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Thread: Arizona to Oshkosh 2021

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  1. #1
    Administrator DesertFox4's Avatar
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    Default Arizona to Oshkosh 2021

    Wednesday started at 3 am yesterday and closed at 11:30 pm. Two Kitfox launched from Deer Valley Airport in North Phoenix, AZ at 5:30 am and landed 20 minutes before legal sunset in my hometown of Fairmont, MN. 1300 plus miles today. Nice smooth flight 95% of the trip with about the same percentage of tailwinds. Both Kitfox worked flawlessly. I love cross country in the Kitfox.
    Now we spend a couple relaxing days at my brother’s cottage on the North end of East Chain Lake 11 miles South of the airport where our aircraft are safely tucked in hangars. Maybe some local flights in the next day or so taking in the amazing abundance of green fields. What contrast to the desert colors we have become so accustomed to in the desert southwest. See you all at the “Big Show”.
    79DFD373-35FA-4CD5-AD4D-21A30848AE45.jpg
    Refueling at Las Vegas, New Mexico.
    This stop leaves behind the mountainous terrains with an immediate change
    to open fields with copious options for a safe landing if the need arose.

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    DesertDave’s model 6 “Yellow Belle” taking lead for a 300 mile leg.

    88C7785F-8A25-4B9C-ADD8-1A8E8A6BFC59.jpg
    28DB4264-BC29-4035-837F-0FA48DCFA0C3.jpg
    Refuel at Garden City, Kansas. 24 knot winds but right down their hugely
    long runway 17. They used to fly B29’s off this field so not much issue for
    our birds to get airborne from a midfield intersection departure.
    The friendliest ground and tower folks you could ever meet. Great, albeit
    breezy stop. Triple chocked and tied down for the brief fuel stop.
    Nice fuel discount too from the great FBO when they heard we were
    on our way to AirVenture.👍 Fly safe everyone.


    DesertFox4
    Admin.
    7 Super Sport
    912 ULS Tri-gear


  2. #2
    Senior Member PapuaPilot's Avatar
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    Default Re: Arizona to Oshkosh 2021

    I left Idaho on Tuesday and made it to northern Michigan yesterday after flying 900+ miles on Wednesday. The tailwinds were nice all the way, but I stopped early on Tue. at Hot Springs, SD due to the strong, gusty winds in the area. I know what you mean about the green fields, my wife and I grew up in the Midwest. Quite different than the dry and smokey weather we have in Idaho right now.

    It's nice to have a few days of relaxing at my family's cottage before going to Oshkosh. I was able to give a flight to my nephew this morning before he returned to Germany (he's in the Air Force). My next ride will be for my father who is 88. He has been asking when he might get a ride in the Kitfox ever since I finished building it. That is why I headed east a little early.

    Here is Lake Charlevoix in Michigan right after I got across Lake Michigan from Oconto, WI. Nope, this ain't Idaho.

    IMG_20210721_165141413~2.jpg

    I will be flying back across Lake Michigan on Sunday and plan on camping at the UL field. Looking forward to meeting up with all of you fellow Kitfox owners.
    Phil Nelson
    A&P-IA, Maintenance Instructor
    KF 5 Outback, Cont. IO-240
    Flying since 2016

  3. #3
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    Default Re: Arizona to Oshkosh 2021

    On behalf of those of us who aren't going to Osh, thanks for posting and keep it up.

    Oh, and don't forget to check those gas caps.
    Kitfox 5 (under construction)
    Commercial SE/ME, CFII

  4. #4
    Senior Member PapuaPilot's Avatar
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    Default Re: Arizona to Oshkosh 2021

    I left Oshkosh on Friday morning. My plan was to leave as early as possible, but I had to wait for the powered parachutes to subside at the ultralight field. I only made it as far as Lacrosse, WI due to low visibility and light rain and overnighted in Lacrosse. Unfortunately Minnesota, Iowa and the Dakotas were plagued with 1/4 to 2 mile visibilities due to smoke coming down from Canada. On Saturday I was able to head north and find better visibility. After going east of of MSP airspace I could eventually turn to the west. I flew 7.8 hours Saturday and got to Beach, ND which was just a couple of miles short of the Montana boarder. On decent I was going right down I-94 next to the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. I got home to Idaho on Sunday in about 6.5 hours and flew over some beautiful mountains in Montana and the Idaho backcountry.

    Oshkosh UL Departure.jpg
    Oshkosh UL field awaiting start clearance

    Theodore Roosevelt Natl Park.jpg
    Theodore Roosevelt Natl Park

    Montana.jpg
    Montana mountains
    Phil Nelson
    A&P-IA, Maintenance Instructor
    KF 5 Outback, Cont. IO-240
    Flying since 2016

  5. #5
    Administrator DesertFox4's Avatar
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    Default Re: Arizona to Oshkosh 2021

    Thanks guys. Was good seeing you and everyone at Oshkosh.

    A quick trip to Esterville, IA airport to schedule a Citabria inspection and found this in the City hangar. Missing some cylinders
    but otherwise looks like a blast. Floats are carbon fiber.$$$$
    71CC94F9-B30D-4782-B87A-67E4D1E0C707.jpg
    E21ED5E7-5C6C-4931-A6C9-C170734D1994.jpg56AF521E-5F7C-417C-A242-028ADF4459EA.jpg
    (Two ship to Esterville.)


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    A stop in St. James , MN for some economically priced 100LL. $3.85 per gallon.👍
    Nice little municipal airport. A perfect evening for flying.

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    Skies are not always Kitfox friendly in Minnesota. Nice to know the Super Sport is snug in it’s temporary hangar.


    DesertFox4
    Admin.
    7 Super Sport
    912 ULS Tri-gear


  6. #6
    Senior Member Kitfox Pilot's Avatar
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    Default Re: Arizona to Oshkosh 2021

    Thanks for the updates Steve, it was very good to see you again.
    Eddie it was good to meet you and your son and the amount of hours you flew to get there and back are amazing to me!
    Harlan and Susan Payne
    Sold Piper Archer
    Flying FarmFox STI Kitfox N61HP
    Rotax 915is, Airmaster prop
    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5A...oCVUP15G0uB-Yw

  7. #7
    Senior Member efwd's Avatar
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    Default Re: Arizona to Oshkosh 2021

    Looks like a great way to make the long flight home, do it with long breaks. My back is still fatigued after that long trek home from OSH. Guess its time I edit my video down to something reasonable that people will be willing to sit through. Enjoy the month or two Steve, Monsoons may be gone for you when you return. They were certainly added stress on my trip through AZ.
    Eddie Forward
    Flying
    SS7, 912iS, Garmin G3X

  8. #8
    Senior Member jrevens's Avatar
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    Default Re: Arizona to Oshkosh 2021

    Love your reports, Steve!
    John Evens
    Arvada, CO
    Kitfox SS7 N27JE
    EAA Lifetime
    Chap. 43 honorary Lifetime

  9. #9
    Senior Member Av8r_Sed's Avatar
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    Default Re: Arizona to Oshkosh 2021

    So many great places to visit and photos to post. Thanks for taking us along Steve.
    -- Paul S
    Model III SN910
    582 IVO Med

  10. #10
    Senior Member efwd's Avatar
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    Default Re: Arizona to Oshkosh 2021

    Funny, The surgeon Im working with today is from Fairmont. Graduated from Truman High 1979. The RN in the room is from MN as well. They appreciated these photos as well Steve.
    Eddie Forward
    Flying
    SS7, 912iS, Garmin G3X

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