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RV-1 "I-70/I-80 Barnstorming Tour" May 28-June 2

rvmills

Well Known Member
UPDATE AS OF 5/19

With the RV-1 safely tucked in (and now flying!) at SnF (now into Canada as of 5/19), Louise and Paul asked me to post a look ahead at a future portion of the RV-1 tour…specifically the westward part of the tour after it leaves Canada.

On May 28th, the RV-1 will begin the “I-70/I-80 Barnstorming Tour” of the Midwest and Mountain West!

Following the RV Fly-In at Windsor, Ontario, Tom Martin will return the RV-1 to the US, and I’ll meet up with him at the Toledo Executive Airport (KTDZ). After clearing customs and a turnover with Tom and a large reception and BBQ at Toledo Exec, the RV-1 will head west.

The Barnstorming Tour is planned as a 6 day trip, weather permitting. The first 5 days will be 2 legs per day from Toledo to Reno, Nevada, with a reception at each overnight stop (specifics listed below…they are near Chicago, Kansas City, Denver, Salt Lake City, and Reno). On the 6th day, the RV-1 will be pre-positioned to Marysville, California for the Golden West Fly In. We’re allowing several days prior to GW for “itinerary flexibility” for weather and maintenance…just in case.

In this post, I’ll outline the itinerary, including the pre-arranged overnight stops and the host for the reception at each overnight location. The reception host at each location will also post here, and go into greater detail on the reception or other planned events at their location.

In post 2, I’d like to ask for some VAF “audience participation” in selecting a couple of the intermediate fuel stops, so we stop at airports that will provide the greatest opportunity for folks to come out and see the RV-1!

Here is the planned itinerary for the Barnstorming Tour. The plan is to fly in the mornings to avoid convective weather activity. Fuel stops will be mid-morning, and arrival time in each overnight city should be noon to 1400 local time. I’ll update those times each day as necessary.

May 28
Leg 1: Windsor, ON to Toledo Exec (KTDZ), Clear Customs, Turnover RV-1 Tom Martin – Bob Mills
Reception at KTDZ, hosted by Paul Jaffray
Leg 2: KTDZ to Mishawaka Pilot’s Club (3C1 – near Elkhart, IN…Chicago Area)

May 29
Leg 1: 3C1 to Marshall County, IL (C75), Fuel Stop, Fuel Host Bill Lane
Leg 2: C75 to Moberly, MO (KMBY, Omar Bradley), Fuel Stop
Leg 3: KMBY to Lees Summit, MO (KLXT, Kansas City Area)
Reception at KLXT, hosted by Mike Dooley

May 30
Leg 1: KLXT to McPherson, KS area (KMPR), Fuel Stop, Fuel Host Tom Chandler
Leg 2: KMPR to Colby, KS (KCBK) Fuel Stop
Leg 3: KCBK to Rocky Mountain Regional (KBJC, Broomfield/Denver Area)
Reception at KBJC, hosted by Jim Gray

May 31
Leg 1: KBJC to Rawlins, WY area (KRWL), Fuel Stop
Leg 2: KRWL to Rock Springs, WY (RKS), Fuel Stop
Leg 3: KRKS to Ogden, UT (KOGD, Salt Lake City Area)
Reception at KOGD, hosted by Bob Ashmore

June 1
Leg 1: KOGD to Twin Falls, ID (KTWF), Fuel Stop
Leg 2: KTWF to Winnemucca, NV (KWMC), Fuel Stop
Leg 2: KWMC to Reno-Stead, NV (KRTS)
Reception at KRTS, hosted by Mike Barrow, Greg Arehart and Dan Ross
Reception may slide to a pancake breakfast on 2 June...TBA

June 5
Turnover RV-1 Bob Mills – Tim Cone
Leg 1: KRTS to Marysville, CA (KMYV)
Turnover RV-1 Tim Cone - Mike Starkey
In Place for Golden West Fly In and Turnover to Joe Blank and Van’s Aircraft

Here's a table (current as of 5/19), showing the above:
vaf%2520post%2520RV1.jpg


Look for more details from each reception coordinator here, and on the RV-1 Official Tour site: http://rv-1.org/p/317

I hope to meet many of you out on the road, and look forward to sharing the RV-1 with lots of the gang throughout the Barnstorming Tour!

Please see my next post, and help me select some of the intermediate fuel stops along the way!!

Cheers,
Bob
 
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As mentioned in post 1 above, each day during the Barnstorming Tour, we?ll be making an intermediate fuel stop between overnight cities. I?m trying to keep the legs about 250nm in length, and have identified several potential refueling sites near the midpoint each day. I can pick them, based on fuel price and runway, but I thought it might be fun for all if we give RVers in the areas we?ll be transiting the opportunity to weigh in and help me select refueling spots that may give more folks the chance to see the RV-1. And if anyone in the areas we are discussing would like to host the RV-1 for a tank of gas, we can choose the stop to facilitate that (the selection of Marshall County, IL on May 29 was in response to Bill Lane?s generous offer of a fill-up there!)

Below are the potential stops each day. If you are local, and feel any of these would be the best in terms of RVs in the area or EAA chapters at the field, please chime in to help me narrow the field and choose the fuel stops. I?m also open to other choices not listed, if anyone knows of a hidden gem!

If we don?t have any local input in the next several weeks, I?ll just make the calls and post where the fuel stops will be, so pilots in the area can fly in to meet and greet the RV-1 if they like!

