3 Strikes, Going Home

Today I was scheduled to fly to 58M for my oil change. It's a beautiful VFR day here at the beach and 58M reports 10 miles clear.  Excellent!





I launch from Ocean City after picking up my clearance from Potomac Clearance Delivery and fly the following route.  KOXB ENO CANVU 58M.  Easy peasy, right?  Not a chance.  I check the wx on my 496 one more time then cancel IFR with Dover, they hand me off to Philly for flight following. I get lower at my discretion maintain VFR. I comply. 

I'm maybe seven out, after overflying the field and now have to ask Philly for a pop up since the field is covered IFR. I am given direct BOHEM, maintain 2200 for the RNAV GPS 31 approach, report the procedure turn inbound BOHEM. I acknowledge and continue on. I report BOHEM inbound and once crossing I descend for 1700 at WESIL. No sight of the field and I'm thinking this will be a missed. Needles are steady as I cross WESIL and descend for the LNAV MDA of 640. I'm counting the altitude off, 1700 for 640...1000 for 640...800 for 640...increase power maintain 640, just skimming the tops, I'm going missed and make my call to Philly.

I advise Philly I'm VFR, and I will orbit over the field until 'it' burns off.  I get a squawk VFR and call if I need them. At this point it's not looking good so I park it at 2000 and orbit the field. I break out some fruit I packed and turn up the tunes, it's going to be awhile. Forty minutes later I can see then approach for one-four. I drop down to pattern altitude and take a shot. On the downwind it looks good and I should be able to get in, the three-one end departure is still socked in out over the water but I can see the trees and power lines. Sorry no pics, I was busy flying.

I make my calls, turning left base, the glare is now making it really hard to see. Turning final for one-four and adding second notch of flaps, the glare is killer off the layer over the Elk River. I'm on short final and the glare is so bad I can't see the trees or power lines, I'm outta here going around. I wait another fifteen minutes and rinse and repeat.  This time I had rolled the mains on but I was to hot, I'm not talking a chance with this downhill slope on the runway, I climb out and head for home.




I've mentioned my three strike rule many times and today it applied. I point 08Romeo south and headed us home. There will be another day to land at 58M.  At least the ride home was smooth. I enjoyed some tunes and even made a sweet landing on three-two. I contacted Ocean Aviation and left 08Romeo there for an oil change.

East Bound and Down...

East bound and down, loaded up and truckin',
 we're gonna do what they say can't be done.

We've got a long way to go, and a short time to get there,I'm east bound just watch ol' 08Romeo run! :)

Wednesday 10/7/15

It was a great start to the day. Mary and I had some time to play with the kids before heading out to the airport.  It always stinks saying goodbye but we know we will see Ted and Laurie again soon, thanks to General Aviation.

KIXD BUM V234 GLASS V335 MWA HARCE  KHSB

The plan today was to depart Olathe, KS around 10:30 or so and make our way to the west side of Washington DC Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA). The wx was looking good for Thursday so we figured an easy day of flying and another overnight. Multiple routes looked good but I decided on making two stops.  The first would be KHSB-Harrisburg-Raleigh Airport located in Harrisburg, Illinois.  This stop had $4.95 fuel and it knocked out another state.

As I was approaching the airport I had flipped the comm switch to channel the AWOS in my headset, I inadvertently hit the Comm one toggle and it took Approach offline. Needless to say when I checked in and asked approach how copy they said loud and clear how about us...ahhh..loud and clear approach. Approach fired back that they were calling me for five minutes no answer. I advised that I hit comm two and muted you guys, thought it was getting awful quiet. He wasn't impressed, I was given lower and handed off.

Mary asked what was that all about and I explained what I did after I checked in with the next controller. I told her he'll get happy again, if that's the worst he has to deal with its a pretty good day for him.

I made my way into HSB after canceling with approach. The winds favored the short runway three-two, 2764 ft., so I figured why not test the skills. I made a hard landing but was ready to back taxi with runway still in my windscreen.

I took on fuel and added some oil to 08Romeo then sat and chatted with the folks there.  Really nice guy working the desk/line and there was a corporate pilot there that was nice to chat with.  They both envied the retired life Mary and I share.

KHSB TEXAS V190 PXV V4 IIU HYK  KIOB

With fifty gallons on board and thirteen pounds under gross I thought it best to make use of the long runway (5013 ft.) and deal with the crosswind. I back taxied for runway six, added a notch of flaps and launched for our next stop. It was warm and the density altitude made for a slow climb out but 08Romeo pulled us aloft.

We were climbing out for our final stop of the day, KIOB - Mount Sterling-Montgomery County Airport located in Mount Sterling, Kentucky. At first this place didn't ring a bell, Once on the ground the memory kicked in.

