EPIC SOLO Cross-Country Flight in a Waco YMF-5 

I think we all who are viewing this series are the people who would have come out to see the plane and pilot. Great job Kermit, loved every minute of it!

Strange no one came out to greet you, and sad how things change. I’m 52 and to this day, I still want a window seat on any plane like I’m still a kid. I’ve watched a ton of your videos, but this is easily one of my top favorites. I enjoyed taking this trip with you so much.

It's all about the Journey, . .So True. Thanks for the ride Kermit. Back then those Courtesy cars were a god send. As a Brit I few around the States a number of times back in the 80s. . even had me a stretched Limo once to drive myself to a Hotel. . .I felt like Elvis! Bring the old days back. . fond memories.

Thanks for taking me with you … what great fun! Stay safe😊 43:45

Got checked out in a Cessna 206 at Crestview airport back in 1974. Then a day or so later took the 206 along with 5 other folks and cross country to Kissimmee Fl and spent the day at Walt Disney World, On the way back to Crestview we stopped at Deland, Fl stayed the night and then on Sunday flew back to Crestview. Did my first night time landing during the flight down to Kissimmee. A great time.

Kermit is very qualified in visual IFR (I Follow Roads). Safest form of IFR to be had. An excellent series, Kermit.

Canadian here who has been through your Fantasy of Flight facility and find it Interesting that your mind is conditioned to planning for the worst case scenario of an emergency landing while flying one of these old girls. Impressed with you looking for and finding even a dry lake bed to avoid hitting people or buildings. Your devotion to preserving the history of flight has to be admired.

TELL YOU WHAT, KERMIT YOU NEVER CEASE TO AMAZE AND DELIGHT ! THE WACO ! OH YEAH !

Very pleased to see you were packin' silk Kermit and a backup chart..........................

Ohhhh man,,,, WHAT A TREAT TO WATCH!! Your flight brought up sooo many memories of my aviation career! I drove I-10 from Tucson to my home in Louisiana way back in 1984 after completing my first tour in the Navy in San Diego as a jet mech all of 20 years old. Spent the night in Ft. Stockton. Then u got gas at St Landry airport which is one of the places I flew into when I was flying 172’s from my home in Lafayette. Then you flew right through my training areas at P’cola when I was a Student Naval Aviator in the later 80’s. I hope one day I get to do this after I retire from flying professionally. Such a joy to watch you having a ball in this beautiful machine. And I completely agree about this new world…. All the shades go down EXCEPT MINE!!! I still Love to watch the wing and all it’s devices working as we climb out and then come into land. Pretty depressing to see no one interested in things like this, or any curiosity at the wonder of flight. It’s all just iPads n iPhones and people glued to their screens. Great Job Kermit, hope to meet u someday. Greying Aviator.

Kermit you are living a lot of our dreams. Thanks for sharing!!!

Hi Mr. Weeks, Love your videos, and watch them whenever I can. Sure like the older aircraft you have. I never had the chance to fly a Waco, but a year after I got my ticket to fly, three of us bought an old Stearman, in 1965. My first tail-dragger I learned to fly. My Stearman wasn't as fast as the Waco, since the Stearman was much larger. We burned about 11 gal/hr. Your cross-country reminds me of the times we used to take the Stearman for a tour of the State(Ohio). I have yet to find anything more peaceful than to be flying in an open cock-pit, with the prop blast hitting you right in the face. I'm too old to fly now, but I still have the memories! Stay safe.....Bob

I can't imagine being at an airport and not coming out to check out the aircraft! I don't care if it's a Cessna 150, I'm still coming out to meet and greet. People have their heads buried in phones or laptops and not enjoying the wonderful things life has to offer and it's a shame!!

Best video of the 3 Love it thanks Kermit for taking us on your trip

Mr. weeks, I am a armchair pilot . I live in southeastern PA. I watched parts 1 and 2 at least 3 times, will watch part 3 over and over. The cross-country flight home was worth the wait, simply awesome. What a beautiful airplane! stay safe and healthy.

