Air Show at Battle Creek on 4th of July

[Wuzak]

Hey guys, I was wondering if any of the American members would be attending the 4th of July air show at Battle Creek.

Because I am coming to the US and I will be attending. :D

I am coming over to meet up with a friend I have known for some time, and we will be touring around the mid west. Primarily we are there for a couple of motorsport events, but we are going to the air show and to the WPAFB museum a few days later.

If any of you will be there I would like to meet you.

[Double T]

Wuzak:
Am I correct in assuming that you are going to Battle Creek, Michigan?
If so, Kalamazoo, MI is home to the "Kalamazoo Air Zoo" and if memory serves, they have a complete collection of all the Grumman "Cats."
Enjoy your trip to the Mid-West Wuzak. You just missed the Indianapolis 500... which was yesterday. I live about an hour south of there. I expect you'll have a great time at Wright-Patt.

Tim

[Wuzak]

Yes, Battle Creek Michigan.

The first thought has been to go to the US GP at Indy. In at least one previous year that has been one week after the Indy 500, and if that were the case this year I would definitely have done the double.

I arrive in the US in 3 weeks time.

Thanks for the info Double T. I will definitely look into that.

[Wuzak]

Thanks again for that mate.

It has been duly added to teh schedule.

Just been looking through the attractions:

quote:Experience it with ALL your senses
See why many guests call the Missions Theatre “the best seat in the house.” The magic of the Midwest’s only 4-dimensional 180° theater drops you in the middle of a World War II bombing mission.

Tremble in your seats upon takeoff. Feel the full-on roar of other aircraft zooming by. It’s an inspiring experience that you won’t soon forget.

Developed through a combination of 3D computer animation and live actors, the Salute to Heroes® experience was created by the AI Group in the UK. It recently won the coveted 2004 Museums and Heritage Award forExcellence Overseas.



http://www.airzoo.org/attractions/theatre/

[Double T]

Wuzak:
Your profile makes no mention of where you call home...
Just curious.
I do hope this years' Formula One race at Indianapolis comes-off better than last year... when most major teams pulled-out of the race at the last minute. Wasn't it an issue concerning Michelin Tires?
In any case... fans were NOT pleased.

Tim

[Wuzak]

I am from Tasmania, Australia Double T.

I hope that the US GP goes off better this year too. At least there will be 5 teams competing if the Michelin tyres do have problems again this year.

But that shouldn't happen...they admitted to underestimating the loads on the tyres by 40-50% last year. If they do it again...

btw Eduoard Michelin died last Friday. Very sad. Only 42 years old.

[Double T]

Wuzak:
WOW! That will be quite the expedition, eh?
Safe travels mate.

Tim

[Wuzak]

Thanks DoubleT.

Yes, it will be an epic journey. Oz to LA via New Zealand by air, train from LA via San Francisco to Nebraska. Nearly 4000 miles of driving through several states, and even into Canada.

[GregP]

Welcome to the USA Wuzak. I wish I oould see you, but I am unemployed. No chance ... Enjoy your trip.

If you want to call, 512-627-7820.

Take care.

- Greg

[Wuzak]

Sorry to hear that Greg.

I trust that it is a temporary state of affairs.

I will try to give you a call wehn I get there.

[Mark J]

Hey Wuzak, are you flying into Auckland? It might be me who refuel's your plane. Whats your flight details?

cheers

[Wuzak]

quote:Originally posted by Mark J

Hey Wuzak, are you flying into Auckland? It might be me who refuel's your plane. Whats your flight details?

cheers


Yep, dropping into Aukland.

Flight leaves Melbourne 12:00 Midday on 24th June. Not sure when it gets into Aukland.

[Mark J]

I'm working that day, it may be me:) It's a 3 hour flight and we are about 3 hours ahead of you so I guess it's a midday arrival but I don't think your plane will leave until early evening. The flight to the US is a long one. If your plane is a 777 then you'll take off with about 110 tonnes of fuel but a 747 will take between 140 and 160 tonnes, depending on load, weather and specific gravity. From memory the flight is about 12 hours.

cheers

[Wuzak]

If the flight is 3 hours Melbourne to Aukland, and NZ is 3 hours ahead then the arrival time will be 6:00pm.

I guess if it will take a while to fuel the plan I will get a chance to get up and walk around....

btw, it will take about 40 minutes all up to fly from Melbourne to LA (arriving 12:40pm on the 24th)...



Unfortunately it will take 3 days to return....

[Mark J]

[:I]...yes thats right

I suppose you'll be held in the transit lounge while the plane is serviced, I presume it's Quantas your flying with, does QF 25 sound right? With one fuel dispenser (parked just outside the port inner engine) the plane will recieve about 3200 litres per minute but if time is short and another man can be spared then a second dispenser will hook up just outside the starboard inner engine and the flowrate will be about 5700 litres per minute. You'll land at Auckland with 10 to 15 tonnes of fuel so an uplift of about 160,000 litres will be needed. Some of that fuel will be in the tail, about 5 tonnes, across the horizontal stabilizer. From memory, it's 2 to 3 hours on the ground.

I'm not sure how much aviation fuel costs but I'm sure it's over a dollar a litre, giving you some idea of the cost of flying to the US from down here. [:0]

cheers

[Wuzak]

Flying Air NZ actually.

Surprising how much cheaper fuel must be for them than QANTAS!