Thanks Giving Flight Home

So, we delayed our return home for a day due to the forecasts for high winds on Saturday.  We had built an extra day into our travel plans anyway and with the winds at home fore casted at 15-25 with gusts of 30, we decided we would extend our visit until Sunday.  I am the ultimate conservative especially when it comes to my flying.  It's probably the reason that I'm still taking trips like this and filing a VFR flight plan instead of an IFR flight plan.  I know, I know, I just have to get over it and utilized the system.  It's coming slowly.  Anyway, the extra day gave us a chance to drive into Roanoke with Dawn to see her classroom  The ride in was a beautiful ride with the mountains of Virginia on both sides of us.  Just awesome to see.

 

As we arrived in Roanoke, you couldn't help but notice this beautiful city tucked in the mountains.  I remember flying Dawn here for here job interview and as we came over the mountains at 5500', there was the city tucked in the valley below us.  Just spectacular to see.

 

Dawn's class room looked so nice.  We are so proud of both of our girls.  They both finished college and have taken jobs teaching and making a difference in the lives of young people.  Dawn's student are very special young people and need a lot of encouragement, discipline and understanding.



 

It didn't take Lynn long to get busy cleaning and decorating the room.  You just can't keep a good woman down.  Before long the room was clean and decorated, ready for the children on Monday.

 

We spent the rest of the day driving around and looking for some possible housing opportunities in the Roanoke area.  Although the town house in Lynchburg is wonderful, it leaves Dawn with a 1 hour and 10 minute drive each way to work.  She is fortunate to have two other ladies that share the ride with her and rotate the responsibility.  There have been many good friends that Dawn has made during here time in Virginia.

 

After looking at some areas and a nice lunch, it was time for the drive home.  Up on the hill was a beautiful site of a new church that's been built just outside of the Roanoke city limits. 

 

I filed both VFR and IFR for the flight home on Sunday.  Our plan's were to head out around 10:00 am and be home some where's around 12:30 or 1:00 PM.  With an early start, we were at the airport by 9:30 am and took care of our gas bill, did the pre-flight for the plane and load and started for the ride home.  VFR conditions on the way home, kept me on the VFR path.  After a little warm up and a good mag check we were cleared for departure on Runway 22.  Winds were variable and 926GZ took flight about 1/3 the way down the 6500' runway.  I decided to level off at 5500' and we moved along nicely with a good tailwind at 145 knots.  There were times when I looked down and saw the 530 reading 149 knots.  Not too back for my nice little Cherokee 235. 

 

As we said goodbye to the mountains we cautiously watch a layer of clouds above us at about 7500'.  This layer stayed right there all the way home.  Over Pautuxent the turbulence was light and I continued to watch for unpredicted situations.  A layer of few clouds over Dover turned into broken over the Delaware and the winds had picked up a little to 260 at 10 with gusts to 19.  As we slipped over the Delaware I decided to make a nice slow descent down to 3500' through a nice opening in the clouds.  Philly approach cleared us to South Jersey and we communicated with a Cessna departing South Jersey to the south as we headed north.  With no one in the pattern it was a very easy ride into downwind from crosswind for 26 at South Jersey.  After a nice easy base to final turn, we floated gently down to the runway and declared another wonderful flight home.  Thinking about it,  realized that we just spent a holiday weekend making a 12 - 15 hour driving trip in a 4 hour flight.  This makes all the training so worth wild.  Til the next time, enjoy your flights and stay safe!





Thanks Giving in Lynchburg

Wow, it seems like it's been forever since I have posted on here, but finally we took a trip.  After all, when your daughter and mother move away to Lynchburg, VA, what else do you do for the Holiday's but travel.   We watched the weather all week and it went from looking bad to looking great.  Tuesday I stopped over and check 926GZ all out and had fuel delivered.  Since we were traveling with our oldest daughter, Danelle, I did my weights and balance calculations to give us as much fuel as I could without over loading.  Wednesday we were all packed and loaded by 12:00 noon.  After receiving a Standard Briefing everything was a go.  By 12:30 we were rolling down Runway 8 and lifting off into the clear blue sky.  McGuire gave us flight following for just a few minutes and then handed us off to Philly.  Philly approach was soo busy that they put us on hold.  As we traveled south, it became more and more apparent that they was no way Philly Approach was going to be able to help us.  We had commercial flights all around us as we continued our path south across the Delaware Bay and towards Dover.  By the time we reached Dover, we were able to pick up flight following with Dover Approach. 

