New Rockwell Logos

 

Shout out to fellow Commander owner Rodney Crews for proving the new logos for 3 Tango Charlie.

Veterans Day

 

We all enjoy the freedoms our soldiers paid the price for. Let us all remember the families left behind, the lives left unfinished, the future left wanting, those bright minds, and loving hearts that answered the call.

Breakfast with the boys

Charles G included me in the text group to see who was interested in a morning flight for breakfast at Cape May, KWWD.  Most had plans or meetings, Chris (YouTube Marauder92V)and I are retired and good to go.  

The original plan was to meet at 8:30 but we pushed it back to 9:15 so we could preheat. I think we only dropped to 41 degrees here at OCMD but I think Charles said they were in the mid 30's. When I arrived at the hangar It was pretty comfortable inside so I didn't bother to preheat. I completed my preflight including a sump since I could not remember if I did it after fueling for the St. Simmons trip. I had 48 gallons on board and the sump was good on both tanks.

I tugged 3 Tango Charlie out and climbed aboard. It's been a minute as they younger folks say since I last flew. I got the fan turning then set up my video cameras, having forgot my tail tie down camera. I'm so out of practice for taking a small bag with the minimum for set up. 3 Tango Charlie purred along and built up temps as I completed my set up. The oil was now at 121 degrees so I was good for my taxi and run up. Winds were calm so I decided on runway three-two for departure. 

Tango Charlie climbed away at 800 plus feet per minute, she was ready to work. I'm sure the cool temps helped but my girl made good power and I let her run. I settled in at 4.5 to cross the bay and ride just above the clouds. As I crossed the Delaware Bay I could see Cape May and let down through a really nice opening. According to the AWOS the winds were calm at Cape May so I set up for runway one and continued inbound. I pulled the power and had only set approach flaps but made a nice landing. 

Chris and Charles were waiting, or were they judging my landing, not sure which. It wasn't to crowded this morning and we were quickly seated. I enjoyed my Creamed Chip Beef over home fries and passed on any meats. Chris had the B52 Bomber breakfast that had pancakes and eggs, it looked good. Charles had an omelette and bacon. We enjoyed a good chat about airplanes and just spent time catching up. 

Once we sorted out the bill we headed back out to the ramp. Chris taxied out first, then me, then Charles. I climbed out to cross the Bay and rode over the layer below. 

It was a smooth ride along the shore making ground contact along the way home. I eventually let down for Ocean City and announced that I would cross midfield and enter the left down wind for three-two. I called base and final keeping an eye on a Cessna that I watched taxi to the hold short. I never heard a call and as I turned final on a very tight pattern the Cessna rolled on the runway. I was not a happy pilot but made my call going around and that I would step to the right/north. The Cessna answered that would try and get out of my way.

I turned left/south and entered the downwind for three -two once again. After making a nice landing I taxied for the hangar. I guess I was a bit flustered but the event was good practice of my procedures. I shouldn't have let it get in my head and miss the second notch of flaps. A fun day of flying and I'm anxious to get back in the air again ASAP. 

St. Simons Island, GA

This is our second attempt to vacation in St. Simons Island Georgia.  Actually it's strike two, we had previously scheduled a get-away and had to cancel due to wx and now what was looking to be a nice week suddenly is overshadowed by Hurricane Milton. 

It's pretty crazy when you make friends with the Hertz car rental guy due to so many potential rentals and cancellations. Mary and I will give this destination another try, maybe in the spring. For now we'll make some plans for our November anniversary a bit farther south, maybe St. Augustine Florida. Maybe we should head south west and finally explore Galveston Texas. So many places we want to visit. Stay tuned!

Return to Cambridge KCGE

We heard that the restaurant at Cambridge MD - KCGE has reopened. The new Carol's Kitchen opened on 9/11 so Mary and I decided to make the hop and try it out. Mary hasn't been in the plane since the Wilkes-Barre trip in June. I've been up in the air once more then my bride with a coastline tour in August. 

We waited for the low clouds to lift then made our way to the airport. It's a longer process getting back into the preflight and getting things set up. My tail cam was dead, despite knowing I had recently charged it. I did a reset when I got home and it's once again working. 

