Here is my report on my trip to Sun n Fun
My Trip to Sun n Fun 2015
I had always wanted to attend Sun n Fun and this year several factors lead me to finally go. First, was the experience itself. Second was that Sonex would have a booth and the Sub Sonex would be debuting in the air show. And third and most important, Carlos Rangel had completed his 1/3 scale Sonex finished to match my aircraft. 2015 was the year to go.
Preparation
My first plan was to meet another member of VAA 16 down and the fly in and stay in a hotel in Tampa. His schedule changed and I decided to go the Home Built camping route instead. I had never camped with my aircraft so I needed to buy a tent small enough to carry in the aircraft. As it happened Academy Sports had a 3 person tent on sale for $26 that weighed only 5.75 lbs. I had the rest of my gear.
My annual is not due until the end of June but I did an abbreviated inspection of the engine and airframe just to be prudent. I also did my oil and valves so that I would have at least 22 hours of flying before the next maintenance cycle.
I packed the aircraft and did my weight and balance to assure everything was in order. I also rigged my video camera with a “Lapel” microphone placed inside my spare headset incased in its carrying case. This allowed audio inputs from the intercom and radio. You can hear and see the results on my arrival video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_E7N-FLASzg After the aircraft was ready I started my flight planning with Skyvector. This is a very handy tool and I highly recommend it. Another tool I use was suggested to me by fellow Sonex builder Ron Sipple. Windyty is a great tool for enroute planning as it gives you visual information on winds aloft and weather. Here is the link:
https://www.windyty.com/http:// I also used the AOPA and DUATS tools.
I downloaded and printed the Sun n Fun NOTAM and placed it in a small 3 ring binder along with my “VFR” and “HBC” signs in plastic sleeves. I also programmed my radio with all of the frequencies listed. This allows me to switch in order of my need without too much trouble. You will see me flipping pages of the binder on the video.
First Day April 20
Monday, April 20 dawned cool and clear. I was off at 7:02 with a strong tailwind. As I climbed up above 5500 feet the OAT was down to 27 degrees and I had to find a second glove for my right hand. Other than the oil running a little cold the flight down to my first stop in Hot Springs, Arkansas was uneventful. After adding 10 gallons of fuel it was off to my next stop.
Newton Mississippi is a nice little field with a new FBO building that is just being finished. I talked to the county maintenance chief and he told me that they were planning a runway extension in the near future. Back in the air I still had clear skies and tail winds.
As I neared my next stop I began to run up on the side of a front that was giving the Tampa area heavy thunderstorms and high winds. I had planned to take two days enroute so my next fuel stop would be all for the day. Enterprise, Alabama is another fine airport. I talked to a couple of guys at the fuel pump that were getting ready to go to Sun n Fun the next day in their 172. They suggested the Best Western hotel in town and sure enough, they did pick me up.
Second Day April 21
After a good night’s sleep and the last one in a real bed for awhile, I called a taxi to take me to the airport. You have heard the expression “The most dangerous part of flying is driving to the airport”. Well, it wasn’t dangerous but it sure was interesting. It seems that the cooling system on the taxi was not working and we had to stop five times on the way to the airport (4 miles) to let the engine cool down and the driver to beat on the cooling fans ( see photo).
Arriving at the airport I pulled the canopy cover and stowed my gear. I had checked the weather several times and had been promised tail winds. And I got them with scattered clouds above 5000’. As before the aircraft hummed along and ate up the miles.
My final stop before Lakeland was Perry – Foley Florida. As I arrived the fuel tanker was filling the fuel tank. I had to wait for about 30 minutes until this was completed. While I was there a Stearman landed and parked next to me. It turned out that he was one of the night air show acts. By the time I started to fuel a Cessna 310 was third in line.
Now on my last leg to Lakeland I had my camera ready and my binder in place. I neared the Gulf of Mexico enough to see it and snap a picture. A big deal for a Kansas boy. About this time the Stearman caught up with me and we tried to get our radios tuned together. We never did. He flew on and would land just before me at Lakeland.
As I neared Lakeland I got my video camera ready to shoot and my binder opened to the correct page for reference. There was little traffic at this time and my approach from the north was uneventful. In fact I did not see any other aircraft during the whole approach and landing (see link above). After landing I was directed by a very long route to the Home Built camping area. Engine shut down was at 12:45.
