Ah, a real summer day, this past Saturday, April 21, 2007 was. With temps in the high 70's to low 80's, combined with light wind, it was a real treat. What wasn't a treat, despite these low winds, was the turbulence we experienced throughout the day. Though nothing significant, it became a nuisance by the time we returned home. Still though, we had a great flight as I will try to convey below.
After arriving at the airport, a standard pre-flight was in order, followed by a quick trip to the airport office to check last minute weather and use the facilities. I already knew where I wanted to fly to, and Hershey Park in Hershey, PA was it. Before we could actually fly there, we figured on a quick fuel stop at Queen City airport in Allentown, PA. This is our usual fuel-stop and rest area before, during or after a day of flying, if we are in the area of course.
Upon departing, I headed southwest, paralleling I-78. We overflew Kutztown and the university located there, as well as the small airport with one paved runway and the other turf. Continuing, we flew just north of a rather large, irregular shaped lake due northeast of Reading, PA. Soon after, I could see the town of Lebanon in the distance, and knew that Deck airport was around the area. We were both getting hungry and since it was a little past noon, we decided on a visit to this quaint, farm country airport amongst the cattle and corn fields of PA. After taxing, parking and shutting down the engine, we emerged from the cockpit to utter silence. It's almost spooky to hear nothing at all in the midst of a corn field. If it wasn't for a Piper and a few other planes departing and landing, it would have been too weird. We pulled out our step stool and used it as a make-shift seat and enjoyed our picnic lunch which we always haul around with us. WaWa subs, chips and pickles with Gatorade, plus cookies for dessert.....Delicious and re-energized, ready to photograph the coasters of Hershey Park.
After departing on the same runway we had just landed on, 01 (10 degree heading), we were soon leveled-off at approx. 2,000 feet. It's good we had climbed this high, because I had no idea the park was actually open that day. I was figuring the park to be closed before May like nearby Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom in Allentown, PA is. Anyway, I throttled the engine back just a bit and entered a shallow, left-hand turn. With pops assisting me and helping me check for traffic, I commenced snapping my camera's shutter button on anything resembling a coaster that jumped in front of my lens. Seriously, though, I was there for one purpose, to photograph each and every coaster and add these photos to my website. Click HERE to check-out my Coaster "Aerial Photo" Page if you have not done so already.
Our next stop was Donegal Springs airpark, which lies south of Hershey in Mount Joy/Marietta, PA. Smack dab in the middle of a corn field, the airport features a large Piper Aerostar maintenance facility and parachuting operation. After a brief walk around the airport grounds and watching some dare-devils diving their towards the earth with their chutes strapped to their back, we departed and headed southeast towards Lancaster. This is a large city, and I never realized this until this flight as we flew directly overhead, snapping many pictures of this spread-out gathering of homes and buildings. We noted Lancaster airport to the left (northeast) of our course, and soon found Smoketown airport up ahead. The field is nestled withing the confines of an Amtrak rail line and small roads on its' three other borders. There is an aircraft painting operation there, as well as many tie-downs and hangars available for rent. A short walk away are many fine Amish, country-style restaurants, as well as an amusement park known as Dutch Wonderland. Check it out if you're ever in the area.
While walking towards the office, we noted three Grumman Tiger airplanes flying in formation overhead, then breaking off one by one to land. Something you don't see everyday. We poked around a bit by the operations area, seeing many spectators relaxing on the patio and watching the planes take-off and land. There was much hustle and bustle that day, due mostly to the outstanding weather. After 15 minutes or so, we were taxiing to the runway and were soon climbing away from the traffic pattern, on our way to nearby Strasburg Railroad grounds, including an indoor/outdoor museum and train ride. We flew a few circles around the complex, taking a look at all of the activity there and noting the large, steam locomotive huffing and puffing in anticicpation of its next load of excited families, ready to tour the Lancaster countryside.
Now we were due east of Strasburg and I noticed that a large portion of a field had been mowed down to spell the phrase "Wild West City". Of course I snapped a few pictures of this, then a lot more of the never ending, Amish farm countryside. Quite an amazing site indeed. So, after all of this flying, airport hopping and photographing, it was time to head for home. A direct route from the Strasburg area to western NJ, flying just east of Reading and southeast of Allentown, PA. This was a day that we hope is an example of many more to come....See after the next flight !!!
Monday, April 23, 2007
Monday, April 02, 2007
Rugged Terrain, Endless Fields....Where else, but Pennsylvania !!!
Finally, a day filled with superb visibility, smooth air and great company since my wife joined Dad and I this time. It was Saturday, March 31, 2007 that we took to the air, first heading north. Our plans were to fly west, but because of the ominous weather in that direction, we decided to head towards lower NY state. As we flew further north, the skies looked brighter towards the west, so I put the plane on course towards Towanda, PA, due west of Scranton. Bradford County airport was our first destination, just south of town.
