CAVU!!

CAVU = Ceiling And Visibility Unlimited. Perfect flying weather, no major clouds, no major haze.

Yes, today was CAVU and I wanted to take advantage of that big shinny thing in the sky I think folks call the sun. It's been awhile since Mr. Sun has graced us with a warm day but today fit the bill. Mary and I headed out to Angels for breakfast then made a stop at Mom and Pop's to hang a picture and hook up their DVD player. We finished up the to do list and decided it was time to go fly.

I headed back by the house, force of habit, then cut through our development and south for the Airport. Mary started to feel ill with her diverticulitis acting up. I turned back for home and Mary said go without me, I just don't feel good and want to lay down. I made sure she was settled and then sent out a few text messages. Vince was ready to fill in so I gave him a meet time and headed back out the door.

I started my pre-flight and ordered fuel when Vince called from the gate. We finished up the pre-flight, watched some planes in the pattern and waited for the fuel truck. I completed the fuel sump and we saddled up ready to get flying. I contacted ground and was cleared to taxi for departure on runway two seven. We had a good headwind and climbed out followed by our approaved left turn on course.

KILG 211751Z AUTO 31017G23KT 10SM CLR 06/M07 A3003

Vince did pretty good on his VOR pop quiz. I asked himn the approximate heading from the DuPont (DQO) VOR to Millville (KMIV). Vince brought along his own current sectional and folded it down so it was manageble then gave me a heading, close and after he gave the headings on the VOR a closer look came out with the correct answer. Not bad for 13 years old and no real flying experience. I track the 143 degree radial from DuPont and it brings you right over Millville. I had Vince plug the direct to on the Garmin 530 for back up.

Millville radio was really a mess today. Everyone got the full brief to include wx, traffic (even the over 5 minute old stuff)all NOTAMS and whatever else they could use up air time with. While they were falling in love hearing themselves talk we were keeping our head on a swivel looking for traffic that was shooting the ILS 10 approach while I was positioning for a 45 degree entry to runway 28. I think I ticked off Millville radio when I told him I want to hear the guy shooting the ILS for position not him. I best get off the soap box.

I made a nice landing with a long long roll out since taxiway J was the only right turn available to me from where I touched down. I eventually cleared the runway and taxied back. I announced 08Romeo departing two eight Millville and you guessed it, he gave me the full readback. I think the airport should just take the AWOS off the air and just send all NOTAMS to Leesburg, VA so they can play air traffic controller and tie the darn radio forever!!! Oops.....I'll get off the soapbox now and kick it aside.

We launched for Cape May (KWWD) and since there are a zillion NOTAMS and I know 10-28 is closed I passed on landing. Cape May/Wildwood got hit pretty hard with the double storms, someday all the ice will melt and it will be good to go. Vince did get some learning time in with a few questions I gave him, actually what if situations, you know they are the best . We did not get a wind report on the KWWD AWOS so I asked him where would he get the wind info. His immidiate response was Dover Delaware, well thats an option but look on the sectional. He gave the sectional a look, picked out Atlantic City and dialed us in, good job. We can also use anything belching smoke or look for the windsock while flying over the field. Here is the Cape May NOTAM list:
!WWD 02/038 WWD NAV RWY 19 ILS LLZ UNMNT
!WWD 02/037 WWD RWY 1/19 CLSD EXC WINGSPAN LESS THAN 49 FT
!WWD 02/035 WWD TWY B CLSD ACFT WINGSPAN OVR 30
!WWD 02/034 WWD TWY B PLW 30 WIDE RMNDR 4 FT SNBNK WEF 1002171950
!WWD 02/032 WWD RWY 1/19 PLW 120 WIDE RMNDR 5 FT SNBNK WEF 1002162052
!WWD 02/030 WWD SVC AWOS WND UNREL
!WWD 02/028 WWD RWY 1/19 PAPI OTS
!WWD 02/026 WWD AD PTCHY THN ICE WEF 1002131229
!WWD 02/023 WWD TWY A CLSD ACFT WINGSPAN OVR 45 FT
!WWD 02/022 WWD RWY 1/19 CLSD NGT
!WWD 02/019 WWD AD SIGNS OBSC 5 FT SNBNK WEF 1002122208
!WWD 02/017 WWD TWY A PLW 40 WIDE 5 FT SNBNK N SIDE WEF 1002122207
!WWD 02/015 WWD TWY G CLSD
!WWD 02/006 WWD TWY D, E, F CLSD
!WWD 02/005 WWD TWY A CLSD E OF RWY 1/19 AND W TWY F WEF 1002031500
!WWD 01/011 WWD RWY 10/28 CLSD WEF 1001311741
!WWD 02/003 WWD TWY A WEST END CLSD TO ACFT WINGSPAN 79 FT AND ABOVE

