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And soooooo - with two years of concentrated preparation, six planning trips to Moscow, and the expenditure of $70,000.00, I have accomplished my objective of bringing about a small step of "normal" activity across the "IRON CURTAIN". For the Soviets to allow a small single-engine aircraft to penetrate their air space, loaded down with gifts for Soviet Sport Pilots, is rather remarkable. This simple, small act of faith and flexibility on the part of the Soviets may be a harbinger of better things to come between East and West.

For the Soviet Foreign Ministry to approve this epic flight must have required quiet top-level support. While I will probably never know definitively where this remarkable help came from, there are three people whom I assume were involved in providing assistance:

Some of you know that I was a nominee for Secretary of Education back in late 1979, and this fact opened a channel of communication with the White House. My White House contact has been on my Communication List from the very start of this project, and at no point did my political contacts suggest that my objective of penetrating Soviet Air Space was inappropriate. This fact, too, has been a factor in the success of my recent flight.

My planning trip to Moscow in late May went well. It was my intent to write a report just before my SVO flight, but things became too crowded.

On June 12 an exciting time was spent in Dayton. Mayor Paul Leonard had mandated, by Proclamation, June 12-18 as "DR. MILLARD HARMON" DAYS in Dayton. How nice to fly that route to SHEREMETYEVO knowing that a whole CITY was pulling for me! All kinds of gifts were placed aboard TEN ROMEO for delivery in Moscow.

The trip from Dayton to Helsinki was not uneventful, but let me say that Steve Honeybill, the Producer/Director from PBS Channel 17 who served as cameraman, was an excellent companion. A fuel leak was discovered and corrected, a COKE can exploded (took a while to figure that one out) and fantastic film was taken coming out of the Narssarssuaq Fjord - 215 mph, 40 feet above the water - for that documentary film that's in process.

Upon arrival at Helsinki, I went to the Flight Service Station to file for the Moscow flight. The young lady looked at the flight plan, and said, "Oh, Dr. Harmon, you can't do this! The Soviets never let a little plane fly in their airspace. We've never had a small plane like yours make this trip. And besides, there are all kinds of paper work required!" I said, "I'm sure you are right, but let's just go ahead and file it, anyway!"

I returned to my hotel room, and within five minutes the phone rang. It was my friend from Flight Service. "Dr. Harmon - Dr. Harmon! It's a miracle! The Soviets have said YES! And so I knew the flight was on!

At this point there was one final problem still unresolved - my Soviet visa had not reached me. My New York travel agent had indicated to me that she felt I would never be successful in my quest to fly TEN ROMEO into Moscow, and so I should save my money. At that point I moved to another travel agent that had served a colleague long and well. By telephone we were assured the packet of material had been placed with the overnight service on Friday, and would arrive in Helsinki on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. We arranged for Steve to pick up the packet at 1:30 and step aboard a FinnAir Flight at 2:10 to arrive in Moscow ten minutes ahead of me.

At the appointed time - according to the flight plan filed nine months earlier - I met my Soviet Navigator, Vladislov Zakharov, at the ramp in Helsinki, and we were on our way to SHEREMETYEVO!

WHAT AN EXCITING FLIGHT! Vladislov was great, and is now my friend! He was very much at home with the TEN ROMEO panel, and handled all communication with the Soviet Controllers in Russian. We hit each of our 12 check-points within one minute, thanks to the excellent service of the ARNAV unit which functioned until 80 miles from Moscow, far beyond the expected range limit of the unit, according to the factory.

We were 45 minutes out of Moscow, when we learned that the airport had been closed due to thunderstorms, with all flights being sent to Leningrad. As we closed on SVO, I monitored the STORMSCOPE carefully, and said, "Vladislov, those clouds look dark and ugly, but there is nothing in there to bite us - let's request an ILS for 07R!"

We were given two 360-degree turns as my navigator communicated with the final controller, and then we were cleared for the approach. The STORMSCOPE was right - we had a smooth, easy approach.

TEN ROMEO was led to the domestic side of SHEREMETYEVO for the parking spot that was reserved. WHAT EXCITEMENT TEN ROMEO GENERATED. The engine wasn't off ten seconds before people began coming from everywhere to look at that beautiful bird of mine! The Soviet Sport Flying Club folks were on hand with a letterhead and official stamp to certify landing time.

Being detained, or under house arrest, or however it is referred to, is not how I expected to spend my four days in Moscow! The soldiers were pleasant, (one Lt. kept saying, "It's such a pity! It's such a pity!") and the receptionists were delightful. (Two were doing paper work on the first floor lobby preparing for an English exam the next day at the Institute. "Fine," I said, "I'll be your tutor!" And so I was. After a while, I realized one of them had a problem - a tooth ache. I always carry aspirin with me, so I solved her problem for the next 16 hours until she could leave to see her doctor. I had no problem using the phone.)

Since a visa matter is strictly a Soviet problem, there was really nothing my Embassy friends could do for me, other than phone my wife to say I was safe.

