Twinkie Ride Along

Twin Comanche - Piper PA30

Economical, quick and quiet, the Twinkie stands out as one of Piper's best. Today I had the opportunity to ride along with Frank (AirDorin) on a hop to Lancaster, PA.

I got a late start this morning, deciding to crawl back in bed after taking care of the Dog and cats. I had left the heater on so the sheets and covers were toasty warm, I couldn't help myself. I wanted to be at the airport by 8am but instead rolled in about 8:45ish. I took on 10 gallons of 100LL to bring 08Romeo up to 50 total. After unplugging the battery minder, preheaters and completing the preflight I was ready to get this day started.

08Romeo's oil was way into the yellow and I soon had heat pouring into the cabin. Winds favored 32 for departure so following my run up and last checklist review I pointed the nose in the wind and was off.

 I had a short hop to KGED, Delaware Coastal. The winds were blowing, headwind of course, but the ride was smooth. It wasn't the typical winter clear view, today it was yucky out there. Yes, yucky is my choice to describe flight conditions.

 

I made my way into GED and ended the flight with a good landing. With a few taxiways closed I had to back taxi for the ramp.



Frank was getting 3DeltaFox ready as I secured 08Romeo. We took some time to assess the hangar damage from the blizzard wind conditions that roared through the beach. I think we were both in agreement that he came very close to loosing his Twin Comanche if the winds would have continued much longer. The wooden roof members were torn away from their rafters and columns along with the tin roof bent in a bowed fashion. Honestly I'm not sure how it held in place.

With the preflight complete I followed Frank in boarding the Twin Comanche. This plane is spotless and the leather interior is just as squared away as the recent paint job.

We taxied out for departure on runway 4. Frank went through procedures for engine out before rotation and once wheels up, clear concise and I felt perfectly comfortable.

We had a pretty smooth flight until Philly lowered us prior to handing us off to Harrisburg. From there in it was bumpy but not terrible.  Frank set up for the RNAV 26 approach and loaded the full approach not vectors. We discussed this since ATC can change their minds once you're on vectors and give you a direct initial approach fix. I really enjoy hearing what other pilots do and their approach to flying IFR.

It was nice watching the autopilot work en-route and Frank hand fly the final. A nice landing with a taxi for a clear taxiway had us turn off just before crossing runway 13-31.

After trying to find our way into the terminal and having a TSA agent read us the riot act about walking on the main ramp, we eventually found our way in with TSA escort. The entrance from the west ramp was blocked by some snow piles. Honestly, the lady was a bit rude but the second agent was very nice and apologized for the blocked access.

We enjoyed lunch and great conversation at Fiorentino's. Frank and his Bride are looking forward to more travel, the same conversations Mary and I have. Once the wx breaks we'll be traveling more. We went through the same dumb dance to get back out to the plane. Well almost, this time we were escorted by a skid steer, I swear, he drove alongside of us as we walked around the terminal and across the ramp. As seen in the photo, the operator then decided to clear a path to the restaurant. Great timing.

We saddled back up and filed for Delaware Coastal, KGED. We had helicopter traffic to monitor but the tower moved them off to the west until we were turning south out of the pattern. Harrisburg handed us off to Philly and we got a vector for traffic, I did miss my ADS-B. Once clear we were back as filed and making great speed with the tail wind. Let me clarify that last statement...we were making great speed without the tailwind.

Philly handed us off to another sector then they handed us off to Dover approach. Somewhere in those hand offs we were turned direct GED. Frank made is position calls once canceling with Dover and we made our way to the pattern. It's really fun to watch and learn from an excellent pilot. The best reinforcement was watching the use of a checklist for review, if a pro can do why don't we all do it. 

We landed on runway 4 and taxied to the far end to exit since one taxiway was closed and a airport vehicle had the other blocked. It was a fun day flying with Frank, awesome plane! I helped cover 3DeltaFox since she would be staying outdoors until the hangar repairs are completed.

With one plane complete I now turned my attention to 08Romeo. A quick preflight and fuel check, pulling the nose plugs, chocks and pitot cover had me ready to get out of the wind. With a few shots of primer 08Romeo started right up. I turned on the heat and it got toasty inside as I taxied for runway 4.

I climbed out of KGED and pointed south. ADS-B was tracking one target within six miles and 100' below heading my way. I continued my climb for 3000 and opened up a 500' buffer.  The target also climbed and pointed at me within 300 feet.  I never saw the target so I made a 90* right turn and positioned myself to pass above and behind the target.  Following my maneuver I heard a Cherokee announce 6 mile for KGED, it had to be him.

The remaining flight was smooth and I made my calls entering the left down wind for runway 32. I squeaked one in and rolled all the way out for the last turn off that takes me close to my hangar. A fun day of flying in the book and 08Romeo got her oil pumping.