Friday, April 01, 2005
Destination: KGPZ, Grand Rapids, Minnesota
After 2 days of sitting and waiting for the crappy weather to stabilize, Edward, the owner of Blue Water Aviation Services Ltd., and I decided Thursday, March 31, 2005, would be the appropriate day to head south across the border to accomplish some business.
Edward and I would be flying down to Grand Rapids, Minnesota, on the "Mighty Mississippi River". We had been hired to ferry a Cessna 185, C-GEHD, to deliver it to the new owner. It had been purchased by an American fellow, to be used as a private airplane, from a local charter operator in Manitoba. Edward would fly C-GEHD, and I would fly our company Cessna 185, C-GFVZ, and return home with Edward once we delivered C-GEHD.
We left Lac du Bonnet in both airplanes, after numerous maddening calls to U.S. Customs and a Nav Canada Flight Service Station, and headed south at 3500'asl (above sea level). We were heading for Piney Pinecreek Border Airport. It is the only Bi-National airport in the world, as the runway crosses the 49th Parallel, half the runway in the States, half the runway in Canada.
We made Piney Pinecreek in 45 min. and were met by a pleasant U.S. Customs official and his partner. We paid our fees, showed our I.D. and were on our way again, again cruising at 3500' asl. Next stop was Grand Rapids, 168 miles from the border.
We flew southeast and I marveled at the untouched land area in northern Minnesota. Hardwoods, evergreens, swamps, creeks, lakes, rivers, they sure have a lot of undeveloped land. Some of the lakes really impressed me as to their size. Our track took us past the community of Red Lake where the terrible shootings occurred.
On we flew, past Bemidji, across big Lake Winnibigoshish, past Deer River, and finally landing on the 5755' paved runway at Grand Rapids.
We met the purchaser of C-GEHD and introductions were made all around. Paperwork, documents, and the Log Book were inspected to make sure all was in order. We didn't have much time to look around as we still had a number of flying hours left, so I took a few photos. I have to tell you, though, America sure is a tidy place. Everything is neatly laid out and manicured, I am always impressed. Anyways, some more maddening calls to file a flight plan and alert Canada Customs, and we were airborne in C-GFVZ, with me flying, heading north, after saying good-byes to our new-found friends. One interesting thing, we were told by Flight Services not to violate Canadian Airspace before we cleared Customs, as we would be monitored by AWACS (Airborne Warning And Control System) aircraft!!
We cleared at Piney Pinecreek, and headed for Silver Falls, arriving an hour later. I gassed up C-GFVZ and headed for Riverton after dropping off Edward. It was late in the day and the sun was in the west, partially obscured by clouds. It was calm, and I flew low over Lake Winnipeg. The lake looked quite serene, still covered in ice, but I didn't let my guard down. As I gazed over it's expanse, I felt a sense of awe, and always do. It is quite a sight. Anyways, I made it across safely, and landed back at home in Riverton, secured the plane, and waited for the next adventure. Flying down to the States and back and seeing new scenery was a perfect way to spend a nice, sunny day! What a life!! Till next time..........
The community of Red Lake, where the shooting tragedy occurred. Red Lake is a huge lake, surrounded by beautiful unspoiled "real estate".
A beautiful view from just west of Grand Rapids, Minnesota. You can see the legendary Mississippi River just starting to open up.
After arriving in Grand Rapids and exiting our aircraft, there she was, waving proudly and welcoming us. Old Glory!!
At the airport in Grand Rapids, there was a lot of activity, the sign of commerce. One of the projects was this overhaul.....
C-GEHD, a fine-looking 185, delivered safe and sound by Edward and myself, to it's thankful, and extremely grateful, new owner.....
C-GFVZ, the company run-about, still with her skis on, as once she returned north across the border, she still had work to do.....
AirWays Aviation Center would be performing some work on C-GEHD to enable it to be U.S.-registered......
I was impressed again by the U.S., and I was impressed by THIS TRUCK!! An old International (Cornbinder) that sounded like a symphony and ran like a Timex!!
The expanse of Lake Winnipeg always puts me in awe.....
Sun soon setting in the west, a "giant" lake prepares to sleep for the night.....
The following morning, 3 of my crew pose with C-GFVZ.
"Monger", "Munch", and "Boofer" brighten up a photo of Cessna 185, C-GFVZ.
