Palatka Fly-In

Today is the Palatka Airport Open House and Fly-In. We usually go and make a few formation passes before landing for free lunch. Most of my flight decided to go to Flying W near Bushnell for breakfast. Three of us decided not to try grass and went to New Smyrna Beach airport instead. Since New Smyrna Beach airport is only 5.3 nm from us, we have to fly around (excuse to practice) for a while before going in.



After breakfast we flew toward Palatka in order to join up for our formation passes. In the air we learned that R2906 was cold so we made the lake in R2906 as our rendezvous point. My ADS-B detected two targets coming and in no time my section lead had visual contact with the targets.


We had two flights of four and one flight of three joining in a big wing formation. With the bumpy air and different airplanes we keep the formation loose.


We made our pass over the airport then over the city.

For the landing break we turned into two offset diamonds and a V. Starting from the 1st diamond, #2 break fast, then, the slot, the lead and finally #3. At home we promised not to do it again, but this is not home.




On downwind the C172 following us initially reported seeing only two airplanes in front of her. This was a first for her (I talked to her after landing).



A lot of airplanes showed up and parked on the grass.


We got a corner of the ramp to park.


Some free gas and free lunch.

My wife did most of the photos and since we had too much to do and too many friends to visit she only get to shoot some airplanes and did not shoot those beautiful cars.






Our neighbor did a few passes in this one.




Very good turn out.


They continue to jump through the day.

A few of my flight members left early. I got to lead the remaining seven home. After warbirds and P-51 made their passes we followed a long line of departure airplanes. Four RVs were ahead of us.




They did a nice low pass while we waited on the runway.



We did our pass before turning south home.


Stay loose until home.


A beautiful day spent with friends is priceless.


Rest of the photos: https://plus.google.com/photos/107646684575855201411/albums/6110657943300336593