Dead Battery

I went to the airport this morning relieved that I didn't have to remove ice or frost from 08Romeo, in fact the cover was dry and control surfaces good to go. Mary dropped me off and headed south for 58M, Cecil County Airport in Elkton Maryland, about a forty minute trip. I completed a pre-flight and saddled up for the ten minute hop.

Not even a half blade turn then click, click click.  Hmmm, that's not good.  I climbed in the baggage area and removed the cover exposing the rear portion of the fuselage. My battery box looks like an army ammo box complete with a clip to keep the lid secure.

I called Mary to give her a heads up that I need her to turn around, mission aborted.  With the multiple calls and text sent I strolled across the ramp. Joe was washing his Warrior and he introduced me to his new partner in the plane. I asked if he still had the solar battery charger that I thought was on his plane, he said no but he did have a jump start battery unit.  I had one too, it was sitting at home.  We gave the jump start unit a try but no go. When Mary pulled in we headed for home so I could grab a few tools, jumper cables, my new little 800 generator and extension cords.

I removed the battery that was low, thanks to Joe's meter providing confirmation. Jumper cables hooked up and charging, now sit and wait and cross my fingers.  I gave it almost thirty minutes then disconnected and reinstalled the battery. A flow through my start procedures and 08Romeo comes to life. Wooo Hooo!!

I let 08Romeo run, hopefully charging the battery even more. The JPI says the battery is looking good by the numbers and the amp gauge looks fine. I shut down, park my SUV outside the gate and saddle back up for another try. I give Mary a quick call and she heads towards Elkton. Clear Prop! was followed by two blades and a rapid start, Houston, we're go for throttle up!

A bumpy ride to 58M but happy that 08Romeo is secure. I can drive to the shop in the morning instead of dealing with wx and scheduling rides.  Annual starts tomorrow, look for posts on my progress to follow.

Safety Pilot Time

I flew with Mike tonight as his safety pilot.  We left Wilmington under the VP's  TFR as a VFR flight, despite filing just in case.  The tower asked if we wanted to cancel the IFR plan, I advised if we can depart VFR then yes.  We were soon off heading south towards Summit, KEVY. 

SE View at the Salem plant and Delaware Bay

Mike set up for the RNAV GPS 35 approach after the procedure turn at WENDS.  Mike did a real nice job despite his claims of being rusty.  A smooth landing and taxi back for another round. We traded info with a Cessna 150 that had no audio and I asked him to confirm with mic clicks, it worked out.

Sunset over the Chesapeake

Round two had us off for some flight maneuvers including steep turns,a power off simulated engine out and set up for landing.  Mike flew without missing a beat and I enjoyed being eyes out, loving the evening sky and gorgeous sunset.

Short final ILS RWY 1 at KILG

After some air work I provided info for a random hold. Mike set up for a direct to the intersection KIRKK and knocked out the hold with a nice wind correction. The final approach this evening was role play ATC and vectors to the ILS RWY 01 at Wilmington.  A few turns and a long 9 mile entry had us intercepting on short order. I stink at ATC and turned Mike to close to final.

I contacted the Wilmington tower and as directed reported inbound the outter marker, HADIN. Mike was on it as he guided 08Romeo in for a smooth landing with a 6 knot crosswind from 290 degrees.  A much needed night in the air for me after a long day at work.  Fun flying as always followed up with a debrief at EATS.

ForeFlight v4.2

VFR Sectional with TFR's and WX

What's New in ForeFlight Version 4.2

4.2 is a big release including:

* In flight SiriusXM weather via Baron Mobile Link
* An all new data-driven map engine with global basemap coverage
* ForeFlight Global Winds
* Map layering (e.g. radar on sectionals)
* Super-zoom enroute maps
* Interactive TFRs, Airmets, Sigmets, and PIREPs
* Print the NavLog
* Improved performance of the File & Brief view

IN FLIGHT, DATA LINK WEATHER

Data link weather has landed on ForeFlight. The first device supported is the Baron Mobile Link, providing complete in-flight weather coverage of the US, Canada, Puerto Rico/Caribbean, and Hawaii. Data link weather is elegantly integrated with all ForeFlight maps and airport pages. The radar and satellite images are color-matched, creating a consistent experience when transitioning between Internet and data-link based weather.