May 29
3C1 to KLXT (Midpoint near Peoria, IL)
C75 Marshall County (Bill Lane fuel host)

May 30
LXT to BJC (Midpoint near Hill City, KS)
Possible Fuel Stops:
Hill City, KS (KHLC)
Hays, KS (KHYS)
Russell, KS (KRSL)
Phillipsburg, KS (KPHB)
Norton, KS (KNRN)

May 31
BJC-OGD (Midpoint N of mountains near Rawlins, WY)
Possible Fuel Stops
Rawlins, WY (KRWL)
Casper, WY (KCPR)
Rock Springs, WY (KRKS)

June 1
OGD-RTS (Midpoint near Elko, NV)
Fuel Stop Elko, NV (KEKO)

So help me choose the stops on May 30 and 31!

I?ll post the final fuel stop itinerary here and pass it to the RV-1 webmaster for inclusion on the Official RV-1 Tour Schedule: http://rv-1.org/p/317

Cheers,
Bob
 
RV-1 CANADA TOUR

Hi Bob

Would you know the date the RV-1 is supposed to be in Smiths Falls,Ontario??

It is only 35 minutes flying from my place and I wanna see it up close if I can..

Thanks

Bruno Dionne
[email protected]
 
Bruno,

The schedule currently shows the RV-1 in Stanley on May 19th, and in Windsor on the 26th (rain date 27th). I don't have any more fidelity on Canadian stops yet, but perhaps Kevin Horton will roll in here with some additional info (he's chief cook and bottle-washer for the Canadian portion of the tour! ;))

If I hear more, will post!

Cheers,
Bob
 
Hi Bob

Would you know the date the RV-1 is supposed to be in Smiths Falls,Ontario??

It is only 35 minutes flying from my place and I wanna see it up close if I can..

Thanks

Bruno Dionne
[email protected]

Bruno,

Tell me the weather that week and I'll tell you which day it will be in Smiths Falls :)

The current plan is that the RV-1 will leave Sussex, NB on its way to Smiths Falls on May 21, or whenever we get a good weather window. The hope is to make it to Smiths Falls on that day, stay overnight, then Tom Martin will pick it up to ferry it towards Windsor. It has to get to Windsor by the morning of May 26, as there is a Fly-In Breakfast that morning.

The weather in NB during May is often quite variable, so it is not possible to know exactly which day it will be in Smiths Falls until we get to the week in question.

I will keep the RV community informed as the details of the ferry from Sussex to Windsor evolve, including the details of any planned formal or informal events during stops on that ferry. I will use the VAF Forums, the RV-1.org site and my personal site to share the info.
 
TDZ - Toledo Executive

Are there any more details available about the stop at TDZ in Toledo? EAA Chapter 582 (I am the chapter secretary) is based there and has a number of RVs built or in process. If you have some idea around when you will be there, we would be happy to organize a welcoming committee and fire up the grill for some good eats.

Any info would be appreciated.

pdj
 
Paul,
Please keep the OhioValley RVators in the
loop as the schedule firms up for TDZ.
Quite a few of us want to meet up with
the RV-1 and TDZ is as close as it will
come to our area.

Thanks,
Tom Webster
 
TDZ, planned 5/28

Paul and Tom,

Current plan for Toledo Exec (TDZ) is for Tom Martin to fly from Windsor there to clear customs on the morning of May 28th. I'll get the RV-1 passdown from him there, and Don McNamara will fly in from Elkhart to meet us and chase me to 3C1 (Don's home drome) for the night.

Tom, Don and I have not set the final sked for that day, but I would think a mid-morning arrival will be planned. I think it would be great if we can spend some time with the local gang at TDZ and share the RV-1. That's the kind of interaction we were hoping this thread would generate!

We'll need to get to 3C1 to make whatever reception Don has set up that afternoon (and we'll watch the weather), but brunch or lunch (or just sodas, show and tell and hangar flying) with the TDZ RVers and EAAers would be great fun! Lets make that happen!

I'm flying (via jumpseat) into either Detroit (DTW) on my company, or to Toledo (TOL) offline, on the 27th. Will head to TDz in the am on the 28th. If there's anyone in the DTW area that wants to carry some "baggage" to TDZ on the morning of the 28th and see the RV-1, I'll buy some gas!

I'll talk with Tom, and we'll set an ETA at TDZ and let everyone know...then cross our fingers on Wx! ;)

Thanks much!
Cheers,
Bob
 
Tentative plans for northern Indiana stop ...

We're still a couple of months out from The One landing at the Mishawaka Pilots' Club (3C1), so there's not much set in stone except for the RV-1 having a nice, safe hangar to nestle in overnight and for its pilot to enjoy an evening of R & R.

Disappointing was the news that the local EAA chapter was not particularly interested in participating in this historic event. Unlike the Toledo Exec group, there aren't any RV builders in the chapter, so I guess it just didn't light any fires with them.

So, while I do hope that we'll have a bunch of RVers who will fly up from the Indy area, down from Michigan or over from Chicagoland, I have a feeling that the big stop will actually be Toledo on Monday, Memorial Day, and that's OK. They have an active EAA chapter, great facilities and great people there!

That said, if you're looking to see The One and north-central IN is a good location for you, post on this thread that you want to pop into 3C1 and spend some time with us. Depending on when Bob and I leave Toledo, we'll arrive at 3C1 in the afternoon and can crank up the grills and toast some dogs-n-burgers! We have plenty of grass parking areas adjacent to my hangar and the grass runway (12/30).

More details to follow when we see how much interest there is and we see if The One is on schedule.
 
Better Idea

At least, I think so, Bob.

Instead of refueling in Elko, dog leg up to the Boise area and stop at Caldwell (KEUL, a favorite of Van's pilots). The area is chock-a-block with RVators and homebuilding of all stripes. Cheaper gas, too! The extra distance isn't all that much, and your appreciative viewship would be infinitely greater than at EKO.

John Siebold
Boise, ID
 
At least, I think so, Bob.

