August 8, 2015 - Smoketown Fly-In
I had a big flying day scheduled for today:  the annual Smoketown Airport fly-in and flying the Susquehanna River.  But the first order of business was to get some gas.  I stopped at nearby Martin State Airport to fill up.  Although Martin State is only a couple of miles to the north of Essex Skypark I rarely land here.  But the world of aviation fuel prices is upside down and surprisingly Martin State is the cheapest around.
   
Departing Martin State Airport after a quick fuel stop.   What a great day, weather-wise.  Visibility was excellent. You can see the Baltimore skyline from here.
   
First stop was York Airport, Pennsylvania to meet up with Riggo and Zack.  We would be doing a little formation flying practice before flying into Smoketown for the fly-in.
   
York used to have a restaurant in that building, but regretfully it closed.  All the airplane models that were hanging from the ceiling are gone.  Depressing.  But the FBO attendant said that someone might be re-opening the restaurant in the near future which would be nice.   Six Cessna Cardinals flew in the same time we did.  They were also heading for Smoketown.
   

We did a couple of passes over Smoketown before landing.  Riggo was the lead, Zack on his left wing, me on the right.  And yes, you are seeing smoke come out of my plane!   I finally bit the bullet and ordered a smoke system from Marvin in Arkansas:  Smoke System Helper.  I spent a couple of weekends installing it, and NOW I HAVE SMOKE!

One of the Smoketown photographers took this great picture of us.
   
Landing at Smoketown.
   
I don't know if it was because of the perfect weather, or the free T-shirt for the pilots, of what but the fly-in was heavily attended.  There were so many planes, they were having trouble finding parking for all of them  But I was able to slip in this open spot on the grass.
   
This Smoketown photo gives you an idea of how busy the pattern was.
   
Another Smoketown photo that captures the fly-in activity.
   
There were so many planes taking off and landing, it took me a few minutes to just cross the runway on foot to get to the main area.
   
The Cessna Cardinals we saw at York arrived overhead in two three-ships.
   
The ramp is filled to capacity.
   
Lucky pilot climbs into the big Waco biplane.
   
Another Waco, this one immaculate.  It must have recently been restored.  It looked brand new.
   
This Waco is deserving of multiple pictures.
   
That radial engine doesn't even look like it has been run.
   
L-Birds and Trainers in showplane parking.
   
More L-Birds.
   
 
P19
   
Waco taxiing for takeoff.
   
Not sure what type airplane this is....
   
This Citabria reminded me of my old trusty Citabria:  N9117L.
   
There weren't that many RVs at the fly-in considering how many I know are in the local area.  Here's one I haven't seen before.  Sort of looks like mine: black and polished aluminum.
   
The all-important food area.  I had the Lycoming breakfast.
   
There was a live band in the food hangar!
   
From Essex Skypark, Max flew his Champ in.
   
Chesapeake Sport Pilot was on hand with one of their RV-12s.
   
A big, beautiful Cessa 195 taxiis by.
   
Parasol plane with a funky tail takes off.
   
 
After a couple of hours, it was time to depart.  Riggo, Mugsy and I did a few formation passes before departing the area.  Here we are doing run-ups on the taxiway.
   
Mugsy with Smoketown airport in the background.  Still a lot of planes there.
   
 
Riggo with Smoketown in background.  The remnants of our smoke is still visibile.
   
Heading south towards the Susquehanna River in loose formation.
 
I would break off at the Susquehanna River, but that is another story ....
   
   
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