From Cape May we were going to head back home to Wilmington but made a detour to check out Woodbine Airport. I could have landed there but after flying over and checking it out I decided to get us headed back home. I dialed in the DuPont VOR and had Vince track that back to Wilmington and I switched the page on the Garmin 530 to read about airport info, thats right no magenta line to follow. Vince aced it! He held altitude and couirse very well witha tranfer of controls as we approached the 15 miles out mark. We role played some ATC and he gave it a shot with a script I jotted down after we discussed it. He was a bit nervous and checked in with all the info until I gave him the cut sign. I reminded him he had to make contact first, then when they call him provide the who what where and with ATIS info.

We got a traffic call out for a C130 heading in for runway one. I was directed to turn to the twin spans up river, I complied. I was aksed to do a 360 for spacing and once again I complied. Finally I was given clearence to land runway two seven. As we taxied in Vince heard the tower direct an aircraft to remain clear of the Delta airspace expecting a 15 minute hold. We continued in to Red Eagle and secured the plane. Vince noticed activity around the VP's aircraft that was parked at the Air National Guard, maybe Biden was flying out. Every aircraft that called in was put on a 15 minute hold and a few IFR flights asked if they could cancel and proceed VFR, the answer was no. Well that sealed the deal for us, there was no aircraft emergency that we could hear, the SUV's were buzzing around the 737 and operations was making a runway check. Sure enough, the 737 called up to taxi and was cleared to depart under the Air Force 2 call sign. Vince switched his scanner over to Philly approach and just to confirm had Air Force two checking in with them, pretty cool stuff.

So, two good landings in the book, Vince got some flight time with VOR tracking and gave the radios a shot. A great day to be flying and sharing the passion I have for flight.

GPS TRACK

No-Go - 4N1 Lunch Run

As much as we both wanted to fly this morning I decided it was a "no-go" for the lunch run to 4N1 Greenwood Lake. Visibility looked great, cloud layers were 3000- 5000 depending on the area. 4N1 sits in a valley south of Greenwood lake and the NY/NJ state line. Reports are that crosswinds can be tricky and wind shear is not uncommon on final into the 3471 x 60 ft runway that also has 36 inch snowbanks on either side.

Riding through the bumps for lunch is not fun and in my opinion a waste of fuel. I haven't flown much in the last month and while current I have to ask myself am I proficient enough to feel comfortable with my Bride and Vincent riding along for the day. My gut answer is no.

Here is a glimpse of the wx briefing:

PA NJ NORTHEASTERN NJ...BROKEN 5/8-7/8 COVERAGE AT 3500 FT TOP 080. 19Z SCATTERED 3/8-4/8 COVERAGE AT 3500 FT SCATTERED 3/8-4 /8 COVERAGE AT 15000 FT. OUTLOOK...VFR.

SOUTHERN NJ-SERN PA...SCATTERED 3/8-4/8 COVERAGE AT 4000 FT. 15Z BROKEN 5/8-7/8 COVERAGE-SCATTERED 3/8-4/8 COVERAGE AT 5000 FT TOP 080 BROKEN CIRRUS. OUTLOOK...VFR.

NORTHWESTERN NJ-NERN PA...BROKEN 5/8-7/8 COVERAGE-OVERCAST AT 3000 FT TOP 100. BECMG 1416 BROKEN 5/8-7/8 COVERAGE AT 4000 FT. OUTLOOK...MARGINAL VFR CEILING.

AIRMET TURBULENCE...MAINE NEW HAMPSHIRE VERMONT MASSACHUSETTS RHODE ISLAND CONNECTICUT NEW YORK NEW JERSEY PENNSYLVANIA AND COASTAL WATERS FROM 60ENE SHERBROOKE,CN TO 20ESE BANGOR,ME TO NANTUCKET,MA TO 20W EAST HAMPTON,NY TO SEA ISLE,NJ TO 20WSW EAST TEXAS,PA TO 20NNW SLATE RUN,PA TO 60SSW MASSENA,NY TO 20NNE PLATTSBURGH,NY TO SHERBROOKE,CN TO 60ENE SHERBROOKE,CN MOD TURBULENCE BLW 080. CONDITIONS CONTINUING BEYOND 15Z THROUGH 21Z.