While flying due west from northern NJ, we took note of the Delaware Water Gap and the large reservoir that is perched high on the ridge, overlooking Blairstown, NJ to the east and East Stroudsburg, PA to the west. East Stroudsburg airport was soon approaching, as was Camelback ski resort in the distance and to the south of our course. Our next major landmark was the populous valley of Wilkes-Barre / Scranton, PA. We flew just to the north of the international airport located in this valley, and I took this opportunity to shoot some photos which I will someday post to Flyin Phil's Photos, as well as many other photos that I shot that day. Continuing, we passed just south of the small town of Tunkhannock, PA and the little airport that sits directly behind the shopping center and adjacent to a mobile home park. The runway is only 2,000 feet, but at least it is paved. Again, I snapped a few pictures of this field as we continued on towards our destination.
The hills, endless fields and rather rugged terrain was phenomenal, and my wife and I recalled our drive last summer along the road towards Towanda as we made our way towards Erie, PA. Soon, in the distance, we could see the Bradford County airport. I was flying at an altitude of about 4,500 feet, so I figured I would shoot some aerial photos of the airport, then circle the town while I descended. This worked-out well, and I set-up the plane in a left-hand traffic pattern for runway 05 (50 degree heading). The approach was scenic, and my wife was shooting video for my website as well. After a smooth and uneventful landing, we taxied to the main ramp, parked and shut down the engine. The office/pilot lounge there was business-like, clean and comfortable. We took a short rest, taxied the plane to the fuel depot, filled the tanks, then took-off, heading south this time.
Danville, PA was our next destination, and the little airport that resides just west of the town. This course took us over terrain we had never flown over before, and was quite the spectacle. Rugged, mountainous terrain interlaced with roads that snaked all around the valleys of these mountains. There was little in the way of population, though that was a good thing. My wife and I took this opportunity to shoot many photos of this naturally beautiful area of eastern PA. Within 15 or so minutes, we were just east of Williamsport, PA, and noticed a thick, greenish smog lying in the valley to the west of our course. Dad and I remember this sight from a previous flight a few years back. Crossing I-80, Danville was soon ahead of us as my wife shot some more video of the pretty views that we were treated to. After landing at the airport here, I taxied to the parking ramp and shutdown the engine. Nothing spectacular here, though rather quaint with a feeling like you've stepped back in time to the early days of flying (aside from the modern aircraft in the large hangar adjacent to the office).
After a restroom break and a stretch, we were back in the air, this time heading for Knoebels Amusement Park in Elysburg, PA. This would be our second time over-flying this quaint, little park for some photo-ops. I particularly wanted to photograph their three roller-coasters; the Phoenix, Twister and the newest edition to their collection, the Flying Turns (similar to a bobsled track). Continuing further to the east, we took note of 4 radar domes that provided me with a great photo-op. By now we were getting hungry and ready to eat our lunch which we always bring with us. I landed at nearby Hazleton airport and we enjoyed our sandwiches, the friendliness in the pilot lounge and the parachuting activities after lunch at this airport atop a hill, just north of the town. Upon taking-off, I flew a slight turn to the right to avoid over-flying a large Wal-Mart and strip mall just off of the west end of Hazleton's runway. After climbing and levelling out at about 3,000 feet, I suggested flying to Jake Arner Memorial airport, just west of Lehighton, PA. The last time Dad and I were there was with our motorized bikes in the back of the plane, but that's a whole other story which I will someday add to my website.
After a quick landing at this small airport near historic Jim Thorpe, we decided enough was enough. I quickly took-off without shutting down the engine and we headed southeast. I flew through the gap in the Appalacian ridge just north of Slatington and south of Lehighton, where a river runs through and the PA Turnpike Northeast Extension tunnels its way through as well. This course also took us over Nazareth and Bath, PA, and I took note of the now CLOSED Nazareth Speedway which is in the process of being demolished. Large rock quarries, cement plants and other factories were in the nearby Easton area which I photographed as well. Soon, we were crossing the town of Easton and the many auto and rail-road bridges that traverse the Delaware river in this congested area of eastern PA.
Finally, back to NJ and just north of Milford, we could spot our home-base airport up ahead. I entered the pattern and made a downwind landing (usually, not the best choice), though it worked-out well as the gas pumps were at the far end from where I touched down. Fuel prices are still rather inexpensive at $3.30 per gallon, but expected to rise as the next load of fuel arrives. Taxiing into our tie-down spot was our last destination, and we were all reflecting on what a memorable day we were treated to, thanks to Pennsylvania's rugged, mountainous terrain and endless fields. We only hope that our next flight will be this much fun....See you after the next journey !!!
