taoftedal

Third leg complete. Wheels up at 9:00am (CDT), Touchdown at 10:11am (CDT). Total Time 1:11. Average Speed 399nm/1.183hr = 337kts. Climbed out at 40 inHg/2,400 rpm (normal climb setting) at 2,500 fpm to a cruise altitude of 17,500. 17,500 gave me a KIAS of 286kts but a GS of 362kts. (It appears the additional altitude coupled with the shorter distance may have actually cost me a minute or two). 9 minutes out I set up a descent profile of 2,500 fpm and tried to maintained my ground speed of 360kts (+/-) to the pattern. It takes a mile or two at 360kts to get the machine slowed down and set-up an approach but, we made it. And as the song says ... ‘You really ought to give Iowa, a try!’ ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7lFbUVS9WM

Second leg is in the books. Again, wheels up at 8:00am (MDT), Touchdown at 10:17am (CDT). Total Time 1:19. Average Speed 453nm/1.317hr = 344kts. Did a little digging and found that 40 inHg/2,400 rpm is pretty close to the max continuous and as such I think I still have an engine. At altitude (15,000) it gave me a KIAS of 292kts and GS of 355kts. No problem with lack of fuel on this leg. (Also, revised my climb and descent profiles on this leg that I think helped the averages). Again, great scenery along the route, until I hit eastern Colorado. (Here's my attempt at a screen shot before leaving KCEZ). Next stop ... Iowa.

Yes ... thank you Nels. Tony V as well as Ron B (two of so many) put together some great features!

Great story ... I don't think Yeager was always the most disciplined aviator but was able to walk away from each landing (at least most). Antoine Saint-Exupery on the other hand was not only another pilot's pilot from what I have read, but one of the best aviation novelists also. Wind, Sand and Stars and Night Flight are both great reads.

15,000 @ max power. Pretty sure I'd be out the race already waiting for a new engine. My numbers just seem a little too good to believe. Interested to see how the Mosquito and P-51D does. Anyone flying a F4U Corsair? Those P-38's were/are beautiful birds. Any other WW2's we should try? I'll try to do some research on the Bendix Trophy race.

Stayed with the Sea fury and completed the first leg. Wheels up at 8:00 am (PDT), Touchdown at 10:22 am (MDT). Total Time 1:22. Average Speed 519 nm/1.367 hr = 379.66 kts. Seems a little fast to me but once up to altitude it cruised at 396 kts. Found I had to use the drop tank model and even with the extra fuel I was running on fumes on final. Great scenery along the way. Flew direct until I had to skirt Sleeping Ute.

Hawker Sea Fury (SFREL1.ZIP) here in the 2004 Warbirds downloads section ... or I could maybe find a Focke-Wulf Fw 190?

Would the Hawker Sea Fury qualify or is it just a little too late?

Not my intension for posting ... but if the spirit moves you! Just think of all the planning and care that needs to go into such an undertaking. Let alone the hours of flying in a small single engine aircraft ... with a whole lot of water under you for much of the trip.

Anyone following these two? A real-life adventure for a good cause. Pretty interesting. HOME | Flight To End Polio

Assuming a 'Features' tab and/or content is in the works? Maybe I just can't find it. All in all, the new site looks good!