Sun n Fun has vans that roll into the different parking areas with camping, tie downs, arm band and fuel tickets. You only have to walk a few steps to unload those pesky dollars. I spent the next hour getting my camp set up and installing my ordnance for static display. Here is a link to show how I made these items:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/64768042@ ... 694471038/My camp complete and aircraft ready I wandered into the HBC tent and met Mary Jane. She presented me with my SnF cap, pin and prop card. She also asked me if I wanted my aircraft judges and I thought “Why not?” So I placed the little sticker on the prop card and went off to explore the fly in.
I hadn’t walked too far when I saw the Sub Sonex start its air show. I must say I was impressed. Since I was still far from air show center I did not have the best view. However, it is really a great demonstration of the abilities of this wonderful little airplane. I am sure there will be videos of this routine posted soon.
As this was my first time at SnF I was a little confused on the layout of the displays, tram routes and other facilities. Oshkosh is more linear in layout. A map is very useful. I did find the Sonex booth had had a great time talking with the folks there.
After wandering around for a few hours and figuring out the tram system I returned to the HBC area. The evening was cool and it did rain a bit. This made for good sleeping weather. During the night my air mattress went flat and I had to blow it up twice. More on this later.
Third & Fourth Days April 22, 23
I had bought at 2x2 pad of memory foam from Wicks as a replacement for the seat pads in my cockpit. I took this and the existing pads and made a cushion under my sleeping bag. I worked well enough for the rest of the week. It rained a few times the next days but for the most part everything was fine.
Kip Laurie arrived in his beautiful Waiex and parked a few planes down and a row over. As it turned out we were the only Sonex type aircraft on the field except those in the Sonex display. Kip is a Jayhawk like me and we hung out at the HBC area for the next two days. If you go into the EAA display you will see a backdrop that shows a life size photo of Kips aircraft (see photo).
I ate most of my meals at the HBC tent. For donations they provided simple meals and drinks. This was very nice and made the camping experience enjoyable. There were showers around a hundred yards away in a trailer with nice warm water. I would shower around 5:15 am and never had to stand in line. During these two days I saw most of what I needed to see and finally figured out the air show layout. April 23 was the 40th anniversary of me meeting my wife Rita and the 38th of our wedding. You can be sure I made a very tender call to the boss that night.
Fifth Day April 24 - Double Vision
This was the day I had been waiting for. Carlos called me from the Sonex Booth and he and Mark Schaible met me at Carlos’ car to carry the disassembled model into the fly in. David Waugh, one of the SnF volunteers, was kind enough to take us to my aircraft in his truck. Thanks again David. You can see the assembly process within this “Flickr” Album of my trip to SnF:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/50734158@ ... 242213401/I was blown away with the level of detail and quality of craftsmanship of this model. You may not be able to see from the photos but this aircraft has .012 skin and real set rivets. And note, the rivet count and spacing are the same as mine. That is around 10,000 rivets! Also, note the interior matches mine right down to the placement of the “EXPERIMENTAL” sign in the cockpit.
As you can see we placed the model in several locations for photos of the two aircraft that caused a lot of “Double Takes” from the public. Little kids were especially impressed with the “Baby Airplane”.
The rest of the morning Carlos and I enjoyed answering question on both aircraft and meeting people. I was able to distribute a handful of the Sonex 3 fold information flyers that I keep in a little display I made for my prop.
After lunch Carlos got a ride from Tim Wright on the top of a golf cart (See video in album above) to the Sonex Booth where the model was again a big hit. As you can see the booth was very crowded with the Sport Acro, Sub Sonex Jet and the Model. Everyone but Carlos was worried someone would step on the model but nothing happened.
Again I would like to thank Carlos Rangel for his wonderful work in creating this model and I am deeply honored he choose my aircraft to use as his paint scheme.
Sixth Day April 25 - A Major Award
By now I had seen almost all the aircraft, all the vendors and most of the people I had wanted to see. I had made my purchases and all that was left was my flight planning for the return to Kansas City. I checked the weather throughout the day and it looked good except for a little precip in northern Florida. I kept an eye on it all day. In the afternoon I was looking at the events list and saw two items that looked “cool”. The first was Mass at 5:00 in the CFAA building (air conditioned) and the second was next door at the 2015 Sun n Fun Awards event (air conditioned).
I had never been to an awards event before as at Oshkosh they occur on Sunday night and by then I am back in Kansas. So I went.
I sat at a table with two couples, Mark Zeiler and his wife from Saint Jo, Missouri and Stephen Dee and his wife that had their Pipistrel Light sport. Mark and Stephen asked me if I had been notified to attend the ceremony with a small note saying “Please attend you have won an award”. I said that I had not been back to my aircraft all day and was just looking for cool air and maybe a free coke. We chuckled and sat back and enjoyed the show.
