Staggerwing Beech Commemorative Tour

Log Book

Sunday, August 25, 1996 departed Zelienople, PA Airport (8G7)headed to starting point at Youngstown Elser Airport Ohio

Monday, August 26, 1996 Barb & I left around 1000 for our first fuel stop in DAY Intl. Arpt., Dayton, Oh. Wx was cooperative. Our next fuel stop was at LWV, Lawrenceville-Vincennes Intl. Arpt., Lawrenceville, Il. Wx was threatening south, southwest & northwest of the arpt. Upon calling FSS, my route was changed somewhat to a more WSW rather than SW departure due to level 6 TRW. That added 42nm to our trip, since we had to fly to Centralia, Il. before turning south. Our third fuel stop was ARG, Walnut Ridge Regional Arpt., Walnut Ridge, Ark. There we were greeted by the local TV station, KIAT, of Jonesboro, Ark. for an interview. Then we proceeded to our final destination for the day, ASG, Springdale Muni, Springdale, Ark. I filed IFR, as we were encountering RW and cloud conditions. We also flew at night, and I made a night landing after shooting the approach for the ILS RWy 18. We stayed at Executive Inn in Sprindale, & also visited Jim & Ada Younkin, who restore antique a/c at his shop on the field. They have participated in previous Staggerwing events, & were instrumental in finishing up Serial #1, A17R, that is now in the Staggerwing Museum. The Lockheed Electra 12A, the Twin Beech, & Chris Jacobson's Embassy Staggerwing were the only other a/c that made it.

Tuesday, August 27, 1996 We departed IFR to VBT, Bentonville Muni/Louise M. Thaden Field, Bentonville, Ark. Terry von Thaden, Louise Thaden's granddaughter, flew right seat, with me in the left, and Barb as crew member in the back. This was the first ride & first opportunity for Terry to fly the Staggerwing, & of all times, in IFR conditions!!! We were unfortunately "on an extended approach" due to the Razorback Approach Controller's macho attitude. That 15 minute trip at the most turned into an almost 45 minute trip!! Upon our arrival at Bentonville, we were greeted with tons of photographers, newspaper & TV personnel, taking lots of pxs of us and the a/c. The declaration from the Mayor of Bentonville, and senator of Ark. was read by the Mayor, a woman, & a presentation was given by Bill & Terry von Thaden. We then checked wx and climbed into our respective a/c for Bartlesville Ok., IFR once again. Terry again flew with us for that leg. She is a private pilot, with a few instrument lessons into her instrument rating. She flew remarkably well, considering she hasn't flown in a year, never flew in a Staggerwing before, and she flew in IFR conditions. We broke through the clouds & moderate rain just minutes before we were to begin the approach into BVO, Bartlesville Muni, Bartlesville, Ok. We flew a fly-by before landing. After tying the Bluebird down for the night, we went to the Hotel Phillips to rest up before the banquet dinner. The Biplane Association hosted this overnight. Barb & I had a suite that was most comfortable for a mere $45/night!!! This was real Ark. hospitality!!!!!

Wednesday, August 28, 1996 We were greeted in the early AM by ground fog that you couldn't even cut with a knife. We waited around till after 1000, and then after Bill Thaden talked with me about the possibility of a cancellation to Wichita, & Terry continuing the trip in the Lockheed due to commitments in San Diego, he decided that since the forecast wx called for afternoon TRW, he decided to cancel the trip to ICT, Ks. By 1045, the fog began to burn off, & more Stags took off to head towards Ca. Barb & I departed around 1115, to go to our first fuel stop. WWR, Woodward/West Woodward, Woodward, Ok. On the way, we were up flying over 2.5 hrs. IFR to get there due to constant deviations around TRW, & there were lots of them!!!! I was so spent from flying that leg that I needed a break for about an hour. The wx began to deteriorate, & Barb & I decided to call it a night.

Thursday, August 29, 1996 We departed WWR around 1115 to head for TCC, Tucumcari Muni, Tucumcari, NM. We departed IFR and filed for 8000', a much smoother ride than at 6000' the day before. It wasn't until I was given lower at 6000' that we broke through the clouds and landed at TCC. I refiled and prepared for ABQ. One of the line men at TCC came out to tell me there was a T warning around ABQ. When I returned and spoke with FSS, they warned me not to continue. I decided at 1330 to call it a day, & stay in TCC. We toured the town, did our laundry & swam in the pool. We arose at 0600 the next day, had breakfast, and headed for the arpt. by 0730.

Friday, August 30, 1996 We depart TCC at 0830 again IFR for AEG, Albuquerque, Double Eagle II, Albuquerque, NM. I filed for 10,000', and it wasn't until around 35nm out that we broke out of the clouds and into beautiful VFR, clear wx!!!

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Serving General Aviation in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia and Maryland

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©1996 Purvis Brothers, Inc.

Last Update 14 Sep 1996 10:22 am EDT