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Just a quick report as I pull things together for my May 21st departure for Moscow to see what I can do to confirm and lock in my plans put in place last November to fly TEN ROMEO into Sheremetyevo Airport, Moscow, on June 18, 1985.

The aircraft is in excellent shape! Returned to Dayton to make sure my friends at McCauley approved of the way their name was placed on the side of TEN ROMEO. Al was pleased! "Preacher," he said, "we've got a prop governor on our shelf that will fit TEN ROMEO. I think you need it more than we do, at this time!" And so, TEN ROMEO now has a new prop governor, thanks to my friends at McCauley. Many thanks, Al and Walter!

And speaking of McCauley, which is a CESSNA-owned subsidiary, I am particularly pleased with the help from this operation. While I am flying a BEECH product, -- with the world standing of #5 for 1984 speed records, I have really moved beyond BEECH parameters in the exciting projects undertaken with TEN ROMEO. In effect, I am representing General Aviation in my accomplishments, and am pleased to have CESSNA involved. Not only am I "doing my thing" with a single-engine aircraft (there are many Piper, Cessna, and Mooney pilots out there who can and are flying "my dream" with me) but TEN ROMEO is also carrying the American Flag and all it represents on these record-breaking jaunts. But - on to more important matters!

Preparation of the aircraft has moved ahead well. GOODRICH placed a new tire and tube on the nose wheel, and we are now flying with a BEECH-CONTINENTAL fuel system entirely - no more "ferry" permits. We have designed a procedure that allows the internal BEECH fuel tank (formerly a kit) to be replaced with a larger tank. We will be flying under the "utility" category which is standard for the BONANZA. FORTUNE AIR, of Schenectady, New York, has become an EQUIPMENT SPONSOR, and we will do our tank switching right here next door. (This should work fine - when I return from the Moscow flight, I'll keep an eye on the winds aloft. When they are good - I'll put some extra fuel aboard, and strike for a record!) Mighty pleased to have you a part of the team, Dave Montana and Glen Kinney.

The only equipment I had planned to have aboard TEN ROMEO and have not been able to arrange is a PRECISION COMPASS CARD, and time has almost run out. But - I have a good friend working on a final attempt, and he brought about a miracle last year. (Thanks, John - I've got my fingers crossed!)

Enclosed is a FLIGHT PLAN ROUTE that I thought you might find of interest. You will note that all of the legs are short, and flying this route will be done at 65% power. We have been very careful in planning this trip so our colleagues handling the insurance will not have any problems to deal with. Word has reached me that the insurance coverage is well under way, and for this, John and Glen, - many thanks!

Col. Milt Brown, of the NAA, continues to be a tower of strength and support. He has sent a telegram off to the SOVIET SPORT FLYERS, reminding them of the importance of exchanging Sport Pilots between the US and the Soviet. Also - while time is short, there is a chance that I will be carrying with me on May 21st, the Record Diplomas earned by the Soviet Cosmonauts in their participation with our APOLLO project. These were earned in 1975, and they have not been picked up or delivered as yet. It is time for them to find their proper home, and it will be a rare privilege to be a part of this delivery to General Titov. (Also - my friend, Walt Taylor, has given me a bottle of the best New York State champagne as a gift for the General. And - a talented artist from Dayton, Ohio, has given me a registered print of a beautiful piece of her art work to give to General Titov - it is of the AMERICAN BALD EAGLE. The EAGLE is a bird all flyers can relate to. Pat Whipp, the artist, has her work hanging in most of the capitals of the world.)

And speaking of Dayton - there seems to be considerable interest generated by the FRIENDSHIP FLIGHT. For this reason, the trip to Moscow is starting from Dayton. There are a number of exciting possibilities that may work out for TEN ROMEO in Dayton. Ron Wine, Director of the NATIONAL AVIATION HALL OF FAME and I have become acquainted - the departure from Dayton on June 12th may become a gala affair! We shall see!

Channel 17, our local PBS TV station, has decided to do a documentary on the June 18th flight to Moscow. It appears that there has never been a filmed record of a light plane flying the North Atlantic. There will be the chance to provide EQUIPMENT SPONSORS, as well as TECHNICAL ADVISORS with proper film credits. But - even more important than that - the super folks I'm working with at 17-TV see the process of building TEN ROMEO into the best equipped single-engine aircraft around as an important part of the story line. Not only will we be able to come up with an exciting, important story of a small step toward detente, but there is also the considerable possibility of providing insight to the general public about the safety and reliability of the light aircraft of today. Channel 17 has also indicated the possibility of making the film available to all PBS stations through use of satellites on the initial airing. The agreement signed with 17-TV has opened a whole new vista of opportunities, and the people I have met and am working with are top-flight professionals. You will have a chance to become better acquainted with these folks later.

Channel 17 has picked up the local "conduit" responsibility for funds, directed toward the project. There will be a chance for me to bring you more up-to-date on these matters upon my return from Moscow.

It seems like there are just not enough hours in the day to get done all that is required. But - GRACE being what it is, most things seem to be accomplished that are really necessary.

My stay in Moscow will be busy - the Moscow Civil Air Board to visit (just sent them a telegram of my arrival), the chance to renew contact with General Titov's staff, as well as see my friends at the Embassy.

From	To	Departure	Distance (nm)	Heading (degrees)
Dayton, Ohio N39 54.1 W084 13.2 KDAY Var 03 deg W	Albany, New York N42 44.9 W073 48.2 KALB Var 13 deg W	6/12	499.1	063.6
Albany, New York N42 44.9 W073 48.2 KALB Var 13 deg W	Mont-Joli, Quebec N48 36.5 W068 12.5 CYYY Var 22 deg W	6/13	422.4	044.7
Mont-Joli, Quebec N48 36.5 W068 12.5 CYYY Var 22 deg W	Goose Bay, Newfoundland N53 19.2 W060 25.6 CYYR Var 29 deg W	6/13	407.5	065.2
Goose Bay, Newfoundland N53 19.2 W060 25.6 CYYR Var 29 deg W	Narssarssuaq, Greenland N61 09.7 W045 25.7 BGBW Var 35 deg W	6/14	674.2	068.8
Narssarssuaq, Greenland N61 09.7 W045 25.7 BGBW Var 35 deg W	Reykjavik, Iceland N64 07.7 W021 56.6 BICA Var 24 deg W	6/14	667.2	099.4
Reykjavik, Iceland N64 07.7 W021 56.6 BICA Var 24 deg W	Vagar, Faroe Islands N62 03.9 W007 16.4 EKVG Var 12 deg W	6/15	416.0	124.6
Vagar, Faroe Islands N62 03.9 W007 16.4 EKVG Var 12 deg W	Oslo, Norway N59 53.8 E010 37.1 ENFB Var 03 deg W	6/15	534.9	108.1
Oslo, Norway N59 53.8 E010 37.1 ENFB Var 03 deg W	Helsinki, Finland N60 19.0 E024 58.0 EFHK Var 05 deg E	6/16	428.9	083.4
Helsinki, Finland N60 19.0 E024 58.0 EFHK Var 05 deg E	Moscow (Sheremetyevo) N55 58.0 E037 25.0 UUEE Var 08 deg E	6/18	471.7	113.1

The flight from Helsinki to Moscow will not be flown Great Circle, but on Red Airway 1. Distance on the airway is 529 n.m.

The above flight plan allows TEN ROMEO to fly the route without any modification with cruise configuration.

Two to three legs will be accomplished each day to cut down on the RON expenses.