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Many of the following pictures are from trips my father and I took to the Velocity factory. We traveled from Santa Fe, NM to Sebastian, FL (5/04) and back (6/04) and were treated to beautiful sights and amazing contrasts as we flew.
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Meandering rivers in Mississippi.
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Flying over Louisiana - a hazy day but beautiful nevertheless.
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It took roughly 6 hours to travel from Santa Fe, NM to Panama City, FL, Since we got a late start, we decided to stay the evening and complete the trip the next day.
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Panama City (PFN) control tower.
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The weather over most of Florida was kind of overcast. I was flying down the center of the state when Orlando Approach asked me if I wouldn't mind more direct routing to Sebastian! We were routed directly across the center of the Orlando International (MCO)!! You can see the vast complex of terminals and parallel runways.
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My Dad spots a jumbo jet taking off beneath us!
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The jet climbs out as we pass by.
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The jet disappears from view as we cross the east set of parallel runways.
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We made it to the factory! The original Velocity Service Center is seen behind our plane. It was destroyed by hurricane Jeanne but the factory rapidly resumed normal operations in new buildings.
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On the ramp in Sebastian, FL. (X26)
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Dad and Velocity XL RG N724X
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Climbing out from Vero Beach, FL. (VRB)
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The beautiful Florida coast near Sebastian. The Indian River runs side to side in the photo.
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The Sebastian River (top left) empties into the Indian River running parallel to the coast.
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Turning final to 13 at Sebastian (X26).
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Returning home 6/04. Overflying Panama City on a beautiful day.
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Traveling westward from Panama City.
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As we pass westward from Panama City, we enter into the east-west VFR corridor allowing transit through the restricted areas lining the coast. The Tyndall, Eglin, and Pensacola controllers are very friendly and helpful.
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A special air traffic rule allows transition across the restricted areas. We line up on the beach to keep us on track.
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Destin airport (DTS)
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Passing overhead Destin, Florida.
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Boaters take advantage of a spectacular day.
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Unfortunately, there was a thunderstorm gathering over Mobile, AL, forcing us to turn northward sooner than we had planned. We traversed over Pensacola and made a pit-stop here: Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport (PIB). One of the striking things about the Velocity is it's speed and range usually means crossing several weather systems in one flight.
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That's a lot of B-52's!
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Shreveport Downtown (DTN) in Louisiana.
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After stopping in Mckinney, TX (TKI, our new base), we continue on to Santa Fe, NM. We cross over a weather front manifesting as these clouds.
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The terrain starts to change in west Texas as we travel further west.
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There's almost a clear line demarcating flat country from the rugged terrain of west Texas and New Mexico.
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On the way home from OSH 2004. Topeka, Kansas
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On the way home from Oshkosh and Airventure 2004, we cross over somewhere I once lived, Iowa City, IA.
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Iowa City is also home to the Midwest's only aviation-themed hotel, the Alexis Park Inn and Suites run by Jay and Mary Honek who are both pilots and are great folks! The hotel is right next to the airport.
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Comments, questions, and suggestions are welcome! email: