January 7, 2012 - Dragon Flight to Cape May

What a mild winter we are enjoying this year!  The weather was perfect on this Saturday for flying.  Dragon Flight rendezvoused over Ridgely at 0930AM at 2500 feet and headed for Cape May Airport (KWWD), doing some formation practice along the way.  We had a 4-ship today:  Chef, Mugsy, Fernando and myself. 
 
Unfortunately the Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum is under winter hours and is not open on weekends.  They are undergoing a major renovation project this winter so I'll have to check it out later this year.    They did have this big F-14 Tomcat with a fancy paintjob parked outside. 
 
Looking at the tower building which is where the all important airport restaurant is.  It's a nice place to stop for that $100 breakfast or lunch.  The food is good and inexpensive.    I like Cape May.  They have the restaurant, museum and it's fun to fly along the nearby Jersey Shore. 
 
Dragon Flight checking out the Tomcat.
 
Last of the Big Fighters. 
 
Wildwood Naval Air Station was where the US Navy trained its dive bomber pilots during World War II.
 
The Trunk Monkeys -- South Jersey Airport contingent -- showed up in force for a $100 breakfast as well.  These are probably the four nicest Citabrias you will ever seen. 
 
Check out that glass panel on this Super Decathelon. 
 
Like the paintjob!  The Dragon Flight and Trunk Monkey pilots swapped lies on the warm, sunny ramp for a few minutes before heading for home. 
 
Not all airplanes have great paintjobs. 
 
The Trunk Monkeys taxiing for takeoff.  One of them has its cloaking device on.  It's a new feature. 
 
Dragon Flight took off and we did a little rejoing practice, then Chef and Fernando had to head for home.  Mugsy and I headed north up the Jersey Shore for some sightseeing.  Visibility was excellent  -- you can see Atlantic City up ahead.
 
Mugsy was getting some practice staying in close. 
 
And there is Lucy the Elephant, built in 1881.   I've heard about the famous elephant on the Jersey Shore, but never noticed her from the air before. 
 
Getting closer to Atlantic City.
 
The now-closed Bader Airport still looks like you could land there.  
 
A new hotel/casino going up.  It will be the tallest in Atlantic City for sure.
 
North of Atlantic City is some rare undeveloped beach area.
 
 
Heading back south along the beach. 
 
We climbed to 4000 feet before crossing the Delaware Bay from Cape May to Cape Henlopen.  Along with a string of merchant ships, there is a lot of really cold ocean down there.  Fortunately we are only over the water for about four minutes thanks to the RVs speed.
 
Heading west across the Eastern Shore, Mugsy was nicely lit up by the sun streaming through the cloud layer.
 
Mugsy broke off for Easton and I headed back across the Chesapeake Bay to Essex Skypark.  You can see the Chesapeake Bay Bridge in the center of the picture.  I logged two and a half hours today flying with other RVs, talking flying with other RV and Citabria pilot friends, and enjoying some great scenary.  It doesn't get much better than that!
 
 
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