Deuce PR Tour KSC->KGA

C7 Aerospace says plans are finalized to break ground in Oct for surface airports @ Sheltered Rock & Ockr, due to be completed in 3 months

with a successful end to initial flight trials C7 will spend weeks pouring over reams of test data, but results are so promising they've already scheduled it for a Public Relations tour starting next week to also gather additional data

today KSC will undergo launch readiness checks while the Mk5 takes another pass at final integration. Rainy overcast skies since yesterday are keeping the Deuce grounded but weather is passing and we hope to send it off to KGA sometime after 3rd sunrise

rain has stopped, skies are still overcast but reports from airships to our west say scattered clouds are heading our way. Deuce is being rolled out and prepped for flight in anticipation of good conditions later this day cycle

decent flying conditions have arrived at last & the Deuce is ready to head out - with all our crew! We can't think of a better way to display our confidence to the public than loading up all our eggs into one basket

Deuce is taxiing out to Rwy27 for takeoff, Bob has his camera along and sent us this photo from inside the cabin. Commander Val at last gets to sit in the left seat for her first flight as Pilot in Command

good departure, Val is turning on course to KGA while climbing to 6km. Bob said it was really fun on the takeoff roll being in something so big traveling so fast. Bill just kind of clung to the seat really tight & shut his eyes

flight controller engaged, Val reports the wing-leveler (tested on Civvie late last year) is performing well. It's not a heading hold, but still reduces pilot workload, which is always a good thing

climbing through 5km Val notes they're struggling more up to 6km with the additional weight of 2 kerbals - cue the fat jokes. She's also signed off as they drop below the horizon. Kravass should pick them up in ~30 min

Val has made contact with Kravass 132km out, reports a smooth flight after a bumpy ascent early on. Bob & Bill are both comfortable, enjoying their views out the window, taking in the curvature of our nice and round planet

80km out, Val has begun her descent. Deuce never got higher than 6.253km, they'll try again for a new altitude record going to SRG with a lighter fuel load and no passengers at the end of this week

Jeb reports field in sight, looking out from the co-pilot seat. Val's approach is dead-on so far and she plans to make for the runway on her first attempt if all continues to go well

touchdown and full stop! Barely enough runway but Val is sure she'll have more room with additional practice. Bill commented that it's a pretty rough way to return to the ground. We expect a lot of aircraft vs. airship comparisons these next several days

oops, Val got the Deuce stuck as its belly scraped the ground taxiing down off the runway to the tarmac - crews had to rush over to lift the tail a bit, thankfully the lightest part of the aircraft and well back from the CoM for additional leverage

Val & Jeb have been letting the KGA instructors Mungee, Aldeny, Helta and Tedman have time on the "new equipment" and everyone is smitten. They'll all log flight time through tomorrow, VIP flights are scheduled for Thursday

time to chillax and enjoy the weekend! Head over to bit.ly/OpSummary1-29-… (link verified! Sorry about last week) to check out details on this week's Deuce PR tour and the latest news from the Progenitor team on the Mk6