MAPS

4.2 introduces a brand new, data-driven, vector-drawn global mapping engine that displays cities, towns, roads, borders, populated areas, lakes, rivers, coastlines, and more. The entire world is packed into a small 19MB download.

Also new:

* Interactive TFR map showing active and pending TFRs. Tap a TFR for more details. TFRs active within 24 hours shown in red; others shown in yellow.
* Interactive AIR/SIGMET map showing active and forecast flight hazards. Tap an AIR/SIGMET for more details. Covers IFR, winds, turbulence, convective, ash, and other hazards.
* Interactive, global PIREPs map. Tap a PREP marker for details. Includes PIREPs transmitted by commercial aircraft ACARS.
* Super-zoom capability on enroute maps providing an extra level of detail and zoom for customers that requested this.

FOREFLIGHT GLOBAL WINDS

4.2 provides access to the ForeFlight Global Winds engine (the "GWE"), which provides winds aloft forecasts for any point on the planet and up to FL540. The GWE will provide wind effects for any flight plan entered, including custom user waypoints and arbitrary lat/lons.

iPad Proficiency

iPad Proficiency for Pilots

by ForeFlight

iPad Proficiency for Pilots from ForeFlight on Vimeo.

Lima Beans!

I swapped a few messages with Ryan and Kathy from Williamsburg, VA and Ted and Susan from New York during the past week.  Mary and I decided that we wanted to attend the Cape May wine festival along with the West Cape May Lima Bean festival.  What better way to spend the day then with friends, the plans started to take shape. Mary asked her Mom to join us and she accepted. I managed to scrounge up a few discount coupons at work for the wine tasting entry fee and made the call to AeroWays for fuel to the slots plus two each tank.

Friday 10/7/2011

Mary and I got a surprise visit from my cousin Ralph and his girl friend Dawn on Friday night. They rolled in on their Harley's taking a break from their road trip to Ocean City Maryland. We decided on a dinner out at the local sports bar, Stanley's. After dinner we headed home and watched the Phills get bounced out of the playoffs, there's always next year. I also received a text message from Ted telling us they had previously committed to a pig roast at their home airport, they would not be able to meet up with us in Cape May.

Dawn's Harley

Tucked in the garage for the night

Today...

We scooted out the door by 8:30 making a stop at Brew Ha Ha for Mary's Chai then the short hop to pick up Marys Mom before heading to the airport. I rolled through the gate and we went through the pre-flight routine.  Mary's Mom boarded and I finished up with a fuel sump.  Aeroways shorted my order filling to the tabs plus two gallons each tank to total 17 gallons per side vs my order of slots plus two each side that would have provided 22 a side. I'm safe with the lighter fuel load, its only twenty minutes each way and a climb to three thousand.

Taxiway Kilo at Mike

We were soon climbing out on course in a clear blue sky taking note of the excellent view this morning. As we crossed the Delaware river pointing east you could see the Atlantic city skyline and almost the tips of Cape May NJ and Lewes Delaware, I would need a bit more altitude.

Leaving KILG looking down the Delaware River

Heading east, looking south west towards the Chesapeake Bay

The  flight was smooth as I rode along hands in my lap and pretty much feet on the floor. Traffic seemed light as we passed through the Millville area listening the remote Millville radio broadcasts.  We crossed Port Norris and had Cape May in view as I started my descent and advisory calls.  Ryan chimed in on frequency that they were fifteen minutes out.

