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July 25,
1998
Press Conference at
the airport this morning. I felt like .... well, I don't know what. We sat at
the head table with the Russian Pilots. Microphones on the table, cameras all around
the room, reporters, the real deal. Moscow government was there, Intrestrate
Aviation, Flight Safety Foundation, etc. etc. Nikki talked, I talked, Khalide and
Natassia talked. Then about 6 - 7 others spoke before questions. Doug told me
later that he had tried to get my attention a couple of times. He wanted to tell me
"Cameras, remember cameras". Seems like, I got this glazed far away look
while some were talking a long time. Once, I was concentrating on what was being
said and the other time, I was thinking about an earlier
phone
call I had and I had been given something to think about during the conference.
Don't let anyone do that to you. It will mess up what you're supposed to be thinking
about. What would we do without Doug to snap us back to reality. Doug has
become one of our best friends on this project. You know, I've even led the poor guy
astray a bit. In Russia, Doug and I have shared tongue on a plate. Never
thought I'd eat that. But it was pretty good. Needed a little spicy mustard.
Jeremy ate it too, the previous night, before he knew what he was eating.
After the press conference, we flew the
AN-2. Natassia
and Nikki first. Then Natassia and I. Like driving a truck with no power
steering. I loved it. Today our altitude never got over 150 ft. We
landed at a
field 45 minutes North of Moscow.
There were YAKS and SV-26. I met another World Aerobatics Champion there. She
was great. This is a place where the runway is crappy, the planes sit outside and
the grass is high. Back to Moscow is about an hour. 150' above the ground,
(think I saw someone taking a shower through their window). Landed back at Tushino
and put the plane up for the night. Tired, we went to the hotel for dinner and a
budget meeting with the Russians.
Then there is
tomorrow.
P.S. Just think
about how cool this is. Flew a Maule to Russia and now flying an AN-2 over the City
of Moscow at 150 ft.
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