Well folks – the tour is about to start! The RV-1 is going to be leaving Texas on or about the 10th of March, headed east to Alabama. Because the RV-1 is minimally equipped, part of our operating philosophy is that it will be accompanied by an escort plane on all cross-country tips. The escort will be responsible for evaluating Weather, scouting ahead if required, and helping the RV-1 pilot with decision making for stops and routes. The escort plane will ideally also be able to return the RV-1 pilot to home base after they hand over the airplane to the next pilot. The complete list of requirements/duties is shown below. While the “Friends of the RV-1” organization will be covering RV-1 expenses, donations to date have not provided enough funding to pay for escort airplane operations, so we are looking for folks who can cover their own costs for a day of flying (Since the organization is a registered non-profit, you may be able to deduct your expenses – please check with your tax professional!).
Escort duty is NOT formation flying, so an FFI card is not required, but experience operating with other aircraft will be a plus. Our emphasis is on judgment and cross-country experience.
With that pre-amble out of the way, please let me know here or with a PM if you are able, interested, and willing to provide escort for this first of many legs on the RV-1 tour! Under perfect conditions, the trip should be doable in a single day….the RV-1 pilot’s backside permitting. The aircraft will depart from 52F (or T67) and end up at 08A (Wetumpka), just north of Montgomery. We need to pin this down as soon as possible, so please check if you are up for an interesting cross-country.
Escort Plane Requirements
• Capable of 500 mile range, cruise speed range from 90 – 150 knots
• Weather and GPS equipped
• Good communication radios (dual channel Comm preferred but not required to maintain A/A with RV-1 while talking to CTAF/Tower)
• Ability to carry RV-1 pilot for return trip along with their personal gear (30 lbs). Need to carry RV-1 accessories (50 lbs) on escort portion of trip.
• RV’s preferred, but factory built aircraft are OK.
Escort Pilot requirements
• Private pilot or better
• 200 hours Cross-country time
• Regional experience for terrain/weather/airspace
• Comfortable/experienced in towered/controlled airspace if appropriate for the route of flight
Please PM me or post here if you think you can help out. We're really looking forward to community support for this effort - and this role is a great excuse to go flying!
Paul
Escort duty is NOT formation flying, so an FFI card is not required, but experience operating with other aircraft will be a plus. Our emphasis is on judgment and cross-country experience.
With that pre-amble out of the way, please let me know here or with a PM if you are able, interested, and willing to provide escort for this first of many legs on the RV-1 tour! Under perfect conditions, the trip should be doable in a single day….the RV-1 pilot’s backside permitting. The aircraft will depart from 52F (or T67) and end up at 08A (Wetumpka), just north of Montgomery. We need to pin this down as soon as possible, so please check if you are up for an interesting cross-country.
Escort Plane Requirements
• Capable of 500 mile range, cruise speed range from 90 – 150 knots
• Weather and GPS equipped
• Good communication radios (dual channel Comm preferred but not required to maintain A/A with RV-1 while talking to CTAF/Tower)
• Ability to carry RV-1 pilot for return trip along with their personal gear (30 lbs). Need to carry RV-1 accessories (50 lbs) on escort portion of trip.
• RV’s preferred, but factory built aircraft are OK.
Escort Pilot requirements
• Private pilot or better
• 200 hours Cross-country time
• Regional experience for terrain/weather/airspace
• Comfortable/experienced in towered/controlled airspace if appropriate for the route of flight
Please PM me or post here if you think you can help out. We're really looking forward to community support for this effort - and this role is a great excuse to go flying!
Paul