If you're in a hurry on these expeditions, you'll just be disappointed.

We got up early and headed to the airport for an early morning flight. In a little more than an hour and a half we could be in Council Bluffs at the Western Trails Heritage Museum in plenty of time for our meetings with five different schools.

But the weather wasn't cooperating this morning. There was a low fog that came up from the Missouri River and when we got on the computer at the FBO, there was another frontal system moving down from the northwest. It really appeared that the front might get to the Omaha area before we did. We also heard from Greg that he had been held up in Montana by this same storm system but was flying eastward now and should arrive in Council Bluffs by early afternoon. Tony had arrived by commercial flight and told us he would go to the museum and represent the FOD if we didn't make it on time.

In short, the FOD doesn't take any chances with weather so we sat on the ground until a weather window presented itself. Even then, the last 25 miles along our route of flight presented a challenge as a wedge of low clouds moved in from the northwest just as we arrived in the Lincoln, NB area. Thunderstorms from the previous night's weather were visible off to the southeast but we were able to navigate a clear path between both systems. Clear skies prevailed east of the Missouri River and we landed without incident.

I'm sure that all the kids that were waiting for us at the Western Trails Museum couldn't understand why on such a sunny day in Council Bluffs we were late to our appointment; but then they couldn't see the weather out west of CBF. In any case, the good people at Advanced Air gave a courtesy van right away but we still arrived just as the school busses were loading up the kids. I got on each school bus and apologized to both the students and teachers for being late, explaining the weather problems. I handed out our FOD buttons to the students and promised to visit each school next year.

We hooked up with Tony and KC inside the museum and it appeared that they did a great job explaining the TOD. I set up for the evening presentation while the rest of the Crew was interviewed by Mariano Rosales for "Plane & Pilot" Magazine. It will appear in a future installment of "Angels with Wings". We really appreciate the coverage. Picked up Greg at CBF for dinner with Paul and KC at the Riverside Café. A great crowd at the museum for a talk on the FOD and a display of KC's TOD. We received gifts from the museum, including some nice shirts and I did my part by purchasing a bunch of books from the souvenir shop.

Overnight at the Homestead Inn where KC got us some great rates. I'm looking forward to getting back on schedule tomorrow as we head out for Milesville School and Mandan.

Flight Operations

As soon as we landed in Council Bluffs, IA, we rushed to the Western Trails Heritage Museum. Mike jumped on the school busses and talked to all the kids before they departed. Tony Fowler joined up with us here, and Mike also did a great presentation in the theatre for attending locals. We later met with Casey and Mario; who interviewed the FOD team for his Plane & Pilot article that was published February 2006.