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The Glass Overcast flight plan: We launched from Fond Du Lac (FLD) on runway 18 and executed a climbing left turn and proceeded direct to POBER, an intersection about 5 miles south of OSH's two north runways. There, we landed on 36L or 36R, depending on whether we left from the left or right side of FLD's runway.
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The Glass Overcast Lead: Frank Pullano, Jr.
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Frank Pullano's VariEZE, RACE 20.
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The RACE 24 and Glass Overcast team: Ricardo "Rick" Guerra, Sr., Ricardo ("Rich") Guerra, Jr., Inez P. Guerra.
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The morning dawned a bit drizzly but never too bad. Many canards were already there as we landed but as the morning passed, even more arrived.
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The canards where sorted by the ground crew according to type and size.
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The bigger planes like the Velocity's, Defiant's and Cozy's ended up together. Here, Steve Wright's Stagger-EZ attracts a lot of attention.
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As Frank and Eric Whyte iron out the final details with the FAA and EAA, canardians gather. (Photo by Rick Maddy)
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The "big" planes: Jack SHeehan's Velocity is in foreground with the Wright Stagger-EZ and my Velocity XL RG N724X beyond. A pair of Defiants and an SQ2000 round out this row. (Photo by Rick Maddy)
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Dad checks out the Stagger-EZ.
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Jack Sheehan programs his GPS for the flight.
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Terry Schubert of CSA fame, photographs the Stagger-EZ.
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Ken Mishler's Velocity.
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Mom and Dad wipe off the drizzle as we await Frank's briefing.
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Defiants flanked by an SQ2000 and a Velocity.
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Mom chats with one of her bridesmaids who now lives in Fond Du Lac.
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Frank Pullano gives a preview briefing to Jack Sheehan who serves as the Velocity section Flight Leader.
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Eric Whyte and Frank Pullano discussing final details of the flight.
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Without the efforts of these two gentleman, their skill and sheer tenacity, Glass Overcast would have never occurred.
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Like the steely-eyed missile men of the days of yore, Eric and Frank arrive, ready to deliver the Glass Overcast briefing!
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Frank sets up a sign in sheet for the Glass Overcast pilots.
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A detailed flight briefing was passed out to all flying in the mass arrival.
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I sign in myself and my crew. (Photo by Rick Maddy)
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Frank watches for flight section leaders as they sign in. (Photo by Rick Maddy)
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The Glass Overcast pilots gather for the briefing.
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Frank Pullano delivers a very clear and detailed flight briefing. We began with a moment of silence for those canard pilots we lost this year. Frank then launched into a briefing that emphasized safety above all else. Mission rules were established: a 15 kt cross wind or a 10 kt tail wind at OSH meant we would no longer use the North Runway. When Frank called in at 3 miles, the winds at OSH were 190 @ 10. About as close as you can get! Landing on a 50 foot taxiway with a 10 knot tailwind at 90+ knots was fun!
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Every detail of the flight is discussed and reviewed until Frank is satisfied everyone has it down. A launch order and also the speeds and altitude to be flown were briefed. We launched the VariEzes followed by Velocities, then Cozies, LongEzs etc. The one of a kind airplanes fell in with the types that most closely matched their climb and approach speeds.
The flight leaders for each flight would launch from 18L at FLD and each subsequent aircraft in the flight would alternate sides and count to 5 (One One Thousand, Two One Thousand etc) and they would begin the roll. The next flight of aircraft would space 30 seconds between flights to allow for some extra spacing on landing at OSH.
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Next, the flight section leaders are briefed separately. Each class of canard had a leader and backup leader. The only people who would speak on the radio were the Lead Airplane and the Tail airplane. The exception to this rule was that each flight leader would
inform FLD Tower that they were "Long EZ Flight" etc. and would be spacing 30 seconds for departure. WIthin each group, the planes left with 5 second spacing, alternating side to side on the runway.
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If you launched on the LEFT of FLD's runway, you landed on OSH 36L; if you launched on the RIGHT of FLD's runway, you landed on OSH 36R. You landed LONG because there would be someone behind you and you taxiied expeditiously TO THE END of the runway.
After departure from FLD 18, the climb would be executed at 95 KIAS and 500 FPM up to 1800 MSL. We would establish a cruise speed of 120 KIAS with the gear DOWN until POBER (5 mile final for 36) where each aircraft would begin the decent to the runway at the proper approach speed. It was 110 KIAS for the VariEzes, 95 KIAS for the Velocities, 90 KIAS for the Longs and Cozies etc.
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Eric Whyte joins the flight leader briefing. The "beer rules" were these:
If you spoke on the radio - you bought everyone a beer.
If you raised your gear - you bought everyone a beer.
If you landed on the numbers - you bought everyone a beer - AND THEN YOU
WERE SHOT!
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After the briefing, the canard drivers return to our planes to prepare for departure. (Photo by Rick Maddy)
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Part of the LongEZ group.
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The signal is given. The Velocity group is to follow the VariEZE group. I climb in and prepare to fire up. (Photo by Rick Maddy)
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Velocity XL RG N724X taxis out behind Jack Sheehan. (Photo by Rick Maddy)
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Eric helps Ken Mishler pull out his Velocity. (Photo by Rick Maddy)
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The planes line up 2 by 2 on the taxiway for runway 18.
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The forest of winglets grows.
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The head of the line of canards, seen from behind. The Stagger-EZ is grouped with the Cozys. Velocity's and VariEZE's are ahead. (Photo by Rick Maddy)
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LongEZ's lined up. (Photo by Rick Maddy)
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Paul Lee's excellent SQ2000 (Photo by Rick Maddy)
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RACE 20 set up as Glass Overcast Lead Plane. (Photo by Rick Maddy)
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Everyone is set up, waiting for the go signal.
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Terry Schubert flies with Steve Wright in the Stagger-EZ.
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The Velocity group.
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Another view of the SQ2000.
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Jack Sheehan waves, ready to go!
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Winglets as far as the eye can see!
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Frank Pullano surveys his canard flight.
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Frank walks the line and checks everyone's readiness.
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The start time arrives! Everyone straps in and prepares for launch.
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Frank Pullano, Jr.:
Glass Overcast Flight Lead
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