The 1976 trip to Oshkosh would be Ernie's last flight there in the Bi Baby, such trips on a policeman's retirement are rare treats. For the next 10 years flights would be mostly local and to airports in Michigan like: Ionia, Harry Brooks, Sandusky, Mettatal, Marlet, Price's at Linden, Charlotte, Harrison, Maple Grove, Mason, Jackson, Midland, James Clement, Livingston County, Wagon Wheel, Davis at Lansing, Dwayne Tovillion's strip, Hyne at Brighton, Harry Browne, Evart, Ubly Heights and Chesaning.
Two flights were made to Ohio. One to Kenton Hardin county and another to Dunkirk.
In 1980, '82 and '84 Ernie was able to do his BFR in the Fly Baby since it was the only plane he was flying.
Ernie's last flight in the Fly Baby was to Chesaning and back to Dalton. With the death of Ed Dalton the airport was being closed and the Fly Baby was moved back to the farm. The airport was eventually condominiumized and reopened with individual hangars where the old tie-downs had been. The old tee hangars and main hangar were removed. Fortunately EAA Chapter 77 now has a huge hangar which is their permanent home It was paid for by donations to the Chapter by hangar owners who's hangars were built by Chapter volunteers.
One of the other benefits of the new Chapter home was the donation by Father John MacGillivray, EAA 3974, of his Taylorcraft to be used as a club plane. Ernie was able to get checked out in it. Due to difficulties in maintaining his FAA Medical Ernie's last flight was in the T-craft. He took Dennis along for that ride on Sept. 26, 1987. A very memorable ride since this was the only time Dennis ever got to ride with Ernie as PIC. We've flown in Dennis' Cabin WACO since then. On that flight we also had a Close Encounter with a Beech Bonanza which passed over us going exactly the same direction and less than 10 feet above us. The slightest bump and we would have hit the propeller.
On a trip to visit Diane and her husband Don, Ernie was able to get some dual in an SGC-2-33 glider, N6582Y, at Torrey Pines, California. Thanks Diane and Don, nice gift for your old father.
While the plane was at the farm this picture was taken of grandson John Paul June 20, 1988.
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