July 14, 2013 - Mid-Atlantic RV Fly-In

The first annual Mid-Atlantic RV Fly-in, hosted by EAA Chapter 1384 at Carroll County airport (KDMW), was supposed to be yesterday but the weather was bad so they postponed a day later.  Even so, Bruce B. and I had to wait until mid-morning or so until the overcast burned off.  It was a short 20 minute flight to DMW.

Zack Air did an excellant video of the fly-in:  Link

Bruce and I did a two-ship overhead break.  Someone on the ground snapped a picture of us just after the break.
   
We taxiied in as a flight of two.  They asked me on the radio what type of RV I was. I said "I'm an RV-7 and there is an RV-3 behind me".  They said,  "Great, we'll put the RV-3 in the show section!"  I wanted to say, "Hey, what about me?"
 
It turns out they had one RV of each type in the show section, they needed an RV-3, and already had an RV-7.
 
Here, Bruce is taxiing in.
   
Chef and Lawbreaker flying overhead preparing to break.
   
And breaking.
   
The show area.
   
The all-important food area where burgers, dogs and soft drinks could be had.  Chip Lock's RV-10 is in the foreground.  He is Van's East Coast rep and was my "mentor" during my build.
   
Bruce's RV-3 in the show area.
   
The show area from another angle.
   
I knew quite a few of the pilots and planes that flew in.  This is Glen S.'s RV-8 with its pre-WWII U.S. Navy paint job.
   
Richard S.'s RV-8.
   
A better look at Chip Lock's RV-10.
   
Eric K's RV-6.
   
Brian C.'s RV-8.
   
Yours truly's RV-7.
   
Chef and Lawbreaker.
   
A man who needs no introduction (in the RV community).   The man from the land where they drink their vodka straight up:  Vlad.
   
Scott H, arriving from Ohio on this iffy-weather day.
   
Joker flew with Scott H.  Both are experienced formation pilots from the Cincy River Rats RV formation group. 
   
 
I give this RV-8 my "best paintjob of the fly-in" award!  Wow.
   
Tail art this good deservers a closer look!
   
Carlos arriving in his RV ....  wait, that's a Mustang II!  Well, it's close enough, and he was welcomed to the fly-in.  Even won one of the door prizes.
   
Of course, we had to do a little formation flying.  Chef talked with two Ohio pilots who had flown in and we put together a five-ship.  Here we are taxiing out.  Bruce rode with me and took all of the aerial pictures.
 
I was in the lead, followed by Chef, then Scott H., then Joker, then Lawbreaker.   We briefed the flight on the ground, then mounted up.  Standard FFI procedures.
   
Lined up for engine run-up.
   
Holding short.
   
After takeoff, we joined up into a big V.  Chef and Lawbreaker were on the right.
   
Chef and Lawbreaker in tight.
   
Scott and Joker on the other side.
   
We made an overhead pass down the DMW runway in the V formation.
   
Carroll County Airport can be seen upper left.
   
Then I moved #4 Joker into the slot we were in a diamond formation.  Lawbreaker, who was #5, then moved behind Joker as a "stinger".   Another overhead pass.
   

Then back to the V.
   
Then to a right echelon for an overhead break over the field.
   
The flight is in pretty good position in this shot.  All the heads are lined up.
   
This is what the V looked like from the ground.
   
The diamond with stinger.
   
Perfect spacing on the break between #2, #3, #4, and #5.
   
Short final for Runway One Six at Carroll County.
   
Claw flight taxiis back.
   
 
   
The crowd went wild as we taxiied back in.   Note:  this was a lame attempt at a joke.   No crowd, just one guy with a half-hearted wave ...
   
A couple of Pottstown RV-12 with nice paint jobs on the left.
   
An overhead shot of the fly-in taken by someone.
   
 
I think they had over 40 RVs attend.  I think that if the weather would have been good yesterday, they would have had much more.  Over a hundred, I bet.
   
Close-up of the show planes.
 
All in all, it was a fun fly-in.  I ran into a lot of friends and it's always nice to have a lot of RVs together.   Looking forward to next year's event!
   
 
   
Previous
Home
Next