This was a good flight and pretty quick.  Flight time was 2.2 hours and after being handed off from Kansas City Center, Evansville Approach, Louisville Approach and finally Lexington approach we advised having the field in sight after a Garmin 530 issue.

I was told to expect the RNAV GPS RWY 3 approach, cleared direct ZITXI. The 530 gave the choice of the RNAV 21, NDB 3, NDB 21 but no RNAV 3. The plates were there on my iPad mini 3 and Foreflight. I advised approach I could not get the RNAV to load, I'll take the NDB 3. I ended up canceling once I had the field in sight and made my calls on Unicom, coordinating with a freight hauler flying in, in  a Cessna 404 Titan.  I was closer to the field but I knew he would be on the ground and out before I landed so I told him that and he laughed. I set up number two for the field.

Mary had called ahead for a room at the Fairfield Inn and we had the use of a crew car since we filled up and hangared 08Romeo. We literally jumped into the vehicle, a Hummer H3. As we were leaving I remembered being here before, back in August of 09 helping my friend Jeff bring his new plane home from Texas. We had a crew car that died on us as we pulled out into traffic...ahh the memories.

old car

new truck



Mary and I grabbed dinner at the Cattleman's Roadhouse right next door to the hotel.  Food and service were excellent! We ordered dessert to go and after getting showered and crawling into bed we enjoyed the peanut butter pie.  Time for sleep...

Thursday 10/8/15

Rise and shine, it's a beautiful day!

We slowly got our act together and packed up our belongings. I never schlepped so many bags in so many hotels in such a short time, it's getting old.

We had the complimentary breakfast then made our way to the gas station to top off the beasty box (Hummer). Mary grabbed a few bottles of water and cherry ice Gatorade for me.

KIOB ECB HVQ EKN ESL  KMRB

08Romeo was on the ramp and ready to go. The folks at Mt. Sterling really get customer service. I loaded up the bags and completed my, what seems like, daily preflight. Everything checked out fine and we climbed aboard.  I had to enter the flight plan on the Garmin 530W and the Ipad mini 3, which by the way, worked out perfect this whole trip.

We were soon climbing out and switching over to Lexington approach. I was cleared as filed and on our way to KMRB - Eastern WV Regional Airport/Shepherd Field located in Martinsburg, West Virginia. It was nice to ride along with minimum IMC at .2 for pushing through layers. Lexington handed us off to Indy Center and in turn we got multiple hand off's along the way; Huntington, Charleston, Washington Center and finally Potomac. The names were all sounding familiar and the terrain getting flat. We are almost home.

 



KCRW







We taxied in after a smooth landing on runway two-six. I was headed to Aero-Smith for a top off and nature break. Excellent service once again and a quick turn around for our last leg home. We settled up the fuel bill and saddled up for home.

I needed to chug and plug my flight plan for this last leg and then I contacted clearance delivery.  Again, as filed, we were good to go.  I taxied out to runway two-six and following a line up and wait, I was cleared to take off.

KMRB MRB WOOLY BAL SBY  KOXB

I was handed off to Potomac approach as I climbed out direct to the MRB VOR. The next sector for Potomac gave me vectors to clear the arrival corridor into Baltimore and that took some time. Once cleared I was turned direct Baltimore and my route was amended. It was direct BAL VOR then SBY then direct KOXB, Ocean City.  Approach nixed the JAYBO intersection, no big deal.  I'm now flying along counting down the time to home when approach comes on and directs me to fly a 130* heading after crossing Baltimore. I confirm and continue on.  Shortly after that exchange I'm handed off to the next Potomac sector, who decides to give me a vector for traffic. I'm once again turned direct SBY then home once the traffic is no factor.




KBWI



Once clear I'm handed off to Patuxent, friendly voices that I am used to dealing with. Pax turns me direct for home and we are on our way. Only problem I'm plowing through build ups and its pretty bumpy.  I request lower as soon as possible and I'm only given a descent to four thousand. I ask for lower again letting approach know it's pretty rough in the build ups. I finally get three and break out just below four thousand. I advise I have the wx and continue on, trying to locate OXB. Finally! Pax approach 08Romeo has the field in sight. I get the cancel on the ground or with me in the air...blah...blah.

looking down the Chesapeake Bay

I cancel and switch to Unicom, it's good to hear OC traffic and even the old airfield up north New Garden that's on the same frequency.  There is one plane inbound and we coordinate, he's shooting the GPS 14 and I'm making a straight in if spacing permits. I'm on a 2 mile short final as the Archer clears the runway, great timing. I made multiple comments on final about how good the OC skyline looks, I'm home, It's hard to concentrate.  I do roll my last landing on the runway...sweet deal to close out a perfect trip.