As we flew over Dover, we could see some military aircraft working below us.  It was quite a sight. The air was smooth at 6500' and with a little tail wind we moved along nicely at about 139 knots.   A couple of freq. changes and we were soon coming up on Patuxent Air Force Base we made our turn to the west and headed towards Lynchburg.  Just over one hour in the air and we had one hour to go.  As we turned towards the west, we couldn't help notice how beautiful the Chesapeake Bay and the marina's looked below us.  Danelle got this wonderful picture with her I phone.

The turn towards the West slowed us just a little, but not much.  As we crossed over I-95 I couldn't help thinking how if we were driving we wouldn't even be to Baltimore yet.  The closer we got to the mountains, the more I noticed the thickening of the layer of haze below us.  Still able to see the ground, we could tell that there was temperature difference going on as we moved further inland.  About 30 miles out, I began and slow gentle descent into Lynchburg.  May have started a little early, but I was a little concerned about the layer of haze.  Of course about 10 miles out and at 2,500' we began to feel the mountain effect.  Still the haze began to clear and everything looked beautiful below.  Roanoke Approach switched us over to Lynchburg Tower which asked us to report midfield downwind for Runway 4.  I moved a little lower and prepared for the pattern.

Liberty University peeked just over the mountain as we prepared for our entry into the pattern and before you know it we were pattern level and midfield.  I reported the same to Lynchburg Tower which cleared us for Runway 4.  A nice gentle descent and turn to Runway 4 and we touched down just beyond the strips.  After being handed off to ground we departed the runway and rolled over to Falwell Aviation.  Just a little over 2 hours and we had made the 360 mile trip from South Jersey Airport to Lynchburg Regional.  We were ready for Dawn to pick us up and head to the town home for a wonderful Thanks Giving.  We all have so much to be Thankful for and at this special time of the year I pray that each of you that reads this takes time to REMEMBER what God has blessed you with.  Enjoy the day, enjoy your family, but don't forget to REMEMBER.  HAPPY THANKS GIVING!

Approaches and Practice

Well, I finally got the chance to go up and do some practice approaches.  My fellow pilot friend, Don Berliner, called me and offered his assistance to fly late Wednesday afternoon.  The weather looked great and since I was anxious to get up, we set a time and met at South Jersey Airport, (KVAY) at 6:00 PM.  The plan was to depart and contact MaGuire Approach and do the ILS 6 at Robert Miller, KMJX.  Then go missed and return to Coyle VOR to set up the VOR 29 into Trenton-Robbinsville, N87.  We would go missed again and back to the Robbinsville VOR to set up doing the RNAV 26 back into South Jersey Airport, KVAY.  This should be a good work out and a flight that I have done before.
     After pre-flight, we boarded and headed out to Runway 26.  After a nice departure I contacted MaGuire with my requests.  MaGuire was having a really busy night, so even though we had them on the radio we were pretty much on our own.  After stabilizing at 2200', I set up the procedures for the ILS, tuned in the appropraite radio frequencies for the Maguire VOR, Coyle VOR and also the ILS.  Couldn't get the Atis to work at Robert Miller, so we used the alternate of MaGuire altimeter setting and increase 60'.  As I approached the ILS, I turned inbound but could get the glide slope to come alive.  OH, need to switch the GPS to LOC.  That worked and the glide slope came alive showing me a little high.  Pulled the power a little and did my GUMPS as we prepared to intersect THOMS.  McGuire approved me for the frequencies change and to report on the miss and down we went.  As we reached decision height I began to set up for the missed and climbed to 600' before beginning a turn back to coyle.  With MaGuire back on, I started my set up for Robbinsville.
     Don wanted to see the autopilot approach, so I stabilized the plane on the heading bug and cleared the present flight plan and entered Trenton-Robbinsville and then the VOR approach.  Once set up, I click the GPS setting and began the turn towards Robbinsville VOR with a call to MaGuire.  We were advised of the Restricted area and remained clear of it to the east.  As we approached the hold, the GPS slipped us into a nice turn and I began the set up for the inbound.  Radios set, speed set, all go as we turned inbound.  At Robbinsville VOR we began our descent and MaGuire again cleared us for the frequency change. The sun was right in our eyes as we descended toward the 620' decision height.  I never did see the runway, although Don told me we were directly over it when we began our missed approach.  A climbing right turn to 1700' and we were on our way back to Robbinsville.  Two down and one to go.
     The RNAV 26 is a new approach which is exciting to fly with my 530WAAS gps.  A few pushes of the buttons and we were set to go.  Don had all the work since this approach takes us right over the end of Flying W.  A few turns and we were on final to 26 at South Jersey.  A nice touch down and easy roll to the ramp and a good nights practice came to an end.
     Still wanting to get up in some actual, but at least I'm staying current and still flying the plane.  Til next time, fly safe and have fun!