Things really became exciting my last day. An American friend in Moscow had shared rather extensively information on the FRIENDSHIP project with a number of media friends. That morning I held four press interviews by phone, and one was with NOVOSTI - they asked for an article on my viewpoint of the Soviet Educational System, and I will get this to them soon. On an outside chance, I called Vladimir Posner. Never really expected to reach him, but I did. He is the Moscow TV Personality who was educated in the States, and speaks English better than I do. I told him about the FRIENDSHIP FLIGHT, the visa snafu, and being locked up since my arrival. There was a moment of silence on the line, and then his response boooomed over the phone:

What a delightful response of empathy, interest and support! Vladimir could have sprung me from the lock-up, and extended my visa for an additional three days. However, to do so would not have allowed me to meet my departure flight plan registered nine months earlier, so I did not opt for that plan.

As a matter of fact, I'm certain it was Vladimir who pulled all kinds of strings to arrange the press conference on the SHEREMETYEVO ramp just before my departure. I had never heard of a photographer being allowed to take pictures on a Soviet Airfield - perhaps another CBM, or small step toward normal relationships?

What an exciting time on the ramp just before my departure! Members of the Sport Flying Club were there, and gifts exchanged. Roger Hart, of the US Embassy was there to pick up the medallion from Mayor Leonard, and indicated Ambassador Hartman would see that it was delivered to the Mayor of Moscow. Press people seemed to be everywhere, and cameras were clicking on all sides. The Associated Press reporter said that within two hours every AP outlet in the world would carry the FRIENDSHIP FLIGHT story.'

There were handshakes all around, and then Vladislov and I climbed into TEN ROMEO and departed.

We were well into our departure flight, with the automatic pilot set for the odd altitude assigned in meters (6,975 ft., as I recall) when Vladislov leaned over and said, "Millard - my wife sent along a little something for us!" He reached into the back seat, and brought forth a package with four sandwiches, and a small box of cookies. He reached back again, and thrust a glass coffee mug into my hand. "My wife sent this for you!" He carefully opened a thermos, and poured each of us a cup of coffee.

And so it was - on the afternoon of June 21st, 1985, a Soviet Navigator, and an American Pilot relaxed in the cockpit of TEN ROMEO -- nearly 7,000 feet high, over that beautiful Soviet countryside, in bright sunshine, and toasted with coffee a new friendship, - a new breakthrough in detente, and the hope that the future would be brighter between our two great nations!

The return flight-plan route was flown as planned with one exception - a stop was made at Birmingham, England, (Steve's parents' home) rather than Oslo, Norway.

Just a word about equipment. The AVA-1000 functioned beautifully, and we did have a few minor mechanical problems that were manageable. The left fuel transmitter went out on the first leg of our journey. At Goose Bay we found an oil leak which was partially corrected by the replacement of a valve-cover gasket. The manifold pressure gauge became erratic on the leg out of Moscow, and was handled by flying full bore. At Birmingham there was an electrical problem (the left fuel transmitter was shorting out) -- trouble shooting isolated the problem and the problem circuit was removed from the panel. Over the North Sea the HSI went out, - it was infant failure since the HSI was replaced just before the trip. (No problem - one really should hand fly an ocean now and then - just to keep one's proficiency up!)

Statistically, the FRIENDSHIP FLIGHT took 14 days, 62.5 hours were flown, the trip covered 11,278 miles, 1035.9 gallons of fuel were used (top price was $4.66 per gallon at Narssarssuaq - low was $1.11 per gallon at Helsinki), and 12 quarts of oil were used (this was 4 quarts more than expected - those four quarts went out the valve-cover gasket and the valve-lifter "O" rings, which have all been replaced).

Arrival home was something else! Four TV stations and six newspapers had representatives on the ramp at Albany as we made our low pass by the tower for a time check. The Customs officials were most patient, and allowed the media to be satisfied before their clearance.

When I arrived home there was a call from GOOD MORNING AMERICA, and they sent a limo a block long to pick me up at 3:00 am for the trip to NYC.

The experience at ABC was exciting. David Hartman, Joan Lundon, Jerry O'Dell, Amy Hirsh - the whole crew were so gracious and made me feel right at home. The Hostage situation was fast breaking that morning, so my time slot was delayed a day. What a pleasure to be "on set" for two days watching that fantastic professional crew perform! Had a chance to visit with Marie Osmond, spoke with Marlin Jackson, met Chuck Yeager, and had a chance to say "Hello" to Henry Kissinger. (Henry and I crossed paths more often when I was on the political scene as a Senior Staff Member of the New York State Assembly. Some of you will recall that I had the reputation of being Jim Emery's "Dr. Kissinger" because of my negotiating skill with the Democratic side of the aisle.)

One of the more interesting "sidelines" of the GOOD MORNING AMERICA experience was the chance to visit with Harry Belafonte for a half-hour. We both agonized over the potential (unavoidable?) loss of life in North Africa in the year ahead, and I said, "Harry - is there anyway that TEN ROMEO might be used to save lives in that part of the world?"

His response was immediate and specific! "Certainly - that aircraft of yours could be extremely helpful in moving doctors around, transporting diagnostic equipment, and delivering medicines. Would you be willing to fly for us in that part of the world for a few months?"

