A Swarm of Airplanes

As we approach Weatherford, OK, our first refueling stop on the way to the Rocky Mountains and Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, the Garmin Pilot displays an astonishing situation.

A puzzling display of airport traffic

The blue-green numbers and arrow heads look like a swarm of bees converging onto the airport. Yet the display rule for these symbols says that each of them is an airplane. How is this possible?

Three hours earlier, we had taken off in the dark from Aero Country airport in Texas, the home for our Zenith 601 HDS, N314LB. Shortly thereafter we experienced a spectacular sunrise.

Sunrise worthy of Texas

The leg to Weatherford is purposely short, to be followed by a longer leg to Goodland, KS. We plan to reach Goodland shortly after noon and stop for the day.

You may wonder, why stop so early and not go on? The reason: In the summer, significant turbulence always starts in the mountains shortly after noon. 

It isn't fun to fly in the turbulent air, and can even be dangerous.

The Mysterious Swarm

We wonder: How can these possibly be airplanes, so tightly packed together? 

We have never seen anything like this. Maybe the McAlester Flight Service, which covers that part of Oklahoma, can illuminate what’s happening.

We call the flight service. The briefer says there are no NOTAMS (Notices to Airmen) for the airport and that he isn’t aware of any special events. We know this about the NOTAMS since we checked them before departure and rechecked them a moment ago with the Garmin Pilot.

Hence no clarification, but also no cautionary message that we should stay away.

While we are in the traffic pattern of the airport, the FBO tells us on the UNICOM frequency that upon landing we should taxi to the south parking area.

Looking down at the airport on the downwind leg, we can see why: The north parking area is packed with small planes.

Maybe a training program of the Air Force?

We dutifully taxi to the south parking area.

Getting out of the plane, we are struck by impressive static displays. The photo captures our slowpoke of a plane together with a speed monster.

Slowpoke N314LB vs. speed demon

We refuel, then walk up north to see what the planes are.

Piper airplanes of Spartan College

They are 14 Piper airplanes of the Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology, located in Tulsa, OK.

Going inside the FBO building, we talk with one of the students. It’s a training flight. What we saw on the Garmin Pilot was the tightly scheduled landing sequence of these planes.

The FBO tells us that another plane wanted to take off, but couldn’t for ten minutes as the Pipers, one after another, marched downwind, base, and final to land.

In case you are concerned about the future of general aviation: This story shows that there's no need to worry.

Have any questions or feedback? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

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