Fort Delaware

Landing R/W 28 Cape May

I made a smooth landing after blending with the one Cessna in the pattern doing touch and goes. Mary and I buttoned up 08Romeo and awaited Ryan and Kathy's arrival.  A Glassair taxied in and another Cessna followed by the Bellanca Super Viking. The gangs all here! Ryan and I got the rental car squared away at Hertz, formerly Ace Sharper. Ryan had a $50 discount coupon from a recent trip he had taken so that really helped the overall price. The total for the day was $19.95, what a bargain!

All aboard! We loaded up for the Lima bean festival, three ladies in the back and the men working the front office navigating our way into town. Ryan made use of the cell phone to look up the park that we need to find. Kathy suggested asking the mailman walking down the street so Mary put the window down and did just that, we all got a good laugh. Yes, the men would have never done that conversation followed as we passed a large message board sign noting the festival.

With the passengers safely dropped at the main entrance Ryan and I scouted out a parking spot. We found a good location just a few blocks down the street. It was great to catch up and talk flying as we made our way back to the park and find the ladies. Once all gathered up we investigated each table and booth making our way with the flow of the crowd, and it was crowded. One of the first stops was finding breakfast, well at least something to eat. We all agreed on the Lima bean chili and found an off the path place in the shade between vendors to enjoy.

We continued the stroll, ladies working through each vendor while Ryan and I talked aviation keeping our party located with traffic call outs. There was a little something for everyone as we made our way, books, clothing, jewelery, food along with every antique and collectible you could imagine. We managed to make it through the entire festival and ended up at our original entry point. The men walked for the car and returned to pick up the ladies, the plan worked flawlessly.

Traffic was pretty heavy as we made our way out of town and back towards the ferry terminal for the wine festival portion of the excursion.  I forgot my work badge so no chance at special parking, instead we dropped the ladies at the main passenger terminal entrance and then scouted parking. Ryan and I made a few laps and found a good spot but there were a few cones, obviously left behind or misplaced taking four spots at the far end of a row.  With our thought process spinning we agreed cones are advisory in nature only and helped group them together to feel more secure, which by chance opened up a parking spot. Good job team!

We joined the ladies already in the long line to purchase tickets. The line moved ok and opened up to a third line for cash purchase. We had our coupons in hand and were excited right until someone working the event said it cost $25 per person. The men had to remain dry, we were flying later this afternoon, and the the ladies gave it some thought mixed in with the we still needed to find a late lunch/dinner and judging by the size of the crowd we would be standing to eat. The group huddled up and collectively decided to head back towards town and find a nice restaurant serving seafood.  That didn't take long, we were walking for the wheels.

We were loaded up and heading back into town with a slight route change. I took a different road that Mary and I once tried and it seemed to shave off some time. Ryan mentioned this looked familiar as we tried to make our way to the ocean, he was right, we were passing the Lima bean festival coming in the opposite direction, our previous exit strategy,we all had a good laugh. Back to the beach and board walk area searching for a restaurant.  Yours truly while looking and talking and following traffic slowly drove through a red light as Ryan tried to alert me. Ok, I'll pay attention to my driving while everyone else looks for places to stop.

Oddly enough we selected the Lobster House, the same place we ate last time the group was here. Today we decided on eating indoors and had maybe a thirty minute wait. Our seating was pretty good and we could watch ships come in and out of the docks. There were two large yachts that made their way in and they were impressive, what slow economy?

Service was very good and the meals were too. I had the stuffed flounder, filled with crab meat and scallops topped with shrimp and mornay sauce. Mary had a chilled half lobster with potato and shrimp salad, Mom had lobster salad, Kathy had crab imperial and I can't remember what Ryan had.

We all passed on desert and coffee, we had our fill. I should have mentioned our timing, we were ahead of traffic or driving the opposite way of the backups all day, leaving the restaurant would be no different.  As we walked out of the dining area the line to enter had backed up through the restaurant and out to the main doors, it was packed!



