Ray Gefken's Skeeter

Trippin in an Ultralight

 Flying Cross country in an uItralight Is like any other X. C. except it takes longer but is more fun. My Fisher 505 Skeeter is a wood and fabric open cockpit design which can squeeze in one person with little extra room. This then is the tale of my three day camping trip under the wing, 220 miles from Campbell field (9VG) Wierwood V A.

The odyssey began in February with a notice on the computer about a Fathers Day Fly-In at Shreveport Prvt. Airstrip, Wellsville P A. I broke out the charts and started figuring distance and fuel stops. After much number crunching and plotter moving I settled on three airfields approx. 65 miles apart for fuel stops. There were numerous alternate fields which eliminated some pucker factor.

I am based on the Eastern Shore of V A which is quite rural all the way up through MD, Del and P A. I did however have to skirt around the various TCA's and restricted Zones. Thio;; accounted for around thirty extra miles. 

Weight and baggage management was the next hurdle. I carried a 3 lb. Pup tent, light wt. sleeping bag, and minimal extra clothing (I.E. don't get too close folks). I also had to bring 2 cycle oil as Airports don't usually carry same. I did a few test flights with all equipment aboard to ascertain the performance. I didn't want a rude awakening upon setting out. 

The trip began Friday June 17 with a 0630 takeoff and the first fuel stop at Cambridge MD. Where I also fueled my belly in their fine Cafe. 

The early start paid off as I flew into the universal headwind which increased as the day wore on. By the time I turned at the top of the Chesapeake to head more westerly the headwinds had increased, (you guessed it, on the nose) so that I only made 30- 35MPH over the ground for the last leg to Shreveport. 

I enjoy old fashioned ground navigation but must bow to the GPS finding the field among all the farms in the area. Once within five miles though, the aircraft on the field gave away the location with ease. 

The airfield is owned by John Shreve who also operates Foot Light Ranch Resort on the field. At 2600 ft. And well lit, it qualifies as one of the better private strips. Airplanes and campers were lined up on both sides of the runway with a wide variety of planes not often seen together even at the likes of "Sun & Fun".  I counted more than fifty tied down on Sat with many more coming and going all three days. 

I found a likely spot, tied down the plane and set up the tent under my wing. There was a Bunkhouse available for the faint of heart but most toughed it out in the cool outdoors. The showers and sanitary facilities were open for all. Camping fees were a modest $10.00 per night. The resort offered a great Prime rib dinner Friday eve and a Pig roast Picnic on Sat along with Breakfast announced each morning by a Big farm dinner bell. All at modest cost. On the Flight Line they had a food truck offering Hamburgers etc. all day. 

Each morning the para planes fired up at around 0500 to take advantage of the calm misty Morn. By 0600 many planes were out for the "Dawn Patrol"and the sky was full for the rest of the day. 

Mason Dixon Flyer's, The hosting club, held a briefing each moming as well as running the registration tent. Auto fuel was available on field. 

When the final plane landed at sunset the club set up an outdoor movie screen and showed the full length feature "Fly Away Home". A great way to cap off the day with a movie under the stars! All during the three days, hangar flying and camaraderie abounded. To me, the best part of a gathering is the nice folks you meet and networking that goes on between builders. I had the pleasure to fly part way home in formation with a couple of guys from the Eastern Shore of MD. whom I met at the event. 

To top off a great flying weekend, I ended the trip with an unheard of tailwind which allowed me to make it home just before sunset Sunday. 

Flying hours for the trip totaled 11.2 hr with aprox. 50gal of fuel expended. Total elapsed time each way was about 7 hr. which included gas and food stops. 

In retrospect would I do anything differently? All my planning paid off so I can't think of anything to change. Most flyers coming from a distance had ground crews with campers in tow. Many towed planes to the site. This is the beauty of Ultralighting. The versatility makes anywhere a good destination. I spent years flying my CI72 around the east and mid west camping under the wing and enjoying the experience much like the early barnstormers. Doing it in my Ultralight recaptured some of the old adventurism that still runs in my veins. 

Ray Gefken  raygef@verizon.net