Although we’ve never met face to face for more than a few moments at EAA AirVenture, Paul and Victoria Rosales and I have been friends for more than a decade. After building their Van’s Aircraft RV-6A, Paul made its first flight on July 4, 2000. Each year since, I’ve eagerly awaited their Christmas letter that summarizes the previous year’s aerial adventures. At the end of this year’s letter, Paul scrawled a note: “13 years now flying the RV-6A and almost 3,800 hours.”
The Rosales are not 1-percenters who spend their discretionary income going places. The last time we talked, Paul lived off his job at the Lockheed Skunk Works. Working second shift, he paid for his flying by substitute teaching. Victoria complemented both by developing a thriving Tupperware sales business. And they are never at a loss for things to see or places to go in their airplane, which is why I refer anyone who moans apathetically about $100 hamburgers to www.paulrosales.com.
The website collects Paul’s well-written travelogues in words and photos, and 2013 was a pretty typical year for them. In other words, they flew some place every month. Usually it’s within a state or two of their California home, and they usually take one big trip a year. In April 2013 they spent four weeks logging 70 hours and more than 10,000 miles flying around the Caribbean, where Paul pursues his other passion, scuba diving. Victoria relishes the warm and sunny weather.
Regardless of where they go, near or far, what binds them all is participatory aeronautical friendships. So if you’re looking at a New Year of boring meals at the same old airports, read on about some of the adventures the Rosales had last year. Maybe they will inspire you to fly out of your aerial rut.
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