EPIC SOLO Cross-Country Flight in a Waco YMF-5
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- Опубліковано 24 сер 2024
- Finally! Here's Part 3 of the EPIC Cross-Country Flight of the Waco YMF-5 from Casa Grande, Arizona to its new home at Fantasy of Flight in Orlampa, Florida. It's been a long time coming, but after weeks and weeks of epic edit sessions, befitting the project . . . many, many hours of tweaking footage, adding maps, adding photos and doing layered voice-overs . . . it's finally here! We think the effort was more than worth it, as we have produced not only an engrossing flight adventure of the Waco across America, but I think we have also reemphasized and reinforced the basic tenets of my "BRAND" in the content of this video . . .
For those of you that don’t yet comprehend what I am trying to do with Fantasy of Flight, you’ll get a taste of it at the ending. Fantasy of Flight is NOT about airplanes, it’s about flight of the Human Spirit, where we will use airplanes, and great stories of aviation, to tell timeless stories of the Human Experience!
Hope you enjoy the video.
Kermit
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Kermit Weeks
That was fun to ride along! Reminds me of my solo trip in my Ryan P.T.-22 back in 1976 from Mobile Al. to Orlando. It was January and it was 22 degrees outside! Two long johns, 4 sweatshirts, and a flight suit over that with a jacket on top of that and a ski mask under my helmet. Unforgettable.
Got checked out in a Cessna 206 at Crestview airport back in 1974. Then a day or so later took the 206 along with 5 other folks and cross country to Kissimmee Fl and spent the day at Walt Disney World, On the way back to Crestview we stopped at Deland, Fl stayed the night and then on Sunday flew back to Crestview. Did my first night time landing during the flight down to Kissimmee. A great time.
Very pleased to see you were packin' silk Kermit and a backup chart..........................
I think we all who are viewing this series are the people who would have come out to see the plane and pilot. Great job Kermit, loved every minute of it!
Ohhhh man,,,, WHAT A TREAT TO WATCH!! Your flight brought up sooo many memories of my aviation career! I drove I-10 from Tucson to my home in Louisiana way back in 1984 after completing my first tour in the Navy in San Diego as a jet mech all of 20 years old. Spent the night in Ft. Stockton. Then u got gas at St Landry airport which is one of the places I flew into when I was flying 172’s from my home in Lafayette.
Then you flew right through my training areas at P’cola when I was a Student Naval Aviator in the later 80’s.
I hope one day I get to do this after I retire from flying professionally. Such a joy to watch you having a ball in this beautiful machine.
And I completely agree about this new world…. All the shades go down EXCEPT MINE!!! I still
Love to watch the wing and all it’s devices working as we climb out and then come into land. Pretty depressing to see no one interested in things like this, or any curiosity at the wonder of flight. It’s all just iPads n iPhones and people glued to their screens.
Great Job Kermit, hope to meet u someday.
Greying Aviator.
Strange no one came out to greet you, and sad how things change. I’m 52 and to this day, I still want a window seat on any plane like I’m still a kid. I’ve watched a ton of your videos, but this is easily one of my top favorites. I enjoyed taking this trip with you so much.
Pinal ("Pa-nel"), AZ native here. We're going to miss seein the Waco flyin over Sedona!
Kermit you are living a lot of our dreams. Thanks for sharing!!!
Kermit is very qualified in visual IFR (I Follow Roads). Safest form of IFR to be had. An excellent series, Kermit.
Well Kermit you sure have got yourself a reliable old red biplane with a big round engine,enjoyed every second of this video and loved all of those little out in the sticks aerodromes,you passed by Lakeland where my father learned to fly with the U.S.Army Air Corps in PT-17 Kaydets on the famous Arnold scheme,he used to mention the crocodiles in the Everglades too ! look forward to following the restoration and re-fabric of your lovely Waco YMF-5 she really is a beauty,thank you.
So true ... it is not about getting anywhere, it's about the journey. You made this journey very enjoyable. Great travelog. Enjoy.
I acquired a 1961 GM bus in February. I drove it from Tucson Az back to Orlando and had a blast. Flying a biplane back to FOF is super cool. Thanks for the upload Mr. Weeks. Be safe and take care!
Very cool!
This is real good old fashioned flying! 1930s era IFR.... ( I Follow Roads ) Magnificent views.. I love seeing the geology.
i glad i went with you, what a fantastic trip. god bless
Really enjoyable flight. I've been watching youngsters fly twin-engine jets that shoot up to forty thousand feet and seem to be standing still. No scenery, no sense of movement until they shut off the autopilot and hook up with a radio signal that leads them into a big airport somewhere.