Kathy, Mary's Mom and Mary



We decided to call it a day now that we had some good exercise followed by the perfect meal. We headed out of town and back towards the airport. I missed the right turn as I was instinctively heading back to the ferry as if I was working. A few right turns later we were at the airport entrance and heading to the aircraft. We returned the car and made our way through the terminal out to the ramp. I snapped a few pictures and we said our goodbyes vowing to catch up again soon with Ryan and Katy. Maybe a trip to Williamsburg or a show at the Ferguson Center in Newport News.

Only the Shadow Knows......

Mom and Daughter

I did a quick pre-flight and got everyone squared away in 08Romeo. I was soon at idle getting set up for home as Ryan taxied by. We followed number two for runway two eight. My run up completed and watching the Bellanca climb away towards the Bay, we rolled for take off. It was another smooth ride, this time back to Wilmington.  Once again a great view on a clear day watching the sun to our left making its way towards sunset. I contacted the tower with the current info and made my way for a straight in runway three two, report mid river. I had pulled the power for slow flight down the runway, approved to land long.  As I sat 08Romeo down on the mains a huge flock of purple marlins took flight, left to right and head on, honestly they were everywhere. Two bounced of the windshield and one hit the side of the plane. I reported to the tower that there will be few dead birds on the runway just past our touchdown.  The tower asked me to call and advise of any damage.  We taxied in and shut down giving 08Romeo the once over. Leading edges looked fine and the only residue left was some dusty dander patches on the windshield.  I called to let the tower know there was no damage. Operations came by to confirm no damage and advise I had reduced the feathered population.

Looking up the Delaware at the Twin Bridges (my work)

Crossing the numbers R/W 32 at KILG

All in all a great day out in the sunshine and spending time with friends! 08Romeo saved hours of ground travel and made for an enjoyable trip to and from the fun times in Cape May.

Next up annual, 08Romeo gets to spend some quality time with Roger and the crew at Cecil Aero.

Distractions at Work

How can anyone concentrate on the job at hand?  I was working at the Millville airport this week helping out a co-worker on his project. I was riding the work site and getting my daily report filled out when this AH-1W enters the pattern and lands just north of me on the Big Sky ramp.

Thanks to Joe Clemente for the Awesome shots!!

Me at work....no not flying, thats me in my work explorer.

AH1-W Super Cobra, You wanna dance?



IFR Certification

It's that time again, IFR Certification time. Yes, that biennial event that we hope goes without a hitch since avionics seem to cost so much.  Red Eagle had 08Romeo in the shop and called to say she was finished up, but, Yikes I hate but, give a call to discuss the Altimeter.

Gulp.....funny how just dialing that number makes it hard to swallow.  I talked with the tech and he said 08Romeo was good to go but he wanted to give me a heads up on the altimeter. He explained it as being "slow" and inquired if I noticed it was slow to respond or if it had a tendency to jump, as if catching up to my altitude.  I really hadn't noticed that but I did ask if the "slow" condition would cause the barometric needle adjustment to hop around as I dial it in, needing to move back and forth to get the needle to sit on the correct elevation,the answer was yes.  He said the unit passed every test but he advised thinking about a replacement.

I went through the store room with the owner and he had a recently removed unit from a Beechcraft Baron that was not an encoding unit and would let it go very cheap. I recently added the Trans-Cal Nano blind encoder. Encoders may be either a separate unit, blind encoder or integrated into the aircraft altimeter encoding altimeter.

The replacement altimeter was very clean, numbers were bright white no yellowing and it was recently tagged from an inspection. I gave the go ahead to make the swap and update my IFR Cert and Adlog sticker to reflect the avionics change.

08Romeo will be good to go for our Saturday flight to Cape May, NJ for the Wine festival and Lima Bean Festival.

