600 Hours on a Porch Swing

Walt has made it to the East Coast after leaving AirVenture 2009.  Received a picture today showing him at Linden Airport in NJ.  His 4th time seeing the Atlantic.  We'll be looking forward to his trip report when he returns to his home base at the Corona, Ca. Airport (KAJO).

Friday Walt was in PA, Today he had to sit out some higher than desireable winds in Urbana, OH.

Such is the life of x-country UL flying.

After some wind, thunderstorm, and probably some goofing off delays Walt has made into Kansas.  Reports are he may be delayed again only this time it has something to do with Kansas City style BBQ.

Walt arrived safely this afternoon at his home base of Corona, Ca.  His 4th coast to coast round trip in the Quicksilver.  Certainly a testament to what can be done with an ultralight.

Welcome home Walt.

You're exploits intregue me! I was at Airventure 09 and was amazed this little 2 place Quicksilver that went cross country several times! I never did get to talk with the owner but I took in all the pictures on the display board. I have to say you're living my dream! What an adventure to fly/barnstorm across country with an aircraft that's low and slow. Time to take in all the sights this great country has to offer. 

Now if only I can convince my wife, I'm working on her and she's softening.

Thanks for the inspiration.

Keith

Thank you for posting that video.  Walt's pictures are amazing! 

WOW!  My vote for best video on Osh365 to date!  Wow! 

Zack

wow that is the best vid i have seen on oshkosh 365 that must have been fun

I can only imagine what flying over New York City in an ultralight must've been like 

Thanks, Dana, and I know you are aware that the reason I was able to do that in a plane like mine was because of some thing that was started a  long time ago, called the EAA.  One of my favorite shots is the one of the Statue of Liberty framed in the strut of my plane with EXPERIMENTAL in block letters on the strut. If it wasn't for the existence of the EAA, I would have seen the Statue of Liberty from a tour boat, like everyone else. And I don't think anyone would have wanted to see pictures of the Statue of Liberty with my sneakers on the boat railing. 

Walt Snyder

Thanks, Keith, and you're right, at times it did seem like it was too good to be true, the experiences, the people, the country flown over.  Probably one of the oddest things I learned is how profound your sense of smell enhances your experiences. I found that at about 1,500 agl I was able to smell the newly plowed fields in the midwest, the desert sage, the humid "hollars" in West Virginia, etc. It was odd, I would be at about 3,000 agl., and then descend to around 1,500 agl, and it would feel like I had just been "awakened" and like a little kid with new exciting smells, or older comforting ones. 

Now the story of smelling the BBQ in the pattern in Kansas had a completely different impact, but that's another story. (WE B BBQ)

Any questions that I can help you with feel free to contact me.

Waltersnyder@gmail.com

Here is video Walt took while flying over the Hudson River and Statue of Liberty.  Enjoy Walt's experience.

Mark,

Walt needs his own website.. !!!

We mortals can learn much about XC in really low and slow aircraft.

There are a thousand questions that beg to be answered.  Let's get going

JIm Heffelfinger

jheffel@winfirst.com

Sacramento CA

Wow... I finally got time to watch the two videos.  Great choice of music for both but ,more than anything, beautiful and inspirational photos. 

The best flying experience I ever had was taking my Cub low and slow from Oshkosh to Sun & Fun and back... 2400 miles and 28 fuel stops.  Nothing to compare to Walt's 25,000 miles and 300 airports though! 

One question for Walt, do you carry a transponder?  My understanding of the new rules that will be put in place following the recent Hudson River mid-air is that transponders will be required, and you wouldn't be able to fly around the Statue of Liberty without one.

Adam, 

Thank you for your comments, I appreciate them. Re. a transponder, yes, I do have one, and you can see it and my instruments in the beginning of the Across America video. I'm based at Corona, Ca, near the Orange Co/L,A. area, and decided early to have a transponder to fly in the mode C area, and any other airspace where a mode C transponder is required, including the New York area.  It also is useful when I ask for flight following in congested air space, and another benefit is I show up on another aircraft's TCAS or PCAS system, which helps with a slow moving aircraft such as mine in a congested area. 

The Cub trip sounds like a great one, and at times I wished I could drink my coffee in flight like you can with a Cub. 

Walt Snyder

I can't even drive a car and drink coffee!

Congratulations on your "Post of the Week" award :-)