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With the Phase I flight test period behind me, I wanted to get out and go someplace. I've driven to the Biplane Expo in Bartlesville, OK twice in the past, and it's always a great show. It's one of the only places where you can get right up to the taxiway and see some amazing planes doing flybys!
The trip out there was extremely bumpy. My entire route was covered by an AIRMET for moderate turbulence, and they weren't kidding. It was very bumpy, and the winds were fierce! My ground speed going there was about 70 mph! I flew most of the trip out there at about 2500 ft due to low clouds. I did manage to get on top for about 20 minutes, but when the holes started closing up, I ducked back under in a hurry!
I took us 3 hours to get there, including one fuel stop, but only 1.5 hours to get home! On the return flight the clouds were broken with tops at 7000 ft, so I found some smooth air above them and had a quick and pleasant ride home. Density altitude was close to 10,000 ft, but the plane handled it great!
Trip stats:
- 400 miles
- 20.4 gallons
- 4.6 hours
- 45+ mph winds
- 10,000 ft DA cruise
- 70 mph going, 150 mph coming back
NOTE: photos link to full size image
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