The flight west was fairly smooth, some bumps passing beneath the cloud layer. I made a nice landing into Cambridge and taxied for the ramp, the commander makes three. 

The restaurant has changed, not much airplane memorabilia and now a bit more open seating. The register is gone and you now pay at your table, that works for me. The service is excellent the food was ok, scrapple was the best I've had since retiring to the eastern shore. Mary and I will return, its a half hour flight each way and I don't have to cross the Delaware Bay. Besides the eats it's worth the stop just for fuel. Here at Ocean City it's $6.50 a gallon, Cambridge is $5.88, I'll take the 68 cents a gallon savings anyday. 

Image by pngtree.com

On the return to Ocean City flight we were enjoying the ride and conversation about the restaurant. I had just scanned for traffic and then glanced at the oil temps, pressure, CHT's and EGT's when I spotted a Bald Eagle heading right for us. I banked left the Eagle turned back away from us and went below the right wing. A real oh crap moment! Once we settled back down the remaining flight to OCMD was fine. We did get an alert on our downwind about a fox on the runway. I responded of course since we just missed a Bald Eagle departing Cambridge. Maybe Mr Eagle should meet Mr Fox. As we landed the fox was clearing the runway and running into the infield for cover.

I'm glad to knock out some fly time and I'm excited for vacation in St. Simons Island very soon.

Old Hobby, Renewed Interest

 

Great to be Left Seat Again

My last flight was six weeks ago returning from annual. I have been really bad about just getting out there and knocking out some flight time. I won't go fly in the high humidity or crap weather just to buzz around locally. I miss having a mission, and my flying friends that live close by that want to get in the air. 

Yesterday was perfect, but I had the computer scheduled for service and didn't feel like going out in the afternoon. We did eat dinner really early (4pm) at Higgins Crab House and then watched family Super 8 movies that were put on CD's. Great laughs with my sister Denise and her family.  I enjoyed seeing my parents and all the Aunts, uncles and cousins. I really enjoyed all great cars from back in the day. My cousins 69 Roadrunner and another cousins Dodge Swinger, good memories.

I decided that with Mary having a few scheduled Womens club events this morning I would dash out to the airport and get some left seat time with 3 Tango Charlie. No humidity again today and a clear blue sky, that works for me. 

I took my time completing my pre-flight, wanting to be very detailed since it has been so long. I had taken on fuel last week sometime so I did restick the tanks and sump. I had 48 on board so I was good to go for any play time in the air. 

I did let the fuel pump run a tad longer then normal on prestart and then fired up 3 Tango Charlie. A few blades and she was purring along, obviously missing the fly time too. It was good to be sitting in the plane working through my checklists and pushing buttons. 

It was a bit hazy today but overall a very nice day to fly with temps only hitting 70 at altitude. I followed the coast and made the loop around Cape Henlopen then pointed back for home. Just an hour round trip but it felt great to be back in the air. 

Flight to the Valley

I know for many years it was an annual event but lately It's been hit or miss.  Today was too beautiful a day not to fly, so we loaded up some gardening tools and headed north. 

We were at the airport early and headed out to runway two around 8am. I typically go through my emergency brief but with Mary on board decided to keep some of it with the inside voice, only because the thought hit me too late. 

The run up was good to go and after waiting for a school cessna and a transient Mooney we were ready to go. I powered up and started my roll, but 3 Tango Charlie felt off, then a slight vibration from the right side. Abort Abort!! I went immediately on the brakes and taxied off. I returned to the hangar and shut down wanting to give everything a look. I could smell brakes on the right/co-pilot side and the new rotor looked like it got hot. Looked as in I saw a slight discoloration on the rotor compared to the right side. I took a bottle of water and poured it over the right side, it was hot. When the steam stopped I did the same to the left side, it was fine. 

I decided to do a high speed taxi and give it a test. Everything felt normal and I had good brakes. We agreed to give the take off another go. I was ready to abort if necessary but 3 Tango Charlie made great power and no vibration. The airspeed also looked great. We were in the air!

