AirVenture 2007

Someone took this neat shot of my plane being pushed out in the morning.

We pushed the planes outside, pretty much filling the big ramp outside the hangar.

Then we briefed inside. We were KC Flight and organized in twelve flights of four, lettered A through L. That was 48. Then there was a single plane lettered M to make 49. I was the flight lead for Hotel flight. The KC Flight lead was BeeGee, also know as Alpha One.

I took a passenger from the local EAA Chapter on the first practice flight.

Alpha flight and Bravo flight are on the runway.

Each four-ship flight joined up tight as we climbed out straight ahead at 100 knots. My flight was in a finger-four strong right formation. Here, Drone and Christo are in perfect position off my right wing.

Once KC Flight was in loose formation, we made three or four big racetrack circuits. BeeGee used these racetracks to develop his timing, so on the final run, he knew what he had to do to have KC Flight directly over Arrowhead Stadium at the exact time.

After 20 - 30 minutes, BeeGee brought KC Flight into the tight, arrowhead formation. First, he said "Bravo Flight, attach." Then "Charlie Flight, attach", and so on all the way to Mike flight.

Here I am moving up into tight formation. I was on the back row, left side, for the forward big wedge. The RV with the Red vertical stab and Blue rudder -- callsign Cougar -- was one of my primary references to fly off of.

We debriefed, then had lunch in the hangar. The Kansas City Chief mascot sneaked up on me during lunch.

An overhead shot of KC Flight over Arrowhead Stadium on one of the practice flights.

Cougar's RV, which I spent a lot of time looking at in tight formation.

I nice-looking shade of blue on this RV.

I thought this orange and purple paintjob was classy.

Four Kansas City Chief cheerleaders made an appearance. Oh yeah, and the mascot.

October 12, 2013 - KC Flight Saturday
Someone took this neat shot of my plane being pushed out in the morning.

Saturday brought forth severe clear skies and light winds.

We pushed the planes outside, pretty much filling the big ramp outside the hangar. Then we briefed inside. We were KC Flight and organized in twelve flights of four, lettered A through L. That was 48. Then there was a single plane lettered M to make 49. I was the flight lead for Hotel flight. The KC Flight lead was BeeGee, also know as Alpha One.

Two practice flights were scheduled today. Each practice flight was identical to the real thing in every way including going overhead Arrowhead Stadium.

Here we go! I took a passenger from the local EAA Chapter on the first practice flight.

We all started up simultaneously, did a radio check, then taxiied out by flight.

A big conga line taxiing to runway Three Six.

Even though I was 29th in line, there were still lots of RVs behind me.

Alpha flight and Bravo flight are on the runway.

The entire KC Flight lined up on the runway, two by two by two ... Then each two plane section took off with five second separation between sections.

Each four-ship flight joined up tight as we climbed out straight ahead at 100 knots. My flight was in a finger-four strong right formation. Here, Drone and Christo are in perfect position off my right wing.

Once all the four-ship flights were airborne and formed up, BeeGee commanded us to join up the briefed loose formation. The "beehive" is visible over Lee's Summit airport. I'm bringing Hotel flight into the loose formation.

Getting close. The first practice flight it was hard to distinguish who was who!

This is what the first seven sections looked like in loose formation from the ground.

OK, Hotel flight is now in position. We have Echo flight dead ahead and Golf flight to our forward-right. Here is a nice video of the entire group in loose formation: Link

Once KC Flight was in loose formation, we made three or four big racetrack circuits. BeeGee used these racetracks to develop his timing, so on the final run, he knew what he had to do to have KC Flight directly over Arrowhead Stadium at the exact time. After 20 - 30 minutes, BeeGee brought KC Flight into the tight, arrowhead formation. First, he said "Bravo Flight, attach." Then "Charlie Flight, attach", and so on all the way to Mike flight. Here I am moving up into tight formation. I was on the back row, left side, for the forward big wedge. The RV with the Red vertical stab and Blue rudder -- callsign Cougar -- was one of my primary references to fly off of.

My other primary reference was Echo Two -- Dula -- who was directly ahead of me. The first practice flight went surprisingly well, considering it was our first time.

The first practice flight went surprisingly well, considering it was our first time.

We debriefed, then had lunch in the hangar. The Kansas City Chief mascot sneaked up on me during lunch.

Lynnette wanted to fly with me in the second practice flight. Here, Jerry is explaining to her what is going to happen.

Mounting up for the second practice flight. This time, each flight was parked together on the ramp, which made the taxi out go much smoother. The white RV is "Shortz" and was Hotel Two.


There were just RVs all over the place.

An overhead shot of KC Flight over Arrowhead Stadium on one of the practice flights.

And from below. In this photo, my RV is on the right side, back row, second plane in.

There were so many RVs on hand, I only took pictures of a few. I liked this one because of the superb polish job. I asked the pilot what his secret was. Seven passes with the buffer. In other words, lots of elbow grease!

Cougar's RV, which I spent a lot of time looking at in tight formation.

Another amazing polished RV.

Gotta like the U.S. Navy RV.


Drone's RV, also in U.S. Navy colors. I flew with Drone at a formation clinic a couple of years ago.

I nice-looking shade of blue on this RV.

I thought this orange and purple paintjob was classy.

I couldn't get over how many RVs there were.

Four Kansas City Chief cheerleaders made an appearance. Oh yeah, and the mascot.

This too could be you, if you fly an RV!

Yobo and new friends looking good next to his Rocket.


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October 12, 2013 - KC Flight Saturday