Thanks for sharing your round trip experiences. Seems much more fun with a buddy and less load on a single pilot.

Bill McVay
250 hour Private
Cessna 11397

I’m interesting in learning more about your flight from South Carolina to Catalina earlier this year. I’ve read over your blog – wonderful job! I’ve got about 185 hrs logged and just passed my IR checkride last month. I’m looking at the possibility of doing a true cross-country from Mt. Pleasant, SC to San Jose, CA in late March.

Thanks for any help and thanks for documenting your trip so well. It will definitely be an aid I rely on in doing my planning.

Jim Bedsole
Mt. Pleasant, SC

Dan A few years ago I did what you and Chris did but took three months.

You can preview my book, West by 180, at Trafford.com. And E-mail me for a copy.

Captain Harry B. Harden

I just read your story about your trip to California. Good job. It must have been fun. I have just started flying again after 20 years because of medcial issues and it is great to read about other people and there flying adventures.

I'am now flying Light Sport. 61 years old and hope to be flying for many years to come. I live in Santa Cruz California on the west coast.

Peder

Chris and Dan,
I just read your Flyboy Logbook about your trip to Catalina Island.

As you know it was linked to the AOPA weekly email.

First, congratulations on your trip… second, this is a terrific website!

The subscript states “where pilots share their flying adventures…” Is this available for anyone to post trips? If so, I would like to find out how to use it.

It just so happens, on the exact day you left, one hour later at 1 PM, I took my father on an 80th birthday “Red Rock Flying Adventure” from Manassas, Virginia to Sedona Az, Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Monument Valley and back all in the same week you made your trip. We had the same great weather and had an incredible time.

Unlike you guys, I did had an autopilot and a Garmin 530W to be my co-pilot…my father lost his medical about 5 years ago. In any event, if your Logbook is available for use, I have a good story and some pretty fantastic photos.

I am attaching two of my favorite photos, one of Monument Valley and the other of landing on the Sedona Az bluff (don’t land long!). Great job on the website…I would love to put my trip online!

Bob DeFilippo
Pittsburgh, PA.

Flyboylogbook.com. Thanks for sharing. I enjoy reading about these stories that, to me, are the real spirit of general aviation. I also plan to put together a flying adventure/mission for the simple sake of flying.
Fly safe ... and I look forward to reading about the hop to Alaska and back.
Larry

Hi Guys, I saw your website featured on AOPA's epilot and absolutely love it.

The thing that struck a nerve with me is the photo of 'Mr. Personality' in Blythe, Ca.

I am now a CFI flying out of John Wayne Airport (SNA) but when I was a student a few years ago I did my long solo XC to Blythe and had the airplane filled up by this same character. I haven't been out there since but it seems like somethings never change.

Nice job on the website too. I moonlight as a CFI but run websites for Disneyland.

If you guys are out here again, please give me a shout. How did you find the landing in Catalina? Our flight school requires a special checkout because of the VASI, the mesa the airport is on, the pot holes, and the change in pitch in runway. I always get a kick out of the skid marks at the crest of the runway.

Best,
Markus

Chris, Dan,
I have always wanted to go to First Flight...always been on the "to do" list... Our pilot association at the airport has been tossing around the idea of a "pilgrimage" to Kitty Hawk...I might bring that up again to them. We all live in the Dayton area, so we are the birthplace of aviation, so why not go to where it all started right? Wilber and Orville did it in 1903 so should be a piece of cake in 2008...
Yes, I did see your website...man that was cool...I think I read everything on there...Very informative...I was surprised that the trip went so well as far as the weather was concerned...usually when you read stories about GA trips there is always something about bad weather, diversions, and unplanned layovers in there somewhere.
Thanks again!

c-ya!
Rick

Guys,

Enjoyed your trip to Catalina---Great website.

I'm an AOPA member and the link steered me to your site. I am Commercial with Helicopter and fixed wing ratings--about 4000hrs. I added my helicopter rating in 1979 and purchased a new 1980 Hughes 269C from Hughes Aircraft in Culver City, Ca. With a new add on and 39 Helicopter hrs and against my flight instructors advise, my wife and I flew commercial from Tampa, FL to LA to pick up my new Chopper. Together we flew it back from Culver City to Tampa in July which saw temperatures in the 100's. I flew through Banyan Pass out of an LA smog experiencing retreating blade stall and went on to Palm Springs barely able to hover on the hot 120 degree tarmac. Your trip brought back memories of our adventure. Saw dust devils, landed in Gila Bend for fuel with instructions to beware of rattle snakes. Missed West Texas and landed in Juarez Mex. Had to return to El Paso to reenter. Our trip took 6 days and 28 hrs of stick time only being physically able to fly 4 to 5 hrs a day. The route followed Interstate 10 across to Tallahassee where we made a right turn down the Peninsula to Tampa. I admire your courage to get out of your comfort zone and the confidence you gained reminded me of how my trip was worth at least 500 hrs of experience. I went on to purchase a Hughes 500C turbine Helicopter in 83 and flew it as a go to work machine in my construction business until it was sold in 1987. A Tuna boat Co. bought it out of W. palm to spot Tuna. I continue to fly fixed wing out of X39 north of Tampa and rent their fleet of 3 -172SP's. Most of my flying is within the State. Your adventure is an inspiration to me and I'm sure other pilot readers to get out and plan a flying trip. For no other reason than to just go. With winter coming up I guess we'll have to wait until next year. Thanks for taking the time and focus off flying to come up with the website, pictures and descriptions to document your adventure.

Pete Baker
Baker Construction Svcs, Inc.
Lutz, Fla.

Guys,

Great to see your flight log, thanks for sharing the experience.

I am based at Ramona, CA. (KRNM) just a short hop from French Valley. I understand the issues with Thermal, my first solo cross country from Gillespie (KSEE) was to Hemet (very close to Banning) where the sock was pointing one direction at one end of the field and the other direction at the other end, crazy landing! My second was to Thermal in July, it was only 110 degrees! That whole area provides some interesting flying in the summer time.


In August of 2005 I made a cross country from Lindbergh Field San Diego to Raleigh, in a Lear 60. It was to have a brain tumor removed by Dr. Friedman at the Brain Tumor Center at Duke. Snap-On Tools provided the ride in the Lear for my family and me, and Dr. Friedman provided an extended life with virtually no diminishments. I was originally diagnosed with the tumor the week that I was scheduled for my PP check ride in 2005, and I finally took that check ride October 30th of last year. I am now a certified Sport Pilot!

You guys have inspired me to make a similar pilgrimage. Maybe sometime in the future, a friend and I will retrace my Lear flight with me at the controls. If it is anything like your flight, it sounds like a blast!

Thanks again, for sharing!
Ken Burdette