C-GFVZ with some brethren, Piper Aztec C-GOXI, and Cessna 185 C-GULA, at the Riverton airport. She still has some more flights to do onto Lake Winnipeg...........
Edward and I would be flying down to Grand Rapids, Minnesota, on the "Mighty Mississippi River". We had been hired to ferry a Cessna 185, C-GEHD, to deliver it to the new owner. It had been purchased by an American fellow, to be used as a private airplane, from a local charter operator in Manitoba. Edward would fly C-GEHD, and I would fly our company Cessna 185, C-GFVZ, and return home with Edward once we delivered C-GEHD.
We left Lac du Bonnet in both airplanes, after numerous maddening calls to U.S. Customs and a Nav Canada Flight Service Station, and headed south at 3500'asl (above sea level). We were heading for Piney Pinecreek Border Airport. It is the only Bi-National airport in the world, as the runway crosses the 49th Parallel, half the runway in the States, half the runway in Canada.
We made Piney Pinecreek in 45 min. and were met by a pleasant U.S. Customs official and his partner. We paid our fees, showed our I.D. and were on our way again, again cruising at 3500' asl. Next stop was Grand Rapids, 168 miles from the border.
We flew southeast and I marveled at the untouched land area in northern Minnesota. Hardwoods, evergreens, swamps, creeks, lakes, rivers, they sure have a lot of undeveloped land. Some of the lakes really impressed me as to their size. Our track took us past the community of Red Lake where the terrible shootings occurred.
On we flew, past Bemidji, across big Lake Winnibigoshish, past Deer River, and finally landing on the 5755' paved runway at Grand Rapids.
We met the purchaser of C-GEHD and introductions were made all around. Paperwork, documents, and the Log Book were inspected to make sure all was in order. We didn't have much time to look around as we still had a number of flying hours left, so I took a few photos. I have to tell you, though, America sure is a tidy place. Everything is neatly laid out and manicured, I am always impressed. Anyways, some more maddening calls to file a flight plan and alert Canada Customs, and we were airborne in C-GFVZ, with me flying, heading north, after saying good-byes to our new-found friends. One interesting thing, we were told by Flight Services not to violate Canadian Airspace before we cleared Customs, as we would be monitored by AWACS (Airborne Warning And Control System) aircraft!!
We cleared at Piney Pinecreek, and headed for Silver Falls, arriving an hour later. I gassed up C-GFVZ and headed for Riverton after dropping off Edward. It was late in the day and the sun was in the west, partially obscured by clouds. It was calm, and I flew low over Lake Winnipeg. The lake looked quite serene, still covered in ice, but I didn't let my guard down. As I gazed over it's expanse, I felt a sense of awe, and always do. It is quite a sight. Anyways, I made it across safely, and landed back at home in Riverton, secured the plane, and waited for the next adventure. Flying down to the States and back and seeing new scenery was a perfect way to spend a nice, sunny day! What a life!! Till next time..........
The community of Red Lake, where the shooting tragedy occurred. Red Lake is a huge lake, surrounded by beautiful unspoiled "real estate".
A beautiful view from just west of Grand Rapids, Minnesota. You can see the legendary Mississippi River just starting to open up.
After arriving in Grand Rapids and exiting our aircraft, there she was, waving proudly and welcoming us. Old Glory!!
At the airport in Grand Rapids, there was a lot of activity, the sign of commerce. One of the projects was this overhaul.....
C-GEHD, a fine-looking 185, delivered safe and sound by Edward and myself, to it's thankful, and extremely grateful, new owner.....
C-GFVZ, the company run-about, still with her skis on, as once she returned north across the border, she still had work to do.....
AirWays Aviation Center would be performing some work on C-GEHD to enable it to be U.S.-registered......
I was impressed again by the U.S., and I was impressed by THIS TRUCK!! An old International (Cornbinder) that sounded like a symphony and ran like a Timex!!
The expanse of Lake Winnipeg always puts me in awe.....
Sun soon setting in the west, a "giant" lake prepares to sleep for the night.....
The following morning, 3 of my crew pose with C-GFVZ.
"Monger", "Munch", and "Boofer" brighten up a photo of Cessna 185, C-GFVZ.
C-GFVZ with some brethren, Piper Aztec C-GOXI, and Cessna 185 C-GULA, at the Riverton airport. She still has some more flights to do onto Lake Winnipeg...........
