Instead of arriving on Tuesday morning I will fly up Monday to leave the plane, parts, and keys at the shop at New Garden, N57. I already called to add a Monday to my car rental and Mary added Monday to the room reservation. I will drive over to my sisters house early Tuesday so we can head north to Wilkes-Barre to attend my Aunt Erma's funeral.
It's hard to believe that all blood aunts and uncles are gone on both sides of the family. I can still see and hear my aunt and my mom sitting together and laughing so hard they are both in tears and no voice coming out of either one of them,as they try to catch their breath. As in any Italian family you can not visit without eating something, maybe cookies, maybe home cured meats (Lonsa), even a porchetta sandwich (Erma's was the very best.) Great memories with family and of my mom with her sister.
Monday
My preflight was completed Sunday and I am ready to head north to New Garden, N57. I decided to fly VFR and pick up flight following with Dover approach.
The ride north was smooth but hazy as I contacted Dover then eventually was handed off to Philly approach. I cancelled once clear of Wilmington’s Delta airspace and let down for New Garden.
Hertz delivered my rental and I was soon off to check in at the Montchanin Inn. Mary had me drop off gifts for the great nephews and it was nice to catch up with sister-in-law Lynn.
My sister and her husband invited me over for dinner and dessert. It’s always fun catching up and having good laughs. Dinner was excellent, great job Dave, and Denise made a very tasty coconut cream pie.
Tuesday
Honest, there will be annual info and pictures soon. I was up early to shower and get dressed for my aunts funeral. I hitched a ride with my sister, arriving at their house by 6:30am. The trip north to Wilkes-Barre was two hours and twenty minutes to the church. The service was excellent and I wish that priest was at our church. Following the service we headed to the Italian cemetery where my aunt was buried next to my uncle Walter which is right next to my parents. Many memories of my Mom and Dad came rushing back in my mind and the family stories flowed as we walked through to visit my grandparents grave and other aunts and uncles. I can remember when they all bought the plots joking how it would be a party on the other side, well I hope that was the case today.
Wednesday
My first day of taking part in 3 Tango Charlie’s annual! My lower cowling was sent out to a shop to be painted, hopefully it won’t take too long.
I removed the elevator inspection plates, tail cone cover and the dorsal fin. I helped remove the front seats, what a PIA.
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| Gear plumbing and hydraulic pressure switches |
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| Flap Actuator |
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| Hydraulic gear check valve |
When inspecting the nose gear doors I found a rub on one of the connecting hinges. It needs to be replaced, or a doubler added.
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| Nose gear hinge |
The ELT was removed and the battery expiration is noted as 08-2023 so a new battery will be ordered. While removing the battery pack there was a foam type spacer that was removed to provide a better access to the battery wire connection on the circuit board. Check out the label…who did that to require such a warning?
I stuck around long enough to find out my engine compressions were all in the high seventies. With that noted I called it a day and headed out to lunch, then the hotel to watch the Phillies baseball game.
Thursday
With plenty of rest last night I made an early start for the shop. I walked in as the oil change started. The screen was removed and looked good as well as the filter.
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| Flexible funnel |
The A&P that worked on my plane last year will be in tomorrow to do the inspections to include the few items in my squawk list. I’m headed back to the hotel to have lunch and pack up for my departure tomorrow. I’ll return when the plane is complete and ready to go, most likely waiting on the paint shop at Smoketown to finish my lower cowl.
Friday
Packed and loaded up the rental, heading to the airport. Charles offered to fly me home and the rental company will release me from the last four days of my reservation, win win. I’m not sure what I was thinking when I hatched this rental plan but I did forget it was memorial weekend. What a nightmare it would have been driving south to the beach and then returning up north next week. Obviously a CRS moment.
Charles and I headed south around lunch and it was a very nice flight. Some bumps along the way but the view was worth it. When asked if I wanted to fly I politely refused, instead, wanting to take in the view I typically don't get to see when left seat.
Big time shout out to Charles G for offering me a ride home, I wasn't in any shape to make that drive as bad as I was feeling. Thanks for the save!
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