The flight north was smooth but I had to climb to remain clear of clouds as we made our way north. I climbed to 8.5 and rode along on top until Philly wanted to hand me off. I was VFR decided not to open the IFR flight plan. My choice was New York approach or Allentown but I would have to descend for the Allentown switch. 

I took Allentown and descended to 4.5, now not a cloud in the sky. Allentown handed me off to Wilkes Barre Approach and then in turn over to the tower and vectors for runway four. I made a nice landing and taxied for the FBO, Aviation Technologies, Inc. 

Mary secured the courtesy car/SUV and I monitored the fueling. The plan was to take the cross valley over to Forty Fort and take care of my parents cemetery plot. We could not find mulch anywhere so I used the remaining soil from the flowers since it was dark and had the fertilizer beads mixed in. Thankfully we remembered water, two gallons, and gave all the flowers a good drink, along with both aunt and uncles buried on either side of my parents.

The cemetery was a mess, branches down and grass topping my knees. Mary met a lady that had hired a husband and wife crew to cut the grass around all her family plots. I got a price and paid the couple to do the three graves that we attended to. I said hello to the lady that had mentioned to MAry she knew my cousin Dom, his parents are buried alongside my parents. I overheard her talking on her phone and she mentioned Louis, so I asked, are you Barbra?  These two were sisters that lived just down the road from my cousin and they used to baby sit him.  She could not believe it was me nor I her. When we left I gave her a hug and said how good it felt to meet someone from my past, it was heartwarming for sure. We traded numbers and then headed back to the airport.

I filed and opened my flight plan for the ride home. The flight was a bit bumpy until south of Allentown but CAVU all the way. When Allentown handed me off to Philly I got "vectors for traffic" which translated to bug smasher keep clear of my busy Bravo. I made a nice landing back home at Ocean City and tucked 3 Tango Charlie into the hangar. 

 

What's the surprize inside?

I promised an update once the 90 degree AN fitting was cut open. Special shout out to Dave A for getting the fitting cut open to reveal the blockage. Thanks, Dave!

First, some explanation on what's blocking the air passage through the fitting. The AN fitting attached to the MP gauge has a restrictor built in to it to keep the flow and MP gauge needle swing dampened. As the restrictor failed it slowed the needle movement, and upon total failure it stuck the needle in place. A change of the fitting has the gauge working normal once again but this fitting does not have the restrictor. More research to find if it's really necessary or not.

Thanks to the Commander Owners Group (COG) for providing the info on the restricted fitting.

Manifold Pressure Gauge...FIXED!

I headed up to New Garden this morning to have the shop give another look at my manifold p[ressure gauge. It absolutely stopped, frozen on lucky 13. 

The flight north was smooth and pretty quiet. I road along with Dover approach and then Philly before canceling flight following. I made a nice landing and taxied to the shop.

I wanted this addressed at annual and ideed the shop found a crack in the line coming off the manifold. The line was replaced, all the remaining line checked and they even removed some blue gunk at the manifold AN fitting. 

The plan was to disconnect the gauge, make a short line extension to then be hooked up to a known working gauge for a test. The gauge worked perfectly. My gauge was removed and the ninety degree AN fitting was removed, the only part of the system that was not checked. Somehow it clogged solid, it really looks like some piece of metal was stuck in there. The most bizzare thing I've seen, airplanes, go figure. With a new ninety put on my gauge it immediately registered the approximate barro setting, a good sign. The gauge was reinstalled and sure enough it worked like a charm.  

Cody was upside down and under the panel getting all this squared away. Oh to be young and able to once again do that work and still climb out. I would have needed fire rescue to get me out. 

With another run up complete I headed out to lunch and Cody buttoned things up. Charles G picked me up and we headed to Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza for some very good eats. We each had the two meatballs with sauce and ricotta  and focaccia bread on the side. 

The temps were now getting hot and the humidity was climbing too. I could hardly wait to get the fan turning. I launched for home with a perfectly active MP gauge! 

