Today’s Flight 2025

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Tom Sullivan
Posts: 105
Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2022 2:33 pm

When I started this thread I intended to start a new one every year. But then I was intensely busy working on my IVPT Rebuild last January and the same this year (updates forthcoming).

So, here’s our thread for 2025!

Sorry, not my Lancair “YET”, but an amazing sunset none the less! Pictures of our deviation coming home from Florida 2/4/25. We were at 6,000’ to avoid crazy headwinds and approaching Fort Wayne, realizing we needed to climb up to FL 180 over our Lake crossing, I checked winds at 18k and found them at 100 KNOTS ON OUR NOSE.

A quick math comparison showed we could stay at 6k, fly west of Chicago, and still make it home faster. An added benefit, an amazing sunset!
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Flight Aware showing flight part deviation for 3 digit headwinds over Lake Michigan. Picture was taken a day later so weather depicted was 24 hours after our flight. We flew in severe clear until reaching the Chicago area.
Flight Aware showing flight part deviation for 3 digit headwinds over Lake Michigan. Picture was taken a day later so weather depicted was 24 hours after our flight. We flew in severe clear until reaching the Chicago area.
IMG_4643.jpeg (527.18 KiB) Viewed 10904 times
Clear below us South East of Chicago
Clear below us South East of Chicago
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IMG_4632.jpeg (1.38 MiB) Viewed 10904 times
Lower clouds filled in
Lower clouds filled in
IMG_4633.jpeg (1.34 MiB) Viewed 10904 times
Note the beautiful sun lighting up the bottom of the upper cloud layer
Note the beautiful sun lighting up the bottom of the upper cloud layer
IMG_4635.jpeg (1.58 MiB) Viewed 10904 times
West of Chicago, about to turn North
West of Chicago, about to turn North
IMG_4637.jpeg (1.59 MiB) Viewed 10904 times
Finally Northbound to the U.P.
Finally Northbound to the U.P.
IMG_4639.jpeg (1.66 MiB) Viewed 10904 times
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Ryan Riley
Posts: 176
Joined: Tue Nov 22, 2022 4:59 am
Location: Phoenix

Great photos! Sunset flights are awesome. Thanks for starting the 2025 thread!

Here's mine from my last Sedona lunch flight. Great on-field restaurant.
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IMG_1091.jpeg (5.4 MiB) Viewed 10868 times
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IMG_1086.jpeg (3 MiB) Viewed 10868 times
-Ryan
Lancair LNC2/Legacy/ES/ES-P Instructor
LOBO Webmaster
2007 Lancair ES
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Tom Sullivan
Posts: 105
Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2022 2:33 pm

In the interest of keeping some activity here, and keeping it Lancair for this post, here are a couple pictures of my IVPT flying several years ago. I had a nice tailwind coming east bound across Wisconsin in the second picture. The other is thunderstorms out the window at FL280 on the way back from Pittsburgh.
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N994PT TS's .jpg
N994PT TS's .jpg (1.27 MiB) Viewed 119 times
N994PT 418 Kt GS.jpg
N994PT 418 Kt GS.jpg (2.15 MiB) Viewed 119 times
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Tom Sullivan
Posts: 105
Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2022 2:33 pm

Here's one of my flights to Florida this winter. Not IVPT speeds, but not too shabby for a Mooney while I'm rebuilding my Lancair. One fuel stop and 4:50 from the U.P of Michigan to 10 south of Daytona, Florida (Spruce Creek).
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N1017L 237Kt's to 7 FL6.jpg
N1017L 237Kt's to 7 FL6.jpg (3.1 MiB) Viewed 118 times
N1017L over Anderson IN.jpg
N1017L over Anderson IN.jpg (2.17 MiB) Viewed 118 times
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Ryan Riley
Posts: 176
Joined: Tue Nov 22, 2022 4:59 am
Location: Phoenix

Tom Sullivan wrote: ↑Tue Apr 15, 2025 9:09 pm Here's one of my flights to Florida this winter. Not IVPT speeds, but not too shabby for a Mooney while I'm rebuilding my Lancair. One fuel stop and 4:50 from the U.P of Michigan to 10 south of Daytona, Florida (Spruce Creek).
Tom, not too shabby at all!
-Ryan
Lancair LNC2/Legacy/ES/ES-P Instructor
LOBO Webmaster
2007 Lancair ES
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Ryan Riley
Posts: 176
Joined: Tue Nov 22, 2022 4:59 am
Location: Phoenix

I finally got some photos of my plane flying. My buddy and I flew Vipers together in Kunsan and he joined the GA community with a really sweet TN Bonanza. We flew to Payson, AZ for an awesome breakfast at the on-airport Crosswinds Cafe. I highly recommend as the food is good and lots of pilots, families, and friends fly there.
N701SM Flagstaff.jpg
N701SM Flagstaff.jpg (2.98 MiB) Viewed 95 times
N701SM Formation.jpg
N701SM Formation.jpg (2.43 MiB) Viewed 95 times
-Ryan
Lancair LNC2/Legacy/ES/ES-P Instructor
LOBO Webmaster
2007 Lancair ES
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Tom Sullivan
Posts: 105
Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2022 2:33 pm

That is one SWEET LOOKING ES!! And blue is my favorite color!

Tom
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Ryan Riley
Posts: 176
Joined: Tue Nov 22, 2022 4:59 am
Location: Phoenix

Tom Sullivan wrote: ↑Fri Apr 18, 2025 2:46 pm That is one SWEET LOOKING ES!! And blue is my favorite color!
Thanks Tom. I can't take credit. Steve Myers built my plane. I just try to upgrade and fly it a bunch. I've almost doubled the flying hours since I bought it in 2021.
-Ryan
Lancair LNC2/Legacy/ES/ES-P Instructor
LOBO Webmaster
2007 Lancair ES
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Dan O'Brien
Posts: 31
Joined: Thu Feb 16, 2023 6:03 am

Another high desert photo over Lake Powell--flight from the Pecan Plantation trip.
IMG_2773.jpeg
IMG_2773.jpeg (1.91 MiB) Viewed 80 times
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