 

08Romeo is tucked in her hangar and will get washed this weekend and an oil change Monday.

I finished up the week just shy of 29 flight hours, almost six of that in IMC. I added seven new states, nine new airports and shot two approaches.

Goin' to Kansas City...Kansas City Here We Come

I'm going to Kansas City, Kansas City, here I come.  Well, I might take a plane I might take a train But if I have to walk I'm going just the same. I'm going to Kansas City, Kansas City, here I come.

 

"Kansas City" was written by Leiber, Jerry / Stoller, Mike.

 

Mary and I had this location penciled in from the start.  As soon as we planned our BACFest trip we knew we wanted to visit our friends, Ted & Laurie.  Mary had spent some time back in January when they lived in Ohio helping take care of the newborn twins. Mary and I really wanted to see their three children and the rents, of course. :)

 

KRAP GRN EFFEX TDD BOKKI YOZLE  KLXN

 

We departed Rapid City on our flight plan to Lexington, Nebraska. We would stop at Jim Kelly field in Lexington to top off and knock out another new state.

 

I did manage to log .2 IMC and rode along with Denver Center.  The flight was smooth and honestly, not that much IMC that I had to mess with.

 

KLXN EAR HSI PWE TOP  KIXD

We topped off again to fifty gallons and then launched for the last leg today, KIXD - New Century Air Center Airport in Olathe, Kansas.

This was another smooth flight with .4 IMC as we neared Olathe. We taxied in to Advanced Aviation and they had our car ready for us.  Great folks, very helpful.





We loaded up and headed to visit with Ted and Laurie. I had to take a detour since the GPS guided me to a closed road/bridge barricade. Not to difficult, we were back on track very quickly. 

Platte River



Ted picked up Pizzas and we enjoyed a good eats kind of dinner. It was great to see how much Robert has grown along with his two baby sisters. 

Ted and Laurie are going through major construction on their recent home purchase and the final product will look awesome. Such gracious hosts offering us a place for the night instead of a hotel under the conditions. It was good for Mary to hold the girls and Robert played shy all night and again Wednesday morning. 

We hope Ted, Laurie and the kids will come visit us at the beach next summer, our door is always open to their family. We kept Ted and Laurie up past their normal times and Laurie did surrender first to check on the girls that were fussing. Ted threw in the towel since he had work and I was starting to yawn along with the eyes once again getting heavy. I barley remember crawling in bed...

 

Next up, the trip East to the home field.

I almost forgot...This trip put me over 1000 hours!!!

Gone to KRAP

Sunday 10/4/2015

With another successful BACFest in the books it's time to push farther west and explore South Dakota. One of our bucket list items is to see Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse, We'll finally get to cross this one off.

After an early morning review of the weather I decided we would be a go for KRAP. Mary and I packed up our room, for the second time this trip, and then headed for breakfast. We caught up with fellow BAC members to enjoy one last get together before heading out. We said our goodbyes and then headed back to our room for a final walk through.

Dubuque jet center tugged 08Romeo from her slumber in a hangar and positioned her on the ramp with the other club planes.  Brad M was preflighting his beautiful 83 Sundowner as I got started and loaded baggage. Mary joined me on the ramp after purchasing water and a coke for today's flights.

DBQ V158 MCW HAYOR HAYNS BILOO KLYV

I picked up my clearance with Dubuque ground and taxied for departure on runway three-six. This morning's view of the Skew T showed the tops around 4000 and DBQ's elevation is 1076'. The reported ceiling was 800' so I figured on climbing through 2000' to break out on top.  The climb was steady with a left turn on course, we were on our way. 

I checked in with Chicago Center followed by breaking out around 3300'. It was bright sunshine riding on top of a marshmallow cloud base, what a view. We did manage to eventually clear the layer and marvel at the vast flatlands passing below. The farm fields were endless, dotted with wind turbines and clusters of tress and farmhouses.

We had a beautiful view of Spirit lake and all the boat slips. We were reminded of our trip to Maine and the endless boats along its coastal inlets. After multiple handoffs we were finally turned loose once I reported having Quentin Aanenson Field (KLYV) in sight.
 

As I entered the left down wind for runway one-eight I again announced my position. No traffic here today so I continued in for a smooth landing on the freshly paved runway. I loved the fresh pavement and markings. Once shut down I could smell the fresh asphalt, memories of many paving days. 

