VFR to Russia (In Memory of Bob Axsom)

[jrs14855]

Bill Harrelson previously set a world record for distance in a straight line for the weight category.
Not all these end well. Colin Hales is in a Japanese hospital with a broken back. Off airport landing in KR2 following engine failure. He had made it from England westbound to US, Alaska, Russia and then Japan.

[jrs14855]

Don Taylor, first EAB around the world, Thorp T18, 1976.
Jon Johanson, RV 4, three around the world flights.
In the last few weeks two RV8's across the North Atlantic via the Northern route.
As I stated in another post I believe Max Conrad was the first to fly the Atlantic in a light airplane. Two round trips Minneapolis to Switzerland in a Piper PA 20 Pacer.
Too bad Vlad couldn't have continued west around the world. The North Atlantic is no worse than the Bering Sea, just a lot more miles.

[Joe]

Originally Posted by sblack

Is there an app that shows a map of Vlad's whole trip?

Not an app and not the whole trip but the North American portion is viewable on APRS.

[sblack]

Originally Posted by jrs14855

As I stated in another post I believe Max Conrad was the first to fly the Atlantic in a light airplane. Two round trips Minneapolis to Switzerland in a Piper PA 20 .

Er, wasn't Lindbergh the first?

[jrs14855]

The definition of light airplane has evolved over many decades but it was generally accepted at the time that the Spirit was not a light airplane. The earliest US "lightplanes" were the Aeronca C series of the early 30's and the Cub a bit later.
I think light airplane of lightplane was always rather unclear. The only thing that I know of that is definitive is 12,500# gross weight, above which you need a type rating.

[terrye]

Originally Posted by sblack

Er, wasn't Lindbergh the first?

Hmmm...
Spirit of St Louis
Wingspan 46'
Length 27' 7"
Empty Weight 2150 lb
Max TO Weight 5135 lb
Power 223 hp

Cessna 206
Wingspan 36'
Length 28' 3"
Empty Weight 2176 lb
Max TO Weight 3600 lb (25% over gross for over ferry 4500 lb)
Power 300 hp

Both seem like light planes to me

[Vlad]

I spent one day in Nome. I can tell you the life of a visitor gets expensive there. Striking similarity with QOL on the other side of Bering Strait.






Next morning I repositioned my RV to Bering Air ramp and topped tanks off with the most expensive avgas for the whole trip at $8.05 per gallon. Chatted for couple minutes with local pilots and left VFR eastbound. Nobody seemed to believe where I came from. Oh well.








It was a typical VFR weather for Nome.





I enjoyed the shoreline for half hour then after passing a puffin colony climbed on top of a thin layer of scattered clouds.











My next stop was Tanana airfield PATA. I served myself a snack without a stewardess. The spoon, by the way, was given to me by TurboEddie several years ago it's still in my survival kit. Thanks Turbo!

[Vlad]

Tanana stop was quick. I added a quart of oil to the engine, visited main terminal and took off.







The gravel runway is very wide but it's beat up in the center so I used the smooth side of it.





Showers were popping here and there by the time I reached Fairbanks the rain was almost over.





6 Bee Kay you are cleared to land 20L caution wake turbulence from a heavy jet on the parallel.




Gas, restroom and out of Fairbanks in 30 minutes. Tok Junction PFTO is next...





Look, from here in the last century Smokey was launching to space with "a tourist".





Tok Junction wash rinse repeat. Gas, food and we are rolling again.





Northway an impressive airfield in the middle of a swamp.






This is the border Alaska-Canada. I am cleared to enter the Canadian airspace.

[Vlad]

There were some T-storms on Canadian side but nothing to worry about. Easy to bypass.








The destination for the day is Atlin, British Columbia.




Greg Arehart to the rescue again. After an extensive debriefing on my trip to Russia Greg and Julia fed me, then instructed how to scare a visiting bear. The bear was coming very often and even damaged some things at their cabin.





These are my repellents.





Tomorrow I will have a very scenic flying day. Greg already suggested couple destinations. Good night see you tomorrow

[jeffkersey]

I am loving following this adventure. One question? When lunch was served, it looked like you had a grip on the stick with your knees. Are you doing all these trips without any autopilot?