A most excellent adventure, Thanks Mr. Kermit :-)
Kermit this has to be about the best one of your videos. Thanks so much for taking us along. You are so right about it being a different world out there. People and kids nowadays just aren't interested. I remember when FBO's never closed. Came into Jackson,TN late one night dodging thunderstorms and the terminal was completely locked up. Thought we were gonna have to shelter in the plane but luckily the Madison County Sheriff's dept aviation unit was next door and they let us put our plane in their hangar and then we got to hang out with them for a few hours till the weather cleared. Gonna take our Comanche 260B to Alaska next year and come back across the west can't wait. Had planned to do it this year but yeah that kinda got nixed. Once again thanks what an epic journey low and slow.
Flew along I10 from Tuscon to Ft. HUACHUCA in a commercial plane at night which flew so low that I could see t hose peaks in the moon light above the plane and the headlights on Highway 10 bothered me as a passenger. This was back in 1970. Enjoy seeing the scenery in daylight and uptodate.
Kermit you are Not Odd I too can not understand how people can sit in a plane and just stare at movies and miss the Mechanics and science of flight, and flying at the low levels you do the world is wide open and upclose.
Kermit, this was an unusual video for you BUT it was excellent! LOW & SLOW is so different than most cross country flying today. GET THERE is the problem, no one wants to go slow and see the country below them, that's such a shame.
I had to chuckle about your comment on the instruments in the panel. Those are the ones I learned on. Times have changed. I think every pilot was dreamed of cross country flying in an open cockpit biplane. Well, at least I have . I loved the videos on your Waco.
Mr. weeks, I am a armchair pilot . I live in southeastern PA. I watched parts 1 and 2 at least 3 times, will watch part 3 over and over. The cross-country flight home was worth the wait, simply awesome. What a beautiful airplane! stay safe and healthy.
Watched every minute. Loved the play by play narrative. Thanks Mr. Weeks!
nice flyin with ya Kermit....thanks for the WACO ride !!!
I broke a crankshaft in a cherokee 180 departing Tucson international. You're right no place for an off field landing. I was able to power glide back to the runway., lucky. Love the videos!
I can't imagine being at an airport and not coming out to check out the aircraft! I don't care if it's a Cessna 150, I'm still coming out to meet and greet. People have their heads buried in phones or laptops and not enjoying the wonderful things life has to offer and it's a shame!!
You came through my neck of the woods. The old timer who taught me to fly told me when following roads to keep the road to your left, like you were driving, because back in the day, traffic following the road going the opposite direction would be doing the same.
Enjoyed watching the videos. I was lucky enough to visit Fantasy of Flight a few years back when it was still open to the public. One of the guides that showed me around had been a wing walker! What a fantastic collection and facility!
Headed East is good for having both the wind and the sun at your back. Easy Peasey!
Great video Kermit! One of my favorite airplanes. It was really fun flying along with you.
Great video!! I sat down and had a couple cocktails! had me mesmerized from start to finish! She is beautiful!
Excellent Kermit! I really enjoyed this! Very relaxing. Thanks so much.
Rich.
Thanks for taking us along. Fun trip!
i was a lineboy at 17 , got free flying lessons in slack time from a couple former cropdusters. the airport operator had a van anyone could use...the keys were in in. you are right , times have changed
Hi Mr. Weeks, Love your videos, and watch them whenever I can. Sure like the older aircraft you have. I never had the chance to fly a Waco, but a year after I got my ticket to fly, three of us bought an old Stearman, in 1965. My first tail-dragger I learned to fly. My Stearman wasn't as fast as the Waco, since the Stearman was much larger. We burned about 11 gal/hr. Your cross-country reminds me of the times we used to take the Stearman for a tour of the State(Ohio). I have yet to find anything more peaceful than to be flying in an open cock-pit, with the prop blast hitting you right in the face. I'm too old to fly now, but I still have the memories! Stay safe.....Bob
I like how you fly with paper map. Watched the series twice this is how I want to fly to small airports. I live in Phoenix some years ago I wanted to take a flied in the Waco over Sedona wish I had would have flown in your plane.
Wow what a cool plane and a trip. Reminds me of my solo cross country back in the 80's in a 152 up through central California.
And if i knew you since i live in Houston i would of came and got you.
Thanks for the epic trip in your WACO.
Wonderful cross country. Thanks for sharing this classic flight.
Wow! Cleveland isn't that far away from us. If we'd only known we'd have been there to take you to supper & home for the night. We live west of there in a small hamlet called Cut and Shoot. ~ Richard&Barbara.
Wow! Jim Bowie passed through Opelousas. I grew up about 15 miles south of there.
"It's a different world today" - but thanks to people like you the passion is being kept alive. I have watched your Waco trip video many times - wonderful. Thank you Kermit.
