Flying With Team RV by Dakoda Neilson


On February 2nd, 2008, I thought I was going to KLZU to fly with Mike Stewart (Kahuna). When I got there, his plane was out on the ramp but he was not there. Ten minutes later Mike's car came down the ramp and when he got out he said “We were at lunch and they will be here soon.” I had no idea what was going on. I did not know that Mike had set this up with my Dad. My Dad wanted it to be a surprise so I was not told about the team getting together. I looked over to the taxi way and I saw the Team RV pilots; Smokey, Stripes, Chatterbox, Reno Red, Subob, Widget, and Jamey Painter taxing down the ramp. It turns out that Kahuna had this planed to a “T.” The team flew into KLZU for a practice.

Mike saw all of my websites and e-mailed me “It would appear that you are in need of a ride in the most awesome plane in the world. I have read your various web sites and blogs and I do not see a picture of you in N687MS. How about we fix that immediately? Let me know if you have an interest and I will take you on the ride of a ride of a lifetime!” After this E-mail I started getting E-mails from RV'ers all over the US. I heard about this website VAF and they found one of my videos on you tube and thought it was very cool! (Thanks Smokey, Widget, and Kahuna) We had a briefing, and then got down to flying.

We lined up a Three-Ship Formation and took-off in a Two-Ship Formation. We came around KLZU in a Double Diamond, and then flew to Winder to fly in The Arrow, The Delta, and The Double Diamond Formations. Winder Barrow Airport got upset with us and told us they were to busy with three planes on the ground. We then went to Jackson Co. Airport and did some fly-bys, brakes, and rejoins. We then went for an 8-Ship to a 6-Ship. Kahuna and I went for some solo maneuvers like rolls, 0 Gs, fast flying, etc (the fun stuff!).. On the flight back to KLZU we where in a 7-Ship Bomber Box, an Echelon Formation, and a brakes with 2-second separation for landing. The day could not have been better and yes, Kahuna gave me the controls too! We had a briefing, and then got down to flying. We lined up a Three-Ship Formation and took-off in a Two-Ship Formation. We came around KLZU in a Double Diamond, and then flew to Winder to fly in The Arrow, The Delta, and The Double Diamond Formations.

Winder Barrow Airport got upset with us and told us they were to busy with three planes on the ground. We then went to Jackson Co. Airport and did some fly-bys, brakes, and rejoins. We then went for an 8-Ship to a 6-Ship. Kahuna and I went for some solo maneuvers like rolls, 0 Gs, fast flying, etc (the fun stuff!).. On the flight back to KLZU we where in a 7-Ship Bomber Box, an Echelon Formation, and a brakes with 2-second separation for landing. The day could not have been better and yes, Kahuna gave me the controls too! I had already told my Dad that we would have to build an RV together but now I really mean it! This was the best day of my life! All you RV'ers who E-mailed me or blogged about me made a 13 year old feel really special!

Thank you Team RV and special thanks to Kahuna!

See the video of my flight @ www.flyingdreamz.com video gallery.

 


 

 

 

 

HOMEPAGE