Gary's Circumnavigation of the US in his Home Built Airplane

 

Here's a link to an enlarged map of the above

The idea for this trip started shortly after I started flying in 1987. At that time my sister Dorothy lived in Houston, Mom and Dad were in Florida, sister Sue was in Toronto (Oshawa) and sisters Shirley and Wanda were in Vancouver, British Columbia. And I was in California. Essentially, my family were spread out in all four corners of the United States. Wouldn't it be a great adventure to visit my entire family?

However the reality of flying a small plane was soon to put a damper on this grand idea. During the 18 months it took me to get my pilots license, seven people I knew died in five separate accidents.

The seriousness of aviation was made very clear to me by these tragedies. It also changed my perspective on flying adventures.  

I became a very cautious pilot. My dreams of great adventures were replaced with scenic short flights. The weather had to be perfectly clear and calm. 

As years past, my experience grew, and the internet provided unprecedented access to information about flying. I learned that my early exposure to aviation accidents was an anomaly. 

In the 28-1/2 years since I've gotten my license, I have not known a single person that has died in a small plane crash.

Last August, perhaps partially due to Covid and partially just feeling old, the circumnavigation idea resurfaced. I spent 2 or 3 months just thinking about it. 

This trip would mean a month away from the love of my life. I knew Linda would worry about my safety the whole time.

In addition, this would be a serious financial commitment. We're not rich and the cost was going to impact us both. 

Also, it was purely a selfish goal on my part. She would not be able to go for a number of reasons. I felt guilty even asking her about this. Linda is my treasure and the thought of putting this burden on her weighed on my mind. 

Finally, I approached Linda one day and said, 

"Honey, can we talk?"

I'm not sure what her first thoughts were when I asked her that question, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't what I was thinking!

So I told her my story and how I had been thinking about this trip. I told her I understood the impact this would have on her. I said if she didn't want me to go, I wouldn't go, no argument. 

"Honey, if this will make you happy, then I want you to go."

Just another reason why I love my wife so much! 

Yes, I know, a part of her was saying, "NO, tell him NO!" But she loves me, and she could tell this was important to me. So she said yes.  

The plan is to depart from Pine Mountain Lake Airport (E45) on, or about, May 24. The weather will determine the exact day. 

The total trip should take about 3 weeks, however the weather will have a lot to do with the schedule.

My plan is based on flying 4 to 5 hours per day. I'm not sure if this is even feasible, though. My back gets sore after sitting down for an hour - and that's sitting in a comfortable chair. How I'm going to sit in a airplane for so long, over multiple days, I have no idea. 

It's possible I'll get three days into this trip and decide I just can't do it. In which case I'll just head home.  

The plan is to camp part of the time and stay at cheap hotels the rest of the time. Some small airports allow camping, many do not. I'll be taking along a foldable electric scooter to get me from the airports to the nearest motel or restaurant when necessary. 

The map above shows my initial plan for the trip. Each color section represents one day of flying - around 400 to 500 miles. While the route will stay approximately the same the weather, and my body, will determine where I actually end up stopping for each day. 

Covid restrictions will not allow me to enter Canada so I won't be able to visit my sisters. I will be stopping in Houston to visit my cousin Denny and his family. 

I may stop in New Orleans to visit the WW 2 museum. A definite "must stop" is First Flight Airport in North Carolina, the site of the historic Wright Brothers first flight. 

Other stops include Oshkosh, Wisconsin to visit the EAA Museum, Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse, and the Little Big Horn in Montana. 

I will also stop in Denver to see my son Josh and his girlfriend, Erica. 

I'm planning a night stay at Wendover Airport, on the western edge of the Bonneville Salt Flats. This airport is an historic site where the infamous Enola Gay was prepped for her terrible mission to Japan.

It seems that most of my sight-seeing goals are historical. Being born and raised on Air Force bases has something to do with this. I also had an early fascination with American history and the stories of the Wild West. While the childhood romanticism of this era has been replaced by the cold reality of the destruction of the Native American tribes, the history still holds a fascination for me.      

If I am able to complete the adventure, the total distance flown will be about 6500 miles and about 70 hours of flight time. I will use about 385 gallons of gas. My little plane cruises at 100 mph and I can fly about 3-1/2 hours between fuel stops. In reality, I will need to stop about every 2 hours to pee and take a break. 

I will try and post daily on this blog throughout my flight.

This is the Zenith Ch 601 XLB that Linda and I built over a period of 2-1/2 years. It has a bubble canopy which provides an amazing 360 degree view. It's powered by a 118 HP Lycoming O-235 engine and has a ground adjustable pitch prop. It has one 12 gallon fuel tank in each wing. The exterior is polished aluminum with a partial vinyl wrap that Linda and I designed and installed. 

There is a 42" deep baggage area behind the cockpit and each wing has an 18"x16"x8" deep storage compartment. We have put a little over 400 hours on her since her first flight. 

Willy likes to go for plane rides as well! I've made a doggie carrier that fits right behind us in the baggage area so he can see us - and the view out of the canopy. Willy will be staying home with Linda for this flight, however.