December 6, 2015 - Massey Aerodrome Open Hangar Party

Ambitious flying day today.  The main event is the Massey Aerodrome open-house fly-in from noon to four.   But I'm going to try to get in some formation work over at Frederick in the morning.

I was trying to get to Frederick (KFDK) by 9AM.  The weather brief looked good, except for Frederick itself, which was fogged in.  My plan was that it would be burned off by the time I got there.   Yes, I know, hope is not a strategy.  But sometimes it works.  I pre-heated the engine and was in the air by 8:30.

 Crossing Liberty Reservoir.

 

   
Passing by Clearview Airport.
   
I began encountering low fog as I approached Frederick.  The ATIS said the field was IFR.  The tower frequency was absolutely silent.
   
The fog wasn't bad so I continued to Frederick but then I could see a solid wall down low.  I went right up to the Class D border.  Not going to happen.  I turned around and headed for Carroll County to wait it out.
  I

I ended up staying on the ground at Carroll County for a couple of hours.  I walked down the hill and got some breakfast at a Subway.  Chef showed up in his RV-8 after awhile.  Finally, we flew together over to Frederick.

Pablo had organized a four ship with Chef, Dan in the red F22, and myself.  We briefed over some donuts and coffee, then mounted up.   Notice the clear skies.

   
I was number three.  Here I'm trying to catch up to Pablo -- in his recently acquired RV-3 -- and Chef.
   
We had a great flight.  Lots of good formation work.  The air was absolutely calm and I was able to stay glued to Pablo's wing without hardly moving the stick.
   
After debriefing, I departed Frederick and headed for Massey.  It was already 1:30 so I knew I would be arriving late.
 
Here I'm climbing out after takeoff and looking north at the town of Frederick.
   

On such a nice day, I figured Massey would be well attended.  But still, I was amazed to see planes lining both sides of the picture.

This picture gives you a good idea of what the runway looked ike when I landed.  It was probably taken by a Massey photographer an hour or so before I arrived.

   
I didn't want to taxi all the way back with planes landing so I just parked on the side of the runway.
   
Looking north.
   
Lawbreaker was taking off as I walked to the hangars.
   
The sun really lit up his plane.
   
The "Road" to Massey.
   
People on the grassy knoll, watching planes take off and land.
   
The main parking area was fairly empty by the time I arrived.   Only this lone Kitfox remains.
   
Mugsy was still here though.
   
Plus Karl in his little Kitfox Lite.  Karl is working on an acquired RV-4 project.,
   
A Wolf W-11 Boredom Fighter homebuilt painted in World War I colors.  This particular Boredome Fighter was first flew in 1991.
   
 
Kathy's Luscomb which I saw yesterday at Bay Bridge also.
   
I was one of the last to leave.
   
NIce polished propeller on this RV-8.
   
More overhead photos.
   
Even the car parking lot is full.
   
Mugsy and I did a two-ship low pass prior to departing -- with smoke. Too bad hardly anyone was left to see it.
   
   
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