Roanoke, VA

     My youngest daughter got a call to do an interview at one of her student teaching schools.  Rivermont School is a disciplinary school in the heart of Roanoke, Virginia.  So, we began our plans for flying to Roanoke on Wednesday, July 10th.  Now, I've never flown into Roanoke, but it just happens to be one of those examples used all the time when they are trying to teach you the pitfalls of fly IFR and not paying attention.  GREAT!  The weather kept going back and forth from IFR to VFR to possible IFR.  Finally on Tuesday we made the decision we could go.  I filed a VFR flight plan down and back just to be safe.  Wednesday morning came and things looked pretty good.  Some stratus clouds at 4000 wouldn't be a problem especially if we flew down at 6500'.  Light showers were reported down near Patuxent, but they would probably move out by the time we got down there.  Scattered Thunderstorms were posted for the PM in the Roanoke area, so if we could just get out of Roanoke, we would probably be okay.  I had gone over on Tuesday and prepped 926GZ and all was ready.

     Wednesday morning we headed to the airport and I called for a Standard Briefing.  It's been a little while since I've flown so I hoped it wouldn't take too much time to brush the dust off.  By 10 am we were on our way climbing to 6500' with flight following.  The air was smooth and scattered clouds below us.  A little bit of a tail wind pushed us along at 137 knots ground speed. Wasn't too long before we could see the mountains through the haze.  Now Roanoke is situation down in the valley between the mountains.  Roanoke approach vectored us right in over the mountains and into a downwind for runway 4, even though the atis said they were using runway 34.  Anyway, since I was a little high I did a long pattern in and dropped down on the runway.  Roanoke was very friendly and helpful as was the FBO Landmark Aviation.  Fuel was a little expensive at $7.10 a gallon so I just had them put in 10 gallons.  This would be plenty since I had filled the tips at South Jersey, VAY.  The FBO even had a crew car for us which was a new Toyota corolla.  The car cost us $25.00 because we had it more than 2 hours, but still cheaper than a rental car. 