The ride south was bumpy at times and there was a good bit of traffic on with Dover. It seems all of Del State planes were in the air today. I finished up with a nice landing on runway one-four and tucked 3 Tango Charlie in the hangar.  I'll post some pics when the AN fitting is cut open and the block is revealed. 

Annual 2024, The rest of the Story

I headed north this morning with the help of fellow BAC member Anita and her Sierra to get me to New Garden and 3 Tango Charlie. 

Anita and I swapped text messages and she would pick me up at 7am here at the house and then head to Salisbury Airport to preflight and launch for N57. In an effort to ease climbing in and out of her and Dave's Jeep she offered to take her other SUV. I got a good laugh and made a follow up post on facebook that read as follows. You know your getting old when friends offer to drive their other SUV so you don't have to climb into their Jeep. Of course my friends had a good laugh and once I told Anita she also laughed. It reminded me of the saying you know you're old when you fall down and friends run to help you when they used to just laugh. Sigh...getting old ain't for sissies. 

The flight north was good with clear skies and a smooth ride. Once we taxied in the Sierra needed some fuel and then we pushed her back into a parking spot. Anita got the shop tour, from avionics to paint and the working shop itself. I helped tug 3 Tango Charlie out for a run up and leak test then waited on the paper work to be completed. 

I was ready to go and taxied for my run up. The run up was perfect, good power, hardly any drop between mags. I made my call and launched for home. I gave the manifold pressure gauge another look and there it sat at 13. Hmmm...that's not right. I made a pass around the airport and everything looked good except for the MP gauge. I called the shop and will return next Tuesday for them to give it a once over. 

The total Invoice was $3765.00  This included my decision to go ahead and replace the four bottom fine wire plugs this year to the tune of $579 that passed inspection but would need replacing next annual. Both of my rotors needed to be replaced due to less then minimum spec at $375. I had the brake pads also replaced for a clean start with the new rotors.  

Annual 2024

Day 1 Reposition

It’s that time of year, annual inspection for our Commander. I was up early and headed to the airport to sump my fuel and get in the air. I took off from runway three-two and pointed for New Garden Airport, N57. 

It was a one hour flight from start up to shut down and the ride was super smooth. It was very relaxing just flying along with a quiet radio and cool air blowing through the cabin. Fellow Beech Aero Club member Anita, who also was my safety pilot, flew north to pick me up and fly and me home. We had to make a quick stop for fuel at Summit KEVY since New Garden was out of fuel.  Once fueled we headed for Salisbury KSBY.

I helped hangar Anita and Dave’s Sierra then got a ride over to the Ocean City airport. Well, almost to the airport. I swapped text messages with Mary and we met for lunch, Anita declined my invitation to join us and instead went home to take Miss Daisy out. 

We finished lunch then Mary ran me over to pick up my SUV at the hangar. I climbed in and made the two and a half hour ride north, ground pounding really stinks! I made check in after three then headed to the shop to drop off log books and get in the way. 

3 Tango Charlie had just been pushed in the shop hangar a short time when I arrived. I managed to help Bruce with the compression checks as the other A&P Bill started on all the inspection panels. After the inspection panels were removed he opened up the inside of 3 Tango Charlie. Tasked with removing the seats he was baptized with the Commander right of passage. Bill struggled at first with the side carpet and console plastic making it hard to free the seat wheel bearings from the notch in the track. After showing him the removal video and giving my advice to keep the seat square in the track the pilot seat was finally free. Unfortunately there was still one more seat to remove. Bill removed the side carpet trim and positioned himself for best grab and slide contortion. The copilot seat was out in less then ten minutes start to finish. I think Bill would agree the seat removal is the hardest part of the annual inspection. 

It was a long day and I was tired, hot, sweaty, and hungry. There was a Capriottis close by and the Bobbi (turkey, stuffing, and cranberry) was calling my name. Sadly they were closed. Instead I walked across the parking lot and hit another favorite, Two Stones Pub for dinner. With a full tummy I headed to the hotel. Once showered I enjoyed an ice tea then settled in for the Phillies game. 