Kermit this has to be about the best one of your videos. Thanks so much for taking us along. You are so right about it being a different world out there. People and kids nowadays just aren't interested. I remember when FBO's never closed. Came into Jackson,TN late one night dodging thunderstorms and the terminal was completely locked up. Thought we were gonna have to shelter in the plane but luckily the Madison County Sheriff's dept aviation unit was next door and they let us put our plane in their hangar and then we got to hang out with them for a few hours till the weather cleared. Gonna take our Comanche 260B to Alaska next year and come back across the west can't wait. Had planned to do it this year but yeah that kinda got nixed. Once again thanks what an epic journey low and slow.

Its just a shame I can only like this once. Epic trip Kermit, thanks for taking us along!!

Epic plane,epic journey. Thank you for taking us for the ride. Awesome👍👍👍

So true ... it is not about getting anywhere, it's about the journey. You made this journey very enjoyable. Great travelog. Enjoy.

i was a lineboy at 17 , got free flying lessons in slack time from a couple former cropdusters. the airport operator had a van anyone could use...the keys were in in. you are right , times have changed

Thank you Kermie... That was really great! I am SO glad I clicked! cheers

Pinal ("Pa-nel"), AZ native here. We're going to miss seein the Waco flyin over Sedona!

This is real good old fashioned flying! 1930s era IFR.... ( I Follow Roads ) Magnificent views.. I love seeing the geology.

Flew along I10 from Tuscon to Ft. HUACHUCA in a commercial plane at night which flew so low that I could see t hose peaks in the moon light above the plane and the headlights on Highway 10 bothered me as a passenger. This was back in 1970. Enjoy seeing the scenery in daylight and uptodate.

i glad i went with you, what a fantastic trip. god bless

A most excellent adventure, Thanks Mr. Kermit :-)

What a nice piece of history you flew. Enjoied your trip ...thanks

Kermit, this was an unusual video for you BUT it was excellent! LOW & SLOW is so different than most cross country flying today. GET THERE is the problem, no one wants to go slow and see the country below them, that's such a shame.

Southwest airplanes rock. Hard to beat dry weather for airplanes. Thanks Kermit for sharing and greetings from Van Nuys

Well Kermit you sure have got yourself a reliable old red biplane with a big round engine,enjoyed every second of this video and loved all of those little out in the sticks aerodromes,you passed by Lakeland where my father learned to fly with the U.S.Army Air Corps in PT-17 Kaydets on the famous Arnold scheme,he used to mention the crocodiles in the Everglades too ! look forward to following the restoration and re-fabric of your lovely Waco YMF-5 she really is a beauty,thank you.

I acquired a 1961 GM bus in February. I drove it from Tucson Az back to Orlando and had a blast. Flying a biplane back to FOF is super cool. Thanks for the upload Mr. Weeks. Be safe and take care!

Thanks for taking us along. Fun trip!

Great video Kermit! One of my favorite airplanes. It was really fun flying along with you.

I'd go as far as saying: That's the most stylish way to travel ever invented. Priceless.

You came through my neck of the woods. The old timer who taught me to fly told me when following roads to keep the road to your left, like you were driving, because back in the day, traffic following the road going the opposite direction would be doing the same.

Great trip low and slow and fun👍

nice flyin with ya Kermit....thanks for the WACO ride !!!

Wow,...222...and Conner will remermber this forever.

I had to chuckle about your comment on the instruments in the panel. Those are the ones I learned on. Times have changed. I think every pilot was dreamed of cross country flying in an open cockpit biplane. Well, at least I have . I loved the videos on your Waco.

Dear Kermit, thanks for taking the time and effort to share such an epic trip. Normally that's as close as we mortals normally get, but I happened to find your trilogy, after hearing about the Carenado version of the WACO coming available for the new Microsoft Simulator, so I watched your flights closely and am following you in the sim, I've just landed Pinal to look at the boneyard and I'm doing it in the Waco and enjoying the "IFR" flying. Great video - Thanks.

Headed East is good for having both the wind and the sun at your back. Easy Peasey!

I broke a crankshaft in a cherokee 180 departing Tucson international. You're right no place for an off field landing. I was able to power glide back to the runway., lucky. Love the videos!

Kermit you are Not Odd I too can not understand how people can sit in a plane and just stare at movies and miss the Mechanics and science of flight, and flying at the low levels you do the world is wide open and upclose.

Thank You Kermit For A Great Ride From Sedona Too Florida In Your Waco😊😊

Great video, Kermit. You're right, times have changed.

