While traveling for my job,  Walter Tondu was nice enough to hook up with me and tote me out to CHINO to

visit his fresh new plane.  I must say it was waay nicer to see in person than the pics on Walters site.  He truly

has a good eye for detail.  If my plane comes out 1/2 as nice as his I'll be happy.  Also met Dave Richards who

rode along with us to CHINO.  Another very nice guy.  Man hanging out with buds in the RV world is the best

thing one could ask for.  Everyone seems to share great information. I keep absorbing it like a sponge.  Also on

this run to CHINO.  I got to meet Dan Checkoway.  The day before I must have looked through over 300 pages

from Dans site.  It reminded me how much this guy did with his own 2 hands on this plane.  Again, seeing his

plane was much better in person.  Dan was nice enough to take me for a ride in that bad boy.  This was the first

Tip-up I have flown in and since I'm building one it closed all doubt in that department.  The visibility was totally

unbelievable!!  Dan lined up on the runway and in exactly 5 seconds after jammin that knob, we were airborne !

After we got up and away from the Airport, Dan trimmed it out and it flew so flat and level I honestly don't know

he has an Auto Pilot.  I've never flown any GA aircraft in California and the view was awesome.  Dan let me yank

it around a little bit and my adrenaline was pumpin.  It was a fresh reminder of why I'm building one of these.

Dave videoed us on taxi, take off, high speed fly-by and our landing.  I'm getting a copy of it on DVD when I

return next week for another visit.  Dave also took some still photos of Walter and I that I'll post as well.  I feel

like I met some of Vans Aircraft biggest Celebrities. 

Here's a few pics I took on my visit.  More to follow.........

This is of Walters Firewall.  Beautiful!!!

And his lower intake area.

This is "Dan the Man's"  plane.

And a shot of his interior.

The view a bit after take off.

Dan and I after the flight.  Sorry I blinked.