Urgent Family Mission

Mary requested a flight to Wilmington, back to our old stomping grounds, but, with an important mission in mind. This mission is to visit our new great nephew; Brennan Michael Lemon, born 12:42 am this morning,7 lb 6 oz, 21 inches. Congratulations Amy and Hannah. Moms and Brennan Michael are doing just fine.

I wanted to head north this morning, before the air show TFR kicked in, but weather at Ocean City was reporting between 400 and 600 feet overcast. This low IFR condition held on past my point of no return, not being able to get back to Ocean city prior to the TFR going active. We scrubbed.

I watched the weather and now planned a 5pm departure immediately following the air show. Mary was packed and ready to roll and I was once again watching the weather. The winds had picked up at Ocean City, and the winds aloft would have me bucking a 15 knot headwind going north.

METAR KOXB 182053Z AUTO 20011G21KT 10SM CLR 26/23 A2989
METAR KILG 182151Z 20013G20KT 10SM FEW037 31/23 A2979

This is where the measly ten hours of flight time this year starts the wheels turning in my pilot brain. Ocean City is reporting ten miles clear but I'm watching the clouds moving into the area and they are starting to buid.

The pilot brain quickly throws out the saying "currency goes in the log book, proficiency keeps you alive." and lets it rattle around in my head a bit. It will be a bumpy ride and honestly I didn't feel like dealing with it. Maybe I just don't have the confidence I had prior to my surgery but I know enough that when it doesn't feel right, don't launch.

I decided to ground pound it to Wilmington, two hours each direction. We arrived at flyADVANCED at the Wilmington Airport and quickly secured the rental vehicle they were holding for Mary. We have become good friends with the staff and they said, "that's a surprise you arriving from the land side." I nodded in agreement and added, it doesn't feel right for me either. I did assure them I would be returning by air in 08Romeo to pick up my Bride.

Great Aunt Mary with Brennan

I made sure Mary was squared away in her rental and then I pointed the ML320 south for the ride home. I cranked up the hits on my iPod and jammed all the way, making good time. Mary called to let me know she was at the hospital and I sent her a text once I was home.

I plan to get some flight time this week while I settle in as a bachelor with our zoo. My bride will be ready to come home in a week and I'm planning to fly in order to pick her up.