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Darkness On The Edge Of Town

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The author flew a personal plane on a multi-day, long-distance trip to Houlton, Maine, to witness the "Great North American Eclipse."
  • The eclipse's totality offered a "truly cosmic" and memorable lightshow, transforming the daytime into a temporary evening.
  • Houlton, Maine, commendably embraced its role as an eclipse viewing location, organizing extensive amenities and entertainment for visitors.
  • The trip underscored the significant utility, convenience, and potential cost benefits of general aviation for long-distance travel.
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As I relate in greater detail in the article beginning on page 7, I flew my Beech Debonair and some friends up to Houlton, Maine, and back in early April to view what the FAA termed the “Great North American Eclipse.” On the four-day roundtrip, the airplane racked up more than 20 tach hours and 2700 nm. And didn’t miss a beat.

The eclipse itself was somewhat anticlimactic—right up until it reached totality. The lightshow surrounding the moon’s black disc, viewable with the naked eye, was truly cosmic in nature. It’s something everyone should see, including the way the moon’s shadow swept across the cityscape, turning a sunny afternoon into evening, but only for a few short minutes.

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