Day 2 Let’s dig in

Day two begins with a very detail inspection for oil leaks. The prop was dry, the dipstick showed some trace but that could be my poor skills when adding a quart. There was also a trace of residue on the oil pan but no drips. I’m satisfied with the inspection. 

Next the plugs were removed, cleaned and gapped. There was 1110 hours on the bottom plugs which are fine wire and the center electrode was pretty worn. I decided to replace the four bottom fine wire plugs with the Tempest UREM38S. Prior to reinstalling we spent time with the borescope checking each cylinder. 

Mag timing was checked and the left mag was retimed from its advanced state and the right was good to go. A five gallon bucket was positioned to receive my used oil and once the stream flowed the oil filter was next. Since it would take time to drain the filter I would return later to view its innards.

I took a break from airplane stuff and headed south to visit my sister and her husband in north Wilmington. The plan was to deliver old family 8mm movies to be saved on CD's and USB memory sticks. We are all looking forward to some good laughs. Since it was nearly lunch I picked up a large Bobbi at the Capriottis Delaware location. Never say quit. We sat and enjoyed our lunch while reading through all the ancestry work my sister has done. I finally headed back to the hotel around 5:30 a bit horsed from laughing. Good times!

Day 3 Inspection and waiting on parts

Let’s pick back up where we left off yesterday. The oil filter was cut and the screen removed, both were good. There was some carbon specs in the filter.

Filter inspection

Screen inspection

The shop started to gather stands to get 3TC off the ground for the gear work. Preliminary checks found my brake rotors to be below minimum thickness so two new were ordered. Yikes! We’re not even off the ground yet. I should note I’m adding new brake pads so it’s a fresh start, and old pads may mark the disc, the existing pads were two years old. 

Screen Location

With everything buttoned up on the oil I added eight quarts of Phillips Xc 20W50 and camguard. I’m going to start running at seven instead of six quarts for my normal operating procedure. 

Bruce is starting on the wing and elevator inspections and then will do the AD elevator borescope. For now it’s time for lunch so I’m headed to Two Fat Guys burger joint. 

When I returned to the shop we were on hold for parts and Bruce said they most likely wouldn’t get the gear swing done today. So after going back and forth and knowing I would head home early tomorrow I figured why wait around. I returned to the hotel, checked out, then motored two and a half hours home. More to follow when I pick up 3 Tango Charlie next week.  

Memorial Day 2024

We all enjoy the freedoms our soldiers paid the price for. Let us all remember the families left behind, the lives left unfinished, the future left wanting, those bright minds, and loving hearts that answered the call.

Decoration Day

  

On May 5, 1862, General John A. Logan, leader of an organization for Northern Civil War veterans, called for a nationwide day of remembrance later that month. “The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land,” he proclaimed. The date of Decoration Day, as he called it, was chosen because it wasn’t the anniversary of any particular battle.

On the first Decoration Day, General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, and 5,000 participants decorated the graves of the 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried there. Many Northern states held similar commemorative events and reprised the tradition in subsequent years; by 1890 each one had made Decoration Day an official state holiday. Many Southern states, on the other hand, continued to honor their dead on separate days until after World War I.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day. The current name for this day did not come into use until after World War II. Decoration Day and then Memorial Day used to be held on May 30, regardless of the day of the week, on which it fell. In 1968, the Uniform Holidays Bill was passed as part of a move to use federal holidays to create three-day weekends. This meant that that, from 1971, Memorial Day holiday has been officially observed on the last Monday in May. However, it took a longer period for all American states to recognize the new date.

Confidential Support Is a Call Away

If you’re a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one, there are caring, qualified VA responders standing by to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1

The Veterans Crisis Line is a free, anonymous, confidential resource that’s available to anyone, even if you’re not registered with VA or enrolled in VA health care.

Test flight

After our return to Ocean City from Savannah I needed to do a run up and high speed taxi for some testing. The Saturday following our return I knocked out the run up and the high speed taxi. I also did a clean up to be ready for my next flight.