Ceiling/Vis/Sfc Wind Maps Legend

Blizzard Part II

After digging out an additional 20" in the the driveway our snow blower crapped out. Yes, the burning smell is not my feet getting toasty warm but the Troy Bilt eating up a drive belt. So sad, the end was in sight with only the last few feet to dig that the plow left for us.

Good news! After calling Lowes, Home Depot, Sears and multiple lawn and garden stores the local hardware store I always go to for everything just got two belts in. Yep, you guessed it MTD Part # 7450101A 1/2 35" 4L, I'll take them both. They asked if I could leave a name, I'll leave you anything you want just hold the two belts I'm only five minutes away. The store manager had them waiting for me at the register. I think I skipped out the door, That's going to be tough getting that thought out of your mind.

I headed back home like a little kid on Christmas and quickly installed the new belt and replaced the tensioner and cover. I hung the new spare belt right above the storage space for the snow blower and loaded up for the airport. Mary and I dug out 08Romeo for the second time in a week. Here are a few pictures from round II from Mother nature.

V Tail Bonanza - Our neglected ramp neighbor

BAC Fest Draft Plans

Just killing some time tonight so Mary and I sat down to draft a flight plan for San Antonio Texas in October. I know eight months away but I was talking to the host of the event (POA's very own - The Old Man or better know for his web page, Flights of the Mouse) on the phone this evening. The main reason for the call was to say hello and pass a hug along to his lovely Bride Sandra. Immidiaetly following I kindly asked him to STOP sending all that moisture north east from the dallas texas area, I'm tired of snow. The other reason was to pass along a thanks for the mention in the latest BAC Talk magazine.

Mary and I started to plan our adventure. The early October plan is to attend the POA Windwood Resort fly in from Friday to Sunday morning. Stash the cool wx clothes and move the texas wx provisions closer to the baggage door and launch for the deep south. Our first planned stop, after topping the tanks across the ridgeline at W99 Petersburg will be at K20, Wendell H Ford Airport in Hazard, Kentucky for lunch and a top off. Is this the imaginary home of the General Lee? Who knows, we'll report back.

Next it's off to KJWN, John C Tune Airport in Nashville, Tennessee for an afternoon of exploring, an overnight stay and a full day of the Country Music capitol on Monday. Once we drag ourselves out of bed we'll saddle up for the short hop to KUTA, Tunica Municipal Airport in Tunica, Mississippi. We'll book a room at one of the local casino's rent a car and drive north to memphis to see Graceland and the home of the "King", hey, it's on my list of places I want to see.....thank you...thank you very much. After a day of taking in all the local attractions we'll head back to the casino's for some fun and much needed rest. Wednesday we'll depart Tunica and head for the BAC fest in San Antonio. We'll make one stop for fuel and snacks at 4F2,Panola County Airport-Sharpe Field in Carthage, Texas (cheap fuel/ not sure about eats). One last hop to San Antonio for check in and fun times.

Of course the wx will be perfect and we'll make all our scheduled stops and make San Antonio on time. Whats a week of fun without great wx to head back north east? The trip home will be , as they say, hammer down with one overnight and home on Sunday with Monday as the push day. Well, it's our fantasy trip plan and we had to start somewhere.

Blizzard Feb. 2010

We got 25 inches of snow that started Friday night and ran through to Saturday late afternoon around 4:30. The winds were the real killer causing 30 inch plus drifts and just killer wind chills. I wanted to head out Friday and make a first pass but it was just to nasty. I got up around 8am Saturday and figured I would make my assault on the 18 inches or so that was blowing deeper every hour. I fired up the snow blower and what normally takes me 45 minutes including equipment clean up had me playing snow fighter for 2 hours. I was worn out and my face was as red as could be from the wind burn. Maybe a ski/bank robbers mask would have helped.

Mary had french toast sausage links, OJ and a hot tea ready and waiting, I needed that. We enjoyed breakfast and then hunkered down to wait out the storm. Mary cooked a big pot of Chili with corn bread for dinner and made enough for today's big game. When the snow finally subsided Saturday afternoon Mary and I headed out for a final clean up. There was 6 to 10 inches on the driveway and more where the wind did it's damage. The new snow was dry, unlike the morning shift that was wet and much heavier. The sidewalk and driveway completed, it was time to hit the showers. I passed out early and Mary said I was snoring like a freight train.....I didn't hear a thing!