Instead of refueling in Elko, dog leg up to the Boise area and stop at Caldwell (KEUL, a favorite of Van's pilots). The area is chock-a-block with RVators and homebuilding of all stripes. Cheaper gas, too! The extra distance isn't all that much, and your appreciative viewship would be infinitely greater than at EKO.

John Siebold
Boise, ID

John,

Thanks for jumping in...maybe we can work something out!

I did a quick look at it in Weathermeister, and looks like the OGD-EKO-RTS distance is 371, and the OGD-EUL-RTS distance is 530. 160nm extra's not too bad, but I need to check with my chase pilots in each location (each day one will follow me to each fuel stop, and the other will meet me at the stop and chase me to the RON, thus I'm spending their gas as well as RV-1 gas).

Will touch base with the Stead reception coordinators too, and see how the time looks. Wx may be a factor too, but we can be flexible.

All that being said though, I would love to hook up with RVators in the area! Looking at the map, what if I head your way out of OGD, and we meet in someplace like Twin Falls or Jackpot, and have a fly-in get together? Is there a place a little closer to on course that you and the Idaho bros would be up for converging on? Open to any ideas you have!

Thanks much, and lets keep this conversation going.

Cheers,
Bob
 
Bob,
I can't speak for anyone else, but your sked looks good to me.
Let's hope the weather, etc., cooperates.

The TDZ EAA gang is well practiced by having a great flyin
breakfast every month all summer.
That plus having nearly 900 members in the OhioValley RVators
in the greater area should generate some interaction. :)

Tom



Paul and Tom,

Tom, Don and I have not set the final sked for that day, but I would think a mid-morning arrival will be planned. I think it would be great if we can spend some time with the local gang at TDZ and share the RV-1. That's the kind of interaction we were hoping this thread would generate!

Cheers,
Bob
 
Bob,

If you can't stretch to KEUL, KTWF (Twin Falls, ID) would be better than Jackpot. It has an honest-to-God FBO, plenty of ramp space and a terminal building cafe. There is at least one crew/courtesy car. Fueling at Jackpot is comparative hassle.

From TWF bee line to KWMC. You and chase can form up, lead yak with Cowboy Control if the Owyhee MOAs are hot. CC'll be more than happy to issue vectors to the F-15s/18s at play, and record your gun kill (good luck).

John Siebold
 
Lee's Summit, MO (KLXT) Tour Stop

Plans for the May 29 tour stop in Lee's Summit include:

Escort by EAA Chapter 91 (and KC Flight formation team) pilots from Peoria, IL to KLXT. Bill Gill (RV-7) will fly lead and Keith Schult (RV6A) will fly wing.

Approx 2pm Arrival at KLXT.

After refuel, maintenance checks, etc. we'll have photo ops on the KLXT ramp. We're arranging photographers to take photos/assist with personal cameras...I'm also working on a bucket truck so we can get some elevated shots of a group "formation" on the ramp. We'll do the photos in the EAA 91 main hangar if we have inclement weather.

Flight ops by KC Flight are TBD at this point, but knowing the team they will do some formation demos if the weather permits.

We'll have our EAA 91 hangar meeting room open with a photo display of the RV-1 available for viewing and all three of our EAA 91 hangars will be open for tour.

After photo ops we'll move the RV1 into the main EAA 91 hangar.

We'll have a BBQ dinner beginning at 6:30 pm at the main EAA 91 hangar. This will be run as a fundraiser for "Friends of the RV-1" (NOTE: reservations required! Contact me if you plan to attend!). I'll buy enough BBQ and beverages based on reservations from VAF members, local EAA chapters, etc. Dinner price will include a 20 percent donation with all proceeds to "Friends of the RV-1.") Other donations accepted at the door!

I've asked Bob Mills to give a brief talk at the dinner about what it's like to fly the RV-1 and do a bit of Q&A. We'll have projector and computer hooked up and will also have a slide show of the restoration available as well as Internet to show any other photos/videos, etc.

We'll continue with social time after Bob's talk...with actual end time based on morning departure schedule/weather

The RV1 will depart on 30 May enroute to Norton, KS (KNRN) with escort by EAA 91/KC Flight pilots (Bill Gill (RV-7 w/XM weather) flight lead.

Main Point of Contact for this event is your's truly.

Contact me via email with reservations for the BBQ or questions regarding photos, etc.

See you there!

Mike
 
Are there any more details available about the stop at TDZ in Toledo? EAA Chapter 582 (I am the chapter secretary) is based there and has a number of RVs built or in process. If you have some idea around when you will be there, we would be happy to organize a welcoming committee and fire up the grill for some good eats.

Any info would be appreciated.

pdj

Bob,
I can't speak for anyone else, but your sked looks good to me.
Let's hope the weather, etc., cooperates.

The TDZ EAA gang is well practiced by having a great flyin
breakfast every month all summer.
That plus having nearly 900 members in the OhioValley RVators
in the greater area should generate some interaction. :)

Tom

Paul and Tom,

Would you two be willing to honcho a mid-morning to lunchtime git together at TDZ? Simple is OK, but it would be great to share the -1 there with the Ohio Valley gang and anyone else that can stop in.

If so, I'll add you to my e-mail list of Barnstorming stop coordinators, and we can flesh out some details that way, and post them here. Basic idea would be a post-customs/pre-launch for Elkhart reception wherever you feel would work well there. If weather is cooperating (not looming up) we can probably spend a couple hours with the gang there!

Having a bit of trouble with hotel internet and my e-mail client, so will get you the e-mail from tonight's airline overnight.

Pls lemme know if you're game...thanks!