    Dawn and I did lunch with a friend of hers who had driven to Roanoke from Lynchburg to meet us and then it was off to the interview.  Dawn feels the interview went well, but now we wait to hear.  By 4:00 PM we were heading back to the airport with some dark clouds looming to the south.  After finishing up with the FBO, I called for a briefing and was told the same.  Once past the Lynchburg area, we would be okay on the way home, just a little headwind now.  We loaded up and got our clearance and off we went on runway 4.  Maintaining a heading of 55 until 4500 feet was the last thing I was told and as we split the valley between two mountains, I could see why.  WOW, you could almost reach out an touch the tops.  We climbed to 7,500' for the ride home which was fine except for a short time when I climbed to 8400 for some build ups.  Smooth ride home except for a problem with the talk switch on my side of the yoke.  After some time I realized that if I switch head gear positions with Dawn, I could talk to AC using her yoke switch.  As we approached Philadelphia, we were handed off to Philly Approach.  Since it was about 7 pm now, Philly was really busy and it wasn't too long before I felt like I was in the way.  About 15 miles from South Jersey I requested descent and they moved me east to get out of their routes and we headed down.  Winds were calm down low as we circled for a 45 entry to downwind for runway 8.  Base to final and we glided down the runway to the far end where our tie down is located.  Total flight time was about 5.5 hours with 2.5 hours down and 3 hours home.  All in all a great day of flying and now just hoping for a call back for Dawn.  Until next time, be safe and live life to it's fullest.

Boston Bound

A good friend of mine has been searching for a new plane.  He's been looking at the Cessna 182 and after taking him to Norfolk, VA about a month ago, he finally decided to purchase a 1968 Cessna 182 up in Boston, MA at Laurence Hanson Airport.  After completing all of his paperwork it was time for us to fly up to Boston to pick up his plane.  So a couple of Friday's ago we found the time and the weather appropriate to fly.  Dom, the buyer, and Steve, his CFI, and myself boarded 926GZ around 10 am for departure.  There was a fairly nice tailwind for the ride up and a layer of partly cloudy skies at around 5500.  My idea was to climb to 7500' with flight following and fly direct over the New York Class Bravo to Hanson.  The estimated flight time was about 2 hours. 
     We lifted off and after avoiding a couple of big puffy clouds, climbed to 7500 and had flight following with MaGuire Approach who then handed us off to New York Approach.  The flight was a nice gentle flight with only a little climb to stay out of the clouds as we crossed the bay.  Hanson is a large former Air Force base that now serves as a hub for some major corporate jet centers.  We were fourth in line for landing as we contacted Hanson tower.  A really nice private jet was in front of us.  With a little crosswind landing, we touched down nicely and rolled off the runway onto the intersecting runway and over the to the Jet Center.  The guys were really nice to put me in a wonderful spot that really showed off N926GZ!

Yea, that me right behind that big beautiful private jet.  I sure hope he doesn't decide to take her out for a test run.  Anyway, after fueling up a little, ($7.75 a gallon), we sat at the FBO waiting for the arrival of the seller.  The nice thing about an airport like this is there is always something going on.  Take for instance the P-52 that took off being escorted by an F-16.  Now that was a sight to see.  Man, those guys could fly.  Anyway, it wasn't long before the seller showed up and took us around to the private hangers where his plane was waiting.  The plane had new paint, new interior and a five year old engine that had just 17 hours of time.  Nice!  Well after a very very through checkout, Dom and Steve took her up for a little test flight.  I guess they were satisfied because it wasn't long before they were back on the ground and Dom was signing the papers and handing the guy a check.  New plane for Dom!  Way to go!

The ride home was going to be a lonely one for me.  Although I kept in touch with Steve and Dom on the radio, they had departed a few minutes before me.  Well, it gave me a chance to fly solo for a little while.  After going through my checks, we got the ATIS and started up by contacting ground.  A little confusion on the taxi ways on the way out, but soon I was ready for departure and climbing to 8500" for the ride home.  Bradley Approach picked me up for flight following and away we sailed.  A thick layer of clouds below me at 7500' really kept me on my toes.  Not much site seeing on the way home.