Today I was up early to feed the zoo and check on the roads. We had some Ice from the rain gutter drainage so a few sprinkles of deicer took care of that. Everything else looked great! A few of our neighbors were starting to come out and they were just getting started on the dig out. Mary and I kicked back and relaxed through the morning then decided to tackle the airplane dig out. We packed up the shovels and brooms and headed to the airport. The roads were clear except for around the airport, they needed attention. We pulled up to the plane on a clear taxiway, very nice. I opened up the back of the SUV and got to the task at hand. Wow, this stuff was big chunks of ice and everything had crusted over. Mary asked, "why didn't we bring the snow blower?" Hmmmmm....good question, obviously a brain fart on my part. It took all of 5 seconds as we looked at each other and then made a beeline for the truck. We ran back to the house, loaded up the snow blower and immediately returned to the plane.

Mary cleared out around the tie downs and I attacked the windrow left by the snow plow. I guess we were out there for an hour or two. 08Romeo is missing Texas I'm sure, I don't blame her one bit. I can only promise we will retire in the south and she will have a hangar to call home. I asked Mary if she was still happy with the idea of owning our own plane.....she said I'm here shoveling snow right? Enough said......as my Bride stated, we're a team.......Geezzz I love this woman!

Once we got home we let the dogs scamper around some and play in the snow, Mary snapped a few pictures.

Flight Time

Today I went to the airport directly following work, no pass go, didn't collect two hundred dollars. It was hovering around forty degrees today and I wanted some left seat time before the winter storm hits tomorrow afternoon. I also wanted to finish up the nav light connection and get the one wire reconnected to the socket. I packed a power converter in the truck and my heavy duty solder gun along with the required tools. The battery powered pencil tip gun that I tried couldn't generate enough heat to burn a gnats ass. So my mission required a follow up visit.

KILG 041851Z 29010KT 10SM CLR 03/M11 A3036

I was plugged in and ready to go and no juice, sigh, the converter was dead. I buttoned everything back up and went on with my preflight. I figured an hour in the air was good for the mind and good to get some oil pumping through 08Romeo. I launched off of two seven and made a short run to Millville NJ. One full stop and taxi back followed by some VOR tracking back to Wilmington. I landed and taxied off for Red Eagle and put 08Romeo to bed. I used a 3M tape product to cover my fresh air vents that are located on top of the cowl just forward of the windscreen to prevent snow accumulation. With 1.1 hours in the log I gave a pat on her side and bid farewell to Juliet. She was left snug in her cover until we meet again......after the forecast snow storm.

Webinar

Short for Web-based seminar, a presentation, lecture, workshop or seminar that is transmitted over the web. A key feature of a Webinar is its interactive elements -- the ability to give, receive and discuss information. Contrast with Webcast, in which the data transmission is one way and does not allow interaction between the presenter and the audience.

Tonight I took part in my very first webinar. The FAAST safety seminar was hosted by Gene Benson. The live, on-line seminar (webinar) was intended to help general aviation pilots avoid maneuvering flight accidents. A high percentage of maneuvering flight accidents happen right in the traffic pattern. Actual maneuvering flight accidents were presented and discussed.

The webinar is produced and sponsored by Bright Spot, Inc. and is presented by FAASTeam Lead Representative Gene Benson. Gene has more than 30 years experience and 8,000 hours dual given as a general aviation flight instructor and has credentials including dean of an aviation college and instructor for a major domestic airline. The webinar lasts approximately one hour forty-five minutes and is worth 1 credit toward the Basic Phase of the FAA WINGs Pilot Proficiency Program.

The webinar is interactive and can be viewed on either a PC or a Mac. A high speed Internet connection is required. Speakers are required. A microphone is required to participate or ask questions, but not required otherwise. No technical skills are needed. Registration on FAASafety.gov is not required for the events.

The next scheduled event is "How to Prevent Little Problems From Becoming Big Problems!" Developing 'Abnormal Procedures' checklists for general aviation scheduled for Thursday, February 25, 2010, starting at 7:00 pm.

The live webinar will take a look at how sometimes a relatively small problem can develop into a major problem and possibly result in an accident! It demonstrates how airline-type procedures can be easily adapted for use in general aviation.