KJYO-KCHO-KOMH (Another Stamp Run)
After the winds of yesterday's flight, the calm air of today's venture was downright boring. Still, any day flying is a good day and Mel and I went out for another few stamps.
The original plan was to fly from Leesburg (KJYO) to Charlottesville (KCHO), then on to Chesterfield, VA (KFCI) for brunch. However, the clouds looked a bit more ominous south of KCHO and a quick check of the radar at KCHO confirmed the Mk I EB (eyeball) observation on the way in: A line of heavy showers was closing in on the route of flight from KCHO to KFCI.
We quickly decided to reroute to Orange County (KOMH), which was the planned stop on the way home from KFCI, then on to Culpeper (KCJR). Unfortunately, KOMH was closed and we didn't find the stamp stashed outside anywhere, so we'll just have to revisit them later. That's going to be complicated if the rumor about runway closures this summer pan out.
Mel took over the controls and found his way to KCJR. While pulling up, I noticed the Commemorative Air Force's National Capital Squadron's hangar was open. After collecting our stamps and a candy bar (since the only on-field eatery there are the vending machines), we headed out for the classic planes - only to find the hangar closed and locked.
However, as we turned away, we heard a crisp English accent calling out to us. A tall, lanky gentleman strode toward us saying he would open it up. We were in luck! He introduced himself with a firm handshake as Paul Miller. True to his word, he opened the door in short order (having to decode a combination lock to get the key to unlock the door in an almost Rube Goldberg-ian fashion). He suggested we wait a moment while he turned on the lights and he vanished into the darkness of the hangar. Seconds later we heard the "snap-snap" of breakers being thrown, the overhead lights blazed to life and we found ourselves standing next to history.
Two T-6's, an L-5, a BT-13 and a DeHavilland Chipmunk were arrayed before us. They even had a vintage tug connected to one of the Texans. Paul proudly showed us around the hangar describing various features and pointing out that the cowl was off one of the Texans for its annual inspection.
Mel and I were almost like kids again as we sucked in the aura of these classics. We were standing at the wing of the BT-13 talking about the similarities between it and the Texans when Paul uttered the words: "Would you like to sit in it?" Neither of us wanted to risk asking "Are you sure?" and we quickly followed Paul to the wing root where he bounded up and opened the canopy.
Mel took the first tour and Paul kindly showed him where to hold on and where to place his feet. Getting into the cockpit took a minor bit of gymnastics, but he was soon sitting inside looking at the antique instrument panel and Paul pointed out various items like the lack of a complete floor pan while I waited (not quite) patiently outside.
Soon enough, Mel extricated himself and climbed off the wing and I clambored up. Paul followed me up and patiently described how the instruments in the front cockpit were not original, but the panel itself is (and how that's one of their near-term projects). I spent a few minutes looking around at the array of cables, switches, antique wiring and the occasional modern convenience (like the VHF radio). I must say the seat was most uncomfortable, though. There was zero padding on the seat bottom and the crossbar chewed into my thigh with a vengeance.
I climbed out and Paul closed up the canopy. Then he jumped down and led us over to the Chipmunk talking like he was going to let us sit in that one, too. We didn't misunderstand. It turns out he owns the Chipmunk and he did open it up to let us experience the cockpit.
This cabin was much more constrained than the relatively roomy BT-13. Mel and I both felt like we were wearing the plane more than sitting in it. The controls were simpler than the -13, too - perhaps due to its smaller size. Closing the canopy showed it had much less headroom, too. I can see where wearing a headset (especially a set of bulky Lightspeeds) would present a problem as there was not much lateral room at head level.
A couple of interesting features of this plane were the fuel gauges built into the top of the wings near the fueling point and the radio antenna mounted to the bottom of the starboard wing about halfway out. Paul admitted this makes crosswind landings a bit trickier as a bit too much correction will "trim a few inches off the aerial".
All too soon it was time to head out. Paul turned out the lights and we said our farewells. I was very impressed with the hospitality displayed and will definitely find a way to make it back down for one (or more) of their "open hangar" Saturdays. I'll probably find a way to cough up enough money to buy a short ride in one of these antiques.
Mel once again took the controls of our "young" '67 Skylane for the trip home to KJYO.
Total: 1.5 hours