[Eric Parks]

Eric Parks on May 15, 2026 at 12:43 pm #26838

The next day we got breakfast across town and loaded up Annie for the last legs home. We did the same airport for our fuel/rest stop in Cartersville, GA outside Atlanta. I was filed IFR just for grins and practice for the most part. There was a broken deck leaving MEI but we could have done it VFR but I like the practice anyway. As we got close to Atlanta center gave me an Arrival into Cartersville. I wasn’t expecting that but looked it up and started loading it into my GPS. It added quite a bit of mileage so I asked for a short cut and they gave it to me. A few minutes later a new voice popped up on frequency and so apparenly controllers had changed. The new controller gave me direct back to the original fix and added the miles back in. So I decided to bail and cancelled IFR and we continued VFR. The controller seemed happy enough with that and gave me VFR flight following while I went direct so maybe he just wanted me out of the system. After Cartersville it’s a short leg home and I was very glad to be back after such a great trip where Annie behaved herself.

An example of WHY we like the ROOM in the Apache. Annie lets us carry lots of STUFF.

And more room for my man spread too!

 

 

It feels great to get home! Caught by surprise by the camera.

Working on my picture smile but very happy anyway.

[Eric Parks]

Eric Parks on May 14, 2026 at 9:38 pm #26835

Returning from Austin we did the reverse of how we flew into Austin. We went direct to Alexandria, LA and got lunch and then on to Meridian, MS for the overnight. This time in AEX we got the huge Grand Marquis as our courtesy car and one that I think is the quintessential pilot car. We had done the Mexican restaurant before but for some reason (maybe a Texas hangover?) we wanted What-A-Burger and it was great.

I love that Mercury was making sure you didn’t miss that you were driving a GRAND MARQUIS

How do you improve on that?? Add What-A-Burger and everything is better!

After AEX we headed directly to Meridian, MS where Meridian Aviation makes it all worth the effort. We got our car for the overnight and enjoyed a great meal at what we were told was the “best restaurant in Mississippi”, Weidmann’s. I don’t know if its the best but I certainly won’t argue. We were glad they only had room in the upstairs bar as our dress code was more to the bar scene than the white table cloth settings downstairs.

 

[Eric Parks]

Eric Parks on April 19, 2026 at 2:44 am #26432

Always seems to be cool military jets in Meridian, MS

Alexandria, LA had some cool planes too!

Day two and we made it to Austin Executive airport in good shape.

Got to go on THE trip we got Annie for. We had flown to Texas before but that trip ended up being frustrating for several issue that had nothing to do with Annie. So this time we got to do it right. And it was great. I’ve learned that we will need two days for this much flying as we just don’t sit a long time like we used to. So we stopped at Cartersville, GA outside of Atlanta for a quick fuel and pit stop. Then on to Meridian, MS for the overnight. Meridian Aviation has been so nice to us and that continued. We were given a courtesty car for overnight stay. Pretty sweet! The next day we flew to Alexandria, LA and got another fuel stop but this time got a car and went for some Mexican food. Getting back after a quick hour or so lunch stop we did the final leg into Austin. We chose Austin Executive Airport (KEDC) this time and loved it. Classy. We had our rental car driven to us right on the ramp so we could load our baggage right into the car.

 

[Eric Parks]

Eric Parks on March 24, 2026 at 5:25 pm #25762

Kent Dellenbusch wrote:
Speaking of UPS —
Did you hear that UPS and FedEx merged? 
—
—
—
Now called …. Fed-Up

Good One!

[Kent Dellenbusch]

Kent Dellenbusch on March 24, 2026 at 7:46 am #25760

Speaking of UPS —
Did you hear that UPS and FedEx merged? 
—
—
—
Now called …. Fed-Up
 

[Eric Parks]

Eric Parks on March 23, 2026 at 4:29 pm #25759

Kent Dellenbusch wrote:
A good brother.
 

 

Yup! He is! And since he is a retired UPS pilot he really helped with the pre-flight. 

[Kent Dellenbusch]

Kent Dellenbusch on March 23, 2026 at 2:11 pm #25758

A good brother.
 
 

[Eric Parks]

Eric Parks on March 22, 2026 at 5:17 pm #25756

Went to Louisville to visit family. My brother helped me with the preflight.

 

All done! 

Attachments:
LOU4.jpeg
LOU5.jpeg

[Kent Dellenbusch]

Kent Dellenbusch on March 18, 2026 at 5:53 pm #25751

Thank you for letting your neighbor know about my ladder discrepancy. I feel this one is much more suited.  
A bit more color scheme-oriented. 

 
Attachments:
ladder.jpg

[Eric Parks]

Eric Parks on March 18, 2026 at 5:35 pm #25750

Yes, the Yellow/gold is a thin line border around the blue but a white border separates the blue from the yellow. So very thin trim lines and very nice. I think it’s great to have two vintage aircraft next door to each other. Our little airport is pretty interesting if you hang out a while!

I’ll let my neighbor know that the green ladder offends your sense of aesthetics