Somewhere over West Chester, New York I had a first time experience.  Seems a Bonanza east bound for Boston from Teaneck was at 7000' and was having engine trouble.  I heard him contact NY ATC and ask for vectors to the closest airport.  NY was sending him to West Chester which was about 10 miles away.  The pilot was very calm and collected, but a few minutes later I heard him tell ATC that they were at 4,000' and still didn't have the airport.  ATC told him they were only about 5 miles away, but shortly after that I heard him come on and tell ATC that they weren't going to make the airport and were putting the plane down in a grass strip next to a road.  WOW!  ATC lost radar contact and another pilot asked if ATC wanted him to make a pass to see what was going on.  It was just then when ATC changed me to another controller.  WAIT, What happened??  I had to find an app on my Ipad that night for ABC NY news to find out that they two guys walked away from the plane after landing on the lawn of an IBM plant.  Thank God and good ending.
     The rest of the flight was uneventful and by the time I got to Trenton, the skies cleared and I descended to South Jersey and caught up with Dom and Steve.  Another great day, four hours and an experience to put in my book.  I love this flying stuff!  Till next time, fly safe and live life to the most!

The Ipad & WX Weather

So if you're like me, you've gone out and bought an Ipad.  I actually think it's a great Pilot resource.  My main reason was the new apps that were coming out giving you all the information and maps you could possibly need.  My app was Foreflight and it wasn't long before I stopped buying charts all together.  The free trial to Foreflight sold me on something that was just awesome.  I know, I've heard all the arguments of paper charts.  I even had one get sucked out the door while in training and flying solo.  A lot of good that paper chart did me.  Anyway, since the FAA has approved EFB's for Part 91, why not take advantage of the technology.  It's not like you can't find the ground?  The more I used my Foreflight and my Ipad the more I loved it.  Then Foreflight came out with GPS capability with a little device called the "Bad Elf".  Another great investment for just $75.00.  It pays to shop around!  This tiny little plug in brings my Ipad to life and I've had the opportunity to match it against more expensive plug in GPS units and it performed just as well as the big guys.  You got to love that!

So, after using my Ipad for about a year it was time for my IFR check ride.  I showed up that day with my flight plan, a paper chart and my Ipad.  As we progress through the ground check, I could tell this was going to be an interesting test of my Ipad use.  My CFII was very thorough and old school.  At one point he asked me if the use of the Ipad was legal.  We walked out to a local computer and after going on the AOPA site I searched EFB and sure enough the FAA circular authorizing the use of EFB's came up.  He jotted down the number and we headed to the plane.  In the air I was lucky enough to have my Garmin 530W and my Ipad.  But more importantly was the knowledge that I had of how to use those two instruments.  I think that's the key guys!  Know what you have and know how to use it.  This is what keeps us straight and safe!
    Well, now Foreflight has come up with a team effort with Baron to provide weather on your Ipad.  I took advantage of the promotional offer and bought the system this past December, but I hadn't had the chance to use it yet.  The Baron product offers two units.  One is an XM weather receiver and the other is a WiFi transformer that broadcasts a signal to your Ipad.  This past Easter I finally had the chance to try it for myself.  You also need a subscription to XM weather.  Here's where the expense come in.  XM offers three packages, Aviator lite, Aviator and Aviator Pro.  You need to check this out and see which package suits you.  I found out that they were offering a deal on the Aviator that buy purchasing it for a year I saved enough to make it just as affordable as the Aviator Lite package.  Next step was setting it up in the plane.  For now, I just plugged the unit into my lighter plug and set it behind my passenger seat.  Later, I'm going to do something different, but I wanted to make sure this thing worked to my satisfaction.  The weather receiver plugs into the WiFi transformer which supplies power to the weather receiver so you only need one plug in.  Wala, I had weather.  I also had metars, Terminal Forecasts, winds aloft and all the choices on the map of getting cloud cover, flight rules, winds, even fuel prices.  WOW!

I did find on the way down to Lynchburg that antenna placement is important.  At first I just wasn't getting a good signal.  There is a way to go into your foreflight and even check your signal strength and satellite reception.  After moving the Weather antenna around a little, I found on the front dash was the best location and they give you plenty of antenna wire to run the thing from one end of the plane to another.  Our flight for the weekend took us to Lynchburg, VA which is a two hour flight in my plane.  All the way down and back I had great reception and was able to switch back and forth from local airport metars and forecasts to winds and even TFR's.  A great relief from guessing and switching radio frequencies to see whats going on.  All in all, I am very happy with the system that I have now.  I know that Foreflight has now teamed up with Sporties to put together another system called, Stratus ADS-B weather.  This system uses the free ADS-B provided by the FAA and a battery operated unit.  It comes out later this month and is subscription free.  My only thought here is that I hope XM weather subscriptions come down when people start making a jump.  Anyway, we will see and for now, my unit is working just fine.  Thanks for checking in and fly safe!

