Here at Apache Wells RV Resort, we’re located about a mile away from Falcon Field Municipal Airport. Falcon Field is owned by the City of Mesa. In 2011, it was ranked the fifth busiest general aviation airport in the USA. Falcon Field is located on roughly a square mile of land. It’s bordered on the east by Higley Road and on the west by Greenfield Road. The northern boundary is McDowell Road and McKellips Road is to the south.

Falcon Field is mostly utilized by private, propeller-driven airplanes. Sitting here in the RV park, we hear them taking off and landing or just flying around the area. I don’t mind – I like small aircraft. It’s not like hearing large commercial jets overhead. Occasionally, a private business jet will take off or land, but it’s not a daily occurrence. Sometimes I see old warbirds fly by.

Yesterday I scootered over to the southwest side of Falcon Field to visit the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) museum. This is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of historical aircraft. Admission to the museum costs $12. They also offer flights (for a hefty fee) in old warbirds.

CAF Museum entrance

I took a self-guided tour, starting with a hanger displaying aircraft. There were two P-51s in the hanger along with several other planes. The P-51 Mustang is one of my favorite old warbirds.

P-51 Mustang

In the maintenance hanger, they were putting the finishing touches on an overhaul of their first airplane. It’s a B-17 that was donated to the Arizona chapter of CAF in 1978. The plane is called “Sentimental Journey.”

B-17 in maintenance hangar

Back in 2008, when we were living here in Mesa, Donna gave me a birthday present. It was flight in a B-25 Mitchell bomber at Falcon Field. I sat in a gunner’s enclosure as we flew up to Canyon Lake and back.

B-25 Mitchell bomber

Yesterday, a guy was going up in an old navy trainer called an SNJ. The army used these planes as well. The army version was called an AT-6. About 15 years ago, my friend, Tom Stapleton gifted me with a flight in an AT-6 at Chehalis, Washington. After take-off, the pilot turned control of the plane over to  me. I did a few maneuvers, loops and barrel rolls. That was a mistake. I started feeling sick to my stomach. It took a full day to recover.

SNJ preparing for flight

SNJ belches smoke upon start-up

SNJ flying by

There must have been residual oil in the lower cylinders of the SNJ’s radial engine. It put out a large smoke screen upon start-up.

Stearman military trainer – circa 1938

Donna sent me a message asking me to pick up a few groceries on the way home. I also picked up a cleanser called Barkeepers Friend. This cleanser was recommended for use on our Health Craft cookware. I washed our pans with it last night. It works really well.

Donna made chicken cordon bleu for dinner with with herb chicken tortellini. She’s loving the induction cooktop and new cookware. I’m loving the results!

Chicken cordon bleu with herb chicken tortellini

Today, I have another project. I noticed cracks in the serpentine belt on our Cummins ISL diesel engine. If this belt breaks, we would be dead in the water. It drives the coolant pump, the alternator and other accessories. I’ll see if i can pick up a new one locally and install it today.