EAA 277 Anti-COVID Fly-out and Aerial Tour, Dec. 5, 2020
Story by Dave Warner
A chance encounter between Sam Hoskins and Dave Warner while camping at Dixon Springs State Park led to a discussion about a fly-out event before nasty weather settles in. Mark Bybee and Dave went to work on planning it and with input from Scott Hartwig and a test flight after Thanksgiving with Mike Fleming and John Cotter participating. The Tour of Southern Illinois Fly-Out was conducted Saturday, December 5th. Folks gathered at Pinckneyville (KPJY) Saturday morning for a brief orientation and safety briefing, with departures starting a little after 10:00.
A handout was supplied with suggested frequencies and altitudes for the route, which was about an hour and 20 minutes (for most of us), before a fuel and rest stop at Marion KY (5M9). Dale was taking a nap when the rest of the flock arrived. Safe distancing both in the air and on the ground made for a safe experience for all.
Points of interest along the way included Pyramid State Park, Panther (5IL2), Du Quoin State Fairgrounds, Adams (94IS), Dury (IL71), Crab Orchard, Little Grassy, Devil’s Kitchen lakes, Giant City State Park and its abandoned airstrip, Houseman airstrip, Draper’s Bluff, Ferne Clyffe State Park, Kellums Field (16IS), Lake of Egypt, Dutchman Lake, Tunnel Hill Bike trail, Covey Airport, Trigg Observation Tower, Camp Ondessonk, Millstone Bluff National Historic site, Bell Smith Springs, Lusk Creek Wilderness and the canyon walls of Indian Kitchen, Garden of the Gods Wilderness, Hicks Dome, Battery Rock, and the Ohio River.
The return leg included Cave-in-Rock State Park, a low pass at Henderson Field, War Bluff, Lake Glendale, Dixon Springs State Park and the closed runway there, the Cache River swamps, Heron Pond, Little Black Slough, Keil (6IL5) Rex’s Place, Bald Knob Cross, Cedar Lake and its interesting bluffs, then ended over Rendleman Field (4IL8) just south of Lake Murphysboro State Park.
The return route was about an hour and terminated over Rendleman (4IL8) just west of Murphysboro, at which point we dispersed to our individual home bases.
The weather was outstanding and the tour was enjoyable, informative, and a safe activity even in these weird times.
