The ‘guy’ I flew to Vegas, everyone calls him Big Al. I don’t know why? I mean he’s a little on the heavy side but he isn’t that big!
Anyway, Big Al asked if I liked card games because he and some buddies were having a poker night and I was welcome to join them.
“That would be great” I said. I have played a hand or two of Texas hold 'em before and some company would be nice.
Great blokes they were too. According to Big Al they are “a bunch of ‘wise guys’ out of New York and Philly”… not sure what that means, maybe they’re university professors or something?
Long story short, I did OK at the card table and probably made enough to hire a plane for the rest of the journey. I really didn’t want to be arriving at Charlotte in a Greyhound.
No not that kind of Greyhound…
This kind.
Big Al said that he “knows a guy, who knows a guy” (these blokes sure say that a lot!) who has a plane for hire but it is up at Tonopah which is a three hour drive, but he can have his limo take me. Hey that is just up the road as far as I’m concerned, so off I go.
Too find this little beauty parked on the apron.
Yeah, kicking it old school baby, with just enough modern additions to reduce my chances of getting lost (or geographically embarrassed as we used to say in the Army).
Now, where to from here? I have a mate in Denver who could put me up for a night or two, only about a three hour flight. Yeah, why not?
The red-neck mechanic who handed it over to me didn’t inspire a lot of confidence in it’s maintenance history and I’ve never flown one of these before, but how hard can it be? Besides, what could possibly go wrong?
Oh yeah, that!!! Goddamn Billy Bob could have warned me that if I pull the props all the way back it feathers them and cuts the engine. At least I found out on the ground.
But once I have that sorted, I’m on my way.
I’ve heard these old radials can be a bit fragile if you push them, so while I keep them at max continuous for the climb out, once I’m there I think I will ‘baby’ them for the rest of the flight, even if it does take a bit longer.
After an uneventful flight, I hooked out to the right so I could line up for final at KDEN
This is looking good?
And best landing yet, didn’t quite grease it in, but touched down almost right on the piano keys 
Time to let my mate know I’m here, hope he has beer in the fridge… if not we can pick up a six pack on the way.
), and beyond that we have Seaton and Axmouth.