Today was the test flight. Why all this testing you may ask, because I saw my oil pressure drop below its normal setting and my oil temp ran about ten to twelve degrees warmer than normal, all within five minutes of the airport. What I found was my oil level had dropped to four quarts. I know my plane and recognized the change. I added two and a half quarts and was now comfortable at six and a half on the dipstick. There were no leaks to be found and the only thing I can figure is the prop may have leaked some despite my windscreen only showing the bug carnage. 

I checked my oil as I always do on pre-flight and it was still where I confirmed after the add. I did another search under the cowl and in and around the prop, nothing. I did notice today that the nose gear had some grime on it and it typically is just a bug clean. 

I taxied out and launched from runway one-four after really getting my temps up while waiting for departing and landing traffic, oh and a couple of meat bombs dumped from the jump plane.

All the gauges were looking perfect, all in the typical position on any of my flights. I stayed in the pattern for an extra loop to make sure pressure and temps were good, and they were fine. With that I decided to shoot the GPS 14 approach and continue to monitor.

I did a quick approach brief since I was severe VFR today but just wanted to button push while I could. I turned direct PFAIR, entered the procedure turn and the STec 60-2 flew a perfect Parallel entry. It's a shame I brain farted and did not select NAV in bound. After alerting to no descent I disconnected the AP and hand flew. Hand flying is so much better anyway. 

I made a nice landing and taxied back to the hangar. After a quick inspection I cleaned off the bugs and found no leaks. The gear was clean and so was the prop. Off to annual next week so I'll have the prop given extra attention and may just send it out if necessary.

Savannah, Georgia

Our original plan was to head to Galveston but with my knee giving me fits we thought it best to make a shorter flight. Mary and I went through our list and decided we would explore Savannah.

Mary booked the hotel, Hilton Garden Inn, and I reserved a car through Hertz. I also secured hangar space for the week to the tune of $75 a night. 

Departure Day 4/29

We were up early and ready to go to breakfast at one of our local favorites, Abi’s Diner. We finished breakfast and headed to the airport. I had completed the preflight yesterday so all I needed was to sump each tank and mount cameras.  

I launched from runway three-two and pointed for the Snow Hill VOR.  I already had set up for Patuxent approach so I switched from CTAF to Pax to pick up my clearance. With a quick exchange we were on our way, climbing to six thousand, as filed. 

The ride to the Chesapeake Bay was hazy but smooth, temps falling to fifty-six degrees at altitude.  Mary and I each had our life vest on to cross the bay and we couldn’t wait to shed them. As we approached the Bay I counted seventeen ships at anchor, waiting to be cleared through the temporary channel at the former Francis Scott Key bridge.  The navy shipyard looked cleared out except for a few ships.  

The ride south was almost boring, I should have flown the coast. I had a constant headwind for the entire flight. 

We flew on top of a scattered turned broken layer having to descend through it to break out for the visual approach runway two-three into our fuel stop at Grand Strand KCRE. Once on the ground I filed for the last short hop to Savannah. 

On departure I flew runway heading for a good distance. I think it was a combination of altitude and the active runway at Myrtle Beach. Once south of Myrtle Beach I was turned direct Charleston VOR. It was another ride on top and I had to set up for the RNAV GPS 19 for Savannah. I broke out under two thousand but followed the glide slope to the runway. This is where the fun started.  The winds were gusty so I kept my best forward speed up as directed.  Once on the ground I brought up my flaps and slowed down. Tower said don’t stop on the runway. Ahhh, just slowing down and retracting flaps.  Bizarre! 

I made a right turn on A3 as directed and taxied clear. I totally brain farted and made a quick left and right to enter Sheltair. As I was securing 3 Tango Charlie a line guy handed me a note to call the tower. I finished securing the plane and then climbed in the rental to have some quiet while I called. The manager said I needed to contact ground and I agreed before I taxied beyond the hold short. I told him that was stupid on my part and apologized. He said he just wanted to give me a heads up.  I needed a good slap to the back of the head. 

Mary and I sat and cooled off waiting for the fuel truck then headed out once 3 Tango Charlie was taken care of. It was about twenty minutes to the hotel and thankfully valet parking took care of our wheels while we settled into our room. 