As they began and went down the list, Stephen was called for “Outstanding Fixed Wing Light Sport Aircraft”. Mark had won Best Restored Contemporary last year for his 1962 Piper Comanche PA24-250. Our table was feeling good. Then the unexpected happened. I look up and there is my airplane on the screen.
“Best Low Wing Homebuilt” My jaw dropped as I struggled to my feet. I walked up to the front in a daze and got my picture taken with someone, I don’t know who. I do remember the announcer saying something about my bombs made from two liter Pepsi bottles. Maybe those silly things pushed me over the top in the judging. You can never know.
The rest of the evening was kind of a blur but I did manage to check the weather a few times, remove and store my aircraft ordnance. I was ready to go home.
Seventh Day April 26
As always I showered at 5:30 and then rested until dawn arrived. Once it was light enough I started to pack and fold up my tent. One last check on the weather and I was off at 8:00. The weather was cloudy with a high overcast and some broken just above my altitude. It did get a little worse about an hour into my flight so I stopped at Marion County airport for a bit of fuel and anther check on the weather. Radar showed just one more small band of showers near my path so I was off again. I did have about 10 minutes of light precipitation with good visibility but after that the clouds broke up and it was scattered at 8000 for the rest of the day.
By the time I had reached my next fuel stop, Camilla – Mitchell County, a head wind had developed so I needed to stay around 3500 to keep it in the 10 mph range. Any higher would have been in the 20 mph range. This was a little bumpy but not too bad.
Shelby County, Alabama was my next fuel stop. Another 10.56 gallons and a check of the weather and I was off to the Memphis area. At the rate I was going I was thinking I might make it all the way home at dusk. However, as I got closer to Memphis the weather began to close in and in the last 20 miles the ceiling began to drop. I landed at Fayette County airport just east of Memphis, fueled, tied down and spent the night.
I would like to thank Sam Aljundi of Cordova, TN for his kindness and help when I arrived at Fayette County. He and his wife were in the pattern as I landed and we greeted each other on the taxi ways. He then placed his aircraft in his hanger as I fueled mine. As I was completing my fueling he drove up and offered not only to take me into town but call a motel he knew. What a wonderful guy!
On the way into town we talked about fly in and he stated he always wanted to go to Oshkosh. I think I may have talked him into going this year. We will see. Sam thanks again.
After almost a week in a tent the bed at the motel was wonderful as well as the shower.
Eighth Day April 27
The next morning I was up early and off the field by 8:00. Clear weather and a bit of a tail wind made flying easy. By now I had been in the air so long my mind needed more than observation and panel scan to keep it occupied. As I ate my in flight rations (peanut butter crackers and bottled water) I started to develop an order of liquid intake in the order of least volume to most volume. The list I devised as I crossed the NE corner of Arkansas is as follows: A Taste, a Sip, a Swig, a Drink, a Swallow, a Gulp and a Chug. Did I leave any out? Such is the fate of one too long hanging in the sky.
One last fuel stop at West Plains Regional in Pomona, Missouri and I was on my way back home to OJC in Olathe, Kansas. There I had one last test as the winds were 90 degrees at 11 gusts to 16. My last landing of the trip was not my best but good enough. My wife and granddaughter met me soon after I landed. I was very glad to be home.
Summation
Total Flight time = 19.15 hours
Total Miles = 2265.29
Average Ground speed = 118.3 mph
Total Fuel Used = 83.16
Fuel Burn = 4.34 GPH
Oil Leaked/ Burned = ½ Qt.
As the numbers above show this little 80 hp airplane is a nice cross country machine. It is easy and fun to fly. Notice I didn’t say much about flying in my story. The reason is there wasn’t anything to say. It just flew.
I would like to thank all those people I met that made my trip as memorable as it was. First, my wife Rita for letting me go in the first place, especially during the time of our anniversary. Second, the Sonex folks for always helping the building and flying community of there family of aircraft. Third, all the SnF volunteers that make the fly in function, especially Mary Jane of HBC. Fourth, all those people I met along the way that were helpful and friendly. And finally I would like to thank Carlos Rangel for his artistic craftsmanship and model building skill.
Next up is Oshkosh. Who knows, maybe I will have my airplane judged?
Bob Mika
Sonex 178
N178KT
Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2015 2:45 pm