Flight Detail
See Flight Log for updated amendments
The flight starts on Sunday, 10 July departing from Spruce Creek Fly-in, Daytona Beach, FL - 7FL6 - the world's greatest fly-in community
The first stop and the first 'four corners' Chapter visited is Chapter 1241 at Marathon, FL
Following some Young Eagles flights in the Florida Keys, 'GOOFY' returns to Spruce Creek to prepare for the main part of the flight
On Thursday 14 July, the main part of the 'Four Corners' Around America Flight starts with a long flight to Lubbock, TX and an overnight stay courtesy of Chapter 19
Friday 15 July, has a lunch stop at Sedona AZ to enjoy the awesome scenery and the 'carrier deck' landing. It's then on to Brown Field, at San Diego CA to visit the second 'four corners' Chapter 14
Saturday, 16 July means an early morning flight to Ramona where Chapter 14 is flying some Young Eagles. 'GOOFY' will be flying some of the kids before departing north to WA calling at the famous Mohave airport right alongside Edwards Air Force base
After an overnight stop at Stead Field (4s9) in Reno NV, courtesy of Chapter 1361 the flight continues to Mulino OR where Chapter 902 is holding a Young Eagles weekend - so more kids get to fly in 'GOOFY'
Bellingham WA, or more to the point Lynden (38W) where Bellingham Chapter 404 is located, is the next 'four corners' Chapter visited and the plan is to arrive to fly some more Young Eagles on the Sunday evening
Monday 18 July means the start on the long flight eastwards to Bangor ME, but first there's some sightseeing on Orcas Island and then 'GOOFY' makes a return to its birthplace, or at least to Newglasair at Arlington WA (AWO) where the GlaStar line of kits is still manufactured. NewGlasair took over the business from Stoddard Hamilton when that company went into liquidation and are doing a great job at supporting all GlaStar (and GlaSair) builders old and new alike.
Departing Arlington after lunch there's mountains to cross to the overnight stop near Kalispell MT where 'GOOFY' is being hangered overnight courtesy of Chapter 102
Tuesday 19 July will be a very early start to depart from the high valley at Kalispell and clear the mountains to the east before the weather builds. Hopefully the early start will allow a smooth flight through to Superior WI where Chapter 272 has kindly agreed to host an oil change and 50 hour check in the chapter hanger.
Depending on the weather, the plan for Wednesday 20 July is to service 'GOOFY' in the morning and depart for Chapter 500 at Massena NY (KMSS). The flight to Massena takes 'GOOFY' over Canadian airspace for around 5 hours, but since the flight departs and lands in the US without touching down in Canada it's not necessary to advise Customs.
It will be a late arrival at Massena so the departure the next day will be more leisurely. The route then is across the mountains of up-state New York, Vermont and New Hampshire to the final of the 'four corners' chapters, Chapter 827 at Bangor ME arriving Thursday 21 July.
After some Young Eagles flights at Bangor, the flight departs early the next morning heading for Columbus OH where Chapter 9, based at Ohio State University airfield (KOSU) is hosting a final check over of 'GOOFY' and overnight stay on Friday 22 July, ready for the AirVenture Cup air race.
Saturday, 23 July means the arrival at Dayton Wright Brothers airport (KMGY) and another look at the fascinating replica of Wright Flyer. The build of 'GOOFY' was finished on 17 December 2003, the actual 100th anniversary of Wright Brothers' historic first flight. To have the airworthiness certificate dated the 17 December 2003 was a magic moment for 'GOOFY', or at least for its builder Steve Wood.
Whilst at Dayton, the AirVenture Cup race pilots usually take a guided tour of the renowned National Air Force Museum at Wright Patterson air force base. What a place this is! A week, or more, is needed to see all the exhibits.
Sunday 24 July is Race Day and there's an early start for 'GOOFY' in the AirVenture Cup air race. Perhaps the slowest of all the race planes, 'GOOFY' is 'Race 7' and is classed as a race chase airplane. Still, a race time is taken and 'GOOFY' will fly as fast as possible over the 500 mile Speed Dash between Daytona OH and Fond du Lac WI where the race airplanes gather before a mass flight arrival at the largest air show in the world, AirVenture at Oshkosh.
The air race planes have one of the best parking spots at AirVenture, right alongside the show line at the corner of AeroShell Square where Spaceshipone and Global Flyer will have pride of place. Look for the shining polished rudder with Race #7 proudly displayed on the vertical stabiliser standing out high above the other race airplanes, and you will find 'GOOFY'.
Two full days at AirVenture is enough time on the ground for 'GOOFY' so on Wednesday 27 July the long flight back to Spruce Creek, Daytona Beach FL will start early. A diversion is being made to visit AOPA headquarters at Frederick, MD (KFDK) on Wednesday, 27 July and to visit Chapter 524 also based at FDK.
The final day, Thursday 28 July, 'GOOFY' makes a pilgrimage to the birthplace of flight - First Flight Airport (KFFA) at Kill Devil Hills, Kitty Hawk, NC. No chapter visit here, just time to reflect that 'GOOFY' was passed fits first flight exactly 100 years after the Wright Brothers made their historic first flight. Reflections complete, the final sector is to Spruce Creek (7FL6) and the long long 'Four Corners' Around America Flight will be at an end.
Almost 9000 nautical miles will have been flown, that's 10359 statute miles or 16679 kilometres. For a round the world record flight the minimum distance travelled has to be 22863 statute miles, so the 'Four Corners' Around America Flight is 45.3% of a round the world flight. Good practice for the real thing, perhaps one day!!