Gusty Winds bring us home from Lynchburg

Well, as a typical pilot, I watch he weather constantly, especially when we're away on a trip.  Saturday night the concern for winds started showing its ugly face.  Sunday things didn't change much except for a little window in the morning.  Talk to the wife, who is really good about changing plans when we fly, and we decide to wake up early Monday morning and head to the airport.  It was a great weekend in Lynchburg with our daughter.  Friday we drove around and shopped ending with dinner at Vinnie's.  Saturday we house shopped for a possible purchase if our daughter finds a job opportunity and decides to stay in Lynchburg, VA.  Sunday was church at Thomas Roads Baptist Church for Easter with Rev. Jerry Falwell Jr.  What a terrific service and experience.  Simply awesome to say the least.

Sunday afternoon we checked out a couple more homes and then back to the apartment for a nice walk before having Easter Dinner with our daughter.  Fantastic day that even included deicing an air conditioning unit.  What are dad's for?
     Monday morning early we woke and showered and by 7:30 AM we were on our way to the airport.  Not exactly what I wanted to do, but I'm always siding on safety.  We said our goodbyes and I completed our pre-flight before contacting Lynchburg ground.  Winds were variable and runway 22 was in use.  Before long we were down the runway, in the air and heading northeast for 5,500".  The ride was not without some light turbulence and a tailwind that pushed us along at 145 to 150 knots.  Not bad for my little Cherokee 235.  We were over Pautuxet in an hour and made our turn to the North for South Jersey.  The tail wind became a quartering cross wind, but we were still able to average about 130 knots.  Hazy conditions prevailed on the way down and on the way back but I was able to manage a couple of nice pictures as we came back over the western shore of Maryland from the Chesapeake Bay.  I think I see my future home down there somewhere.  Yea, I wish!

Flight following all the way home is the only way to go.  If you're a pilot and you travel VFR or IFR, you should be talking to these guys, they are the best.  I enjoy having the protection and the company in the cockpit.  Dover switched us to Philadelphia Approach and this is where the fun begins.  About 15 miles from South Jersey we began our descent.  The wind was rocking us around, but nothing that I couldn't handle. Philadelphia released us and we were the only ones in the sky.  Probably a pretty good reason for this.  As we entered the pattern for South Jersey we were really being bounced around.  I had seen the reports for wind shear so I was really anxious about that.  Since we were the only ones in the air, I told Lynn we were going to make a nice long base to final turn and a long final into the airport.  As we started final at about 800' we slowly descended with just 2 notch's of flaps.  The wind was really howling and I was working hard to keep it stable.  Finally over the runway, a little up and down and a little power on and off and then a real nice settle to the runway.  WOW, that was fun!  NOT!  It's a times like this that I really appreciate my instructor, Durand Branch, and all the work that we did flying in winds and crosswinds.  Once on the ground it was time to taxi with wind awareness the whole time.  We were finally at the tie down and after turning off the avionics's, we pulled the mixture.  10:00 am gave us another 2 hour flight home from Lynchburg, VA.  Not bad, not bad at all.  I wonder what the traffic is like on I-95 around Washington, DC right now.  Until next time, fly safe and enjoy life.