My medical missionary son had already suggested such an option to me, so it was not a new thought. We will see how this works out, and if Harry needs me in Ethiopia, I will go.

Some of you may have caught the GOOD MORNING AMERICA show on the morning of June 27th. If you did, you will recall that I used up all of my time (which was cut short because of the hostage situation anyway) with the delight I felt in the excitement TEN ROMEO generated on the ramp at SHEREMETYEVO, and never did get to talk about the step toward "detente" that the FRIENDSHIP FLIGHT generated.

Since my return to home base, the phone has been ringing constantly. A pulpit presentation on July 7th ("I FLEW MY DREAM"), TEN ROMEO will be on static display at the Dayton Air Show, and I've been asked to make a report at the Aviation Hall of Fame on July 19th. Also - friends are attempting to arrange time on the Johnny Carson Show (I do need a less-pressured time to talk about detente), and there is the possibility of exposure on the TODAY Show, if things click properly. Furthermore, it has even been suggested that the documentary film being done by Channel 17, our PBS station here in Albany, should carry Russian translations for use in Moscow. It is hard to tell where all these exciting options may lead.

By way of review, I am pleased with the performance of TEN ROMEO on the FRIENDSHIP FLIGHT. The "house arrest" I have accepted as no more than an inconvenience. The biggest disappointment was the escalation of cost. My Target Budget was $10,000.00 and this was doubled. Insurance costs were the biggest problem with $3,000 planned and actual close to $10,000. (I guess Lloyds is having too many satellites and supertankers lost!)

HOWEVER - all four of my objectives were met! 1. A speed record was obtained into and out of Moscow. 2. TEN ROMEO generated more excitement on the ramp at SHEREMETYEVO than I could ever have imagined. 3. All gifts of friendship were either delivered or arrangements were made for their delivery. 4. As arranged last year with NAA, I am sharing my Moscow World Speed Records with Vladislov Zakharov, my Soviet Navigator.

Objective #4 is the important step toward detente which I never even got to on the GOOD MORNING AMERICA Show. From this point on, there will be an American Pilot, and a Soviet Navigator, who will share a speed record in the record books which go all over the world. We are attempting to arrange for Vladislov and his wife to be in Washington ------------- to receive this award with me on October 23, 1985, at the NAA Annual Meeting.

I will plan to send out Report #4 in a month or two to keep you posted on progress we are making toward "leveraging" the excitement of the FRIENDSHIP FLIGHT, and some have also asked what my next projects might be. Time later for such matters. I'll close this report with a statement:

The following friends, colleagues, and interested persons have served this project as TECHNICAL ADVISORS. The expertise these individuals bring to the safety of this endeavor is outstanding. ADVISORS are listed in the chronological order of their joining the project.

Individual	Expertise	Organization
Mikhail Lyubimov Milton Brown Jerry Gordon Jack Palmer "Rusty" Tomlinson Dick Murray Jim Dunn Dick Knipe Don McQuinn G. Garnett Tate Norm Colvin "Bud" Clark Chuck O'Neill Mike Smith Robert Chapman Wayne Rosenkrans Louise Sacchi John Baker Walt Dean Don Taylor Bob Dodson Frank Haile, Jr. David Gardner Michael Mozur	Soviet Air Space Record Filing Flight Parameters Modification Center BE-36 Specialist Electronic Panel Structural Icing Operational Experience Canadian Air Space Risk Specialist Bonanza Specialist Engine Operation Regulations Speed and Safety Fuel Monitoring Maps and Charts Ocean Flying General Navigation Flight Records General World Flyer International Flying Protocol	Moscow Civil Air Board National Aero. Association Formerly Beech and Boeing Palmer Airmotive Ltd. Page Avjet Corporation Murray Avionics Co. BF Goodrich Co. Mall Airways Air Transport, Canada Rollins Burdick Hunter American Bonanza Society Teledyne-Continental Federal Aviation Administration Mike Smith Aero, Inc. Silver Instrument Co. Jeppesen-Sanderson Sacchi Air Ferry Ent. AOPA Arnav Systems, Inc. Retired Dodson Aviation, Inc. Independent Shield Aviation, Inc. US Embassy - Moscow

TECHNICAL ADVISORS provide a resource pool for consultation as problems arise. They are also a part of the "communication network" of 150+ individuals who receive all project reports.

The generosity of my EQUIPMENT SPONSOR colleagues has contributed greatly to the safety of TEN ROMEO's flight to SHEREMETYEVO, Moscow. Thus, the companies and individuals who committed equipment to the project are full partners in the epic accomplishment. Following is a list of EQUIPMENT SPONSORS:

Special thanks to BEECH AIRCRAFT CORPORATION and UNITED BEECHCRAFT, INC. who cooperated in locating and installing a load-meter on TEN ROMEO's panel. With the unusual array of equipment on board, the load-meter became a major safety tool should an electrical emergency arise.

Static display opportunities for TEN ROMEO are increasing. There is increased interest in the special combination of equipment mounted in N7710R since the mission to Moscow was successful. For those interested, a list of scheduled appearances is available.

All EQUIPMENT SPONSORS will be given proper credit in the PBS TV Documentary in process with Channel 17, here in Albany.