After working through the 2017 eclipse, I was very happy to be able to attend the 2024 eclipse especially as it was in our backyard.
The restorer and I viewed the eclipse at Waco Field (1WF), home of the Waco Air Museum, driving in for the day rather than flying Sis over as we had originally intended – brake issues which will be highlighted in another piece.
Close enough to Dayton International airport (DAY) to spend lunch with classic airplanes and be back in time, the restorer has spent many a lunch break there while working at the Beechcraft service center.
The week beforehand had clouds and rain making me nervous we would not see much of anything, luckily everything broke for the big day.
Cherry blossoms and other trees in bloom have been wonderful. I’ll gladly start taking allergy medicine to enjoy spring’s vibrant hues popping left and right.
The weather was sunny and warm for April in the mid 70’s.
The field hosted a handful of airplanes as well as campers.
Seeing a few airplanes fly in was heartening – especially an 182 from North Carolina hopefully enjoying some other stops on the aviation trail. Other aircraft that had flown in were a Cabin Waco, Super Decathlon, L-4 and a later model Bonanza.
As the eclipse progressed towards totality the temperature became cooler with the decrease in sunlight.
We commented to each other the sunlight decreasing felt like steps on a staircase rather than a ramp; one moment there was light then the next there was less along with cooler temperatures and the absence of birds chirping.
Every few minutes, as it got noticeably darker and cooler though not like twilight or dusk. Neither of us had experienced anything like it, I was happy I had a sweater with me as it became chilly.
More like sunglasses on everything. Was able to see everything around us and take pictures with my phone during the event
The clouds along the horizon were yellow, like sunset but it was everywhere off to the north, east and south.
Birds stopped singing about a half hour before totality.
Right after the sun appeared, birds began to sing again.
It took a significant amount of time to become dark, but became light almost immediately after.
Kicking Tires
After the eclipse, we walked around the field. One airplane in particular I wanted to take a closer look at.
The Bonanza.
Yes, it was a Bonanza that looked very familiar but I couldn’t place the aircraft in my mind.
Playing detective when looking at airplanes has become an enjoyable experience while kicking tires with the restorer; we notice different aspects of the same aircraft.
I keyed into the paint scheme and cleanliness of the aircraft. Almost teal with dark brown stripes. The color combination seemed both retro and modern at the same time.
My guess at the engine type, a Continental 470, was refuted by the restorer stating it had to be a 520 because of the presence of a 3-bladed propeller. I asked if it could be somewhere around a V35, the restorer was not sure either.
The airplane had aircraft dealer decals from Elliot Aviation in Iowa underneath the ruddervators on both sides of the aircraft. It’s the original paint – and in good condition. A small spot of fading below the back window, the rest of the airplane was shiny and had depth to the color.
Talking with the family who flew it in, we found out it was an S model Bonanza from the Chicago area. Their father and my father had known each other and I had indeed seen their airplane before at conventions and likely at Beech Party, which they were happy to remind us we should head to as well in October.
As people began to leave, the Bonanza’s family were looking at the clock to gauge when would be the best time to leave as there were some airspace restrictions for their destination.
We said our goodbyes and the restorer made a beeline for one of the museum buildings to look at a part on a restored airplane.
He knew exactly where he was going.
When I finally caught up with him, he was kneeling beneath the wingtip of the Waco YPT to take pictures of an external weight, documenting the part from at least eight different angles.
Looking at the placard with the airplane, several of the restorers’ friends were listed as part of the restoration team responsible for this particular aircraft.
The restorer mentioned one of the volunteers at the restoration shop and a project they were working on would likely need external weights and this would help.
Hearing the engine of the Bonanza starting outside, I wandered back out to see airplanes departing.
Watching the S model taxi to the far end of the runway, I thought back to the 2017 eclipse which went through my Alma mater, Carbondale, Illinois (MDH).
Monitoring aircraft at O’Hare while eating lunch at my desk. The FAA OIS indicated the airport was closed for the eclipse because of traffic, I wished I was there.
Life changes faster and more slowly than we ever imagined.
Hearing the Bonanza’s engine power up, it seemed to take forever for them to come back south towards the museum on their takeoff roll, they did with no issue climbing out while banking east continuing their climb and turning north then northwest on course back to Chicago.
They would be back home before sunset.
The restorer found me after talking to some friends he had run into.
Yup, life has changed a bit for both of us.
“Ready to go sweetie?,” he asked, “Let’s get a bit more done on Sis before dinner.”