Ocean City, MD Trip

It's a beautiful Sunday in November so what do you do?  Well, if you're a Private Pilot with a plane you take a trip.  Gary and I met on Facebook of all places.  Pilots with a passion to fly.  So, when the weekend looked great, we planned a trip to Ocean City, MD with our wives for some lunch.  The departure time was 12 noon with arrival in OC at 1:00 pm.  After some mechanical difficulties with a battery, Lynn, Danelle and myself were up in the air with 926GZ around 12:30 pm.  The sky was partly cloudy and we had no trouble rising to 5,500'.  The air was so smooth, but as we headed south the clouds went from partly cloudy to mostly cloudy to solid.  Not to worry, since I have just completed my IFR Cert. we would give it a try.

Over the Delaware Bay I contacted Dover Approach for flight following.  They handed me off to Pawtuxet Approach and I requested the Pop-up IFR to descend through the clouds.  Since we were only about 10 miles from Ocean City Municipal Airport, the cleared me direct and approved me to descent to 1700.  A nice gentle slow 500' per minute brought us down through the clouds in about 2 minutes just shy of OC Municipal.  After being cleared to change frequencies, we did a 360 to set up for the downwind for Runway 02.  Lynn got some great shots as we circle MD.

We entered the pattern and started our downwind for 02.  The views were beautiful as we turned base and then final and I nailed a beautiful landing.  It's great when your daughter comments about how nice your landing was.  Makes a Dad feel proud.

Gary and Mary along with Don and Dori were waiting for us.  After a short taxi ride to the Captains Galley we eagerly ordered lunch and began sharing stories.  Sitting by the window, enjoying the oysters on a half shell, broiled shrimp and crab bisque was just perfect.  The sky had cleared to a heavenly blue and the scene was out of this world.  After lunch we all headed back to the airport to say our goodbyes and begin our trips home.  Runway 14 was in use, which took us right out over the beach and up the coast line.  At 4500' on the way home we cruised along at 133 knots with smooth air.  By 4:30 we were on the ground safe and sound.  Another fantastic day of living the dream.

Thanks Gary and Mary and Don and Dori for sharing in a truly wonderful day in the Life of a Pilot.  Let's do it again real soon!  Fly safe and have fun!