States Visited: An Update

Rifling through the virtual pages of the blog led the IFR Pilot to realize that the "States Visited" page hadn't been updated since the acquisition of 2TB.  So, after combing through the various routes listed in the logbook, here's the updated map:

Still Around

This weekend saw N62TB used both days.  First time in some time the IFR Pilot has flown on both Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday involved a few takeoffs and landings, showing N62TB to a prospective partner.  Inbound to KMFD, the ATIS had the following notice:  "Caution, the firing range next to the airport is active."  That was just a wee bit disturbing to hear!

Sunday involved a quick trip to Dayton for lunch with a relative attending UD.  A lovely day to fly in Northeast Ohio, with visibility stretching to the horizon and relatively calm winds.  Only a matter of time before the Lake Effect Snow Machine kicks into high gear and the aviating gets shut down.

Stay tuned for more adventures!

An Update

N62TB still remains in the family, so might as well fly it. SM and I did a little instrument currency flight last night: ILS 23 @ CAK twice, followed by the LOC 25 at AKR. All went well, and it was a lot easier pushing 2TB back into the hangar with the tires properly inflated!

Here's a nifty map of all the places the IFR Pilot has logged a takeoff or landing via light aircraft:

Page 46

An interesting article on leasebacks...

A Home Movie and a Flashback

Mentioned in prior entries before is a wonderful aviation read, Flight of Passage, by Rinker Buck. It chronicles the 1966 flight of two young boys piloting a PA-11 Cub, N4971H, from New Jersey to California and back.

The book was written by one of the two participants, Rinker Buck, who is currently a staff writer for the Hartford Courant. A few years ago he won an award from AOPA for his aviation writing, in particular a series of articles dealing with the JFK crash. (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5.)

Rinker wasn't a licensed pilot at the time, as he was too young. So most of the actual flying was done by his older brother, Kernahan. To this day, Kern Buck is an active CFI.

A random internet search today turned up this video -- obviously from a home movie camera -- of Kern Buck's first solo in 1964. According to the book, Kern actually soloed four different airplanes that day. Quite a feat for any budding aviator. If you enjoy the book as much as I do (the abridged CD, read by Rinker himself, is even more fantastic), then perhaps you'll enjoy this video as well!

After the flight was over, Kern and Rinker were guests on To Tell The Truth. See for yourself:

Take a peek at the book through Google Books. Listen to Rinker share some more about his trip and general aviation at Episode #25 of The Pilotcast (February 2006).