Sun-n-Fun 2006

N59CL's very first flight away from the test area, launched at 40.2 hours, was to Lakeland Florida. The flight was uneventful, and was my longest cross country ever. I had the benefit of several traveling companions, both Bonanzas, from our area. The weather posed no problems. We stopped at Heart of Georgia for cheap self-serve, where I collected Ryan from one of the Bonanzas to perform spotting duties on the approach to Lakeland. When we got to the lake Ryan spotted at least two aircraft that I did not, making me very glad for his help. We were slotted in behind a biplane, and I ended up high on approach. As soon as it was clear that I had decent spacing on the biplane a slip down to the runway solved that problem, and I had the pleasure of chirping nicely onto my assigned spot. (After years of sitting by the runway watching folks come in, I probably deserved a comeuppance, but was mercifully spared.)

On each day of the show I went out to clean the aircraft while the dew was still on the wings in hopes of getting the gray gritty sand off. The canopy seemed to attract a large amount of suntan lotion as well. A cart full of judges pulled up on Monday, looked at the prop card, and drove off without comment. Perplexed, I learned later in the day that a judging sticker was required, and put one on the card. I had judges visit every day thereafter. By Thursday I was getting pretty excited when they all came back as a group, and one introduced himself as Chief Judge. At the urging of one of the other judges, I amended my return plan to come home Sunday. The weather reinforced this with storms across the route home.

On Saturday night I was awarded Grand Champion Homebuilt Kit! I also lost my camera the same day, and came home without pictures! The pictures below were kindly provided by visitors who heard my story on Sunday.