On Sept 29th Burt Rutan's Space Ship One is scheduled to make its first X-Prize flight attempt in Mojave Airport. Then on Oct 2nd the Canadian DaVinci Team will make their first flight attempt in Kindersley, Saskatchewan. I plan to see them both.

I will be flying my own Skylane from RHV in San Jose, CA to both venues. Right now there are three empty seats flying with me so If you are interested in coming along (and paying a prorata share of the fuel costs) drop me an email. Both airports require "Prior Permission" to land, I already have permission for Kindersley and I waiting for confirmation of permission for Mojave.

With full fuel tanks, me and some luggage the remaining usuable weight is 370lbs - so if more than one person wants to come along the combined weight needs to be less than this.

Here are some of the details:

For Space Ship One:
Route: KRHV-PXN-AVE-EHF-KMHV, ETE 01:49, 24.2gal
I propose to leave about 3am on 9/29 to arrve about 5am - Expect TFR to close Airport at 6am.
Return after the launch to get back to SJC sometime around 1pm.
Round trip total: About 4hrs flight time and 48gals

For DaVinci Project:
Route:
Leg1: KRHV-SAC-RBL-LMT-DSD-KPDT (Fuel and rest stop), 563nm, ETE 04:13, 49gal
Leg2: KPDT-GEG-YXC-CYYC (Clear Customs at Calgary), 388nm, ETE 03:03, 38.1gal
Leg3: CYXC-CYKY, 189nm, ETE 01:27, 18.5gal
The launch is very early on the 2nd so we need to arrive on the evening of the 1st. I propose to actually leave a day early (Thurs Sept 30) to avoid any pressure to risk adverse weather to get to the launch ontime.
We should be able to start the return after the launch to get back to SJC late on the 2nd (weather permitting). We'll stop in Spokane on the return trip to clear US Customs and refuel.
Round Trip Totals: 2280nm, About 18hrs flight time, 212gal

I'll be happy to share flight time with qualified pilots. My insurance company says this means at least 300hrs total time with at least 25hrs in a Skylane. For the Canada trip you also need to be IFR rated and current, because we will fly IFR with a high probability of encountering IMC.

As with all long distance flying in little airplanes and space launches - nothing is guaranteed. Either launch could cancel at the last minute, maintenance or weather could ground us along the way. Whatever happens it will be an adventure to tell the grandkids about!

-Brenor
PP ASEL IA
www.brenorbrophy.com