Kinley Transport

Can anyone help?

Transport occurs Saturday, October 15, 2016.
As soon as all legs are filled, I will send out a final run sheet to all of the drivers with meeting spots and times. Kinley needs a ride to her foster home. Kinley is coming to MAESSR because she has been aggressive toward the other dog at home and growls at children.

I did my normal weather checks and thought there was a good chance I could make this transport for MAESSR and Kinley. Mary has been down with a migraine since Sunday so despite wanting to go on the flight she gave up her seat.

I had posted on Facebook trying to recruit Bob C, another MAESSR pilot but he had already made plans. My next door neighbor from childhood and long time friend said she was willing to go but she's not a pilot...She still makes me laugh. I penciled Susan in but really wanted another pilot. As I went over 08Romeo Friday night I was contacted by Charlie from New Garden Airport (N57) and he said he was available to fly but needed to be back for a 5pm prior engagement. No problem, it's an early flight leaving Wilmington then a quick fuel and return from Louisa, VA (KLKU).

It was a beautiful Saturday morning and a good day to go flying.  As I pulled into the airport I passed an opening in the trees that I always check out for the sunrise, today did not disappoint. I actually stopped, backed up, and then took this pic.  Now if I could pick up the pace I may get a nice shot in the air.

With heaters turned on for the first time and tanks fueled last night, 08Romeo was ready to go. I quickly got the fan turning and taxied out for departure. Potomac was up bright and early to provide my IFR clearance. Not sure what's been going on over there but as of late I have been getting "as filed" often. The typical has been, upon entering controlled space fly heading 270*. I also noticed the control frequency has changed.

I am soon rolling on to runway three-two and am wheels up before the half way point. 08Romeo likes the chill in the air while I reach for the heater control. Patuxent hands me off to Dover and I check in for the ride along. The ride is as smooth as sitting on the living room couch, just beautiful at five thousand. Dover calls me and gives me direct Wilmington, it saves a minute or two. It got kind of quiet once passing over the airbase and I almost believed they forgot about me. Dover broke the squelch and handed me off to Philly. 

I checked in with Philly noting I had the weather and was advised to expect the visual runway one, I acknowledged. I canceled IFR once I had the field then switched to the tower at ILG. Make straight in for runway one, report three miles, directed the tower. Once again I acknowledged and made a nice landing.

As I shut down I saw Charlie just getting out of his car, great timing. I asked the line guys for five gallons a side to bring me back to fifty, they are always great to chat with.  You know you've been going there a while when they know you by name and always shake your hand.

Charlie and I had a chance to catch up since we were waiting on Kinley to arrive. I did give him a heads up that this flight is a surrender and not really a rescue flight. Mary and I have done a few of these and they can be gut wrenching.

I can't say enough for this young couple. Both were service personnel and it seemed recently relocated from being stationed in Alaska. Kinley had been aggressive toward their other small dog and growled at a visiting friends children. With a child of their own on the way, they surrendered Kinley to MAESSR. They did the right thing and I assured them that Debbie will find a great home that meets all her needs. Many hugs were exchanged and I have to tell you I was in tears as I watched them deal with this decision and help us load the kennel in the plane. Honestly, I'm in tears typing this.

Once Kinley was on board I settled my fuel bill and got back to the business at hand, flying. Charles and I taxied out, contacting Wilmington ground for my clearance to Louisa (KLKU). We were cleared via radar vectors to join V29 then as Filed. Today had to be perfect, I wanted Kinley to have a great flight and wanted to make sure she was happy and not stressed, as I promised her owners.

Charlie was eyes out watching for traffic as we chatted about ADS-B and many other aviation topics. I offered controls but it was so smooth that I was pretty much hands off for most of the flight. Today ADS-B would really prove its worth. We had multiple occasions of aircraft passing directly overhead opposite direction or crossing our path with one thousand feet or less of separation. Guess what, with the bright sun today you can't find the target until its to late.

As we made our way south over Patuxent the traffic picked up. It was getting busy and the VFR weather at our destination was now reporting overcast at three thousand. I just might get to shoot an approach today! After turning west at TAPPA the sky still looked great but off in the distance we could see the line of clouds.

We transferred controls so Charlie could fly while I briefed the approach plate. I had preloaded all the plates for our destination last night and looked over each RNAV GPS approach, nine and two-seven. Winds favored runway two-seven so once I had the weather I advised Approach and requested the RNAV GPS RWY 27.

Charlie has been thinking about his instrument rating so as I briefed we went over what I was looking for. I'm not sure I was real clear but generally covered the process and flow of the chart. I like to note the text of the missed and should have pointed out the visual breakout at the bottom that gives you the steps of the process. I was directed by approach to proceed direct JODKA maintain at or above three thousand, I acknowledged. Charlie had seen the Flightstream 210 transfer my flight plan from the iPad to the Garmin 530W and asked if I would load the approach the same way, great question. I load all approaches from the Garmin 530W and then on my iPad select import flight plan. The approach plate on the geo-referenced iPad now comes alive with the active track I'll fly.

