Making tracks in AOPA Sweepstakes Tiger

I had the task of flying the AOPA Sweepstakes Tiger to its first—and only—public appearance after complete refurbishment. I’d be traveling to some new (to me) territory where the Tiger could leave its mark.

I had just pulled off a long trip from Palm Beach, Florida, back to Frederick, Maryland, in a Super Cub, so this would be a piece of cake in the much faster Grumman Tiger. And I’d have an autopilot.

First leg

My first leg was a direct flight from Frederick Municipal Airport to Oconee County Regional Airport in Clemson, South Carolina; it happened to fit with the Tiger theme. I’d have some significant headwinds to contend with, so I made sure to plan a stop well within the Tiger’s range. ForeFlight was telling me I’d have nearly-direct headwinds of anywhere from 25 to 35 knots at 3,000 feet the entire route. I originally planned to take the Tiger to 8,500 feet to really stretch its legs, but with a potential 70-knot headwind at that altitude, I trudged along at 3,000 feet along the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.

The flight was anything but smooth. The winds were gusty and the surrounding mountain peaks showed no mercy. I managed to leave a headset indentation on the new leather headliner from hitting my head so hard, so many times. I didn’t have a concussion (thanks to what my family calls my hard head), but what I did have was a lessening headwind once I got near the North Carolina-South Carolina border. That also meant I had more than enough fuel to get to Peach State Aerodrome to pick up co-worker Cayla McLeod and fly to Sun ’n Fun. It also meant that my first landing in the Tiger after a four-month stint in the paint and interior shop would be on grass at an unfamiliar airport.

Not to toot my own horn (but I’m going to do it anyway because it’s a requirement of any pilot), but McLeod was there to witness my approach and landing and said I “handled it like a true professional” on the CTAF. She knows what she’s talking about since this has been her home airport for years. Airport owner Keven Sasser walked up as I was starting to pump 40 gallons of gas into the Tiger wanting to know who it was that had just made that incredible approach and landing (I might be paraphrasing here, but McLeod will correct me if I’m wrong). It was me, and I had evidently impressed the locals. Not surprising (I’m kidding!).

Beware the trees on approach to Runway 13; the pros will thread the needle between the trees, because that’s what I did and they called me a pro. And grab some food from Barnstormer’s Grill while you’re there. The wheel pants remained intact.

Fully loaded with fuel, two occupants, and a bunch of gear, we popped off the grass strip after a ground roll of about 800 feet.

Second leg

Having left most of the headwind behind, and having just a short two-and-a-half-hour leg to go (which is quick compared to the four-and-a-half-hour leg I had just flown), we decided to fly down the Gulf Coast and make a quick touch-and-go at George T Lewis Airport. We had just announced 10 miles out when a local resident named Judy (who is renowned for providing ground transportation to visiting pilots) gave us a call on the CTAF and asked if we’d need a ride. Sadly, not this time.

It’s easy to see how someone could get into trouble on the short, 2,355-foot runway (just 45 feet shorter than Peach State’s grass runway). It was a beautiful approach and departure and I wish I could’ve spent some time there exploring.

By now, temperatures were well into the high 70s/low 80s and the high humidity was making itself known. The Tiger’s engine temperatures started to get a little warm, so we shallowed the climb and cooled things back down.

Third leg

This final leg would take us to our destination: Sun ’n Fun Aerospace Expo at Lakeland Linder International Airport. Arriving on Friday, April 1 meant that airport operations were essentially normal (aside from temporary non-movement areas on the south side of Runway 10/28).

We were greeted by now-retired Tom Haines, Richard McSpadden, and Eric Blinderman and heat and humidity that Cayla described as “feeling like [she’s] in a shower.” Later that week, everyone on the grounds felt like they were in a shower as heavy rains fell.

Fourth leg

My fourth and final foray into uncharted territory would be on the return flight from Lakeland. I had planned to stick around a few days after Sun ’n Fun to spend some time with my aunt, uncle, and grandmother. But bad weather that threatened to last at least three days was popping up in the forecast. I decided the wise thing to do would be to leave before bad weather became an issue.

Cutting my downtime short, I fueled myself with my favorite fast-food place that serves chicken Monday through Saturday, hopped into the Tiger, flew straight out from Runway 10, wing-waggled to my family as I flew over their house, and started the journey northeast to the Atlantic Coast determined to retrace some of my Super Cub journey without losing my phone this time.

The temperatures were much warmer than my previous trip, and 1,500 feet along the coast just wouldn’t do. I got bumped around enough on the flight down and I wasn’t going to do it this time. I climbed to 8,500 feet to see what the Tiger was capable of.

It hit 138 knots true air speed (KTAS) without a problem. The Power Flow Exhaust, MT-Propeller three-blade constant-speed prop, and the 56-hour Lycoming O-360 were humming along beautifully! Before long, I was landing at Richmond County Airport.

Tempting as it was to land on the grass runway, I decided that it would be in the best interest of the new owner of the Tiger (and the wheel pants from FletchAir) for me to land on pavement. The airport manager was a huge help, ran a beautiful new facility, and was more than willing to top off the fuel tanks and snap a few photos of the Sweepstakes Tiger while I was there. I recommend stopping here if you have a chance, even if it’s just to top off your tanks with some reasonably-priced fuel and stretch your legs.

As comparatively easy as this trip was compared to my Super Cub’s journey, one thing is clear: the Tiger has left its mark on several new airports and on me in our short 34.3 hours together (so far). I’ll be sad to see it go, but this is one aircraft I’ll never forget!

Visit this page for a complete briefing on how you can enter to win the AOPA Sweepstakes and possibly become the Tiger’s new owner.