Pilot's Place Lunch at Cambridge

I opened up a post on the Pilot's Place forum that listed a Saturday lunch meet at the Cambridge Airport- KCGE.  I haven’t seen fellow aviator Ron (Cap’n Ron) in over ten years and I also had the chance to meet Tom (TomJ) for the first time. 

 

I set up a couple of cameras and then got the fan turning so I could build some heat in the oil prior to taxi.  Once well into the yellow I released the brakes and headed for runway three-two.  Winds at ocean city were 320° 13G23. At least the winds were straight down the runway. Once completing my run up I  rolled for the runway a set take off power. I was off at the one thousand foot markers and climbed away. 

It was a bumpy ride with twenty knot headwinds all the way to Cambridge. I thought the ride would be a bit smoother when I let down but it was worse.  I made my position calls at ten, five and final. I managed a nice landing on runway three-four and taxied for the ramp. 

The three of us enjoyed lunch and the airplane talk that followed. Ron is a wealth of knowledge and we enjoyed discussing IFR flight, approaches and some of the recent accidents. Tom, retired Navy, has a aviation maintenance shop in Tappahannock Virginia KXSA. It was interesting to hear his take on maintenance and what I noted as the A&P shortage. I think we were at the table for three plus hours. 

We finally decided it was time to saddle up for home. I should have ordered fuel but I didn't. I could have saved sixty-two cents a gallon compared to the Ocean City fuel price. Tom taxied out first in his recently purchased Piper Arrow. I rolled away from the tie down second and Ron followed third. After completing my run up and a short back taxi I turned into the wind, 300° 15G21, and launched.

The ride home was just as bumpy. The tailwinds really provided a nice push with ground speeds between 140 and 150 knots. I entered the pattern on a three mile 45° for the left downwind three-two and rolled 3 Tango Charlie on. 

Annual Valley Flight

Mary and I recently did the road warrior gig to take care of her mom and dad’s cemetery plot. The just under two hour trip led us to the Veteran's cemetery in Bear Delaware. Following our clean up, new flag install and fresh flowers we headed to Chesapeake city md. We had the chance to meet up with fellow pilot Frank of AirDorrin. His lovely bride was busy helping out at the fire house so we certainly missed miss Bev.

Fast forward to this morning and we are headed to the Ocean City airport ready to head north. Today is my parents turn for flowers, mulch and general cleanup. I had completed the preflight inspection Sunday when I took on fuel. The last thing I needed to do was sump the tanks and tug the plane out. Our gardening tools and two gallons of water were loaded into the baggage compartment followed by us climbing aboard. 

It was windy today, 310 11 knots gusting 18 knots. At least it was right down the runway for departure. We faced a constant headwind as we climbed to six thousand five hundred feet. Since Philly didn’t want this bug smasher in the bravo, clearly evident by the expected route change, I decided to fly VFR and skirt Philly and Allentown. 

We rode along on top and I was starting to concern myself with the thought of should I have filed or I may need a pop up to get through this layer. Thankfully there was an opening and I let down for Wilkes-Barre, KAVP as we crossed over the wind turbines. I was cleared to land runway four and ride the bucking bronc to the runway winds 300 16 gusting 19 knots. 

Headwinds

I took on 16 gallons and with that the ramp fee was waved. I was charged a landing fee of $13.  Mary secured the curtesy SUV and once our supplies were loaded we head to the cemetery. The Pittston Walmart had the mulch and a large selection of flowers to choose from. Twenty minutes later we were digging in the dirt and planting flowers. 

Tailwinds

A beautiful day to fly and an annual event that is near and dear to my heart. I miss my folks everyday and to honor them by completing this flight and preparing the grave for Memorial day is very important to me.

Follow the Sand

I decided on a quick hop today since Mary was out with the Women's Club of Ocean Pines. The weather was perfect, I was feeling good, and 3 Tango Charlie was ready to go.

I had to sump tanks to complete my preflight and then tug the plane into the sunshine. As I climbed aboard I watched the jump plane taxi out, great, meat missiles are hot today. 3 Tango Charlie started up then after a bit stumbled, almost seeming like she was starved for fuel. I quickly turned the pump on and the idle was soon as it should be. 

I taxied for runway one-four, completed my run up and waited for the jump plane that was now on final. I back taxied and turned into the wind for my departure. The climb out was smooth and at a good rate. Once the gear was tucked away I flew the pattern departing to the north from the down wind leg. 

I followed the coast to Lewes Delaware taking pictures of the inlet bridge and some good tail cam shots. I noticed dark shapes scattered along the beach as Cape Henlopen was over the nose. I think it was the seals that have beached to rest and soak up the sun. 

I made a pass over the Cape May Lewes Ferry that was headed into lewes and then pointed for home. I enjoyed the ride today and as Mary says doing that pilot stuff. I decided to shoot a practice approach, the RNAV GPS 14 and set up to fly the updated T approach. I set up for direct OLAND and with no Procedure Turn made a left for PFAIR. I didn't exactly fly this by hand, instead, I flew with the heading bug only. It's a fun exercise and I did just fine. 

Another fun flight to cheer me up since Galveston is not looking like a go. We don't have any flexibility on the return home days but we can leave early and add to the adventure. Sadly, heavy rain and thunderstorms will dominate this weekend and into our original departure target of Monday. There will always be another day to check off this bucket list destination.