BACFest 2011 Ithaca, NY

BACFest is here!  Mary and I decided to attend BAC fest this year since it's almost in our back yard and we really want to see our friends from Texas. The event is going to take place in Ithaca, NY just one hour and forty minutes flight time north.  

It's been hectic trying to plan a few trips and still get ready to demo our kitchen and have everything ready for the cabinet maker to do his install. One of the chores is to pack everything up prior to demo, I think this is the biggest PITA but obviously a critical step. The demo part will be fun, what guy doesn't like tearing things apart. I do have to remind myself that all this will happen at the same time 08Romeo goes in for annual and I'll be spending three days, of my week vacation, rolling around on the shop floor only to have to come home and start the demo.

I digress, this write up is about BAC fest. I just thought some background into what's going on at home would offset any senseless ramblings off the beaten path, I rest my case.

Maggie has a boarding reservation for Friday and the cats are good to go.  The plan is to be out of the house early and at the plane by 7am. I will have the fuel topped and maybe the cover removed the night before but at least we will be ready to launch by 7:30ish. The logistics are pretty much covered now we await the wx and Saturday's departure.

UPDATE: Friday 9/30/2011

A change in the plan! Our conversation walking out to our vehicles on the way to work this morning went something like this. The wx is not looking good for a flight to Ithaca on Saturday so we both decided to take a half day today and literally get on the road in our SUV. A few hours later as the wx updates it looks very doable for a Friday departure and it's looking better for a Sunday return home, that would work and we really don't want to drive.

Departing two seven at ILG

We make a few calls back and forth and decide on leaving work around 11AM. We only need to drop off Maggie by 2PM so that would be our only time restriction. I arrive first and start to pack, Mary pulls in shortly after me a she starts packing. The dog knows somethings up but she has no clue she won't be going with us. Bags tossed in the SUV flight bag and Marys headset bag loaded along with her GPS from the car. Maggie is all excited and struggles to sit-stay until the kennel command releases her to board the SUV.

It's only a few minutes to the Vet and she is not a happy gal, by the way I always get to drop the dog off so I guess I'm the bad guy.  Ok Mary has dropped her off a few times. We are soon pointed south and heading towards 08Romeo, who is waiting with a full belly of fuel ready to fly.

Mary and I flow through the ritual and have 08Romeo ready to fly.  I contact ground and pick up my clearance.

C- KITH
R- RH RV PTW FJC V149 CFB ITH
A- 2000/6000-10
F- 119.75
T- 4272

wx ahead!

eyeball confirmation

Pocono racetrack (NASCAR)

We took off from runway two seven and flew runway heading (RH) until Philly gave us a direct Pottstown (PTW) from there we got four thousand and direct Allentown (FJC)riding along waiting for the hand off to Allentown Approach. Once handed off Allentown we were cleared to five thousand and then in time handed over to Wilkes-Barre Approach.  Wilkes-Barre gave us direct Binghamton (CFB)and a climb to six thousand. We were handed off to Binghamton then Elmira eventually getting stepped down for the arrival into Ithaca.  A smooth landing in clear conditions with a taxi to the ramp full of Mice (Beechcraft Musketeers). We were here, start to stop just two hours with one hour forty minutes of that flight time.

KITH

Cayuga Lake

Final One Four - KITH

KITH Tower

The lineman brought out our car, a new grey Volkswagen tiguan. Neat lil SUV with plenty of room.  We loaded up then took a call from Bo and Tom who were waiting in the FBO parking lot, they had tracked us on FlightAware. SO nice of them to come get us since they weren't sure if we had a car scheduled for today's amended arrival plans. We followed them to the hotel. a short few minute drive.

We got everything unpacked and realized we forgot sweatshirts and heavy jackets, the temps were in the low fifties. We will make do and once finished getting things put away we headed downstairs to meet the BAC Fest attendees. Mary and I headed to the bar for a drink and some good conversation. It was so nice to see Bo and his Bride Sandra.  Mary and I mingled and I got to put faces to the names on the Beech Aero Club forum.

