NASA Langley Open House (October 21, 2017)

Up early and down the road for a very rare visit to the NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA. It was the first open house in a long time, this one to celebrate the center which has been in operation since 1917 (that is a 100 years in case you didnt do the math). For much of that it was as NACA (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. Became NASA in the 1950's but this Aeronautics is still the first "A" in NASA. 

 Still doing some amazing flight research. A lot of history for the past 100 years have been made in these buildings. Much of the developments in aviation and certainly many in spaceflight have come out of the minds that work in these buildings and do the research there. I got there early and stayed for some four hours exploring the buildings and meeting some of the people who are making the world of flight so amazing and changing the world we live in. 

 One of the coolest things I saw was this. You are inside what is known as the "14-by 22 foot subsonic tunnel. It is a wind tunnel used to test models and larger models of fixed wing and helicopters (and other V/STOL) aircraft. They can be set up in a number of ways such as seen here, or on a tether.
Got to see a number of models, as well as the amazing control room where the tests are conducted.

 This is the outside of the Subsonic tunnel. There were a number of amazing things and buildings and can't forget again to mention the people who make it all happen. It was a very fun and exciting day and want to thank everyone at NASA for making this remarkable event happen. I just hope they do it again real soon...would love to go back again! 

Dayton Trip - Part 2 (October 7-14, 2017)

Went to the Navy Bean and Seaplane Festival in Rising Sun, Indiana where Debbie and I watched planes such as this and enjoyed the festival which was held October 13-14 (we were there the 14th). Bands, food and a rides (amusement park and probably plane rides) were available. It was a lot of fun.

 After a great visit to Indiana for a few days, had to get back to the airport to head back to Richmond. Took this photo right after takeoff and that below is Dayton, Ohio. It was a wonderful time and a very interesting city to enjoy. I have more and more fun there the more times I go to it.

Flight back to Richmond had a stop in Atlanta where I changed planes (from an MD-88 to a Boeing 757). I have to say the 757 is a wonderful airplane to fly in. Between Atlanta and Richmond is Charlotte, NC and this is a view of that city below. It was also once where I lived (well in nearby Concord, NC) for 14 years but explored Charlotte a lot of times. Wonderful place. Never know what the future holds and what will happen in the days and years to come. Sure enjoy the ride though!

Dayton Trip - Part 1 ( October 7-14, 2007)

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Early in the morning got on board a Boeing 757-200 and headed for Atlanta. It was right about dawn when we took off, and on the way there got this photo of Richmond from the plane. I always get the window seat cause I love to fly and love the view. Love this city too and this was cool to see. Nice flight...the 757 was a fantastic plane and the best part was to and from Atlanta rode it both times. From Atlanta to Dayton flew on an MD-88. Nice way to travel.   

 We saw some new sights in Dayton. Just outside the city was the graves of the Wright Brothers at the very beautiful and historic Woodlawn Cemetery. Here the brothers are at rest flanking their sister. Dayton sure celebrates their famous inventors with a lot of the sites they lived in and created the first airplane (and the ones that followed) which Debbie and I also saw some of both on this trip and a previous trip to the area. I love aviation and this was a real treat for me exploring the city.   

 The city is very interesting and is seen here at left also taken from the cemetery. Smaller I think then Richmond, this was my first time in a long time to actually explore it (last visit we just saw some sights on the outskirts..the flying field, the Air Force Museum, and the Carillon Park with the Wright Flyer III). Got out a bit and saw some new sights in the city. 

Debbie is at left in the pink shirt, this is Warped Wing Brewing in Dayton, Ohio. I have had a couple of their beers at the airport in Dayton, but wanted to try some of them here.
Richmond is a big craft beer town and was cool to have a couple here in this building. I am sure it was an old factory which has been converted to making beer by Warped Wing. The two I had were pretty tasty and it was a nice place to hang out for a little bit. 

We also made a stop at the Wright Cycle Shop and a return visit to the Carillon Bell Tower before making a tour of the Dayton Art Institute. It was a nice art museum with some very interesting items. Much smaller than the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts but a good diverse collection of works and enjoyed looking at them. There is a lot to see and do in Dayton. We scratched the surface of things to do there, both aviation wise but also otherwise. Don't have to love aircraft to have a great time there. It was a very fun day and finding Ohio to be a very, very interesting and fun place. The day before I took a ride on a friends motorcycle there and that was a lot. Wrote about that on my "Racing with the Wind" Page. I will have more on the vacation trip with Debbie on my next post.
 

NAS Oceana Air Show (September 17, 2017)

Felt a bit like going home, went to the NAS Oceana Air Show on Sunday September 17. The show was free and among the many visitors was this US Air Force B-52 bomber. Nice to see one outside and got a good look at this massive aircraft. A very rare treat.

The US Navy Blue Angels were there, and did bring out a massive crowd. I got there early as it opened which gave me time to check out some of the sights and many of the display aircraft on the site. It was also fun to talk to many of the sailors on the base who were both working and out to see the show.

Many of the static aircraft were cool to see such as this F4U Corsair. The Corsair was used both in World War II and the Korean War. The type flew from 1942-1954. The plane actually (not this one but one like it) shot down a Mig-15 jet on November 8, 1950. While thousands were made very few are left and fewer still in flying condition. Pilots who flew these aircraft made history and changed the world.  