Bob,

If you can't stretch to KEUL, KTWF (Twin Falls, ID) would be better than Jackpot. It has an honest-to-God FBO, plenty of ramp space and a terminal building cafe. There is at least one crew/courtesy car. Fueling at Jackpot is comparative hassle.

From TWF bee line to KWMC. You and chase can form up, lead yak with Cowboy Control if the Owyhee MOAs are hot. CC'll be more than happy to issue vectors to the F-15s/18s at play, and record your gun kill (good luck).

John Siebold

John,

Do you think TWF would garner a decent-sized group? I'd love to include Idaho in the tour, so if you think it would be a good draw, we can make it happen. Also, would you be willing to honcho a simple gathering there? I know its not your home field, and its a fuel stop versus an overnight, but if we can share the -1 with lots of folks there and have some fun, its well worth it. Let me know what ya think. Will add you to the tour coordinators list as well, if you're game.

And if you can play GCI for me while we go hunting for Mt. Home fighters, I'm all in! :D (Just kidding Paul and Louise...I'll beeline for Winnemucca...that makes the last leg 300nm...might need to stop in WMC, just to get the kinks out on day 5, eh!)

If we do add TWF, that will mean the Barnstorming Tour will stop in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, and Nevada, on its way to California...cool! :D

Cheers,
Bob
 
Plans for the May 29 tour stop in Lee's Summit include:

Escort by EAA Chapter 91 (and KC Flight formation team) pilots from Peoria, IL to KLXT. Bill Gill (RV-7) will fly lead and Keith Schult (RV6A) will fly wing.

Approx 2pm Arrival at KLXT.

<snip>

The RV1 will depart on 30 May enroute to Norton, KS (KNRN) with escort by EAA 91/KC Flight pilots (Bill Gill (RV-7 w/XM weather) flight lead.

Main Point of Contact for this event is your's truly.

Contact me via email with reservations for the BBQ or questions regarding photos, etc.

See you there!

Mike

Mike,

Thanks for doing such a great job on the LXT stop...sounds like a great event there!! Nice work!

A couple quick updates:

Fuel stop and rendezvous with Bill and Keith on 5/29 is now Marshall County, IL (C-75). A bit further than Peoria, so maybe we can give some of the mileage back the next day, to share the load.

Looking at the Kansas stop, looks like Russell and Hill City have the best prices in the area. Russell would be shorter for the KC Flight guys, and share some of the load with Gringo and his Denver team.

I haven't heard any input from Kansas area RVers, so if there's any preference for RSL or HLC as a fuel stop and meet and greet location, local Kansans, please chime in! Lookin' for some Jayhawk feedback! :D

Lots of great discussion here, and as the thread gets longer, some of the info can get buried. However, we'll put together a nice summary as it gets close to launch time for the Barnstorming Tour, and get in on the RV-1 website (and perhaps DR can add it to the VAF events page when its solid and closer-in! :))

Thanks all!

Cheers,
Bob
 
We (EAA 582 @ TDZ) would love to host as many people as want to come. I will reach out to Tom to see what we can coordinate.

Tom, can you PM me your email address or other preferred communication mechanism?

We are definitely game and I expect, weather permitting, we could have a nice group show up.

pdj
 
I just KNEW we gave the Barnstorming Tour to the right guy..... :)

Louise and I are just going to sit back and watch Bob continue to organize this incredible part of the RV-1 Tour. To be honest, we might just have to meet up with you guys in Kansas City for a day, just to do a QC check on all the fun!

Paul
 
Bob,

Coordination with EAA Ch-582 is underway.

Rick Gray is putting the RV-1 UFO @ TDZ
in our OVRV calandar for 5/28.

We'll do some more contacts in May with
our OVRV sub groups, IE: Keystone Flight,
Heartland Flight, Wright Flight, etc.

Should be a great time,
Tom
 
Bob,

I'd be honored to help with a TWF stop. Question in my mind is what head count makes the deviation worth while?

Gimme a number for "decent-sized", "good draw", and "lots of folks". In Idaho, that's two or three people:D The Wasatch Front (including OGD) in UT is ~2.5M. All of ID is ~1.6M and a chunk of them are up in the panhandle. Those on the upper Snake can just as easily go to OGD as TWF.

I suggest starting a Yahoo groups or some such for planners/coordinators. This thread will descend into VAF quicksand and will have to be searched out for those of use who may not visit for days.

John Siebold
Boise (big town, five people), ID
 
snip> To be honest, we might just have to meet up with you guys in Kansas City for a day, just to do a QC check on all the fun!

Paul

We'll be ready for inspection! ;) Mike, KC Flight and the LXT gang have a great day planned there!

We (EAA 582 @ TDZ) would love to host as many people as want to come. I will reach out to Tom to see what we can coordinate.

Tom, can you PM me your email address or other preferred communication mechanism?

We are definitely game and I expect, weather permitting, we could have a nice group show up.

pdj

Bob,

Coordination with EAA Ch-582 is underway.

Rick Gray is putting the RV-1 UFO @ TDZ
in our OVRV calandar for 5/28.

We'll do some more contacts in May with
our OVRV sub groups, IE: Keystone Flight,
Heartland Flight, Wright Flight, etc.

Should be a great time,
Tom

Thanks guys! Per an e-mail from Don McNamara today, on the 29th, we can focus on TDZ for the reception (versus Don's place at Mishawaka) and stay as long as weather allows, before heading to Mishawaka in the afternoon, to be ready for launch the next day. You guys have the reception planning well in hand, and I'll copy you into the Barnstorming Tour e-mail list. Looking forward to seeing you all there!

Bob,

I'd be honored to help with a TWF stop. Question in my mind is what head count makes the deviation worth while?