We took on twenty plus gallons to bring 08Romeo back to a total of fifty for the next leg. The terminal was small but clean and organized.  Mary and I had a good laugh when we noticed their four drawer file cabinets top drawer labeled in large letters 'top secret'. It was even funnier when we glanced down and noticed the bottom drawer labeled 'bottom secret'. Nothing beats a good sense of humor.

We made our pit stops and headed back out to the plane to get buckled in for the last hop. I called the 800 number for clearance and taxied out to complete my run up while on hold. 

KLYV FSD MHE PIR KRAP

 

It started as a clear run, at least for a little while, then IMC for the next hour and forty five minutes. Watching XM weather on my Garmin 496 I could see the front stalled just beyond rapid city. The ride in IMC was smooth and for the most part very bright. A few times we punched through and found ourselves between layers, nothing like the beautiful views from Wednesday's flight. Looking ahead it was getting darker but no buildups that I could see.

We passed through brief light showers twice as we continued along. Denver Center offered me direct at 8000 or I could continue on my course and altitude at six. I choose the devil I know at six because I was pretty much pointed direct on my current route.

I dialed in Ellsworth approach in anticipation of one last hand off. Once turned over to Ellsworth I rode along listening to two other aircraft inbound for KRAP. The approach would be the ILS RWY 32. I brought up the plate and overlayed it on the ForeFight map, making mental notes of the regional getting vectors. It would be two turns then cleared for the approach, report established.  It was a good rehearsal in my head as I flowed through my typical checks. WIRE - weather, instruments, radios and elevation (altitudes). 

I was next to try my hand at the ILS. There was a regional inbound behind me so I tried to keep my speed up. I pretty much got the same two vectors, 250* for what seemed like forever followed by 300* maintain 5300 until established, contact tower. Ok my turn to shine, I kept the needles in the bubble while trying to spot the airport. I could see flashes of ground below me, and it was hilly and close. I broke out and was high on the approach so I pulled power and got the needle back in the bubble.  I added approach flaps and continued down, the tower asked the jet for a 360* for spacing. He could push buttons, I was hand flying in this crap, I didn't  feel that bad. I made a nice landing, extending so I could make a quick turn off, it worked out perfect.

 

As I taxed towards T1 I leaned as usual, this time 08R shut down. I hit the pump and mixture but no luck. Tower, 08Romeo engine shutdown on the Taxiway, will advise.  Keep calm, throttle half, pump on, mixture full rich...a few blades and a pump of the throttle has the fan turning once again. Karma for not caring that my speed forced the regional to have to circle. 

I continue on with my taxi to the ramp. The tower had given me taxi instructions to west jet off of taxiway T1, but it didn't look right.  T1 was correct but I needed to make another immediate right on T1 that I missed. Maybe I was paying to much attention to the ongoing construction. I made a u-turn and it was a short taxi to the correct ramp, (rolls eyes), I'm a dip stick.

West jet linemen were right out to the plane to help. Our rental car was ready and they got my fuel order and request for a hangar squared away quickly.

Mary and I headed to the hotel to get checked in, then we drove out to try and see Mt. Rushmore lit up at night. As we drove through the steep hills we seemed to have entered IMC once again.  Honestly, I've had enough for one day.  There was no way we would  be able to view but we got a bearing on the location, attractions and ETE.

Monday 10/5/2015

We got an early start this morning enjoying our complimentary breakfast provide by our hotel. We packed some refreshments and snacks since the plan was to hit the highway and visit the monuments. First up Mt. Rushmore. With all the "IMC" conditions last night we didn't realize how close the Presidents are to the highway.  It was an awesome first sight! I'll let the pictures do the talking.





Next up was the short ride to Crazy Horse. The Crazy Horse monument towers over the Rushmore monument in comparison. This was evident upon comparing some numbers. George Washington's face is 60' tall, Crazy Horse is 87.5'. The horses head, when completed, will be 219 feet tall. This is taller than the statue of Liberty from base to torch. Enjoy some the pictures from the exhibit.

We drove through Hill city, round the mountain, then back through Keystone. Playing the part of tourists we were both taking pictures at every opportunity. It was time to head back to Rapid City so we could view the bronze statues of the presidents and then snoop in the shops adjacent to main street. We decided to have dinner at the Firehouse Brewing Company, following a glowing recommendation from one of the folks in a local shop.

I had brisket with a side of mac and cheese, Mary had a half rack of ribs with fries.  We both thought the food was excellent along with very good service.

We made our way back to our hotel with desserts to go.  Mary had cheese cake that got a fair rating and I had bread pudding that was very good.

I barely finished typing this up as my eyes were getting heavy. I still have a weather check to do before turning in. The third leg of our adventure begins tomorrow as we fly to Kansas City.