Day 14 - Frederick MD to Daytona Beach FL - and a pilgrimage to Kitty Hawk

But first there was a visit AOPA headquarters at Frederick to publicise Flying for the Disabled.

                                               

Steve and 'GOOFY' outside AOPA headquarters at FDK

I was delighted to meet AOPA President Phil Boyer again, whom I had met previously at a 'pilot's meeting' at Spruce Creek Fly-in. Phil was enthusiastic about Flying Scholarships for the Disabled being launched in the USA as this is a new U.S. arm of Flying Scholarships for the Disabled, a British charity established more than 20 years ago that has helped more than 200 Britons receive flight training. The scholarships pay for ground instruction and 40 hours of flight instruction.

King Hussein of Jordan, an avid pilot, was patron for the British scholarships. His widow, Queen Noor — daughter of one-time AOPA Air Safety Foundation Board of Visitors Chairman Najeeb Halaby — continues in that role.

When I was ready to depart FDK the temperature was still high but the haze of the previous day had given way to good VFR conditions. However, I was aware that the vis could well deteriorate later in the day and as I wanted to avoid the dreaded Washington ADIZ I filed IFR for the flight to First Flight airport (FFA) at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

    Leaving Frederick for Kitty Hawk

Potomac centre was very busy with arrivals and departures from the Washington area so I had to be patient before they were able to accept 'GOOFY' into their system. The flight to Kitty Hawk was not without some build-ups, but being able to drift by the billowing clouds added excitement to the flight.

                 About to pass-by the delights of 'cloud flying'    

The pilgrimage to First Flight airport (FFA) at Kitty Hawk had particular relevance to 'GOOFY' as the airplane received its certificate of airworthiness on the day of the 100th anniversary of the first powered flight - 17 December 2003.

Flying over the Wright Brothers memorial was an interesting experience

The landing at FFA was special as the very fact that 'GOOFY' was completed on the day of the 100th anniversary of flight meant that I was not able to be at Kitty Hawk for the celebrations.

  'GOOFY' at FFA with the Wright Brothers memorial in the background

The memorial itself was worthy of the Wright Brothers achievement

Kitty Hawk is some 538 nm from Spruce Creek Fly-in, but the weather on the Outer Banks of North Carolina is usually far different from that in Florida. To be able to fly this route without weather problems was an unusual experience itself and arriving in Florida in perfect weather at the end of a 10000 mile round America flight was very special.

  Daytona Beach airport and the Daytona Speedway

  A tired but happy co-pilot Goofy and 'GOOFY' arrives back at Spruce Creek Fly-in (7FL6) which is located some 7 miles south of Daytona Beach