Thunder Day Two

This photo shows the plane in its original position up against the fence and this is early before so many people started camping under the wings to stay in the shade.

Day two started with the plane in the taxi position and the second photo was taken from the escape hatch in the cockpit. Some people wonder why the hatch is there as one is still very far off the ground. But look at the position of the landing gear in respect to the nose and imagine what would happen if you were landing and pushed on the brakes too hard. The plane might nose over! And then the hatch would be in a good place to get out.

Sunday started out cool, which we loved until we got out on the tarmac in the wind, and then we were cold. Peggy, whose clothes were on the plane, loaned me a jacket. I mentioned to a couple of the guys that our tent was on the verge of taking off and perhaps we should tie it down. They mumbled something and wandered off. A few minutes later while I was there alone, sure enough, it took off. I almost caught it, but missed and it tumbled into the wing, thank goodness without damaging it. Jeff was in the plane, changing into long pants and luckily had not disrobed yet. He and Zane scurried up and we repositioned the tent and used bungee cords to tie it down. Disaster averted. Emily and Taylor arrived about 11 and we were glad to see them. This is Taylor's first air show and Emily was practically raised at them. She has been to Oskosh and Sun and Fun which are two of the biggest.

Around noon the sun came out and the temperature rose dramatically. Now we are all sweltering. Never satisfied!! The crowds also started to swell. Just as we were starting to get enough people to form a line, at two PM we had to close up shop in preparation for flying again. This time we put all the gear on board as we were not returning. After a graceful flight complete with waggling the wings, the plane went to the refueling area in readiness for departure. The passengers and remaining crew joined her there. They will go to Shelbyville, TN where Gene will teach a three day class and do some flight training. More people will be flying in for this. I took two of the guys to the terminal to catch a plane back to Dallas and then head for home to prepare for the remainder of the trip.