fiebichpvSeptember 30, 2015, 1:35am
Man, I love this flying stuff!
During the last three weeks I have flown 13.5 hours attending fly-ins, two were in excess of 100 miles from my home airport.
I have already posted a story about my flight to Emporia, Kansas, most of the photos below are of my 220 mile round trip flight to Great Bend, Kansas. There, I attended two days of their three-day AIRFEST. There were no acrobatics but plenty of military planes on static display and doing fly-bys.
The featured plane was FiFi, the only flying B-29 in the world! It was piloted by Tim Wiebe of Valley Center, Kansas and member of the Wichita Commemorative Air Force.
During the two days, I displayed my plane, allowed spectators to sit in the cockpit and receive information about how the plane was operated. They manipulated the stick and rudder pedals (those who could reach them) and watched the control surfaces move. There were many opportunities for photos taken by adults. Some adults also took the "tour" of my AirBike. Through this activity, I think I should start considering myself an aviation ambassador. Maybe, as one board member stated, "Mr. ETLB."
The event was complete with food and merchandise vendors, a special veterans honorary memorial service, a trio of female singers (similar to the Andrews Sisters) and a dance in the evening.
The flight was two hours each way, I had headwinds both ways that made for slow going. Averaged about 52 mph. But, if I was in a hurry, I'd drive my truck.
This afternoon I just returned from participating in the first leg of the annual Fly Kansas Air Tour. It is a three day event touching down at about 10 cities and covering about 800 miles. The goal is to meet the public, invite them into our planes, and talk about aviation careers. Schools let out to see the planes and talk to pilots. Each host town does something to make the pilots feel welcome; goodie bags, food, lodging, band playing, and fuel discounts.
Today's flight totaled almost 200 miles which included two stops and my flight home. I did not continue for the scheduled sequence of stops. Instead, I will rejoin them on the last day.
I hope you enjoy the photos as it will broaden your understanding of Kansas.
Paul D. Fiebich
During the last three weeks I have flown 13.5 hours attending fly-ins, two were in excess of 100 miles from my home airport.
I have already posted a story about my flight to Emporia, Kansas, most of the photos below are of my 220 mile round trip flight to Great Bend, Kansas. There, I attended two days of their three-day AIRFEST. There were no acrobatics but plenty of military planes on static display and doing fly-bys.
The featured plane was FiFi, the only flying B-29 in the world! It was piloted by Tim Wiebe of Valley Center, Kansas and member of the Wichita Commemorative Air Force.
During the two days, I displayed my plane, allowed spectators to sit in the cockpit and receive information about how the plane was operated. They manipulated the stick and rudder pedals (those who could reach them) and watched the control surfaces move. There were many opportunities for photos taken by adults. Some adults also took the "tour" of my AirBike. Through this activity, I think I should start considering myself an aviation ambassador. Maybe, as one board member stated, "Mr. ETLB."
The event was complete with food and merchandise vendors, a special veterans honorary memorial service, a trio of female singers (similar to the Andrews Sisters) and a dance in the evening.
The flight was two hours each way, I had headwinds both ways that made for slow going. Averaged about 52 mph. But, if I was in a hurry, I'd drive my truck.
This afternoon I just returned from participating in the first leg of the annual Fly Kansas Air Tour. It is a three day event touching down at about 10 cities and covering about 800 miles. The goal is to meet the public, invite them into our planes, and talk about aviation careers. Schools let out to see the planes and talk to pilots. Each host town does something to make the pilots feel welcome; goodie bags, food, lodging, band playing, and fuel discounts.
Today's flight totaled almost 200 miles which included two stops and my flight home. I did not continue for the scheduled sequence of stops. Instead, I will rejoin them on the last day.
I hope you enjoy the photos as it will broaden your understanding of Kansas.
Paul D. Fiebich