I also enjoyed seeing this flight of a P-51 Mustang (a legend of World War II) and the USAF F-16. Neat combination of planes.
There were a lot of remarkable planes flying. There was a hang glider, aerobatic aircraft of many types, an early jet (the Vampire), a number of F-18's and even of all things the original "Batcopter" from the original show "Batman". I got a kick out of that and it was pretty cool.    

As I said, a number of F-18's flew during the show such as these as right. The Blue Angels also fly the F-18 and put on a remarkable show. It was a great time with great people in a wonderful place. Spent a lot of years on Navy bases and the hours spent on this one put a smile on my face.  

Forest Hill Art Fair/Kings Dominion (September 16, 2017)

Great Saturday in Richmond, started with the Forest Hill Art Festival. Always a good time and this free show has a lot of interesting works of art. There was also live music and (not so live) food to enjoy.
The festival is held about this time each year. I think this was the 27th year (or there abouts) and I have been going for like the last 6 or 7. It is a don't miss event and is even better because it is very close to my house.

This was taken at King's Dominion from the 1/3 size Eiffel Tower replica there. Very cool to go up and always some remarkable views of the park and the surrounding area from up there.
Nice amusement park, was able to go thanks to work who basically rents it out every year. Will probably be my last year to go for free because I am planning to retire at the first of the year though told by some I will be invited back.

This is The Intimidator 305, which is frankly one hell of a ride. Yeah, I rode it, usually get up the nerve to do so. It is a hell of a drop from that big hell and the ride gets up to 91 miles per hour.
It is a pretty basic ride though fast and has a few heart stopping moments. I like to get out and enjoy this one.
Park has a lot of good coasters, and also even enjoyed the dinosaur exhibits (though they are recreations but many are moving thanks to modern technology).
Just a beautiful place to wander around and to see some amazing sights and to visit with some friends while there as well
It is located just outside of Richmond, not too far from Ashland, VA. After the visit to the park spent a little time in Ashland with my girlfriend from Ohio. She had not seen it and it is a great town to wander around.
She flew up here for the weekend, and following the day here we got out and explored the NAS Oceana Navy Base for the airshow. Some photos of that which took place on Sunday September 17 will be coming up shortly.

The Journey to Virginia (August 26, 2017)

 Finally had to leave but fantastic memories. Drove from Dayton through the south of the state of Ohio. Peaceful and beautiful drive. Of note saw a hot air balloon, a turkey by the side of the road walking around (and suitable for Thanksgiving) and a C-130 (much like the plane at the museum in the previous post). It was a pleasure being there and fun to ride though. Though sad to leave my girlfriend and Ohio I will be back to see both...and soon.  

This is the West Virginia capital. I think it is amazingly beautiful. Nice dome on top and many monuments on the grounds. Has one monument to Abe Lincoln and even some confederate monuments. Interesting combination and a good idea in my book though in this case the reason for it is simple.
During the Civil War West Virginia split off from Virginia which it was part of and became a new state.
Much of that history can be found on a very fine West Virginia History Museum on the grounds. Though I have stopped there before I had not seen it but took the time this time and was amazed. It is well worth a tour if you are ever in the area and the cost (which is free) can't be beat.
Not just buildings though, West Virginia is a beautiful and interesting state. I have been there a few times with Debbie and have explored many of it is roads. I think its about time to get my motorcycle there as some of the roads are built in my opinion just for riding a motorcycle on.      

 At the Virginia border was close to home though about 100 miles to go from there to Richmond. I saw this sign at the rest area and well...just had to share it with you all.
I do love riding in the state. Close to the mountains, the ocean and many interesting places in between. Richmond is a great deal of fun and has many sights and events to enjoy. I love living here and think its one of the best places I have been in my life.

One final shot from Virginia, here is a view of the Blue Ridge Parkway in the background. In a few few weeks it will be ablaze with fall color and that is a remarkable ride.
Nice to ride the Parkway which is one of my favorite roads and a frequent place to visit in my travels. In fact some great sections can be found in North Carolina where I rode many times while I was living there.
 

Aviation Ohio (August 23-26, 2017)

Even a casual visitor to this site would know quickly I am a huge fan of aviation. So it is with pleasure that I show a few highlights of my girlfriend's home town...Dayton, Ohio. An amazing place and one of the cradles of aviation. Here the Wright Brothers designed their planes. While first flown in North Carolina, here the early design was perfected. That was first done with the Wright Flyer III which can be seen in Carillon Historical Park. The park is remarkable.  

One of the most interesting places in Dayton is Wright Patterson Air Force Base. Not just for the C-17's (one at left) that fly along with many other interesting aircraft but also for the many historic sights to be found near it. Dayton was also the home of many aircraft manufacturers and in fact...it still is. With all the aviation names and tributes to the Wright Brothers it was a fun places to just drive around. It was also a very good place from time to time...to look up.    

This is a recreation, but in looking at old photographs very accurate (though the Wright Brothers used wood no doubt). It is a copy of the type of catapult used to launch the Wright Flyer III which was developed at Huffman Prairie. That happens to be on base at Wright Patterson but though an open gate.
There is actually quite a lot to see there, but the big plus is to stand on the actual ground where history was made.    

Also at Wright Patterson Air Force Base is the US Air Force Museum. I went though it on my last visit to Dayton earlier this year and it is nothing short of remarkable. One of the best aviation museums I have been in..and I have been in a few.
This is a C-130 which is one of the outside exhibits. Most of the aircraft are in a closed series of buildings, but a few are outside. I missed them last time, saw them this trip.