October 5, 2024 - Ophelia Fly-In with Griffin
There were two fly-ins today: Georgetown and Ophelia. I decided I wanted to have my cake and eat it to. The Georgetown fly-in started at 10AM, the Ophelia at 12 noon. I'd arrive at Georgetown right at 10AM. We'd leave at 12 noon and arrive at Ophelia around 12:30. Friday night the weather forecast looked fine.
Saturday morning there was a low overcast but it was supposed to be burned off by 9AM. The sky was clear as I drove to the airport.
My grandson Griffin was flying with me today.
The sky was clear at Essex Skypark as we tookoff at 9:30. Once over the Eastern Shore, heading towards Georgetown, we encountered scattered clouds. Then a low broken layer. And then less than 20nm from Georgetown, a solid overcast. At 2,500 feet we were over it. But no holes were to be had this morning.
The weather wasn't much better south towards Ophelia. I didn't want to go back to Essex Skypark so we landed at Bay Bridge Airport, got some coffee and candy, and hung out for an hour. As you can see, the sky is clear here.
Then we proceeded south towards Ophelia, taking the St. Mary's gap between the Patuxent River airspace and the SFRA.
Here, I'm looking down at St. Mary's airport. Looks like they are lengthening the runway.
On final at Ophelia, landing to the north.
Parked close by a Methodist church.
Front-end of host John's Maule.
Griffin stands in front of Andrew King's Bunker Jungmann.
Host Don J's RV-7A.
Griffin stands next to a Bellanca 14-19-2 Cruisemaster based out of Culpepper, VA. Notice the oval vertical endplate on each horizontal stabiliser. This feature gained the type the affectionate nickname "cardboard Constellation", because the arrangement was similar to the contemporary Lockheed Constellation airliner. The first Bellanca 14-13 was intrroduced in 1946. The 14-19-2 around 1957.
The Bellanca 14-13 Cruisair Senior was aimed at the general aviation market, offering a combination of performance, low engine power and a modest price. Its performance and structural strength also made it attractive for utility work, but in many ways the Bellanca design was an anachronism, relying on a conventional landing gear configuration and wood-and-fabric construction that harkened back to an earlier age. Only about 600 were produced, due to the postwar economy and a glut of surplus military aircraft. Despite its introduction in a period when private aircraft sales were stagnant, the aircraft remained popular through all of its incarnations, becoming considered a classic cabin monoplane and much in demand.
A nice 2005 Hatz Biplane.
John Hatz designed the CB-1 in 1968 as a smaller version of a Waco F series biplane. The CB-1 is a tandem dual-control two-seat biplane with fixed tailwheel landing gear and powered by a variety of nose-mounted small engines. Steel tube fuselage and tail with wooden wings. Plans and kits of parts for the CB-1 are available for amateur construction.
It's for sale, if you're interested. This would be a good starter plane for a pilot who doesn't have a lot of money but wants to have fun flying.
Griffin and I chowing down on fried chicken and all the fixins.
Picture by Mugsy.
Griffin and I playing some corn hole.
Picture by Mugsy.
Picture by Mugsy.
Everyone watching the flour bomb drop contest.
Picture by Mugsy.
Followed by another Cub.
Great fly-in! Thanks to the hosts for inviting us!
What used to be the Key Bridge. Let's see. The bridge collapsed on March 26, 2024. It has been six months and they haven't even startred rebuilding the bridge yet. In June 2024, the Maryland Department of Transportation accepted bids to design and build a replacement bridge by fall 2028 at an estimated cost of $1.7 billion to $1.9 billion. Four years!? That's how much time it took the U.S. to fight and win World War II. But four years to rebuild a single bridge. Not too good, is it? Sign of the times.