Gimme a number for "decent-sized", "good draw", and "lots of folks". In Idaho, that's two or three people:D The Wasatch Front (including OGD) in UT is ~2.5M. All of ID is ~1.6M and a chunk of them are up in the panhandle. Those on the upper Snake can just as easily go to OGD as TWF.

I suggest starting a Yahoo groups or some such for planners/coordinators. This thread will descend into VAF quicksand and will have to be searched out for those of use who may not visit for days.

John Siebold
Boise (big town, five people), ID

John,

Honestly, TWF is not a bad way to go, and if it gets the -1 in front of some Idaho RVators that would be great. No min really required, so if you can network with the gang there and see if TWF would get some action, we'll plan TWF as a long fuel stop and get together that day. I'll then blast for Reno, perhaps stopping for gas again in WMC on the way.

Will keep you in the planner loop as well (like the coordinators at the other sites). When we have it locked in, we can post it here in final form, and use other avenues as well, so its not too buried.

Thanks much for all the support from so many out there!

Cheers,
Bob
 
...Fuel stop and rendezvous with Bill and Keith on 5/29 is now Marshall County, IL (C-75). A bit further than Peoria, so maybe we can give some of the mileage back the next day, to share the load ...

Unless I'm mis-reading your post, Bob, Marshall County is actually 20 sm CLOSER to 3C1 than PIA. Straight line is about 155 sm. Let's see ... at RV-1 speeds ... oh, about 3 hours. :D
 
Paul, are you just planning a fuel stop at RKS? I may be able to make RKS, OGD, or TWF in any case. I'm not sure if there are any RVs at RKS currently, but there are a few scattered around western WY.
 
Denver area RV-1 reception

There's lots of excitement already building for the Denver stop on the RV-1 Barnstorming Tour.

The various EAA chapters in Denver and along the front range area have been contacted, and details will become more solid as we get a better feel for the number of participants we can expect.

We will meet the RV-1 in Kansas and escort it to Rocky Mountain Metro - KBJC on May 30th. Depending on some decisions yet to be made, there is a possibility of a small formation flyby on arrival at KBJC..... very much still under consideration. In any case, after it?s arrival, the RV-1 will be placed in the center of a large hangar, with all interested parties invited to an open house, food and drink are planned.

And..... we intend to wine and dine Bob ?Nasty? Mills in a manner befitting the airline captain that he is!

If there are any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Jim Gray
[email protected]
 
Unless I'm mis-reading your post, Bob, Marshall County is actually 20 sm CLOSER to 3C1 than PIA. Straight line is about 155 sm. Let's see ... at RV-1 speeds ... oh, about 3 hours. :D

Don, I meant a little farther for the guys coming from LXT to meet us. Might add another quick pit stop between C75 and LXT...will see.

Paul, are you just planning a fuel stop at RKS? I may be able to make RKS, OGD, or TWF in any case. I'm not sure if there are any RVs at RKS currently, but there are a few scattered around western WY.

That stop is currently planned for Rawlings (RWL). Good leg distances on each end. Was willing to go to RKS if there were RVers there, but looks like RWL will work...hope you and other Cowboy-staters can be there or OGD!

There's lots of excitement already building for the Denver stop on the RV-1 Barnstorming Tour.

We will meet the RV-1 in Kansas and escort it to Rocky Mountain Metro - KBJC on May 30th. Depending on some decisions yet to be made, there is a possibility of a small formation flyby on arrival at KBJC..... very much still under consideration.

Thanks for posting Gringo. Will give ya the full brief, but I'll trail your formation into BJC like Paul did with Team RV. Recommended procedure for the 1 from the Cheif Pilot! All good!

And..... we intend to wine and dine Bob “Nasty” Mills in a manner befitting the airline captain that he is!

Man, ya mean another cheap hotel and zero dark thirty wake up call?!?! :p

Cheers,
Bob
 
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Hey Bob,

I will buy a tank of gas for the RV1. I can meet in MO or KS, and if the weather would push you North there is a hangar to park it in in Hastings, NE. Miss flying with my Western Gang!

Steve
 
Hey Bob,

I will buy a tank of gas for the RV1. I can meet in MO or KS, and if the weather would push you North there is a hangar to park it in in Hastings, NE. Miss flying with my Western Gang!

Steve

I'll make the same offer if you end up south of I-70 in KS. I manage the McPherson KS airport (KMPR....30 miles south of Salina). Tank of gas and a hangar anytime for RV-1!
 
Hey Bob,

I will buy a tank of gas for the RV1. I can meet in MO or KS, and if the weather would push you North there is a hangar to park it in in Hastings, NE. Miss flying with my Western Gang!

Steve

I'll make the same offer if you end up south of I-70 in KS. I manage the McPherson KS airport (KMPR....30 miles south of Salina). Tank of gas and a hangar anytime for RV-1!

Steve and Tom,

Those are great offers...thanks very much! And Steve, good to hear from our wayward Reno bro!

I have an idea that may get you both in the tour! I'm calling some audibles based on Paul and CB's experience with the -1 and their recommendations. Per them, 250nm legs will be stretching its endurance (and the pilot's), especially with a probable headwind. Therefore I'm going to break up a couple of the days into 3 shorter legs. Was going to work on that tomorrow on this long CLE overnight, but just looked at the Lees Summit (LXT) to Denver (BJC) leg, so I could answer your generous offers.

We'll plan to fly from LXT to MPR for stop 1 that day (5/30). That shortens the chase leg for the KC Flight guys, who are doing a bunch of work in LXT.

Will accept Tom's offer there (thanks!) and get some pics at your FBO!

Steve, would like to meet you there (MPR) too, and have you chase me to Colby, KS. Will split a tank of gas there with you, since you'll be doing a lot of flying that day meeting, then chasing, then heading home. Just need to make sure you have XM aboard fror chase duties, and get you cleared by the Chief Pilot.

