The Flight for the Human Spirit had covered 13,442 miles when it landed for a maintenance stop at its home base at Denton Municipal Airport (DTO) in Texas. Texas became the 40th state of a journey that has touched down in more than 90 cities and towns across the United States, all in a Light Sport Aircraft.
Several days earlier, pilot Michael Combs was faced with deciding whether to fly in the Remos LSA as the typical summer weather patterns in Florida and the southern states offered daily challenges. “Before we landed in Key West we flew around some building cumulonimbus clouds,” said Combs. “They continued to build for about an hour as we watched them from the ground. I decided that it would be safer to fly north and away from the systems. It was so close, the tower cleared me to turn as soon as I was wheels up. There were no winds so it was an easy choice to make that, even as I look back at that moment, I know that I did the right thing. My only regret was willingly electing to fly away from Key West, rather than spend the night.”
Over the past few flight days, Combs has had to make similar decisions in Tallahassee and Baton Rouge, La., where afternoon storms formed and kept him moving onward. “We were really fortunate,” commented Combs. “The southern storms always formed behind or to the side of our scheduled route, which kept me moving in a forward direction until we reached our destination where we had a hangar available. I had always heard of these storm patterns, and am glad that they are behind me now.”
As a simple twist of fate, Combs arrived at his home base in time for the annual Denton Air Show where his aircraft named “Hope One” was put on display for fans and visitors alike. “It’s great to be back home, even if it’s only for a week or so,” said Combs. “I haven’t been home since mid-March so this is a real opportunity to sleep in my own bed, and cover our logistics for the remainder of the trip with our team. We only have 10 states and 8,000 miles to go. If the Western States greet us with as much enthusiasm as the Eastern States, then this flight will really be much more than an historic mission…it will become a journey that will always be regarded as one that lit hearts up from coast to coast.”
Combs goal is to inspire people to never give up on their dreams, no matter what they are. For the latest updates on The Flight for the Human Spirit including Podcasts and Facebook updates: FlightHS.com
Wonder how he is getting the fuel that is recommended for his LSA, premium unleaded mogas?