"It's a different world today" - but thanks to people like you the passion is being kept alive. I have watched your Waco trip video many times - wonderful. Thank you Kermit.

Way it supposed to be! Good one Kermit!

This is really an epic trip. It is obvious why it took so much time to edit the video. Thank you for your effort! A very nice plane you got yourself there. 👍😎

Now that's flying!

What a great video! Thanks for taking us along!

That was a lot of fun from my lazyboy. Thank you Kermit

Kermit is just plain class....

Wow! Cleveland isn't that far away from us. If we'd only known we'd have been there to take you to supper & home for the night. We live west of there in a small hamlet called Cut and Shoot. ~ Richard&Barbara. Wow! Jim Bowie passed through Opelousas. I grew up about 15 miles south of there.

Watched every minute. Loved the play by play narrative. Thanks Mr. Weeks!

Kermit thanks for allowing me to be in on this EPIC FLIGHT. Your commentary as alway was entertaining and educational as my grand children got to see parts of the world they most likely would never have seen any other way . Thank from them all. Regards . A beautiful aircraft.

Thank you Kermit for letting us vicariously ride along.

What a great way to get to know an aircraft.

What a great video. Cross country in a biplane. Thanks.

I like how you fly with paper map. Watched the series twice this is how I want to fly to small airports. I live in Phoenix some years ago I wanted to take a flied in the Waco over Sedona wish I had would have flown in your plane.

She's a sweet little aeroplane. 👍💞

Enjoyed watching the videos. I was lucky enough to visit Fantasy of Flight a few years back when it was still open to the public. One of the guides that showed me around had been a wing walker! What a fantastic collection and facility!

Wow what a cool plane and a trip. Reminds me of my solo cross country back in the 80's in a 152 up through central California. And if i knew you since i live in Houston i would of came and got you. Thanks for the epic trip in your WACO.

Man, I loved this trip Kermit!

Thanks for the ride across the country. Awesome trip! Would have loved to be in that empty seat 🤟🏽👍🏽

Great video!! I sat down and had a couple cocktails! had me mesmerized from start to finish! She is beautiful!

This is one of the new planes added to Microsoft flight sim 2020, this plane is stunning.

Excellent Kermit! I really enjoyed this! Very relaxing. Thanks so much. Rich.

Enjoyed that trip immensely thanks Kermit

Loved all three parts. What a plane!

Wonderful cross country. Thanks for sharing this classic flight.

Admirable el Señor Kermit!!!

Great tour of you trip Kermit thanks for the ride.

Hello Kermit. On the 10th May 2006, I flew over Sedona in N53WC. That was my most recent trip to the USA. I am from the UK. Yesterday, I was taking a trip down memory lane, looking at photographs, search engines, etc... ...and one of my searches brought me to your channel. (16 years after flying in N53WC. Where does all the time go?) I am so glad to have discovered your channel.... especially this 3 part series on the YMF-5. Thank you so much for sharing the videos on RU-vid. I have bookmarked the pages because I will be watching them again. Thanks again and best wishes.

Thanks Kermit... I had my fingers crossed hoping you would take the I-20 route and fly over KGGG. Thanks again, love that Waco!!!

Just wonderful! Love your humor as well Sir. Thanks -

Love the John Prine tribute! I grew up in AZ spent many hours flying in and out of the Phx/Tucson area, this brought back memories!

Excellent video - fantastic trip. Thanks for sharing!

That Waco is in amazing condition!

Nice to share the trip. Fun and I love your new ride as well!

Awesome shots that you don't get from the ground!

Love the kermie cam video. Very great to watch and very interesting

Just beautiful. Thanks Kermit

Brings back old memories for me. I froze on that trip in your yellow S-1S! Open cockpit in January is for young people. My trip was longer, I had to go all the way to Miami......

