Sun-N-Fun - Quick Departure

Thursday afternoon's sudden departure from Lakeland actually began Wednesday morning with a visit to the FAA center and a talk about the weather. They had a real neet video screen to show forcasts. And what a forcast for Sunday morning. We had clouds, rain, hail, tornados, earthquakes, locusts, etc. all along the intented route, predicted to last through the entire next week. Suddenly the plan of starting the fly-in on Tuesday and ending the middle of the next week made more sense. If you can take two weeks off, it give you about 4 travel days for each direction. Well guess we should plan to leave Friday morning to be sure to be back to work by Tuesday. It would take some pressure off me to know there would be no real hurry. Besides it would be nice to spend some of the weekend with my family. Little did I know.

Called my father in law in Tampa to see if he could come to Sun-N-Fun on Thursday instead of Saturday. As the day wore on, kept getting more concerned watching the sky as the clouds kept getting closer together and darker. By about 4:00 decided it would be better to leave after the airshow and overnight at Hernando Co. airport north of Tampa for an early departure. Besides, every morning the tent was dripping wet with dew and would be a heavy mess to pack. So, threw the tent and gear into the trunk of their car then went to the Volunteer station to let them know that I would not be able to take a school tour tomorrow. They thanked me and handed me a volunteer patch which I thought I stuck in my shirt pocket, but later could not find.

Had to wait for a few minutes at the gate to the Homebuilt Corner as the last act of the airshow was finishing. When the gate opened a rush of people entered, and you could see bunches of people getting ready to leave. They all must have all talked to the same weather briefer. As I began to untie the plane could not help but notice a crowd was gathering to watch. The grass was under the plane was long and it was trampled to dirt around the outline of the plane. So many eyes were following me around the plane it made me twice as careful not forget something and set a good example. As I promised my friend Richard back at Zuehl, tied the tail to a nearby post. Since it had rained hard while the wood gas cap was in place, checked the sump for water carefully and found none. The shiny new cap look a little out of place. Was starting to go Hollywood by now with all the attention, cameras clicking and all. Began the start up sequence with a bunch of corny B movie commands said to myself but loud enough for all to hear. "SWITCH OFF, CHOKE ON, THROTTLE OPEN". Pulled 12 blades. "CHOKE OFF". Pulled 12 blades. "THROTTLE ONE INCH, CHOKE ON". Now loudly, "CONTACT, CLEAR PROP!". At this point knew they were either very impressed, or just thought I was a complete idiot. Wherever those in charge of ego may be, they gave me a great gift when the 1835 started on the the first blade. Looked up and said "Thank You". Acted like it did that every time of course, but we all know better. Besides a couple of days later N88BK got me back big time. Untied the tail and got ready to get in.

So many times have strapped on the plane early in the morning with no one around, but now with all those loud popping sounds from the short stacks, could not see the 20 feet for the crowd that was now gathered. So using my best Erroll Flinn, John Wayne strut I climbed ito the cockpit of my P51 Mustang, oops little Hummel Bird. Never have spent so much time putting on the shoulder harness, adjusting the straps, cleaning sunglasses and generally playing it up for more than its worth. If only I had a long white scarf to throw back into the breeze! But heck, all good things have to end and so it was time triumphantly taxi into the sunset. So here was the golf cart to lead me to the active. When we got to the first turn, the golf cart when left and I went right. The golf cart does a quick U turn to go catch the now lost pilot running up beside waving and pointing and I am sure saying, "That way you idiot, can't you follow directions?" So after making my U turn, close to some worried looking Cozy owners, I get to taxi back past my public and discover you can't stick your head down low enough to hide in a Hummel cockpit.

It was nice that the exit from the homebuilt area cut into a line of planes going off forever in the distance real close to the runway. The put me behind a T6, S curving along with blasts from his 650 HP radial. Let him get way ahead because I did not want to fly until at least on the runway. You monitor the tower frequency, but do not talk. Just follow the hand signals as they line up planes on the left and right side and wave you off like your on an aircraft carrier. The instructions are to take off, fly runway heading for three miles, then go on you way. The T6 was lined up on the right and the Hummel on the left, what a contrast. The T6 got to go first and was just breaking ground when they waved me off with one of those exagerated kneel and point gestures. During climb out looked over at the convention grounds and felt a little sad that I had to leave early. The air was murky and darkening, but the 40 minute trip to Hernado went quickly. It felt good to be back in the air again. Tomorrow would be the real beginning of the trip back.

Thanks, Bruce King

100% + 128 hrs