NoWingsAttached
Unobtainium Member
- Joined
- May 21, 2006
- Messages
- 4,871
- Location
- Columbia, SC
- Aircraft
- Air Command Tandem w/ Arrow 100hp; GyroBee w/ Hirth 65hp; Air Command Tandem w/ Yamaha 150hp
- Total Flight Time
- >350
Today was a PURRRRRFECT day to attempt a low-tide sand island landing off of South Tybee Beach (Savannah) today, so I took advantage of the opportunity and took off around 4:00pm (low tide @ 5:00, so the island would definitely be exposed and sun dried by the time I got there). As I approached Tybee, about 7 miles out I saw what I could have sworn was a B-17 heading towards me at 11:00. As we closed the gap to 5 miles it was unmistakable.
I think he picked me up visually at some point as I notice he was dropping altitude from 1500 ft toward me, so I throttle up quickly brought the Wicked up to meet them at 1100 ft.
As we approached just hundreds of feet away I did a tight 180 and flew alongside for a few precious seconds, maintaining visual clearance.
I followed as they departed into the west, and wished I could keep up and follow.
Doing some armchair flying this evening, I determined from the tail markings that this bomber is the "Nine-O-Nine", and was then able to verify it's tour schedule: departing its event at Savannah Hilton Head Airport today, heading to Athens, GA.
The B-17 is my #1 WW favorite bomber, and the top 3 of my all time favorite aircraft. I have never been inside one, and only seen them from the outside on the ground. Never even seen one fly, until today - FROM A BIRD'S EYE VIEW, no less!
I love my gyrocopter.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/26147637@N06/15450524459/
I think he picked me up visually at some point as I notice he was dropping altitude from 1500 ft toward me, so I throttle up quickly brought the Wicked up to meet them at 1100 ft.
As we approached just hundreds of feet away I did a tight 180 and flew alongside for a few precious seconds, maintaining visual clearance.
I followed as they departed into the west, and wished I could keep up and follow.
Doing some armchair flying this evening, I determined from the tail markings that this bomber is the "Nine-O-Nine", and was then able to verify it's tour schedule: departing its event at Savannah Hilton Head Airport today, heading to Athens, GA.
The B-17 is my #1 WW favorite bomber, and the top 3 of my all time favorite aircraft. I have never been inside one, and only seen them from the outside on the ground. Never even seen one fly, until today - FROM A BIRD'S EYE VIEW, no less!
I love my gyrocopter.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/26147637@N06/15450524459/
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