Gotta Love a Tail Wind

So my oldest daughter, Danelle, is heading to Arizona for the week. My mom is home from Florida and is available to watch the dog. Sounds like it's a great opportunity to fly away some where. Well, since my youngest daughter, Dawn, is in Lynchburg by herself, we decided to fly to Lynchburg, VA for Easter. Watched the weather all week and it looks good. Stopped by South Jersey Airport, KVAY, and checked on N926GZ and had the wing tips filled. That gives me 84 gallons of fuel which should be more than enough to make it all the way to Lynchburg Regional Airport, KLYH, and back. Friday morning the briefer gave us clear skies all the way to Lynchburg and by 9:00 am we were at the airport loading up the plane. I even had time to hook up my newest addition, my Baron WX weather receiver and wifi device to give my iPad weather reception and more. By 9:45 am we were wheels up and heading to the south with flight following. After a short delay due to incoming traffic to Philadelphia International, we were cleared to 6500'. Along we flew in smooth air and at 155 knots ground speed. You gotta love a tail wind! After a short turn to the south west at Pautuxet, we were inbound to Lynchburg. The air was still smooth, although a little hazy as we approached the blue ridge. Still enjoyed seeing those mountains come into site. About 15 miles out we began a nice 500' per minute descent to pattern altitude. The air was a little bumpy as we entered the pattern and prepared for final. A nice 16 mph wind at 30 made for a nice easy landing on runway 04 at Lynchburg. As we taxied off towards Falwell Aviation, I suddenly realized that it was just 11:45 am. We made it to Lynchburg in just 2 hours! wOW!! By the way,if you ever want a nice weekend away, Falwell Aviation is the FBO of Liberty University and will take great care of you and your plane. My daughter, Dawn, was waiting for us at the airport and after a short visit with David Young, the Dean of the Aviation School at Liberty, we were off with our daughter for a great Easter weekend. The moon is full as we sit here in our daughters apartment. Just thinking about what the benefits of general aviation offer us brings a smile to my face! Have a great Easter my friends! Safe travels and great memories!

Hampton Roads, VA Trip

Dom is a good friend of mine and I actually learned to fly in his 172 at Crewdawg Aviation.  But due to an unfortunate landing, Dom's plane has been totaled and now he's looking for a new plane and considering a Cessna 182.  So we've been trying to plan a trip to Virginia Beach to check out a possible purchase.  Finally, Friday, March 30th looks good so we plan our departure for 9:30 AM.  Another check of the weather says everything looks good.  A call to the briefer again confirms that things are suppose to be okay all the way down and back.  Our plans were to fly down possibly with a nice tail wind, check out the plane, have lunch and then fly home with a possible tail wind.  Always a pilots dream.  Never do dreams go completely the way you like them to.

   Friday morning and all is good to go.  By 9:30 we are wheels up in N926GZ and talking to Maguire for flight following.  Up to 4500' feet and it seems like the tail wind is there.  After a hand off from Maguire to Atlantic City to Dover and then Pautuxet we begin to seem some clouds and the ground speed slows a little.  The high over West Virginia has moved a little faster than expected to the east and we are now experiencing a head wind.  Over the Chesapeake the ground speed slows even more to allow us about 105 knots, but it's still a beautiful ride.

Well, we approach Norfolk and the sites are fantastic.  Langley Air Force Base is to our west and we fly right over Norfolk Naval Base.  Since we were cleared down to 2500' we have a real good view of the sites.  With Hampton Roads (KVBG) just a short 10 miles away we clear the Norfolk airspace and begin our decent down to patten altitude.  Our arrival is smooth and scenic.  Hampton Roads is a really beautiful airport with all the accommodations that a Pilot would want.  Hanger space is available for $275.00 a month.  Can you believe it!  Really worth the trip.

Dom hooks up with the guy selling the Cessna 182 and we walk out to the hanger to check out the plane.  Its a 1972 Cessna with nice paint and interior but very little in the way of avionics.  Dom even takes a ride in the plane at my encouragement and really enjoys the power and lift that the 182 offers.  Of course it's not as nice as a Piper Cherokee 235, but that's a discussion for another day, right!  Any way, its such a nice day it's worth the time to take the ride.  After some discussion with the owner, who is also a salesman, Dom's offer and the Owner's concession is about $6,000.00 apart.  Well, there are plenty of planes out there and it's a buyers market so it must be time for lunch.  A nice little restaurant at the FBO gives us a chance at their turkey special.  Sure I would have much rather had craps and shrimp, but I wasn't buying so we make the most of it.  By now the clouds have moved in and I can tell it's going to be an interesting ride home.  After a quick fill up we taxi out for a back taxi on Rwy 10 and immediate departure.  As I climb up out of pattern altitude I contact Norfolk Approach for clearance into the Class Charlie.  We settle in at 5500' and receive our clearance and we're on our way home.  As we approach the Chesapeake Bay the layer below us becomes solid and the clouds above us at 10000' put us in the middle.  What a sight to see.

