December 17, 2024 - Fly to Hammonton with W48 RVers
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On this 121st anniversary of the Wright Brother's great accomplishment -- the first controlled, sustained flight of an engine-powered, heavier-than-air aircraft -- the Essex Skypark RVers were winging our way east to a place none of us has ever been before: the Apron Cafe at Hammonton Airport (N81)in New Jersey. It was me (RV-7), Chuck (RV-7A) and Brian (RV-8).
We waited until 12:30 to give the weather a chance to clear as forecasted. And the overcast layer was scattered or broken as we flew east.
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Flying over a low broken layer over New Jersey. Hope they don't think we're drones!
We enjoyed a strong tailwind on this leg, at times reaching 200 mph groundspeed.
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| Looking out over unbroken forest. This is New Jersey? |
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The clouds magically disappeared when we got close to Hammonton Municipal Airport.
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| About to turn final for runway 21 at Hammonton. It's a nice wide and long runway: 3,600 feet by 75 feet. We are used to 2,000 by 30 feet at Essex Skypark. |
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| There it is! The Apron Cafe. It boggles my mind that despite flying for 20+ years in the Mid-Atlantic area, I have never heard of this airport or its on-field restaurant, much less landed here. And it's only 15 miles or so from Millville which I've been to many times. |
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| Parked on the ramp as a twin taxiis by. |
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A closer shot of the Apron Cafe.
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| Chuck and Brian after enjoying a declicious lunch and breakfast, respectively. The Apron Cafe is open 7AM to 3PM seven days a week. They serve breakfast all day. Recommended. |
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Star Aero Avionics is based here. There were multiple Piper Aerostar Twins here for some reason.
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| We were crawling back home, in the 130s mph range, but the flight went quickly enough. |
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| Looking north at the City of Brotherly Love: Philadelphia. |
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| Chuck had the lead, and was on autopilot. |
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| Checking out Brian's Eight. |
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ZZZ
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| RV flight with the Cohansey River and Delaware Bay in the background. |
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| Approaching Delaware Bay. |
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I got tired of looking into the sun so I crossed under Chuck.
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That's the top of the Chesapeake Bay in the background.
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| Over the Chesapeake Bay, almost home. |
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On March 26 the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed after being hit by a big container ship which had lost power. As you can see, the container ship and debris have been removed, and the Port of Baltimore reopened, but reconstruction has not yet begun, EIGHT MONTHS after the bridge went down.
In May, officials promised to rebuild the bridge — a longstanding Baltimore landmark and vital piece of transportation infrastructure -- claiming a fall 2028 completion date and estimated project cost of $1.9 billion.
In August, the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) approved a $73 million contract for Kiewit Infrastructure Company to design and construct a new Key Bridge.
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We three RVs arrived overhead Essex Skypark to find a Stearman and Kitfox overhead as well, and for a few minutes it was like the Battle of Britain!
Here the Kitfox is on final.
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Brian and Chuck after landing.
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| I've been smoked! |
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