Garmin 480 - The Diversion

 

 

This video is a review on how to set up the Garmin 480 for a diversion. I stumbled through this on my recent flight review but quickly recovered with a nearest selection and then direct. Hope this helps all you 480 users! I had to review the ActFP vs DB selection. Buttonology requires practice so we don't lose our skills. Fly Safe!

Reposition for Annual

Once again it's that time of year...Commander 3 Tango Charlie is heading off to annual. The weather was not looking good for an early flight over the weekend and there were airshow TFR's. My start day on Monday looks even worse, although no TFR's to contend with. 

I tried to coordinate with Charles G for a possible ride home today but he is land locked due to ramp and taxiway paving. My hangar neighbor Chet is headed to New York. Hmmm...I may have to rent a car. Charles said he would ask his instructor who is always looking to fly if he would drop me off here at Ocean City. Julian and I traded text messages and then a call, agreeing to meet at N57 early morning.

I got up around 5:15 and wandered around trying to fully wake up. I had set out my airplane log book (Adlog) and a small bag to carry my ADSB in, a few cameras, battery brick and iPad. I loaded up my SUV and headed to the airport. I had to complete my preflight and sump my fuel. I was ready to start up so I texted Julian to let him know I was getting ready to go and my flight time to New Garden N57 would be 45 minutes. Julian acknowledged. 

I picked up flight following with Dover and rode along in the smooth air Canadian smoke. It was just as bad as my flight review flights. Dover handed me off to Philly as I watched Julian take off from Summitt. The timing was perfect as I crossed midfield to enter the left downwind for runway 6 and Julian soon followed. I made a nice landing and taxied to the shop to shut down and secure. 

Once my log book was handed off along with a spare key set I headed out and climbed aboard the mighty Warrior. The ride took a bit longer but it was smooth. It felt odd being shoulder to shoulder when the Commander has so much room. Nonetheless I was very appreciative of the ride. Julian and I enjoyed the ride chatting airplanes, airlines, and CFI/student teaching practices. It was good to hear the view from the other side. I was so happy to hear that he teaches safety and courtesy, common sense stuff. I was also happy to hear that he teaches a sound departure brief and his students will benefit from that practice. I told him about my accident and that my training saved our lives. I talked about my PPL and instrument instructors and what they drilled into me. I also explained about my friend Mike B. Mike was the driving force in making me a safer pilot and as much as I hate to admit it, I really miss his torture sessions.

Julian nailed the landing at Ocean City, slow and smooth. After topping off the fuel we parted ways. I thanked him again and offered seat time in the Commander whenever he wanted to fly it. 

Flight Review Day

I previously scheduled my flight review with Tim over in Millville NJ - KMIV.  Today had an early start, Mary was up and out of the house for 6:30 MRI, I got up around 6am.  I packed my flight bag and cameras last night and my log book which I had to sit and think where I stored it. I found it, tucked away in our safe with other important documents. It’s always in the last place you look. 

I headed over to the airport so I could sump fuel and preflight. Everything was good to go and with that I tugged 3 Tango Charlie out to the ramp. I only ran tail and over the shoulder cameras. I started up, taxied for three-two then launched into the haze. Yep, we still have the Canada smoke covering the area. I crossed the bay at fifty five hundred feet, letting down as I went feet dry, now over NJ. 

The pattern was crazy busy! There was another plane entering on the 45 for left down wind three-two. I bugged out making a right 360 to reenter. There was a Cessna crossing midfield to reposition with a teardrop and a plane landing and another on base. I told Tim I should pass the BFR for just arriving here safely.

The flight review went very good and this is just a very brief review of some of the ground portion and items covered flying. 

I started out with a clearing turn and then set up for slow flight. I should mention I do not like slow flight at all. Right from the start I was up and down with holding altitude during slow flight maneuvers but squared it away as I quickly shed the rust. GPS work provided one brainfart as I stumbled through a diversion. I went through the correct process but did not select from database (DB) to enter the airport, instead, I was stuck in stupid on the flight plan (ActFP) page. I quickly recovered and selected nearest (NRST), scrolled down to the second choice Woodbine and hit direct. This was just another way of achieving the same goal with fewer buttons to push.

I knocked out multiple landings at Woodbine and then returned to Millville. As I was on very short final Tim called for a go around and I flowed through the process, Cram Climb Clean Cool Communicate. I got a very good and with that continued for my final landing. 

The ground portion was a review of my flying, and procedures that included V speeds, emergency procedures and some regs. All in all productive and a fun learning experience.

We sat and debriefed while the log book entries were completed. I squared up with Big Sky for the CFII time and then headed out to the plane for my ride home. I made a nice landing in Ocean City and tucked 3 Tango Charlie in the nest. I ordered fuel, taking on twenty gallons for my Friday flight to reposition for annual at New Garden N57. I cleaned plenty of bugs from the leading edges and my gear, it was gross. You're welcome NJ for me reducing the bug population. 

Return from Cape May

This is a video of my return flight from Cape May NJ to Ocean City MD. A fun flight with a few bumps once I let down for Ocean City. 

Cape May NJ

Cape Henlopen DE

Runway 20 KOXB

Cape May NJ for Lunch

I received a message from friend and fellow pilot Dave S asking if I wanted to meet for lunch on Wednesday at Cape May, KWWD. I had an early morning doctors appointment at 7:30 but after that I was good to go. The plan was for a 12:30 meet, perfect.