That also shortens the leg for Gringo and the Denver Ravens that day too. Good shared load.

What say you two? If you're both game, will mod that say as such. Pls lemme know!

Cheers,
Bob

PS: Also received a few other PMs on gas offers. Looking at all of them and making some fuel stop decisions in the next day or so...more to follow. Thanks for all the support!!
 
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RV 1 Ogden Reception

Hello Everyone,

We are very excited here in Ogden, Utah to have Bob Mills and the RV 1 join us on May 31. With over 20 RV'ers on the field and many more in the local region we are planning a great get together here.

Our airport has a great outdoor reception area for our BBQ with a kids play ground and a perfect ramp to display the airplanes. We have the full encouragement of our airport manager and Rv4 owner Royal Eccles. We are in the process of getting the word out so that all who are interested can plan to be there. This airport has a great photo back drop of the mountains for pictures of our air planes too.

Locally we will be setting up and ready for all at the airport terminal beneath the tower in front of the Auger Inn Caffe Thursday morning. The events we have in mind include some local speakers on aviation history and mountain flying. The local press for public info. Our local amatuer radio club for live broadcasting.

The escorts and arrival of the RV 1 are planned for early afternoon. Exact Times to be announced at a later date. We will then place the airplane on display with
the others for public viewing. A little briefing on the RV's history, travels and future will be made.
The grill will be fired up of course and we will eat and have a good time I'm
sure.

So make a note on your calendar to join us May 31 at the Ogden Hinkley Airport and bring a friend.:)

Bob Ashmore Rv7 101BA
[email protected]
 
MPR fuel stop

Steve and Tom,


We'll plan to fly from LXT to MPR for stop 1 that day (5/30). That shortens the chase leg for the KC Flight guys, who are doing a bunch of work in LXT.

Will accept Tom's offer there (thanks!) and get some pics at your FBO!

Sounds great Bob! We're looking forward to meeting some of you guys involved in the RV-1 project.
 
Well the RV-1 has made its way up into the Great White North (eh! :)), and the Barnstorming Tour is just over a week away!

The overnight cities remain the same, but we've made a few slight changes to the itinerary. We nailed down the fuel stops and added a few legs to keep the leg lengths a bit shorter.

When the -1 clears US Customs at Toledo Exec on Memorial Day (5/28), it will remain there most of the day, and Paul Jaffray and the Toledo/Ohio RV gang will host a breakfast and lunch BBQ. We'll move it to Don McNamara's place at Mishawaka early that evening.

From 5/29 to 6/1, we'll fly three legs per day. Here's the executive summary in tabular form:
vaf%2520post%2520RV1.jpg


This shows escort pilots, ground points of contact at each location (where available), and ETA/ETD at each location. The plan is to depart each morning at 0800, and arrive at each overnight city between 1300 and 1400 local time (1-2pm for USAF bruddas! :p) If pm weather is a factor, we'll move earlier. Will update here as needed.

The receptions in Toledo, Lees Summit, Denver, Ogden, and Reno each have (or will have) their own threads or posts. Click on the city name to see that info. Paul Jaffray (KTDZ), Mike Dooley (KLXT), Jim Gray (KBJC) and Bob Ashmore (KOGD) have done a great job setting things up! The Reno event will either be an ice cream social on 6/1, or a pancake breakfast on 6/2 (or a little of both). The -1 will now stay in Reno for a few days (recovery), and Tim Cone will fly it to California and Golden West on 6/5.

I hope many of you reading this will be able to come out to the receptions or fuel stops, see the RV-1, and join us for a great time!

I'll post the itinerary in long form (copied/pasted from the updated post 1) in case the table is hard to read, or decipher.

See ya on the tour!

Cheers,
Bob

May 28
Leg 1: Windsor, ON to Toledo Exec (KTDZ), Clear Customs, Turnover RV-1 Tom Martin – Bob Mills
Reception at KTDZ, hosted by Paul Jaffray
Leg 2: KTDZ to Mishawaka Pilot’s Club (3C1 – near Elkhart, IN…Chicago Area)

May 29
Leg 1: 3C1 to Marshall County, IL (C75), Fuel Stop, Fuel Host Bill Lane
Leg 2: C75 to Moberly, MO (KMBY, Omar Bradley), Fuel Stop
Leg 3: KMBY to Lees Summit, MO (KLXT, Kansas City Area)
Reception at KLXT, hosted by Mike Dooley

May 30
Leg 1: KLXT to McPherson, KS area (KMPR), Fuel Stop, Fuel Host Tom Chandler
Leg 2: KMPR to Colby, KS (KCBK) Fuel Stop
Leg 3: KCBK to Rocky Mountain Regional (KBJC, Broomfield/Denver Area)
Reception at KBJC, hosted by Jim Gray

May 31
Leg 1: KBJC to Rawlins, WY area (KRWL), Fuel Stop
Leg 2: KRWL to Rock Springs, WY (RKS), Fuel Stop
Leg 3: KRKS to Ogden, UT (KOGD, Salt Lake City Area)
Reception at KOGD, hosted by Bob Ashmore

June 1
Leg 1: KOGD to Twin Falls, ID (KTWF), Fuel Stop
Leg 2: KTWF to Winnemucca, NV (KWMC), Fuel Stop
Leg 3: KWMC to Reno-Stead, NV (KRTS)
Reception at KRTS, hosted by Mike Barrow, Greg Arehart and Dan Ross
Reception may slide to a pancake breakfast on 2 June...TBA

June 5
Turnover RV-1 Bob Mills – Tim Cone
Leg 1: KRTS to Marysville, CA (KMYV)
Turnover RV-1 Tim Cone - Mike Starkey
In Place for Golden West Fly In and Turnover to Joe Blank and Van’s Aircraft
 
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I arrived in Toledo today, and am in place to meet Tom Martin as he brings the RV-1 back in to the US tomorrow. Then the "Barnstorming Tour" kicks off with a breakfast and then BBQ at Toledo Executive (KTDZ) during the day, hosted by Paul Jaffray (RV-8 builder) and EAA Chapter 582. Then a short flight to Mishawaka Pilot's Club (3C1, near Elkhart, IN) where Don McNamara will put up the -1 for the night.