Had to comment Kermit , absolutely brilliant video, you in your natural habitat.
Best wishes from near Prestwick airport Scotland.
Great trip low and slow and fun👍
Thank You Kermit For A Great Ride From Sedona Too Florida In Your Waco😊😊
Just wonderful! Love your humor as well Sir. Thanks -
Thanks for the ride across the country. Awesome trip! Would have loved to be in that empty seat 🤟🏽👍🏽
Dear Kermit, thanks for taking the time and effort to share such an epic trip. Normally that's as close as we mortals normally get, but I happened to find your trilogy, after hearing about the Carenado version of the WACO coming available for the new Microsoft Simulator, so I watched your flights closely and am following you in the sim, I've just landed Pinal to look at the boneyard and I'm doing it in the Waco and enjoying the "IFR" flying. Great video - Thanks.
Brilliant adventure film. Enjoyed it very much. Cheers 👍✈️😊
That is a gorgeous plane, very educational commentary, beautiful land and views. Thanks for taking us along.
Same airport picture and different names at
23:37 and 27:31 but that's not important
Great video, Kermit. You're right, times have changed.
Someday id love to be able to make such a trip..in a plane of course...i envy you Kermit...you get to live your dream everyday
What an absolutely wonderful video! Thanks so much. Keep safe.
Thank you for sharing this video! Amazing! What a great way to make memories. You got a beautiful airplane added to the collection.
I love the Casa Grande area, was there a couple years ago getting the best job I have ever had at Walmart Transportation as a professional driver. My dream is to own a WACO someday.
Wow,...222...and Conner will remermber this forever.
Kermit, I take it that cockpit heater doesn't work too well, lol.
I concur about having the window open when I'm flying on an airliner.
Excellent video - fantastic trip. Thanks for sharing!
What a great video! Thanks for taking us along!
Love the kermie cam video. Very great to watch and very interesting
What a great video. Cross country in a biplane. Thanks.
Excellent video Kermit. I see you have a sheriff in polk county that doesn't screw around.
This is one of the new planes added to Microsoft flight sim 2020, this plane is stunning.
That was a lot of fun from my lazyboy. Thank you Kermit
Kermit thanks for allowing me to be in on this EPIC FLIGHT. Your commentary as alway was entertaining and educational as my grand children got to see parts of the world they most likely would never have seen any other way . Thank from them all. Regards . A beautiful aircraft.
Thanks Kermit... I had my fingers crossed hoping you would take the I-20 route and fly over KGGG. Thanks again, love that Waco!!!
Very interesting and entertaining. I was a line boy at the old Army base at Blythe, CA. I got to fuel some of the Powder Puff ladies on their cross-country
jaunts.
Way it supposed to be! Good one Kermit!
I got to fly a bright red 1940 Stinson down from Oregon, east along I-10 , then down to central Florida and It was amazing too.
You were way down upon the Suwanee River lol. Thanks for taking us along Kermit!
Loved these x-country videos. I am happy to chip in and say that on a 2018 trip in my ‘46 (handprop) Aeronca Champ-hopping small airport to small airport, NJ to KS and back-I often met nice fooks interested in someone passing through in a fabric-covered plane. One corporate pilot strode over from his Citation saying “wow a Champ, I learned to fly in Champs!”
And luckily on my (less remote) route there were lots of line guys and gals willing to untie my tail after I fired up the Continental A-65 and climbed in. It was a wonderful experience. Thanks for ALL your fabulous videos and ALL your amazing work saving aviation history Kermit!
It is definitely a different world.... Been watching it change since I can remember....
Nice to share the trip. Fun and I love your new ride as well!
Great story and trip, one of your best I would say! Thanks for sharing with us.
Well I am a native of AZ. That was really really kool Kermit. You got the life man.....Thank you for Sharing
Just beautiful. Thanks Kermit
It's all about the Journey, . .So True. Thanks for the ride Kermit. Back then those Courtesy cars were a god send. As a Brit I few around the States a number of times back in the 80s. . even had me a stretched Limo once to drive myself to a Hotel. . .I felt like Elvis! Bring the old days back. . fond memories.
Another great video of an epic flight, thanks again Kermit, love your work!
Downunder Lindsay
Yeah I remember that I flew all over Florida and they always had a courtesy car yeah people just don't have the enthusiasm like they had before that was an awesome cross country😅
Enjoyed that. My 2nd trip to FoF from Australia started in Pheonix couple years back as we made our way by road via all the aerospace attractions we could find along the way. From FoF we then headed North to Dayton for the Air Force museum, right turn to DC for both Nat. Air & Space museums and exited the US via NYC. I'll be back Kermit, front row centre for the opening (if not before).
What a great video. Thanks so very much for sharing your story .