I headed home after the doctor and filled Mary in. The conclusion is I have arthritis in my joints. My knees are the worst with the hands and shoulders a very close second. The doc asked when did I break my back? I responded my lower back in the plane accident. What about the area, insert some doctor speak, oh between my shoulder blades, no clue.  I know sometimes I have pain there like someone is trying to poke a hole through me and he said that would be the spot. I also informed him that not one doctor addressed my back injuries after the plane accident. The look on his face was priceless. ANyway that's the results and I keep moving forward from there.

I met a Commander 114 driver as I entered the airport. It was nice to meet Mike and Carrol. I gave them a ride to the terminal.

Ok, back to the airplane stuff. I completed my pre-flight and fuel sump before tugging 3 Tango Charlie out on to the ramp. I set the tail camera and climbed aboard. 

Winds favored runway two-zero so I taxied out for departure. With my run up complete I departed and climbed away turning north to follow the shore line. The ride wasn't bad at all and my plan was to cross the Bay at five thousand five hundred. The smoke from Canada had reached the eastern shore and really ruined what could have been a perfect day to fly. After picking up the weather in Cape May I joined the left down wind for runway two-eight to flow with traffic even though winds favored one-nine. 

Dave's Cherokee 235 C

Dave and Bob were already seated having arrived ten minutes ahead of time. Dave and I had omelettes and Bob had a fish sandwich. It was great to catch up with both guys. Special congrats to Bob for retirement!!  Way to go Bob, enjoy your time as you see fit. Once we finished eating we chatted for a bit then headed out to get back in the air.

1947 Republic RC-3

I was number one to go after a Bonanza landed. I circled over the lighthouse area to build altitude and keep clear of the inbound jet traffic. The smokey haze was just as bad as the ride north so I settled in to enjoy the air time. Once I let down for Ocean City the ride got a bit bumpy. I made a nice landing on runway two-zero and taxied for the hangar. Another fun flight in the log book!

Pilot's Place Lunch at Cambridge

I opened up a post on the Pilot's Place forum that listed a Saturday lunch meet at the Cambridge Airport- KCGE.  I haven’t seen fellow aviator Ron (Cap’n Ron) in over ten years and I also had the chance to meet Tom (TomJ) for the first time. 

 

I set up a couple of cameras and then got the fan turning so I could build some heat in the oil prior to taxi.  Once well into the yellow I released the brakes and headed for runway three-two.  Winds at ocean city were 320° 13G23. At least the winds were straight down the runway. Once completing my run up I  rolled for the runway a set take off power. I was off at the one thousand foot markers and climbed away. 

It was a bumpy ride with twenty knot headwinds all the way to Cambridge. I thought the ride would be a bit smoother when I let down but it was worse.  I made my position calls at ten, five and final. I managed a nice landing on runway three-four and taxied for the ramp. 

The three of us enjoyed lunch and the airplane talk that followed. Ron is a wealth of knowledge and we enjoyed discussing IFR flight, approaches and some of the recent accidents. Tom, retired Navy, has a aviation maintenance shop in Tappahannock Virginia KXSA. It was interesting to hear his take on maintenance and what I noted as the A&P shortage. I think we were at the table for three plus hours. 

We finally decided it was time to saddle up for home. I should have ordered fuel but I didn't. I could have saved sixty-two cents a gallon compared to the Ocean City fuel price. Tom taxied out first in his recently purchased Piper Arrow. I rolled away from the tie down second and Ron followed third. After completing my run up and a short back taxi I turned into the wind, 300° 15G21, and launched.

The ride home was just as bumpy. The tailwinds really provided a nice push with ground speeds between 140 and 150 knots. I entered the pattern on a three mile 45° for the left downwind three-two and rolled 3 Tango Charlie on. 

Annual Valley Flight

Mary and I recently did the road warrior gig to take care of her mom and dad’s cemetery plot. The just under two hour trip led us to the Veteran's cemetery in Bear Delaware. Following our clean up, new flag install and fresh flowers we headed to Chesapeake city md. We had the chance to meet up with fellow pilot Frank of AirDorrin. His lovely bride was busy helping out at the fire house so we certainly missed miss Bev.

Fast forward to this morning and we are headed to the Ocean City airport ready to head north. Today is my parents turn for flowers, mulch and general cleanup. I had completed the preflight inspection Sunday when I took on fuel. The last thing I needed to do was sump the tanks and tug the plane out. Our gardening tools and two gallons of water were loaded into the baggage compartment followed by us climbing aboard. 

It was windy today, 310 11 knots gusting 18 knots. At least it was right down the runway for departure. We faced a constant headwind as we climbed to six thousand five hundred feet. Since Philly didn’t want this bug smasher in the bravo, clearly evident by the expected route change, I decided to fly VFR and skirt Philly and Allentown. 

We rode along on top and I was starting to concern myself with the thought of should I have filed or I may need a pop up to get through this layer. Thankfully there was an opening and I let down for Wilkes-Barre, KAVP as we crossed over the wind turbines. I was cleared to land runway four and ride the bucking bronc to the runway winds 300 16 gusting 19 knots. 

Headwinds

I took on 16 gallons and with that the ramp fee was waved. I was charged a landing fee of $13.  Mary secured the curtesy SUV and once our supplies were loaded we head to the cemetery. The Pittston Walmart had the mulch and a large selection of flowers to choose from. Twenty minutes later we were digging in the dirt and planting flowers. 

Tailwinds

A beautiful day to fly and an annual event that is near and dear to my heart. I miss my folks everyday and to honor them by completing this flight and preparing the grave for Memorial day is very important to me.