It was a great day for the Flight of Discovery because everyone made it home safe, including Greg and Tony.
I showed up at Montgomery Field shortly before noon and waited for 339SP and 722RJ to come in from the East. Dave Eby was going for a flight in the club's new Cirrus and offered to take me for a little Cirrus orientation but I was too anxious for the FOD's arrival so I stayed on the ground with the champagne and orange juice.
It turned out that as Dave was flying around, he heard the ladies talking on 123.45 so he intercepted them at the Julian VOR and escorted them in: how cool is that? I wish I would've taken him up on the flight offer, but then it was great seeing them touchdown, too. I'm sure Dave thought it was pretty special for him, too as he was one of the members of the expedition last year. He started with us on the first legs eastward but had to come home after a few days. We're all hoping he gets to come along on the return next year. In any case, it was hugs and mimosas all around as we tied down the aircraft at Gibbs. Dave took the photos that will appear on the website update and again, I felt so fortunate to have shared a week of glorious, historical adventure with a few of my friends.
Now it's time to start working out the details for next year's Return Expedition which goes from Astoria, OR to Washington, DC. As is always the case with the Flight of Discovery, there is never an ending: just a new beginning. We proceed onward.
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Flight Operations
We hit very strong headwinds all the way home, especially as we approached Palm Springs and Julian. Sometimes our indicated airspeed was only 90kts! Arrive Home at Montgomery, San Diego late afternoon.
Stops
San Diego, CA - Final destination
