IFR Current, For Now

I had arranged to fly with my hangar neighbor Chet K for Monday, but, it was way to windy. We agreed on getting out early this morning (8am) to knock out a couple. At least we had a plan.

I sat up last night and watched the election returns, finally surrendering to the sandman, passing out around midnight. I made my nightly 3 am nature run and remembered to turn on 3 Tango Charlies pre-heat. That was odd, I received no confirmation that my text message went through.  I tried at least five more times, still nothing for confirmation.  My brain storm was to call T mobile and make sure there was money on the card and that was confirmed. While I had them on the phone I added ten bucks for some extra protection.  I gave T-Mobile a few minutes and tried again, nothing. I decided I would feed the dog at 6am and then head to the airport by 7am to plug in for an hour, better then no heat at all. 

Once I arrived I made sure the antenna and cable were both good to go, they were both fine. I reset the breaker for the GFI outlet and plugged everything back in, for the tug power cord, and the switchbox. I sent another text and I heard the click followed by a confirmation text message. Yea! A simple fix. 

At 8am I tugged 3 Tango Charlie out of her nest and set up the video cameras. I gave some thought to a tail cam but decided to pass on setting that up.  Today would be a front, side and crew view. 

Chet rolled in on time just as I was finishing up my camera set up, and he quickly climbed aboard. I had completed my preflight while killing time this morning and sumped the fuel since I took on fuel last week. 

We taxied out for runway three-two and after run-up launched for Delaware Coastal (GED). The ride was smooth and there was no traffic. I selected the RNAV GPS 22 approach. I wanted to use the autopilot but shot the first by hand, ok with the AP heading bug. We went missed and climbed out to re-enter the pattern for the left down wind runway two-two. I made an ok landing and taxied to the terminal, securing a front row parking spot. I used the ole noodle and called Op's to see if the restaurant was even open before I shut down, it was not. I released the parking brake and we taxied back for departure, now planning for the Cape May Airport (KWWD).

I departed the Delaware Coastal airport environment and pointed for Cape May, climbing at seven hundred feet a minute to my Delaware bay crossing altitude of five thousand five hundred. The air was smooth and I made good speed even with a ten knot headwind. You could easily see Cape May from the Delaware Coast line, and all the way up to Atlantic City.  I nosed 3 Tango Charlie over and made my way for the pattern, crossing midfield and landing on runway one-nine. 

Breakfast was good, however, I think the prices have went up, at least the service is always good. Chet somehow convinced the waitress to give him the bill and I told her that wasn't very nice since I had asked for it. Besides, I wanted to pay for the four sheriff's seated at the next table.  At least I got to pay that bill. Thanks Chet, breakfast on me the next time. 

We saddled up and taxied back out to runway one-nine, followed by a smooth take-off and climb out.  I made one loop just south of the Cape May Ferry Terminal then pointed for home once I had some altitude. The tail winds were nice as we scooted right along hitting 142 knots while pulled back to 65% power (22/24). I set up the Garmin 480 for the RNAV GPS 2 approach, direct CIRAN. We made one loop for the procedure turn and headed in, breaking off early to enter the left down wind for runway two-zero. I made a nice landing to end the day and I am now once again IFR Current, at least until January 31, 2021.