Florida Winter Home

Rental unit

Mary and I took the winter off and spent three months in Estero Florida. We rented a place  on the lake in the Corkscrew Woodlands over 55 community. Thankfully, we were able to take the boys with us and they really enjoyed the lake view and all the birds. Shout out to Rusty and his bride Mary, now good friends.

Mary and I felt at home, the people were so friendly and there are so many activities to participate in. Each circle within the community hosts events to include breakfast, strawberry shortcake desserts, Spud fest, sausage and peppers, Wine tasting, block parties, a talent show and much more. The clubhouse is always buzzing with something going on and the pool is really nice. There is tennis and pickle ball courts, shuffleboard,  bocce ball and putting greens.

I think you get the picture, not a dull moment. Now I'll admit I'm not Mr Social but my bride is a social butterfly. I honestly had fun, and it was very relaxing. The best part, we missed the nasty winter storms here in Ocean City which was the worst in our 12 years retired in the Ocean Pines.

Mary and I decided it was the right place for us to winter in warmth so we purchased a place. The hunt was fun, so many places to explore and the buying process was interesting. Mary and I did not miss doing the purchase paperwork. A shout out to our agent Josh Cowan.

Josh really helped us in a new to us market. He was professional in every way. The good ones always have no problem switching hats or sometimes collars. Josh was the calm, he was the force and sometimes the confidant when I was getting to the point of going full Italian. If you're looking for an agent in the Ft. Myers area he IS your guy.

This is the home Mary and I purchased in March. Designated as a single with an add-on the home is 700 sq-ft, very well maintained and fully furnished. Mary and I met the owner who happened to be in town when we requested a second walk through. Here are some pictures of the place as we purchased it. We have already had the bathroom gutted with a new walk-in shower and other fixtures going in. I have replaced the pole lamp with a solar unit and I updated the porch lighting with a more modern fixture.

Mary and I made a few more changes, adding a TV and sofa table in the bedroom and repainting the back door from scare me yellow to dark grey. We also replaced the like new dining room table with a beautiful rutan set we had here in Ocean City. A few new pictures were added and a few relocated throughout the home as we make it our place. We are already looking forward to this winters get-away.

Annual 2026

As noted in my previous post I repositioned 3 Tango Charlie for her annual inspection. It was a fun flight despite the thirty knot headwinds. 

My plan was to ground pound north to New Garden and check in on the progress of the inspection. The drive north was enjoyable without much traffic since I left Ocean City at 6:30. I made a quick stop at McD's for breakfast and motored north. Somehow I forgot all about Helen's sausage House, one of my favorites. All of a sudden that McD's breakfast I ate was lacking. 

I checked in then headed out to the shop. 3 Tango Charlie was opened up and the inspection was ongoing. I snooped around and took a few pictures then investigated the plugs on the tool tray. The top plugs were cleaned and ready to install with their fresh copper washers. I did not see the fine wire bottom plugs on the tray so I checked if they had been removed. The fine wire plugs were already done and installed, but on the top of the Cylinders. This doesn't work for me since I specifically upgraded to the fine wires for the bottom plugs that will lessen the chance of fouling a plug. 

Fine Wire Plug

Tempest Spark Plug

I let Billy know I wanted the fine wire plugs on the bottom and he said he would make the switch. I also asked if the shop could add Cam Guard to the oil since I forgot to order a bottle prior to moving the plane for annual. 

Hydraulic Gear Pump

Everything looked good throughout the plane. I took a few shots of the insides from the hat rack to the tail, the gear pump, and under the rear seat panel that conceals the gear actuator, hydraulic pressure switches and the gear check valve. 

Flap Actuator

Hydraulic pressure switches

Hydraulic Check Valve

I talked to Jon about selling the plane and he said he would promote it on social media. I advised if I secure a buyer through Trade a Plane or Barnstormers I'll let him know. If Jon finds a buyer I'll pay his broker fee.

The shop is off on Friday 6/19 so I am thinking I'll pick up 3 Tango Charlie the beginning of this week, hopefully on Wednesday 6/24, it's the best looking weather day.

Charles G and I swapped text messages and he was available to shuttle me north to New Garden N57. This meant an early start for Charles since he had to come down and pick me up. We both agreed that breakfast was in order so we headed north on 611 to Roosters. Lately this place has become the go to for eats. I had creamed chip beef over two biscuits and Charles had the veggie omelette. 

The flight north was fairly smooth despite facing an eleven knot headwind. Once we landed I helped push the plane back in the hangar and then headed to the shop to square up the bill. 

I did a very detailed preflight and fuel sump. I noticed my fuel stick was missing so I went back into the shop to ask if it was set aside. Sure enough it was and once recovered I stuck the tanks for my fuel calcs. With the preflight complete I climbed aboard and got the fan turning.

Unlike the flight north the flight home was bumpy. I actually was separated from my seat on three occasions. Once south of Delaware Coastal I let down for Ocean City. There was traffic in the area but everyone played nice on the radio. I made a nice landing and taxied for the hangar.

My Commander is for sale

Reposition for annual

It was a beautiful day to fly AND I had a mission. Yes, today I had to reposition 3 Tango Charlie for annual inspection.  I took off from KOXB Ocean City by 6:45 and pointed north for N57, New Garden. I fought a 30 knot headwind for the ride north which knocked down my ground speed to 95-100 knots.

The radio was quiet and I passed on flight following in order to enjoy the me time. I did monitor Dover approach and Wilmington tower as I passed their respective airspaces. Once clear of Wilmington I let down for N57, New Garden. The pattern was a bit of ride em cowboy and having not been in the air in a month I was needing shed rust quickly. It's funny how the dance all comes back as 3 Tango Charlie settled in and with a bit of float I made a nice landing. What a ride!

West view - Canal, Pipeline and Summit bridges

East view - Roth and St. Georges Bridges

I left my keys and my squawk list along with the airplane logs in the office. I’ll ground pound up to the shop one or two days this week to check on the progress.

Charles G was kind enough to shuttle me home. We headed out and had lunch at the longboard Cafe’ before heading back to the airport. Charles departed for N57 while I headed to the house to edit video. 

More to follow on my annual post and return to service flight.

MY COMMANDER IS FOR SALE

Hangar time and airshow planes

 

Just a short video today since I was at the airport cleaning out 3 Tango Charlie to get ready for annual. I remembered to take my airplane logs and set aside a few camera mounts for tomorrows flight to New Garden, N57.

I did get to see a 1951 De Havilland Canada DHC-1 Super Munk

I also saw the B25 J Mitchell bomber, Panchito on the ramp waiting for its air show flight time.

Coastal Flight

 

A much needed day to fly. It was good to get the oil pumping and to enjoy some air time. Only a two camera flight and then lost one to a battery craping out. No tail tie down camera view today, I really missed that view while doing the edit. More fly time coming soon! Enjoy a few pictures.

Indian River Inlet Bridge

Lewes Ferry Terminal

Hamilton NJ for Breakfast

 

A beautiful day to fly and meet up with friend and fellow pilot Dave Stowe from central Jersey. We met up at Hammonton, NJ - N81.  The Apron Cafe' provided good service and good food. 

Preflight Complete

I Just wanted to post a short video of some hangar time. I had to take on some fuel and complete a preflight inspection for my lunch run to Hammonton, NJ - N81