I needed another break from working on the 787 when I thought about heading out again on a Flyabout. The initial plan was to fly to Olathe, KS and pick up my old friend and mentor, Terry Yake, who was fighting cancer. From there, he and I would head off to the big annual canard fly in at Rough River, KY, the turn left and go to Columbus, OH for the Gathering of Mustangs, an event predicted to have at least 51 P-51 Mustangs present.

As I hoped, everything came together. Terry was in good shape and even better spirits. We had a great time at the Rough River event, and then flew up to stay with a friend of mine from my days at Honeywell Avionics and Grimes Aerospace, Bob Walter.

The three of us spent an amazing day walking the ramp in Columbus, the original home of the Mustang. There were over 80 Mustangs present, as well as B-17 Fortresses, P-40 Warhawks, P-47 Thunderbolts, P-38 Lightnings, F-4U Corsairs, Vickers Wellingtons and countless other planes. Watching a flyover of more than 50 Mustangs was something that I will never forget. Honestly, though, it was the sound of the engines that will float in my memory forever - the coughing of the radials on the B-17 during start, or the drone of 50+ Merlins overhead.

All told, I covered 4,200 miles in 29 1/2 flight hours. Throughout, I had a great time visiting friends across this big country, and I got to get back to where I am happiest: the sky.