Pokey Joe's expression is hysterical in that last one!

Flew up to the lake Saturday, but it was too smoky, so I went up the valley to check out my buddies progress on his PT-19. Lots of old rag wing pilots up there, they liked the Champ.

Can't wait to fly this beauty.

Checked in with my Uncle...he had to work all morning.

Pokey Joe taking in the view.

Spent Sunday chasing a buddy around in this nice Cub.



We were greeted by a nasty swirly crosswind back at the airport...gave the jump plane pilot a good show as we struggled to get our little planes on the runway and keep them there.

Nice Central Valley photos! Beautiful! May I ask where the "Lake" is that you referred to?

8GCBC wrote:Nice Central Valley photos! Beautiful! May I ask where the "Lake" is that you referred to?

It was a reservoir up in the hills. Some friends were camped there and I felt obliged to go wake them up.

Playing in the orchards over the weekend. 1938 Aeronca on short final:

Pokey Joe hoping I'm going to shut down so he can take a leak and check the area for squirrels:

We were late for work this morning. I sent the office a message to let them know that I was going over some stuff with the boss and wouldn't be in until around 10:00....

I love it when the boss wants to go flying! Here is what we were going over-



Stopped at Tahoe for breakfast

The airport restaurant wasn't open yet, but the guy working the ramp turned us on to a great spot that is just a short walk from the north end of the runway. He even gave us a ride part of the way in his ramp buggy!

The food was great, and the waitress was a sweetheart. Great fly-in breakfast stop!

Made it out to the Austin Fly In over the weekend, what a blast! People were great...food was great...stories were great...and the flying was great!

STOL contest

Bart and his Super Cub

Wilga fly by

Pops checking on the vittles

Pokey Joe taking it all in, he had a great time...didn't even care when Gump and I were discussing making him into a hat.

Daybreak in the high desert, time to get in the air

A lonely Super Cub enjoying sunrise from the top of the world (look close in front of the step)

0700 and this guy was already building fast

Breaking through the morning build up along the Sierra

Back into the smoke

Really enjoyed meeting everyone out there, and catching up with some I've met before. Thanks to Pops and the rest of the community for a helluva good time.

Big Tire Eclipse courtesy of aktahoe
Nothing like showing up on a trike when all the other kids have bigwheels

Nothing cooler than taking off at dawn in the Champ and cruising around all day with no particular destination in mind, going where I please, and stopping at whatever looks good along the way. In the 182 the same duration flight can involve lots of planning, packing, briefing and logistics and probably cover two or three states.

Looks like a hint of change is in the air...a bit of early season morning fog breaking up along the river.



Ran into Steve, and had a great breakfast on the porch at Benton after playing along the river all morning.

Playing out in the range land on the east side. Pretty sunsets lately.

Couple of old puddle jumpers having a good time. Flew over to Nancy's for lunch, then found some new places to play.

Its been pretty smoky everywhere lately, so over the weekend Pokey Joe and I decided a backpacking trip was in order. We loaded up the plane and found ourselves a nice little hill above the smoke to hike around on.

Loser!

Pokey Joe was fascinated with the Blue Angels yesterday. Was fun to watch them practice over the office.

And some crappy pictures of cool moments over the last few weeks...


Sunset over the Trinity Alps

Pit stop

The Carrier Deck...




I didn't take this one, but it is really nice...

Reference the Ag Cat; the spray pattern (he has just pushed the money valve going into the field ) shows him getting the wing level to complete the energy management turn. No wire or trees here, but neither can we put a down wing into the crop.

Lowering gs to near 1 is not the only advantage of the energy management turn in low flying. Giving ourselves vertical space to put a wing well down allows us to make as steep a turn as necessary in the first place.

More great pictures CFOT! Loving them. Really like that Agcat photo.

Early morning flight over to Dead Cow to see how the HSF is going. I will be heading back out there tomorrow with my uncle in his 185.

Base to final-Dead Cow



It was kind of surreal following this Grumman Mallard on the approach to a DRY lakebed in the middle of nowhere

Headed back out to Dead Cow early Saturday morning with the 185. Pokey Joe knows we are heading somewhere fun when we start piling gear in the Skywagon before daylight.

Had a quick smooth flight over the Sierra at 169kt GS with the tailwind.


Grandstands at the STOL Drag-

I never did catch up with the pilot of this nice Champ, but I tip my hat to him. Would have loved to hear about his trip.

Around the bonfire with guest speaker Jughead. Well done Jughead! Thank you for sharing your incredible story!


These position lights made it a lot easier to find our way back to camp after the festivities.

I was rooting for Steve Henry since his Yamaha powered Highlander has the same motor I have in my mountain sled. Great job Steve!

We had a great time and I am already looking forward to seeing everybody again next year.

Pokey Joe getting some required crew rest

Out playing on the Flatland Circuit




IFR Champ style

CFOT wrote:Pokey Joe getting some required crew rest

My wife and I loved this one, hahaha.

Great pictures again, thanks for sharing!