Approaches Completed

It's time to fly!

With the new airport hangar and trying to meet pilots, it has been very hard to find a safety pilot, even after two years. I joined the local aviation club but there are only a few who own planes and I don't see any that fly them.

With out sounding weird I can't begin to express how much I miss flying with Mike B.  With our move to Ocean City and his move to Boston we have each struggled finding people to fly with. Thankfully we text each other and call sometimes to discuss flying. I really need to get 08Romeo up to bean town and get us back flying. It's unbelievable but I miss his torture when flight training.


looking across the bay to cape may

still some mist in the fields

With all this in mind I posted on Facebook for a safety pilot, since most of my FB friends are pilots. Once again Bob C came to my rescue. Bob was available this weekend to fly and we spent five hours today knocking out six approaches for me and one for Bob. We also fit in breakfast at Cape May NJ before flying back to KOQN, Brandywine airport.

VOR-A  KOQN

I got the fan turning on 08Romeo and before the avionics were up and online I noticed my Collins Comm 2 was dead. I switched it on and off and heard faint static and the transmit light would glow every time I keyed the PTT.  I had this radio repaired by Stellar Avionics back in May 2011. Time to send it out again. Today I fly with the Garmin 530 only.

Here are the approaches I did today along with multiple procedure turns, VOR tacking and a hold.

KOQN - VOR-A (2)
KMIV - GPS10, GPS32
KWWD - GPS19, LOC19

I was surprised I didn't have more rust but I flew the needles pretty well and Bob only gave me a few corrections after he intentionally distracted me. I think he's enjoying that part.

busy at cape may

I know we should practice like we fly but I don't review the plate in as great detail as I do in the clag. I'm also not one to review out loud and that's from flying with my Bride who doesn't really want to know, or hear, all that pilot stuff. I will say I do review plates before our flights so I am familiar with procedures and always review the sectional for terrain issues.

As a follow up to the Collins radio issue. I will say muscle memory is a real deal.  I reached for the audio panel multiple times to update AWOS and caught myself flipping the switch for comm 2.


traffic south bound I95

boat traffic along RT90

It felt really good flying today. I miss it, and the weekday hops to keep sharp. I'm looking forward to getting back to the retired life and get-aways with the Bride.

Bob, your plane!

BIG THANKS to Bob C!!  You're the man! You have saved my bacon the last two times I needed a safety pilot. Thanks for being there and I hope I can return the favor.