Sport pilot Michael Combs has learned yet another lesson that longtime pilots know well: “Time to spare, go by air.” Combs was set to launch on April 5, to begin his months-long Flight for the Human Spirit in a Remos GX. Instead, high winds and then a rainstorm at his departure airport in Salina, Kan., kept him on the ground until Thursday, April 8.
On Monday afternoon the winds in Salina were blowing from a southwesterly direction at 20 to 28 knots with higher winds forecasted for Tuesday. Wednesday morning called for a chance of wintery mix conditions in the area between Salina and Columbia, Mo., which was on Combs’ itinerary for his first day. On April 7, Combs’ Mission Control gave him the go-ahead for the launch. On his first day he’ll head to Abilene, Topeka, Kansas City, and Columbia.
Combs plans to fly in or to all 50 states, stopping in 135 cities and towns across the United States. You can track his progress at AOPA Online or the Flight for the Human Spirit Web site.
Combs was scheduled to land at AOPA headquarters in Frederick, Md., for the morning kickoff of the Road and Runway Rally, but the weather delay has pushed back his arrival in Maryland. Check his Web site to find out when he will be in your area.
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