Mary and I walked a few blocks and many stairs to get down to the river walk. The weather is perfect with a cool breeze as we searched for some late lunch. We found a place at the bottom of the stairs call Graffito Pizza. Check out the picture above done by a street artist. I passed on the pizza and ordered two appetizers. I had the meatball al forno and smashed crispy potatoes.  Mary had the garlic knots along with the Italian chop salad. We were stuffed! 

With full tummies we made our way back to the steps and back to Bay Street and our hotel.  Mary read for a short while and I started this blog. The air condition felt good and we settled in for the night. 

Tuesday 4/30

We started out with breakfast at the hotel. Honestly, the food was pretty good and only had to take the elevator to the lobby area. 

After filling our tummies we decided on a trolley tour. This tour serves as a lay of the land scouting mission and finding a place for lunch. 

The trolley tour highlighted many locations of interest and provided a history on the squares/parks.  Much like Charleston there were many buildings and highways built over the old cemeteries. There was even one hotel that had served as a union hospital where bones were found in the basement and assorted amputated limbs found under the floor of the third floor. The tour informed the passengers when old bones are found they are DNA tested, family notified if possible and then returned where they were found. Think about that…yeah, not staying in that hotel. 

We finished the tour and then got right back on the next available bus.  Now that we scouted the area we decided to actually get off and explore what we had noted. The first stop would be for lunch at The Pink House.  

The Pink House Restaurant

The dinner reservations are booked up a week or two in advance so instead of taking a chance on getting dinner seating from a cancellation we did the lunch stop instead. We each had 8oz filets with mashed potatoes and asparagus. The food and service was excellent. 

Cathedral of St. John the Baptist

It was a short stroll back to the trolley where we waited less than fifteen minutes and boarded the next trolley. The plan was to explore river street but once seated the driver announced that stop is temporarily closed due to construction. Hmmm… ok, I guess we’ll head back to the hotel and regroup.

I got changed and made myself comfortable, I was done walking for the remainder of the day. I’m still dealing with a knee that gives me fits so laying on the bed and working on the blog was good. Mary grabbed her book and decided to join me. It remains to be seen if we’ll do dinner tonight, I doubt it.

Wednesday 5/1

I’m up early and as all pilots do, I’m checking weather for our return home. Friday looks to be low IFR to IFR into Ocean City. My planned route of Savannah to Kinston NC looks fine and the fuel price is the lowest in the area. I’ll check weather through out the day and we’ll decide over dinner if we leave late morning Thursday or as planned on Friday. It’s time to find some eats so off we go.

Trying to mix it up a bit so we headed to Clary’s for breakfast. This eatery had very good reviews and we enjoyed our breakfast. We did get two sticky buns to go for a snack when we return to the hotel.

After checking off the the breakfast box we headed for the waterfront at the River Street Market. Mary walked me around the market and then through a few shops. 

Riverfront Savannah River

The Market Place

The ice cream was amazing! Mary had chocolate crunch and salted caramel on a sugar cone, I had butter pecan and banana pudding on sugar cone.  

East view

West view

Mary strolled west up the street while I sat and chatted with a man I sat next to on a bench outside the Christmas shop. The gentleman was enjoying a cold beer while waiting for his wife and Mary checked out more shops while I sat. What a nice guy.  We exchanged where we were from, the weather at home and here in Savannah, and the cost of real estate. After a short bit his bride texted that she was on her way and if he could get her a beer. He said be on the look out for a tall gray haired good looking woman, tell her I’ll be right back, and did I want a beer. I passed on the beer, I’m driving but thanked him anyway. 

Sure enough here she comes, she looks at me and takes a seat on the bench. I said hi your husband will be right back he went to get your beer. She laughed and said how did I know it was her. I told her he asked me to look for a tall gray hair good looking woman and you were it. We both laughed. Ken and Mary both got back at the same time, Mary no packages, Ken two beers.

 

         The Christmas shop

We walked a short distance to the parking lot and cranked up the rental Jeep SUV air conditioning. May as well get comfortable while we come up with a plan for the remainder of the day. We gave serious thought to the Mighty 8th museum but I decided to pass. Instead we wanted to tour some of the mansions we saw on yesterdays trolley tour. 