We continue our ride home with a nice tailwind.  I love flying along in smooth air with 140 knot ground speed.  Dom and I talk about the aircraft that we just saw and the autopilot with altitude hold and the GPS take us for the ride.  Over the mainland the clouds break a little and we experience a beautiful site and as stratus clouds separate to show us the Delmarva Peninsula below.  Just an awesome site from 5500".

Of course the ride home continues as usual except for a series of showers just below Salisbury.  I think Dom was a little concerned when the visibility dropped down to about 1 mile in showers, but the layer of clouds above us stayed at about 8000' and the plane needed a bath anyway.  As we cleared the Delaware Bay we could see the edge of the front and the shadow of the line on the surface of the ground.  Over Millville, we began a nice slow descent and by the time we were at South Jersey we were handed off by Philadelphia Approach and set up for a nice crosswind entry for Runway 26.  Back on the ground at 4:30 PM.  What a great day.  Although Dom didn't find his new dream craft, we still had a wonderful day and who can complain about going from Medford, NJ to Norfolk, VA and back in 7 hours.  Got to love it!

Lynchburg and a New Tip Tank

Wow, it seems likes it's been so long since I last flew the plane.  So, when my youngest daughter, Dawn, tells me that she wants me to come get her for Spring Break, who can resist.  Only problem is my right tip tank has had some major cosmetic issues since I bought the plane and my mechanic, Bob at Crewdawg Aviation has finally taken it off and given it to a fellow who does unbelieveable fiberglass work.  Wednesday the tip tank arrives, but Bob is deeply rooted in working on an Archer that is having an electrical problem.  Thursday comes and goes and nothing gets done.  Friday the weather is looking great for Saturday, but Bob is still working on the Archer.  6:30 PM on Friday night and still N926GZ is sitting outside.  I go back over at 9:00 PM and Bob and Pat have the tip tank on and they are aligning it.  By 11:00 PM the trip is on and I head home to get some rest.  Bob is there until 2:00 AM to connect the fuel lines and change a tire that he is not happy with.  NOW that's a mechanic that every Pilot wants.  The results are fantastic.

They even painted the tip temporarily with a can of spray paint that Bob had that matched beautifully.  Finish paint job will come later.
     So, 11:00 AM Saturday, my brother and I are off the ground and flying for Lynchburg, VA.  A little windy down low, but when we hit 6500' the air is smooth as silk and the tail wind pushes us along at 145 knots.  Not bad for a 235.  We sail over Patuxent and head west for Lynchburg.  About 22 miles out I begin our descent and prep for landing.  Lynchburg is using Runway 4 and I gently bring her down on the numbers and taxi over to Falwell Aviation.  Now I get the picture of a life time when 926GZ goes one on one with the big boys.   "GO AHEAD, MAKE MY DAY".

    Well, after a nice lunch with Dawn, we load up and prep for departure.  The winds aloft don't favor us on the way home, but once again the air is smooth at 7500'.  Somewhere just below Washington, DC we loose the jeppesen card on the 530W.  So it's flying VOR's on the way home.  After turning north from Patuxent, we ask to move to 5500'.  Not much different, but at least our ground speed was in the 3 digits again.  Over the Delaware Bay we begin our descent down for South Jersey Airport.  A nice turn and we were on the 45 for runway 8.  A nice landing on runway 8 takes us right back to Crewdawg Aviation.  Five hours of flying, down to Lynchburg, VA and back!  All in all it was a fantastic day to be a Pilot!  Safe flying everyone!!