More on tomorrow's action in the Toledo visit thread, and will keep the info flowing here, and in individual threads!

Cheers,
Bob
 
Race is on!

And Tsam seems to be winning. The RV-1 is headed to Moberley, MO, for a fuel stop and Ironflight is bringing Tsamsiyu (RV-3) down to join him and Don McNamara (RV-8--Smokey) there. A gathering of famous planes. Then, they are all headed to Lee's Summit for activities there.

Tsam's Spot: http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0xQrhemIXZi9DS43kiz6jrMhQyl4oO0dD

RV-1 Spot: http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0qNMusDOLqVZfp0n3i2j7Mr0hTpOaeoUR
 
I am just happy to know that if Van can fit, and Bob can fit, I have both sides of my profile covered!
 
Looks like there is a significant rendezvous of RVs in Moberly, MO, right now. Both the RV-1's and Tsam's Spot Trackers show them at the airport and Paul reported some KC-area folks there, ready for escort.
 
At Lee's Summit

Looks like the -1 and it's escorts are on the ground at Lee's Summit. And, I'm at my desk at work. :mad:
 
We had a great day of RV-ating across Missouri today - the KLXT bunch were outstanding hosts, and folks really enjoyed the ONE - it was a great event, and I am hoping someone will post pictures of all the goings-on....too tired to download pictures myself, and have an early morning departure planned.
 
First Leg of the RV-1 Barnstorming Tour

Well, the first leg of the RV-1 Barnstorming Tour of the US is complete! Yes, The One was rescued from the claws of those pesky northern neighbours of ours and is once again safe in the USA. :D

Now that my direct involvement as chase pilot for The One is done, I have some time to post some pics and a narrative of a very busy couple of days. I apologize for the quality of the pics and the dearth of any artistic content -- I'm not given to taking documentary photos when I go places. I have an artsy-fartsy wife for that task. She's the photographer in the family and this was a solo trip.

On Monday, Memorial Day, I flew over to Toledo Executive Airport (TDZ) to see the arrival of the RV-1, flown in from Canada by Tom Martin. There were quite a few planes and groupies gathered to welcome Tom, and The One was quickly surrounded.

After the buzz quieted a bit, Tom gave Bob "Nasty" Mills a checkout in the RV-1, and related his impressions of its flying qualities. I'm sure Nasty will chime in eventually with a full description of what it's like to fly The One.
BT-01.jpg


The guys from EAA Chapter 582 were wonderful and sent us on our way with full bellies to the Mishawaka Pilots' Club (3C1) in Elkhart, IN. While it was hazy and a bit bumpy, we quickly dialed in a good cruise speed and flew loose formation home.
BT-02.jpg


As we approached 3C1, Bob said, "Now, WHERE is the grass runway?" I told him that it was to the immediate left of the paved runway. "I'll just use the pavement," he replied. Then I watched him skillfully guide the RV-1 right down the middle ... of the grass runway. Go figure.

One wag smugly commented that we were obviously being protective of the turf, as I used only the first half of the runway and Nasty used the last half. :D For his first landing in a strange plane at a strange field, he was truly masterful.

With both of us safely on the ground, we taxied to my hangar and just hung out, letting our planes get to know each other. I could almost hear Smokey saying, "Hey, I have a new little friend!"
BT-03.jpg


A few of the locals gathered to admire the new arrival and hang out, telling pilot lies. While weenies and burgers were devoured, Nasty got a checkout in Smokey and went up for a quickie. I'm sure that Smokey enjoyed being flown by a real pilot and not jerked around the skies by a ham-fisted beginner like me.

When the crowd dispersed, we tucked The One safely into Hangar Bay One on the USS Nimitz and headed home to rest up for the next day of flying.
BT-05.jpg
 
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Some stormy stuff blew through the area on Monday night, sadly not spilling a drop of rain on our parched grass. We awoke to overcast skies and some wind, but nothing but improving conditions as the Tour continued westward. We fired up the planes and taxied out for takeoff -- destination, Marshall County airport (C75), near Peoria, IL.
BT-06.jpg


The overcast skies kept us a bit cooler in the cockpits than the previous day, thankfully. At one point, Nasty requested that I take a pic of him with Chicago in the background. Now, lets see ... how do I maintain formation while taking a pic with an iPhone? I tried several times, and this was the best I could do, sorry. And Chicago is indeed somewhere in the hazy background, but I can't see it.
BT-07.jpg


Because The One has only elementary instrumentation, poor Bob had only the sound of the engine and midair chatter to occupy his time while we made our way to Peoria. However, we discovered a little game where I would tell him what I was listening to on my XM radio and he would sing along. Just for the record, I'm pretty sure that any money that Bob's parents gave him for singing lessons went for avgas instead. Don't quit your day job, Bob. :D

The guys at C75 were very welcoming, even giving us special tee shirts for the occasion!
BT-08.jpg


Because I had already taken the day off and the weather was improving, I decided to tag along and just be an RV-1 roadie. No sense unloading any of Nasty's stuff from Smokey.