Loved all three parts. What a plane!
A very charming speaker. Love your tons of interesting extra information.
Just bought this beautiful YMF5 for the MS Flight Simulator and found your feature this way.
Been to Arizona a couple of times but your flight gave me some nice extra views and learning. Love from Germany :D
Great Video Kermit. Epic journey! Thanks for sharing
Thank you very much for taking us along, Kermit! I'm at the halfway point. What a beautiful trip! You know, I got a hardcover copy of "Biplane" two weeks ago. Had to read Richard Bach's tome again. I finally found it.
I read that book as a lad in 1976 or so.
Thanks for taking me along for the ride. It brought a lot of great memories back when I owned a Bonanza G-35 (1956) and enjoyed navigating using sectionals. Airspace has become a lot more complicated since then.
Nice trip on a pretty bird! Thanks for video!
A cool and great adventure!
Thanks for sharing!!
Great trip, nice to see your adventures and watch some uplifting content during this pandemic
Kermit is just plain class....
She's a sweet little aeroplane. 👍💞
That was excellent. I have been back and forth I-10 many times. Nice from your vantage point. Very cool.
Awesome shots that you don't get from the ground!
The Dry River North side of Tucson you spotted is The Rillito River. The Dry lake or playa near Wilcox was an impact area for B24 bombers during World War II. There are some concrete things on the Playa They were used for the bombardiers to practice with Their Norton bombsight. I’m a Railroad engineer out of Tucson. You basically flew my run. You will notice the Kilbourne lava hole is near The tracks. When the southern Pacific went in they went around the lava flow. Very cool video! Beautiful little airplane.
@Jeff Stone - Norden Bombsight en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norden_bombsight ;)
My kind of flying. Beautiful - - Thanks Kermit.
I really enjoyed tagging along on this trip Kermit. It was such a fun reminder of my coast to coast trip (Cape Cod Bay Mass to Oceanside Cali and back) back in '98-2001 in my Luscombe 8E. 85hp and No electrical system in that one so hand prop, daytime VFR the whole way. The MEL was charts, a battery operated Icom VHF and a really rudimentary Garmin GPS 89 with a tiny 1 inch screen. I has accumulated a little over 100 hrs total time flying and maybe 25 hours in the Luscombe when I set out. Just an amazing adventure and I covered some of the same routes you did on this trip, especially the Sedona part. I also avoided airports where I had to talk to anyone and as I had an auto-gas STC I pumped my own gas most of the time. But as you mentioned, the random 'courtesy cars' were a highlight. Always super ratty and of questionable legality. A Ford Fairmount "Police Chase" Special in Wantonga Oklahoma (Midnight burnouts under the stars after the best/cheapest authentic Mexican dinner w/several margaritas just couldn't be resisted). The Ford LTD in Midland TX (stopped to visit the Confederate Air Force...back when it was called that) with a windshield so wind and grit pummeled you could barely see thru it--but they were proud of the ice cold AC...! A Suzuki Samurai in Eufala Lake Oklahoma where I broke a bolt in my landing gear and had to spend a few wonderful days with the Oakies who took me in like long-lost kin. And then the sweet couple who had been married over 60 years who took me into their home when I was weathered down in Newcastle Glider Port Virginia. The husband apparently flew a Luscombe 8A over to the young lass' farm in Ohio, asked her father for permission to marry his daughter and upon receiving a positive reply from him and the daughter in question, flew her back to Virginia in the Luscombe. Or the strip in southern PA where after making a low pass to see if anything was going on in that open hangar a gentleman appeared from the hangar holding up a pot of coffee and a mug in my direction. I swung around a quick downwind and enjoyed a nice hour of conversation before heading off on my way...to no particular destination. Yes, my couple years of being a Vagabond Air Bum (based out of Santa Fe until flying back to my native Vermont) flying all around the United States in my little Silvaire were/are some of my fondest memories. I saw many beautiful sights and met some wonderful people. Sometimes it was lovely, sometimes it was uncomfortable and occasionally downright terrifying. And finally, thank you for taking the time to meet and show me around FOF with Jon Brown the same day I got my float rating at Jack Browns. Again, unforgettable.
Thank you for sharing your trip. Next time you pass north of San Antonio, land at 50R, Lockhart, and treat yourself at the hometown of Texas barbecue.
Loved your trip, thanks Kermis!
A great video. Great trip in a beautiful aircraft! Thanks for doing it.
Enjoyed the video and narration. Very nice adventure. I have been to many of the places you winged over and many memories were rekindled. I moved last year to Lakeland from the Philippines and am looking forward to visiting you facility. Thanksfor the videos.
A great series, Kermit. Thanks for sharing!
What a great way to get to know an aircraft.