that the welcome mat is always out for anyone that may be passing thru. Believe I could fit a 2nd CT in my hangar if an overnite is needed. I also own one of Mr. Thomas' planes - a white 2006 CTSW tail no. N9922Z. I wasn't aware that he bought so many CT's. He must have been a major customer of Tom Peghiny. If you, or other members have any pictures of my plane during the time Mr. Thomas owned it, I would appreciate it if you could send them my way. I have one where my plane and another CTSW are parked at a rocky and bushy site - maybe taken in Idaho?
rdeurloo Posted October 29, 2015 Author Report Posted October 29, 2015 Dick, I landed in Plymouth, which is a nice little airport. I'm familiar with your part of the country, as I've exhibited in the Ann Arbor Art Fair in July for the last 15 years. My siser-in-law lives in Northville. You live in some beautiful country. I was only familiar with some of the Yellow CT's that Harold sold. He was a dealer for Flight Design, and lived in Boise. He had a ranch on the Milddle Fork of the Salmon River in the wilderness area, and the landing strip was a little hairy. You had to go around a corner, and you couldn't see the strip, until you were right on it. Also, no go-around. If you send me the picture of your plane, maybe I can identify where it was taken. Then again, maybe not. Rocky and brushy sounds like Idaho.
Rich Posted October 30, 2015 Report Posted October 30, 2015 Rich, Leaving Saratoga Springs, NY, early in the morning, I was planning on stopping in Hazeton, PA (HZL), but when I got there, it was covered by low clouds, so I flew on to Cumberland, MD As far as flying across the lake, I didn't! Two reasons; I didn't want to fly through Detroit's airspace, and the lake directly south of Detroit is in Canada. I flew west around Ann Arborm then south over Toledo, and again south of Cleveland to get to Ohio Regional, which was near my college buddy, who lives in Madison, OH Looking at the flight plan I thought you caught the lower part of the lake. Eyes are the first to go . We were very interested in your flight. My wife enjoyed the photos also. I'm still hoping to get to San Diego and return before our youngest moves back east. I have it mapped out, just need to do it. Planning diagonally across from PA to TX, then the southern route to SD. Anyone interested in a flight like that?
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