Final KLKU

The plan was for a direct entry, turn outbound to a 092* heading for four miles then turn inbound on a 272* heading. We had two step downs and a decision height of 743'. We should break out well before the final approach fix.  As I focused on the procedure turn and pointed 08Romeo inbound, Charlie called the airport in sight. Sure enough the layer had moved south and the destination was clear, even better. I cancelled with approach and we made our way into Lousia. The runway was in great shape, 4300 x 100 feet and the place was quiet. I made a nice landing and we taxied clear.

I contacted Debbie and she let me know her friend April was picking up for her. As she let me know on the Phone Charlie met April on the ramp, it's all about the timing. We worked on getting Kinley out (the crate was a tight fit) and off to a potty break. Her little stub tail was just a wiggling...she listened very well and was ready to play. I took Kinley in the office to inquire about fuel and she was very well behaved. We walked back over to the plane so I could hand off to April while Charlie and I took the crate apart and removed it from the plane. We took a few pictures and said our goodbyes as April loaded up. Kinley showed no signs of stress as she took in all the new faces and surroundings, she seemed willing to please. I quietly wished her well on this new adventure...she is a lucky dog to have a second chance.

PXT over the nose

I started 08Romeo and taxied around the building to the self serve fuel and took on twenty gallons for our ride home. I went back and forth about sending her owners a text, putting myself in their shoes I would want to know that she arrived ok. I left a message on their phone letting Jake and Kandice know she had arrived safe, tail was wagging and doing well. I once again tried to assure them that Debbie will take great care of her and find her that forever home, I wished them well.

Charlie and I decided on a lunch stop at Cambridge airport. We didn't file for this leg, instead, we went VFR with flight following. Once I was in the air we transferred controls and Charlie took over.  It was a welcome break knowing I had to still fly home from Wilmington. Potomac approach had me standby for a short time but eventually gave us a squawk code for flight following. Charlie flew 08Romeo like he's been doing it for years. I'm sure it was different for the trim since his plane has the overhead control and I have the wheel between the seats. I enjoyed the view, took some pictures and worked the radio. Once I cancelled flight following we transferred controls so I could land. I should have let Charlie land since I planted it on the runway and bounced, having to go around for another try. Embarrassing to say the least but on down wind I did confirm there were no parts left on the runway. Second try was much better as I greased one on.

The new ramp at Cambridge looked great! the contractor on my project in Lewes was the same one who did the ramp here at CGE. With 08Romeo secure we walked in for lunch. I wanted breakfast but that ended at noon so it was the lunch menu. Charlie had a crab cake sandwich and I had a reuben. Thanks Charlie for picking up the lunch tab, that was very much appreciated.

We soon were saddled up and ready to head north. Next stop Wilmington. We bounced along at three thousand five hundred, gone was the smooth ride we had enjoyed all day. No flight following but we did monitor Dover as we chatted on the way north. Charlie really seemed to like the Sundowner and his compliments were appreciated. I try and keep my plane up to date and in good order. It always makes my day when another pilot notices.

The winds have changed since this mornings landing at ILG, the runway in use is now one-nine. I made a right down wind and ended with another nice landing. We taxied off for Flyadvanced and shut down in the same parking spot as this morning, right at the gate. Once again great service as I brought the fuel up to forty total for my flight home. Thanks again Charlie for your ride along and taking a leg to give me a break. I look forward to flying with you again, with or without a dog mission.

I was right back in the left seat as I started up 08Romeo. I received my taxi instructions and was soon on the roll runway one-nine climbing out for home. Another bumpy ride at three thousand so I climbed to five thousand five hundred. I did pick up flight following with Dover since I had traffic on ADS-B. I had one plane that was shadowing me to my right and was headed in the same direction. After listening to calls I gathered it was a cardinal heading to my home field. BY the time we both cancelled he had passed me and opened up almost five miles. I closed the gap when I descended from my cruise. I advised the cardinal I would follow him, number two for the field.

The cardinal pilot reported crosswind for one four, which confused me since he was ahead of me and just needed to enter on the left base. I advised I would be entering a left base for one four and immediately inquired of the cardinals position since I didn't hear him call final and didn't see him. Actually ADS-B was showing a target on the cross wind. The cardinal advised on the left down wind, he had crossed the runway and had to reposition. I followed suit with a turning cross wind for one four and immediately said left base...duh. The other pilot laughed and said don't feel bad...we both laughed. The cardinal was off my left wing as I called short final and he turned in behind me. I taxied clear and was headed for  my hangar while I watched a super smooth landing by the cardinal driver, a good end to the mix up.

As a follow up...I received a text message from Jake and Kandice.

Mr. Gary, I just got your voicemail. Thank you so much for the comforting message, it made both of us VERY happy to hear that her tail is still wagging. Your kindness this morning meant the world to us.  THANK YOU!!