May 16, 2015 - Horn Point Fly-in

I'm heading down to the Cambridge area on the Eastern Shore for the annual Horn Point Fly-in.  It was a little hazy this morning but otherwise flying conditions were good.  I stopped in at Bay Bridge airport to get some gas.  I was landing to the east so the traffic pattern takes you out over the Bay and across the Bridge.
   
Fueled up and climbing out after takeoff from Bay Bridge airport.
   
I circled over my sister-in-law's house then passed by Kentmorr airport community.
   
Soon the Horn Point grass strip was in sight.  I think the DuPonts used to own this airport but now it is owned by the University of Maryland School of Environmental Studies.
   
A closer look.  They have at two intersecting runways here and maybe a third at one time.
   
I was parked on the eastern side.  Not too many RVs were at this fly-in.
   
Glad to be here!
   
ZZZ
Mark M. was here with "Chippy" his Super Chipmunk.  Just saw him last week at Massey.  This is fly-in season!
   
The all important food area was just behind the Registration desk.  Pilots who flew in received a bright yellow ball cap.  Nice.
   
The Chesapeake Sport Pilot SeaRey was on hand.
   
Saw this Fleet biplane last week at Massey.  It really shown brightly today in the hot sun.
   
A close-up of the Kinner radial engine.
   
A couple of Cubs on the south row.
   
Now this is what you call "diversity":  A Fairchild PT-19, a Cessna 162 Skycather, and a Piper PA-22 Tri-Pacer.
   
The PT-19 is worthy of a closer look.
   
A nice looking Luscombe.
   
The tail-art on the Luscombe deserves a closer look.
   
A Great Lakes biplane with an artistic paintjob.
   
I've always liked the Kitfox.
   
This Tiger Moth prepares to taxi for takeoff.
   
An Aeronca L-16 -- the military version of the Champ -- with spotted camouflage taxiis by.
   
Most Cubs you see are bright yellow.  This one is yellow too, but instead of the horizontal black stripe, it has insignia and invasion stripes.
   
Gotta love a Stearman.
   
Wow, nice-looking Waco.  Check out that radial engine and cowl.
   
Pitts pilot getting ready to fly and pull some G's.
   
This "Bird" was once owned by Anna Morrow Lindbergh.  Now it rides at Kentmorr airpark.  Andrew King flew it over here.
   
Andrew takes off in the Bird.
   
 
   
A big Stinson back-taxiing.
   
The radial-powered Cessna 195.
   
Mark, a fellow Essex Skyparkian, taxiis by with a full load in his 172.
   
I left Horn Point soon after Mark, but did some fun fly before calling it quits.  As you know, checking out waterfront mansions is one of my favorite aerial pastimes.
   
Ragged Island, which has its own private, asphalt runway, is at upper left.
   
This estate has a massive horse farm area.  That big building to the right looks to me like horse stables/barn.  It's bigger than the house (to the left).
   
Checking out the Eastern shore scenery.
   
 
   
 
   
The Chesapeake Bay is to the right.  Eastern shore to the left.  All makes sense.
   
Turning back inland to the east.
   
 
   
Now heading north back into civilization.
   
Someone in this house spends a lot of time mowing grass.
   
Is this a private residence, or a hotel?  You make the call.
   
This house has its own private runway, which at one time was asphalt but from the air looks like it is turning to gravel.  The house/runway/dock is for sale.  For only $1.2M it can be yours.
   
I needed an oil filter, so I flew passed over Essex Skypark, crossed Baltimore city, and headed west to Clearview Airport which has a pilot store.  It's less than a 15 minute flight from Essex.   On the west side of Baltimore is Pimlico Racetrack which today was hosting the famous Preakness horse race.  You may be aware that the Preakness is notorious for the wild partying that takes place on the in-field prior to the big race.   I passed to the north of the racetrack.  There were no less than six planes towing banners around the racetrack.  Most of them stage out of Essex Skypark.
   
Fortunately the wind was flowing from the east, so I could make an uphill landing at Clearview.  Landing at Clearview separates the men from the boys.  Got my oil filter, a case of oil, a can of LPS-2 spray lube and then I was on my way.   I noticed on my XM Satellite weather that there was a wall of bad weather to the west.  Glad I'm heading east.
   
Passing over Liberty Reservoir, heading back to Baltimore.
   
The obligatory pass over the Baltimore Ravens facility.   They must have the day off, the parking lot was almost empty.
   

Only a few banner tower's left over Pimilico.  The big race didn't start until 6PM and I passed by around 4PM.

I landed at Essex Skypark and less than 30 minutes later we were deluged in heavy rain.  Three poor banner planes didn't make it back in time to be the rain, and had to drop their banners at the field and land in the driving rain. Their ground crews got soaked.   I made it home in time to catch the race which American Pharoah won.  The race took place in heavy rain with the horses galloping through 3-inch thick mud.  Didn't seem to bother them much, though.

And so ends another great aviation day.

   
 
 
   
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