Day 11 - Columbus OH to Dayton OH

This was race registration day, but the flight from Columbus to Dayton Wright Brothers airport  (MGY) took just 30 mins in the calm clear air.

Wright Brothers is the home to a flying replica of the Wright Flyer, suitably modified to take passengers on an exciting wind blown experience.

Today was no exception as the Wright Flyer was constantly in the air. Perhaps the presence of the touring B17, Aluminum Overcast, had attracted the crowds. The price of the flights was steep but no doubt the experience was worth the cost.

It was here that the B17 literally 'crossed wings' with 'GOOFY' as each time the giant airplane taxied past the wing overlap went clear over the top of the diminutive GlaStar - and the flights were almost continuous!

                             

Race airplanes were already positioned on the ramp and on any availble space, and more continued to arrive by the minute. Sponsors' decals had to be applied and the airplanes prepared for the 500 mile race from Dayton to Fond du Lac (FLD).

'GOOFY' was certainly different to the other race airplanes, and was the only high wing airplane in the race. As the class in which 'GOOFY' would have had to fly (engines up to 240 cu in) comprised the ultra-fast canards, it made more sense to fly as a 'race chase' plane. Still, 'GOOFY' would be able to use 'race 7' as a call sign and display the race number on the tail. Better still, the flight would be timed so to all intents 'GOOFY' was in the race!

If only 'GOOFY' was half as fast as #31, the fastest 4-cylinder airplane in the world!!

As last year, the race committee had a treat in store for the race pilots - last year it was a visit to the spectacular USAF Aerospace Museum, but this year a visit was made to The Engineer's Club in Dayton which had the Wright Brothers as founder members and housed the actual #3 test engine from the Wright Brothers flight experiments. A most interesting presentation was made about the recreation of the various Wright Brothers flying machines, and their first flights made respectively on the 100th anniversary of each of the original's first flight. I wonder if in 100 years time someone will build a replica of 'GOOFY' and like 'GOOFY' the airplane will get its airworthiness certificate on the centennial anniversary of the first powered flight!