Flying the April 8, 2024 eclipse

[iflyvfr]

I drove to the Richmond, IN airport (KRID). The parking lot was full, but not to the brim. There were maybe 30+ planes on the ramp. Again, busy, but not unbearably so.

The weather was ideal, and the experience was worth it.

I was one of those planes and my flying buddy was another parked in the first row to the right of the FBO as you looked at the runway. Did you see the guy with the telescope there by the blue 172? I was next to him and his views were spectacular. KRID had a big day planned but the WX gurus put the kibosh on everyone except the firefighters who had roasted a pig - which was fantastic BTW.

We were expecting a zoo but the forecast was so wrong it scared a bunch of people away. The dark pic below was during totality of course, at @3:15 PM EDT. We were flabbergasted (stunned?) by the eclipse. We didn't know what to expect and we thought it was super cool.

 

[BrianS]

the whole day was chaotic for me. I wasn't able to duck out of work as early as I wanted, and when it came time to go my kids were very much against it (at 5 & 9 they both have that strong will to stay home the moment it's time to go....). We were in the car when the eclipse started, and got to the airport about 30 mins before it totality started. By that point my 5yo had decided he was scared of it and wouldn't leave the van So we stayed pretty close to our vehicle and I didn't explore much. But we had a great experience, and my reluctant daughter was thrilled by the time it was over.

We were parked about here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/iG6ETTZt7594CSNH8

I definitely noticed the C180 in the background of your photo. There was a small helicopter parked and operating near our little corner that had my son's attention.

Like everyone else, I was afraid it was going to be clouded over but it turned out to be perfect.

When my daughter was being grumpy leaving the house I told her "no matter what happens, this is likely going to be one of those days we talk about forever" and boy did that turn out to be true.

 

[BrianS]

I've been trying to add this pano shot, and finally learned there is a pixel size limit to photos (1600x1600). I'm not sure this scaled down version helps or not, but this is what totality looked like.

 

[Troy Hamon]

I've been trying to add this pano shot, and finally learned there is a pixel size limit to photos (1600x1600). I'm not sure this scaled down version helps or not, but this is what totality looked like.

View attachment 12962

That is a cool photo.

 

[BananAppeal]

I've been trying to add this pano shot, and finally learned there is a pixel size limit to photos (1600x1600). I'm not sure this scaled down version helps or not, but this is what totality looked like.

View attachment 12962

Like sunset in all directions