The group gathered for a "happy hour" in a private room in the hotel.  Munchies were great and so was the chance to walk around and meet people. There were so many new faces and names, I'm not sure I can remember everyone. 

The Rose

The folks at our table and a few others decided to walk across the parking and have dinner at The Rose, Tap room and grill. Food and service was good and the conversation never stopped from the hotel to the Rose and back to the hotel. Mary and I decided to call it a night since we had been up since 5AM. We were happy to be here a night earlier than originally planned.

Saturday 10/1/2011

Saturday was our day to explore. The plan at breakfast was to invade the Ithaca Farmers Market, Apple Festival, Indian Festival and a second run to the chocolate factory, well at least a first visit by Mary and I.  I think we had four cars in the party and once staged we were off to have fun. Most of the men stayed back for the business meeting, I took a pass, I sit in meetings all the time and I didn't need to make this one.

Farmers Market

First stop was the Farmers Market. This place had a little bit of everything and a lot of produce, breads and wine. Here are a few pictures to enjoy, it's better then reading it all.  The picture of Mary and I is taken with Cayuga lake and the boat ride dock behind us. It was cold and windy but the pavilion helped block most of the wind.

At Farmers Market boat dock on lake Cayuga

Sandra took a pass on returning to the So Sweet Chocolate factory with us so Mary and I went on ourselves with the trusty GPS to guide us. The roads and homes reminded us of Wilkes-Barre, PA....only the names and address was different. Small town USA is everywhere. We both noticed how clean and updated everyone kept their homes, again home town pride. We passed a State Park sign and a sign that read Taughannock Falls, we would need to investigate this after the chocolate stop.

Life's So Sweet Chocolate

We made a U turn at the car wash and found on street parking. This was old main street, the buildings were very old but most had a shop of some sort making a go of it, I like the old towns and the architecture of the buildings. I parked out front of an antique store just a few steps from the Life's So Sweet Chocolates. We walked in and immediately could smell the chocolate! The young lady working the counter gave us a lot of good info and she knew the products and process.

Mary and I literally were like two kids in a candy store! We purchased the following; peanut clusters in milk choc, macaroons, pecan clusters in milk choc, sweedish fish, some chocolate with little white dots and we each got a chocolate bar, one with cashews and one with toffy crunch sprinkles.

With our sugar rush in high gear we saddled up for a ride back down the hill to the state park.  We passed the antique mall that was noted for a potential afternoon visit and finally turned off the highway for the falls. We had our choice of hiking through the woods to a river level falls view or drive on through the park to the scenic view, we opted for the overlook.

The falls were gorgeous and now we understand why the Life's so sweet clerk said most graduates have their pictures taken there. We hoofed it back up the slate stairs and back to the SUV. We weree keeping an eye on time since the BAC Fest had a scheduled luncheon and general members meeting scheduled at noon. I pulled the Volkswagen into the lot with a few minutes to spare and we headed inside, out of the rain, to clean up for lunch.  The meetings were split between members and spouses, I think the ladies had more fun but I will admit I learned about the club and how we operate.

By the time the social hours wrapped up we had enough time to grab a few winks,shower and dress for cocktails before dinner. We all met outside the ballroom to mingle and enjoy a drink or two. I was knocking down sprite since I was flying in the morning. We enjoyed a nice dinner and we had an excellent speaker from Aero News Network, the Editor in Chief, Jim Campbell. BAC also handed out awards and our friend Bo(Flights of the Mouse)took home a gorgeous plaque for his efforts. Congrats my friend!!!

I didn't hang out to late with the group but I hear the party lasted past midnight. I turned in around 10:30 wanting to check on Mary who had left not long after dinner due to a diverticulitis flare up. My bride was resting comfortably and feeling a little better. I'm glad she decided to lay down and rest since we would have a possible bumpy flight home in wx.