Built in 1819, this mansion exemplifies the neoclassical styles popular in England during the Regency period. The Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters allows visitors to explore the complicated relationships between the most and least powerful people in the city of Savannah in the early 19th century.

The house tour was the main floor, second floor and the basement. Did I mention all the stairs? There were a lot of stairs to climb. I took up the rear of the tour group as we made our way through the slave quarters and then the main house. Here are a few pictures. 

Family Dining

Formal dining

The top picture with the round table was the family dining room. The formal dining for entertainment had the long mahogany table with beautiful plaster crown molding design and an amber glass to let in light on the granite table top below. 

This picture is taken from the landing leading to the second floor facing the main entrance to the west of the home. Did I mention all the stairs?

This is a picture of the English garden located between the carriage house and slave quarters building and the main house. When the house was built this area was used as a work yard that most likely had a garden, an area to dry laundry and clean rugs. There was livestock also kept there and an outhouse for the slaves. The main home had indoor plumbing that held water in cisterns. Unfortunately there were no cesspools found and waste typically went out in the street. Gross! 

I passed on the basement level, my knee was done and we still had to circle the block to return to the rental. We made our way back to the hotel after a busy day and many stairs.  Time for this mornings sticky buns for dinner. 

After doing my weather review multiple times during the night mary and I have decided to bug out north for home tomorrow. I made a call to Sheltair to have 3 Tango Charlie on the ramp by 10am.

Thursday 5/2

Mary and I had breakfast at the hotel then checked out. I made one stop to top off the fuel in the rental SUV and then headed to Sheltair. 3 Tango Charlie was on the ramp and ready to go. I completed a preflight, loaded the baggage and got the fan turning. I took my time following procedures and confirming each phase.  Phase? Yes, I updated my fuel load on the JPI, then set up frequencies for ATIS, ground and tower. My next step is entering my flight plan on the Garmin 480. 

I typically go through a flow then use my check list to verify. I remember watching an Aviation101 video, he touched on how the airline industry follows checklists and procedures and the pros complete each task before moving to the next and that efficiency leads to proficiency. That phrase stuck in my head, and I’m always looking to do something better and more professional. 

Ok, enough rambling. I picked up my clearance, made sure oil is up to temp, then called for taxi instructions. I climbed away from runway one turning to a 040 degree heading to three thousand which had changed from the initial instruction to fly runway heading to three thousand. 

It was a smooth ride until having to ask for seven thousand to clear build-ups. Nobody likes getting tossed around in IMC. Once above the build ups and dodging a few of the larger ones, the ride was smoother on top. Seven thousand seems to be my magic number where my oxygen level drops to 90 and sometimes dips below. I opened up the O2 and attached my boom cannula to dial in the flow. My numbers went to 97 and I was good to go.

Once clear of Myrtle Beach I was handed off to Wilmington approach. More building clouds and requesting left or right to steer clear while working to get back to my on course to Kinston, KISO. 

Seymour Johnson approach granted my request for lower and I Let down for three thousand finding a nice hole ahead to wiggle my way clear of the clouds. Approach cleared me for the visual two-three and handed me off to the tower. I advised in the left down wind as directed and made a nice landing at Kinston.

While I supervised the fueling Mary wandered inside the terminal. The typical routine is she walks in to pay while I tend to the plane. My bride came back out before the fueling was complete to give me a heads up to a food truck parked out back of the FBO. We decided to check it out and have a quick lunch. I had shrimp tacos and Mary had the pulled pork sandwich. We sat in the pilot lunge and enjoyed our lunch. 

I did file for the one hour and forty minute flight home. We rode along at five thousand and this flight was bumpy  below the layer above. I was handed off to multiple Norfolk approach controllers and then Patuxent, we were almost home. I entered the pattern for two zero and made a nice landing. 3 Tango Charlie has an impressive collection of dead bugs, but for tonight she will rest. Tomorrow I’ll do the clean up and fuel top off. It’s good to be home.