Fly 3 Hours: Fill up for less than $100!
Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 2:56 pm
June and I had a great weekend trip from North Texas to Central Kansas this weekend to visit my folks. Flew 90% of the trip at 500 feet to reduce effect of headwinds (10-20 knots on the nose both ways 
). Great 50 mile vis both days and enjoyed watching farmers harvesting fall crops, geese, ducks, sandhills and deer. We even enjoyed a shortcut through the restricted areas at Lawton/Fort Sill and got a nice tour of the Wichita Mountains and Mount Scott.
One of the best treats was stopping in Weatherford, OK (OJA) for gas on the way home. The line man was all smiles as he told me of soloing a B model 20 years ago. Several other locals stopped to take a look at the "rare" 170B. Topped off with 26 gallons and the bill was under $100! Price was $3.65 per gallon. The gentleman who filled us said they had just lowered their price earlier in the week from $4.65. Our local (F14) self serve is down to $3.99 - it was $4.76 last time I filled up. Gas was also advertised for $3.65 a few miles East at El Reno, OK.
The airport at Weatherford is named for local Mercury astronaut Thomas P. Stafford. He crewed one of the two Mercury Capsules that performed the first rendezvous in orbit. They have a nice museum at the airport commemorating Stafford and the space program. We did not take the time to visit but plan on making time on our next trip.
Stopped for gas in Elsworth, Kansas on Saturday right in the middle of their Young Eagle's rally. Clear skies, 40 degrees, winds out of the North West at 15-gust 25 and very bumpy. They had flown over 45 kids by the time we arrived at 1100 and had several more loads to go. There were smiles all around and none seemed to mind the less than ideal conditions.
BTW, found the cheap gas on the way home via AirNav.com. A great resource for those of you who are not familiar.
Bruce
). Great 50 mile vis both days and enjoyed watching farmers harvesting fall crops, geese, ducks, sandhills and deer. We even enjoyed a shortcut through the restricted areas at Lawton/Fort Sill and got a nice tour of the Wichita Mountains and Mount Scott.One of the best treats was stopping in Weatherford, OK (OJA) for gas on the way home. The line man was all smiles as he told me of soloing a B model 20 years ago. Several other locals stopped to take a look at the "rare" 170B. Topped off with 26 gallons and the bill was under $100! Price was $3.65 per gallon. The gentleman who filled us said they had just lowered their price earlier in the week from $4.65. Our local (F14) self serve is down to $3.99 - it was $4.76 last time I filled up. Gas was also advertised for $3.65 a few miles East at El Reno, OK.
The airport at Weatherford is named for local Mercury astronaut Thomas P. Stafford. He crewed one of the two Mercury Capsules that performed the first rendezvous in orbit. They have a nice museum at the airport commemorating Stafford and the space program. We did not take the time to visit but plan on making time on our next trip.
Stopped for gas in Elsworth, Kansas on Saturday right in the middle of their Young Eagle's rally. Clear skies, 40 degrees, winds out of the North West at 15-gust 25 and very bumpy. They had flown over 45 kids by the time we arrived at 1100 and had several more loads to go. There were smiles all around and none seemed to mind the less than ideal conditions.
BTW, found the cheap gas on the way home via AirNav.com. A great resource for those of you who are not familiar.
Bruce