Appologies Mike!
Austin, looking forward to the story on this one!
And interesting routing choice...
My apologies to you Mike for the slow response to your post as well as the lack of response during the interim!!
I've been scrolling through the posts this morning to catch up on race events and today is the first time I've taken notice.
Story:
Riding on a quartering 45 kt tailwind component made it hard to resist actually turning into it to make it hit squarely on the ol' keester. Then on top of and after that having the second RMI needle register U-Taphao 75 NM straight ahead was just too much of a temptation and I caved.......
A bit of a "Joy Ride" I'll admit as far as routing was concerned. Although no more out of the way than Calcutta or some of the other stops along the way.
Looking back thinking what Jimmy would have done.....hmm. Probably would have been just as wind euphoric, but more intent on getting back "Down Under" and stayed the course with a better line towards Singapore.
One would have to have been there on the ground at Rayong when I arrived......
The crowds rushed in from all directions as the word spread of one of the planes from the "Race" had landed there. Folks weren't expecting any planes to show and had dropped their daily tasks, some in aprons, some in hard hats, and a few in hip waders running and screaming...."We have lace plane,,,,Layong have lace plane". Golly,,,whew,,, I just couldn't stop smiling and waving.....[pausing now briefly while the emotions build and poor back over me yet again].......
A wonderful site indeed as I was hoisted to a shoulder ride that carried me to an impromptu "feastival" from which I am just now recovering...:mixedsmi:
Flight Time:
I totally missed you mentioning that the Team fly using UTC as a standard. The time and date stamp from the previous flight certainly didn't indicate any sort of system, so I started the flight at dawn to make room for as many flights as possible the rest of the day.
Hat's off to Dangerousdave,,,,,flying this bird solo is not only monumental, but what a great opportunity to get totally immersed in this great plane.
Cheers,