I really enjoyed tagging along on this trip Kermit. It was such a fun reminder of my coast to coast trip (Cape Cod Bay Mass to Oceanside Cali and back) back in '98-2001 in my Luscombe 8E. 85hp and No electrical system in that one so hand prop, daytime VFR the whole way. The MEL was charts, a battery operated Icom VHF and a really rudimentary Garmin GPS 89 with a tiny 1 inch screen. I has accumulated a little over 100 hrs total time flying and maybe 25 hours in the Luscombe when I set out. Just an amazing adventure and I covered some of the same routes you did on this trip, especially the Sedona part. I also avoided airports where I had to talk to anyone and as I had an auto-gas STC I pumped my own gas most of the time. But as you mentioned, the random 'courtesy cars' were a highlight. Always super ratty and of questionable legality. A Ford Fairmount "Police Chase" Special in Wantonga Oklahoma (Midnight burnouts under the stars after the best/cheapest authentic Mexican dinner w/several margaritas just couldn't be resisted). The Ford LTD in Midland TX (stopped to visit the Confederate Air Force...back when it was called that) with a windshield so wind and grit pummeled you could barely see thru it--but they were proud of the ice cold AC...! A Suzuki Samurai in Eufala Lake Oklahoma where I broke a bolt in my landing gear and had to spend a few wonderful days with the Oakies who took me in like long-lost kin. And then the sweet couple who had been married over 60 years who took me into their home when I was weathered down in Newcastle Glider Port Virginia. The husband apparently flew a Luscombe 8A over to the young lass' farm in Ohio, asked her father for permission to marry his daughter and upon receiving a positive reply from him and the daughter in question, flew her back to Virginia in the Luscombe. Or the strip in southern PA where after making a low pass to see if anything was going on in that open hangar a gentleman appeared from the hangar holding up a pot of coffee and a mug in my direction. I swung around a quick downwind and enjoyed a nice hour of conversation before heading off on my way...to no particular destination. Yes, my couple years of being a Vagabond Air Bum (based out of Santa Fe until flying back to my native Vermont) flying all around the United States in my little Silvaire were/are some of my fondest memories. I saw many beautiful sights and met some wonderful people. Sometimes it was lovely, sometimes it was uncomfortable and occasionally downright terrifying. And finally, thank you for taking the time to meet and show me around FOF with Jon Brown the same day I got my float rating at Jack Browns. Again, unforgettable.

you have the coolest aviation videos on you tube Kermit ...hands down! thanks for sharing your passion with us enthusiasts of like mind....I miss the "old days" of flying also...things were more friendly...everyone you'd meet was like family....times have changed alright ...technology has improved...but human interaction has declined I'm afraid....

I was a RampRat too! Earned my first flight hours washing airplanes. I agree with you regarding the new world on the line. Where are the kids like us who become the next gen of aviation?

Loved these x-country videos. I am happy to chip in and say that on a 2018 trip in my ‘46 (handprop) Aeronca Champ-hopping small airport to small airport, NJ to KS and back-I often met nice fooks interested in someone passing through in a fabric-covered plane. One corporate pilot strode over from his Citation saying “wow a Champ, I learned to fly in Champs!” And luckily on my (less remote) route there were lots of line guys and gals willing to untie my tail after I fired up the Continental A-65 and climbed in. It was a wonderful experience. Thanks for ALL your fabulous videos and ALL your amazing work saving aviation history Kermit!

Well I am a native of AZ. That was really really kool Kermit. You got the life man.....Thank you for Sharing

I love the Casa Grande area, was there a couple years ago getting the best job I have ever had at Walmart Transportation as a professional driver. My dream is to own a WACO someday.

Someday id love to be able to make such a trip..in a plane of course...i envy you Kermit...you get to live your dream everyday

What an absolutely wonderful video! Thanks so much. Keep safe.

Thanks so much for the ride along and yes it is a different world

Totally my kind of flying👍👍👍

Thank you for sharing this video! Amazing! What a great way to make memories. You got a beautiful airplane added to the collection.

That looks really fun!! A dream trip.

This brings back the memory of my first ride at 12 years old (55 now) in a Great Lakes bi-plane. Thanks for rekindling that, Kermit. I'm happy to see you had such an enjoyable experience. I'm envious.

It is definitely a different world.... Been watching it change since I can remember....

That is a gorgeous plane, very educational commentary, beautiful land and views. Thanks for taking us along.

You were way down upon the Suwanee River lol. Thanks for taking us along Kermit!

Speaking of "in case I need it" have you ever needed it? To land on a road or some other unplanned places. You should do a video on your past emergency situations. I know that cowl getting sucked into the prop was interesting.