While flying due west from northern NJ, we took note of the Delaware Water Gap and the large reservoir that is perched high on the ridge, overlooking Blairstown, NJ to the east and East Stroudsburg, PA to the west. East Stroudsburg airport was soon approaching, as was Camelback ski resort in the distance and to the south of our course. Our next major landmark was the populous valley of Wilkes-Barre / Scranton, PA. We flew just to the north of the international airport located in this valley, and I took this opportunity to shoot some photos which I will someday post to Flyin Phil's Photos, as well as many other photos that I shot that day. Continuing, we passed just south of the small town of Tunkhannock, PA and the little airport that sits directly behind the shopping center and adjacent to a mobile home park. The runway is only 2,000 feet, but at least it is paved. Again, I snapped a few pictures of this field as we continued on towards our destination.
The hills, endless fields and rather rugged terrain was phenomenal, and my wife and I recalled our drive last summer along the road towards Towanda as we made our way towards Erie, PA. Soon, in the distance, we could see the Bradford County airport. I was flying at an altitude of about 4,500 feet, so I figured I would shoot some aerial photos of the airport, then circle the town while I descended. This worked-out well, and I set-up the plane in a left-hand traffic pattern for runway 05 (50 degree heading). The approach was scenic, and my wife was shooting video for my website as well. After a smooth and uneventful landing, we taxied to the main ramp, parked and shut down the engine. The office/pilot lounge there was business-like, clean and comfortable. We took a short rest, taxied the plane to the fuel depot, filled the tanks, then took-off, heading south this time.
Danville, PA was our next destination, and the little airport that resides just west of the town. This course took us over terrain we had never flown over before, and was quite the spectacle. Rugged, mountainous terrain interlaced with roads that snaked all around the valleys of these mountains. There was little in the way of population, though that was a good thing. My wife and I took this opportunity to shoot many photos of this naturally beautiful area of eastern PA. Within 15 or so minutes, we were just east of Williamsport, PA, and noticed a thick, greenish smog lying in the valley to the west of our course. Dad and I remember this sight from a previous flight a few years back. Crossing I-80, Danville was soon ahead of us as my wife shot some more video of the pretty views that we were treated to. After landing at the airport here, I taxied to the parking ramp and shutdown the engine. Nothing spectacular here, though rather quaint with a feeling like you've stepped back in time to the early days of flying (aside from the modern aircraft in the large hangar adjacent to the office).
After a restroom break and a stretch, we were back in the air, this time heading for Knoebels Amusement Park in Elysburg, PA. This would be our second time over-flying this quaint, little park for some photo-ops. I particularly wanted to photograph their three roller-coasters; the Phoenix, Twister and the newest edition to their collection, the Flying Turns (similar to a bobsled track). Continuing further to the east, we took note of 4 radar domes that provided me with a great photo-op. By now we were getting hungry and ready to eat our lunch which we always bring with us. I landed at nearby Hazleton airport and we enjoyed our sandwiches, the friendliness in the pilot lounge and the parachuting activities after lunch at this airport atop a hill, just north of the town. Upon taking-off, I flew a slight turn to the right to avoid over-flying a large Wal-Mart and strip mall just off of the west end of Hazleton's runway. After climbing and levelling out at about 3,000 feet, I suggested flying to Jake Arner Memorial airport, just west of Lehighton, PA. The last time Dad and I were there was with our motorized bikes in the back of the plane, but that's a whole other story which I will someday add to my website.
After a quick landing at this small airport near historic Jim Thorpe, we decided enough was enough. I quickly took-off without shutting down the engine and we headed southeast. I flew through the gap in the Appalacian ridge just north of Slatington and south of Lehighton, where a river runs through and the PA Turnpike Northeast Extension tunnels its way through as well. This course also took us over Nazareth and Bath, PA, and I took note of the now CLOSED Nazareth Speedway which is in the process of being demolished. Large rock quarries, cement plants and other factories were in the nearby Easton area which I photographed as well. Soon, we were crossing the town of Easton and the many auto and rail-road bridges that traverse the Delaware river in this congested area of eastern PA.
Finally, back to NJ and just north of Milford, we could spot our home-base airport up ahead. I entered the pattern and made a downwind landing (usually, not the best choice), though it worked-out well as the gas pumps were at the far end from where I touched down. Fuel prices are still rather inexpensive at $3.30 per gallon, but expected to rise as the next load of fuel arrives. Taxiing into our tie-down spot was our last destination, and we were all reflecting on what a memorable day we were treated to, thanks to Pennsylvania's rugged, mountainous terrain and endless fields. We only hope that our next flight will be this much fun....See you after the next journey !!!
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