Sunday 10/2/2011

I guess we wandered downstairs around 8:30 and met up with fellow club members for breakfast. Everyone looked no worse for wear as we all planned departures, most by car some of us by plane. I checked on the latest updates and it looked like a 1PM departure was our best bet but by the time we finished eating the updates rolled in and they looked worse. Radar was painting an ugly picture (that I forgot to snap) but it was moving west through Ithaca. Once that band had passed we were at least good to go for avoiding heavy rain and winds.  Here is a shot I just took at 4:51, six and a half hours after we left. Update was from 4:30.

Waiting on a Mooney to land, hold short 32

Wheels up ready for IMC

Here we go!

We launched into 800 overcast with a comfort factor knowing I could get in on the ILS if I had to. I kept the fuel load a bit lighter just in case we needed to climb out of a layer to avoid the icing area. Temps were in the forty's when we left and the freezing level was at eight thousand.  I had planned for seven thousand but after looking at the Minimum Enroute Altitude(MEA)I opted for five.

Broke out at 3000'

Thanks Wilkes Barre, heading back into IMC

I sat at the hold short watching a Mooney land and he reported tops at three thousand. That report gave me a warm and fuzzy. Once cleared for takeoff the tower passed along his info and I thanked the Mooney pilot. We were on the roll ready to enter Instrument conditions. A nice steady climb out at six hundred feet a minute with a radio flip over to Elmira departure.  I was cleared direct Binghamton (CFB)and eventually handed off to Wilkes-Barre Approach.  WB cleared me to six thousand (in the clag) and I road along checking outside temps sitting at thirty five degrees. Light rain sprayed the windscreen but didn't even make any noise. I kept a close watch on the temp probe and the corner of my window where I could watch rain drops dance, as long as they keep dancing.

IMC and the rain

Broke out north of Allentown

Thanks Allentown, descends me into IMC at 4000

Pitot heat was on just to be safe as I logged almost an hour straight in the crap. About seven miles north of Allentown I finally broke out for some sun but could see potential layers daring me to enter. I requested a deviation to the right twenty degrees to avoid some large build-ups then quickly returned to course. It was looking like I could make it well into Philly airspace and almost to Wilmington at this altitude.

almost in the clag

The pipe dream didn't last long as Allentown lowered me for Philly traffic.  I thought this might happen but had wished for the best. Goodbye sunshine, into the clag we go. I got blasted with showers but the outside temps were now near forty degrees.  Allentown handed me off to Philly and they turned me direct Modena (MXE)instead of my as filed Pottstown (PTW). I didn't make it to Modena, not even close as Philly decided to turn me towards their airport and vector me for the RNAV GPS 27 into Wilmington. The young female controller advised to expect KAHOE.

DRBA War Memorial and offices ( thats my office)

Misty rain....

Landing two seven at ILG

I chugged through the Garmin 530 but did not see KAHOE on the GPS 27 on the Vectors To Final selection (VTF). It was listed on my approach plate as an Initial fix and available if I choose RUUTH or Woodstown (OOD). No problem I was on vectors so I selected RUUTH then direct KAHOE so I was ready.  I got the final vector for KAHOE and was directed to maintain at or above three thousand. I crossed KAHOE, making my right turn to a loooong final at three thousand. I was looking good on course and altitude clicking off. Down to eighteen hundred at GUSTE. Eight sixty at JEKVO and four eighty say five hundred for the Missed Approach Point (MAP).  I caught a glimpse of the twin bridges and then nothing. Back inside then a peek out still nothing. Mary calls out ground, six hundred descending and I see the Air National Guard C130's off to the right of the runway and finally the runway as I pass through five fifty.

A smooth landing adding power to make the first taxiway.  We are home! Almost two hours of actual and another Approach towards currency. The Instrument rating got us home today, on schedule. We would have been stuck in Ithaca until Wednesday waiting for the ceiling to lift.