I just posted a version of this over on the A-F Web Site:
I thought there might be an interest here on BT.
If the Jeff's think it should be over on trip-talk, I'm happy to move it.
'Quick' trip report:
https://www.airnav.com/cgi-bin/fuelrout ... I2-GBD-PUChttps://www.airnav.com/cgi-bin/fuelrout ... FK-FGX-ORFSome background:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_e ... ch_7,_1970I grew up in Gainesville, Fl and my folks took us (kids) to Cross City to see the Eclipse (I was 8).
My Cub Scout Den (I was a terminal Bobcat) made pin hole cameras out of cardboard boxes and I was ready to see something amazing, the weather was overcast and what we saw was a couple minutes of darkness, that was it.
Disappointing.
In 1991, Mexico was due for an Eclipse and a friend who lived in Texas was going to drive down to see it, he offered to take me along. I went to my boss at (South Central Air) and asked for a few days off to go and see it and was refused!
Friend had a great adventure.
I logged a few more hours of PA-31 time.
When I received an offer from another airline later that summer, I gave notice and moved to Anchorage.
The moment I read about the August 31, 2017 Eclipse I was determined to see it under a clear sky.
I ordered Eclipse glasses.
Purchased a pop up shelter, and staged camping chairs and a cooler in the garage.
I started watching forcasts for the path of the Eclipse.
Got the plane ready to go, and lined up companions for the trip.
Both kids and Molly were otherwise occupied (LS, Turkey, and work), Bob (my friend and companion for many adventures) immediately volunteered and cleared his schedule, another couple expressed interest but ended up canceling late due to a family issue. My friend (and lawyer) Pat stepped into the breach. Pat flew with me to Washington to visit the WH a few years ago so he was comfortable with the idea of taking a trip in the Aerostar.
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8:00AM Sunday morning we loaded up my truck with enough supplies to spend a week climbing Mt. Everest and drove to the airport.
9:00 AM we were on our way.
First stop was Springfield, KY (6I2), enjoyed lunch in the fancy airport conference room.
Then a quick stop for fuel in Great Bend, Kansas (KGBD), HOT!
SS pump was down but the guys at the airport fueled us from the truck and gave me the SS price!
Crossed the Rocky Mountains just north of Colorado Springs, there was a fair amount of weather to work around, ATC had us climb from my planned 16K (only 20KT headwinds) to FL240.
Ground was obscured for about 1/2 the time and we weren't able to see Pikes Peak or Leadville, we saw just a little of Aspen.
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The clouds cleared over Utah and we had a nice view of mountains and desolate valleys descending into Price, Utah (KPUC).
Price is an interesting place.
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The region is a center for Utah's underground coal mining (Carbon County), the last ten years have been hard on coal miners so their economy is struggling, I hope things improve for that region of Utah.
The Ramada Inn sent a van to pick us up and after checking in, we went next door to enjoy good food, drink, and service at a near by restaurant. I puzzled over the gas station sign across from the restaurant when there was no gas station to be found.
Next morning they had the van ready to go at 5:30 for our ride to the airport (my goal was to beat the rush into Price).
We took off (narrowly missing a suicidal jack rabbit) just prior to sunrise and flew North over the mountains (clear skies this time) and into Idaho Falls (KIDA).
There were other planes but for an easterner, it didn't seem too busy.
The FBO (Red Baron Aviation) was prepared for Eclipse watchers and we were just ahead of the crowds.
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Adam (the only guy on duty) parked us and fueled the plane for our post-Eclipse departure.
They had a beautiful piece of tree shaded freshly mowed grass next to their office reserved for Eclipse watchers, the even had a portapottie.
We set up our chairs and coolers, broke out the Eclipse glasses, and watched the planes arrive.
Dozens of business jets were coming in plus lots of light aircraft.
The business jets were going to the other side of the airport so I can not say anything about those folks, but the folks on our side were just like us, having fun and enjoying the social aspect of the experience.
As the sun disappeared behind the moon initially it wasn't obvious unless one looked at the sun (with glasses).
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Then as it got past 50% the temperature started to drop, at 90% you could see but it was like being next to a flood light at night, then the light went out. We could see the beads around the sun, and then just a ring of light.
People (including me) cheered and yelled, and walked around looking at the light on the distant clouds, and calling out stars as they came into view. Then the sun started to return, and the day started getting back to normal.
The people next to us had a brand new C-206 that had parked us in, they were cool and were happy to move out of our way so we could depart.
We loaded up and started engines.
Ground (freq) was crazy.
50 plus business jets were lined up on the taxi way from the west side of the airport and equal number of light aircraft were gaggling on our side and we needed the long runway.
Ground kept saying "stand by".
Folks kept calling for IFR departures.....
Finally, I followed some other planes heading north for the short runway (it couldn't be wrong if everyone else is doing it, Right?) and at the crossing taxiway held short and called, tower: "601PE, holding short of 17 at A for VFR departure to the East, I need the long runway"
They heard me!
They cleared me right behind the Gulfstream that was holding short for 20, in front of a Laguardia sized line of heavy iron.
Thanks!!!!
We were cleared to take off with a right downwind departure until we were clear of the class D.
Zoom, we were gone!
I-15S was backed up for miles with Eclipse traffic, and ADS-B traffic had planes departing from all the local airports.
I had a plan.
VFR at 17,500' Direct to Norfolk, NE (KOFK)
ATC was jammed.
Flight following wasn't happening.
(No kidding)
But they said they would allow planes to pick up clearances in the air ("in a minute" which seemed to be ATC code for 'nope').
We had a great view of the Tetons (don't see the resemblance) and Jackson Hole and finally found a controller who gave us our clearance and FL230 (30kt tailwind).
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By the time we reached Norfolk the crowds (and a large thunderstorm) were gone,
Quick turn at the SS pump and we were on our way, there were two Elk in the field next to the runway!
We had to get above some weather (with ice!), and ended up cleared for FL250 ('Our lady of blessed acceleration, don't fail me now'). 601P, heavy, hot temps, carrying some rime ice, climb performance wasn't happening, but the winglets did their job, and we made it, finally.
LOP wasn't happening either, just not enough power without exceeding 1650 TIT, IAS was in the 120s, Plan B was the old school solution, ROP 26" x 2300RPM 228-230 KTAS 17.5 /17.5 gph.
Tail wind picked up to 40-50 KTs and we were rolling.
Got into Flemingsburg, KY (KFGX) for gas just after dark, they are so proud of their SS pumps they are mentioned on their AWOS.
Back into the dark, (it is very dark north of the Flemmingsburg Airport).
It was a short leg (less than two hours) so altitude was FL190.
Landed in Norfolk less then 20 minutes behind my original plan (made without accounting for traffic and weather).
18 hours Hobbs
Approx 720 gallons of gas and eight quarts of oil (I get about 5 hours a quart).
Nothing broke.
There really isn't any substitute for an Aerostar, except another Aerostar.