Three planes from the KC group joined us for the next leg, doing their formation practice on each other and taking turns forming on The One for pictures. One of the planes had a passenger with a camera, so there was no juggling cameras/phones while flying. I'm hoping that the pics turned out great and that I get to see them sometime.

The next stop was the Omar N. Bradley airport in Moberly, MO (KMBY) -- literally in the middle of nowhere. I didn't even have cell service. They had construction going on, so parking was somewhat limited. They were grading some dirt and spraying what was apparently fertilizer on it (I know that smell, sadly) from a truck with a firehose-gizmo, so we made that stop a quickie. Didn't need to have the planes fertilized. When I got out, I saw that I had a text message from my spousal unit asking if I had arrived OK. No, wait ... that's not what the text said. It said, "Seen Tsam yet?" Sheesh. She was more interested in Paul and Louise's freshly-painted creation than my well-being. Harrumph. So, I took a pic of Tsam parked in the dirt. Yes, parked in dirt.
BT-10.jpg


(Had to get Smokey's tail in there, naturally.) :D
 
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At KMBY, we were met and joined by more tag-alongs. In addition to the KC guys and Paul Dye in Tsam, there were three more RVs joining our merry band. Nasty briefed the departure, enroute and arrival procedures and we all took off. I was tail-end Charlie, keeping an eye on everybody from the rear. At times, it was like herding cats, but we all made it to Lee's Summit pretty close to our estimated arrival time. The KC guys -- who were joined enroute by another of their gang -- led the way over the airport with smoke on. Following their diamond formation were Bob in the RV-1 and Paul in the RV-3 -- the first and latest single-seat RVs. Pretty cool. We groupies hung back a bit and then landed normally, followed by the KC gang. I decided to take another pic of Tsam with the Lee's Summit FBO in the background to satisfy my wife.
BT-11.jpg


Unfortunately, my part of this historic event had run its course. I had contemplated just taking the rest of the week off and continue tagging along all the way to Denver or maybe farther, but my wife had reminded me that I had a business meeting in Chicago on Thursday that I couldn't miss. Honked me off because the Lee's Summit guys had a great BBQ dinner planned and were really rolling out the red carpet for The One. So, I fueled up and blasted off for home.
BT-12.jpg


I climbed to 9500' for the eastward ride home to enjoy the benefits of a 40-knot quartering tailwind, but found that at 42 degrees up there, my oil temps were down below 160. Harrumph. So, I dropped down to 7500 and still saw ground speeds in excess of 190 knots. Clouds eventually forced me down into the bumps at 5500, but I made it home from KC in 2 hours. Certainly a LOT faster than churning along at 120 knots as I had been keeping The One company! However, it was exceedingly boring without anyone to play with, even with the XM radio. I almost missed Bob's singing. Not really. :D

I'm sure that some others who participated on this part of the Barnstorming Tour will chime in with more stories and more pictures, especially the in-flight formation pics. The RV-1 is a national treasure in its own right, and I consider it a privilege to have enjoyed a small part of its journey. The organization that has gone into restoring The One and sending it across two countries before being ensconced in a museum has been equally enjoyable to witness. The One is in good hands wherever it goes. Much thanks to Paul and Louise and all who have touched The One from restoration to this Tour.
 
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Bob,

I'd be honored to help with a TWF stop. Question in my mind is what head count makes the deviation worth while?

John Siebold
Boise (big town, five people), ID

John,

We may save TWF for the leg TO OSH. That flight plan is in work now so we'll keep you in mind.
 
Colby, KS

Looks like Bob is fueling at Colby, KS, on his way to Denver. Isn't there a John Denver song about Colby?
 
RV1 at Lees Summit, May 29

It was an honor to participate in the escort flights for "The One" on May 29 and 30 as a hitchhiker.

Here are shots from our linkup at Lacon, IL and on to Moberly, MO:

https://picasaweb.google.com/dooleym88/ILAndMOLinkup?authkey=Gv1sRgCLqQu7n0m5aCyAE

and Moberly, MO to KLXT:

https://picasaweb.google.com/dooleym88/MoberlyToLeesSummit?authkey=Gv1sRgCNyWr8i33fPxPA

I was hosting the reception at Lees Summit so didn't take many photos...but hundreds were taken and I will post a sample as I'm able to gather them from friends, family, and guests.

In the meantime, here are a few taken by Bob Gurski from EAA 91:

https://picasaweb.google.com/dooley...key=Gv1sRgCN3s6KCyhoLp9QE#5748515810586966578

and a few shots I took of KC Flight's performance in honor of the RV1:

https://picasaweb.google.com/dooley...key=Gv1sRgCJyjs7yqlbGlvAE#5748668992260753970

Enjoy,
Mike
 
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RV1 Tour Stop at Lees Summit, May 29

These photos of the RV1 tour stop at Lees Summit were taken by John McCullagh of Paola, KS.

Includes:
A large group photo with all available RVs
the smaller group photo of the RV1 with escorts (as posted by N53LW) and a shot I refer to as "The Heritage of the RV1 Wing" plus some single ship photos of the RV1 and "Tsam"

Also a nice photo of KC Flight in "the Vic" with smoke on

https://picasaweb.google.com/dooley...hkey=Gv1sRgCI7f96_E_5vDXg#5748661085547328034

Enjoy,
Mike
 
Colby, KS

Looks like Bob is fueling at Colby, KS, on his way to Denver. Isn't there a John Denver song about Colby?

As I was prepping to shoot the departure photos of "The One" from Colby the airport manager offered me a lift down the taxiway to get closer....as I opened the door on his vehicle a huge pile of dirt fell out. "Sorry about that" he said.."we had a dust storm last weekend with 100 mph winds." :eek:

Glad we timed our visit for this week!

Mike
 
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