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Fox Valley Flying ClubNewsletter, February 2002 |
Danville Delight
Story submitted by Kevin BertorelliThe day started off with a quick phone call to Ken Swasus, president of the Pegasus flying club down near Peotone. Mick Panke and I had planned to fly to somewhere up North but as luck would have it Ken had a disabled plane blocking him from exiting his hangar. We decided instead to fly down his way and to save time. Once we landed Ken mentioned Danville as a possible destination. With light winds and unseasonably warm weather Danville seemed like a good choice. The airport showed to be 78 miles from the Pegasus field according to my GPS so we checked out the flight path on our maps, set up communication on 122.875 and departed to the South. As it turned out our ground speed was pretty good, around 70 to 75, and our flight path nearly right down interstate 57 making navigation a snap.
Along the way we flew over endless open farm fields and small towns. I snapped off numerous pictures of Mick and Ken flying as did Ken since he brought his new digital camera along. After only a hour of flying we were already approaching our destination.
Danville used to be a controlled airport but now only the tower remains. We switched over the 122.8 and filed in for a landing on runway 36. Once tied down we borrowed the airport's courtesy car and went into to town for some food. Ah, nothing like some good food after a long flight. Once back at the airport we noticed a P51 Mustang sitting on the tarmac. Apparently Danville has a P51 restoration service there. What we were looking at was a perfectly restored P51. You had to see this plane to believe it. Everything was like brand new! Mick, Ken and I couldn't help spending time admiring the workmanship put into this beautiful plane. How much does a restoration like this cost? How about two million!
After refueling at Danville we headed back North with intentions of landing at the Pegasus. Time was running out as we approached the Pegasus strip near Peotone. Official sunset was 4:46pm and that had already passed. Despite darkness setting in we landed at Pegasus, got the necessary fuel to make our way back to Clow, and quickly departed after saying our good bye's to Ken. That last 25 miles seemed like it took forever, usually the case when you're in a hurry. Mick and I make it back to Clow safely and within FAA regulations, I swear! That final approach to runway 180 signified that end of one beautiful flying day. As I taxied up to my hangar I couldn't help wondering if this would be our last flying adventure of 2001. It was, and Mick, Ken and I won't soon forget our perfect Danville trip November 3rd, 2001.
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