Overcast skies on the way from Council Bluffs to Killdeer, ND.

The Cessnas had to stop in Pierre, SD and in Mandan on the way to Killdeer because of headwinds and fuel considerations; there is no fuel in Killdeer or in New Town, ND our next stop. A decision was made in Pierre to have the Twin Comanche, with Greg and Tony, proceed on to Killdeer to meet with the kids and parents in case the Cessnas are delayed. I talked to Amy, who had already decided to drive to Killdeer from Mandan rather than fly with us (this because of our need yesterday to round-trip CBF-PHP-CBF because of 339SP's mechanical problems). Both decisions turn out to be good ideas.

339SP and 722RJ ran into turbulence and rain around Standing Rock Indian Reservation. Serious winds at Mandan made landing and takeoffs a real adventure, just as they did last year. Ominously, as we pulled up to the gas pumps, a flatbed came by with the pieces of 3-4 aircraft being hauled off to the junkyard from accidents on the field. We come away alright, but the headwinds delayed the flight to the west towards Kildeer and Weydahl Field.

Amy, Tony and Greg save the day by talking about the Trunk of Discovery and giving the kids the opportunity to examine the Comanche. We call the field ten miles out and get the weather and winds from Greg. Landing was an adventure with the crosswind, but the kids have lined the taxiway and it's a real treat to see them surge towards us through the grass. However, everyone stays out of the way until we shut down.

As we got out of the aircraft, it became really apparent how windy it really can be out here on the prairie. I met Chad Dahlen, Principal of Twin Buttes School and we were both interviewed by a local paper. I got the chance to talk to some of the kids and their parents which is always a treat. This crew's been magnificent about spending time explaining aviation with the students and when the kids finally got on the buses to head home, we were all pretty tired from the flight, but more exhilarated than you can possibly imagine. We hung around the field for almost a half hour, taking pictures and sort of "basking" in the feeling of accomplishment before leaving on the short flight to New Town, just to the northeast.

After a thirty minute flight over the badlands we landed at New Town, where Milo had put in new ropes for tie downs for us. We were picked up in a van by Dawn Charging the only woman and Native American to serve in the State Legislature. Tony rode onto the field with Amy in her car a short time later and we all went into town for lodging at the Four Bears Casino, and a hosted lobster buffet dinner. It has been a marvelous day. I have a feeling that tomorrow, when we'll meet the kids at Edwin Loe and visit the Tribal Headquarters and historic garden, will be even better, if that's possible.

Flight Operations

Amy Mossett met us in Killdeer with many children at the airport. They came in two school busses to welcome us as we flew in. We let the kids climb into the airplanes so they could get a hands-on feeling of how the controls work when we fly. Greg and Tony arrived earlier in their much faster Twin Commanche, and entertained the group. We had flown a long way that day, before arriving at this desolate airport. (Our setback in the flight schedule was due to the maintenance problem, which forced us to go back to Council Bluffs to get our airplane on the 20th).