BACFest 2011 Ithaca, NY

BACFest is here!  Mary and I decided to attend BAC fest this year since it's almost in our back yard and we really want to see our friends from Texas. The event is going to take place in Ithaca, NY just one hour and forty minutes flight time north.  

It's been hectic trying to plan a few trips and still get ready to demo our kitchen and have everything ready for the cabinet maker to do his install. One of the chores is to pack everything up prior to demo, I think this is the biggest PITA but obviously a critical step. The demo part will be fun, what guy doesn't like tearing things apart. I do have to remind myself that all this will happen at the same time 08Romeo goes in for annual and I'll be spending three days, of my week vacation, rolling around on the shop floor only to have to come home and start the demo.

I digress, this write up is about BAC fest. I just thought some background into what's going on at home would offset any senseless ramblings off the beaten path, I rest my case.

Maggie has a boarding reservation for Friday and the cats are good to go.  The plan is to be out of the house early and at the plane by 7am. I will have the fuel topped and maybe the cover removed the night before but at least we will be ready to launch by 7:30ish. The logistics are pretty much covered now we await the wx and Saturday's departure.

UPDATE: Friday 9/30/2011

A change in the plan! Our conversation walking out to our vehicles on the way to work this morning went something like this. The wx is not looking good for a flight to Ithaca on Saturday so we both decided to take a half day today and literally get on the road in our SUV. A few hours later as the wx updates it looks very doable for a Friday departure and it's looking better for a Sunday return home, that would work and we really don't want to drive.

Departing two seven at ILG

We make a few calls back and forth and decide on leaving work around 11AM. We only need to drop off Maggie by 2PM so that would be our only time restriction. I arrive first and start to pack, Mary pulls in shortly after me a she starts packing. The dog knows somethings up but she has no clue she won't be going with us. Bags tossed in the SUV flight bag and Marys headset bag loaded along with her GPS from the car. Maggie is all excited and struggles to sit-stay until the kennel command releases her to board the SUV.

It's only a few minutes to the Vet and she is not a happy gal, by the way I always get to drop the dog off so I guess I'm the bad guy.  Ok Mary has dropped her off a few times. We are soon pointed south and heading towards 08Romeo, who is waiting with a full belly of fuel ready to fly.

Mary and I flow through the ritual and have 08Romeo ready to fly.  I contact ground and pick up my clearance.

C- KITH
R- RH RV PTW FJC V149 CFB ITH
A- 2000/6000-10
F- 119.75
T- 4272

wx ahead!

eyeball confirmation

Pocono racetrack (NASCAR)

We took off from runway two seven and flew runway heading (RH) until Philly gave us a direct Pottstown (PTW) from there we got four thousand and direct Allentown (FJC)riding along waiting for the hand off to Allentown Approach. Once handed off Allentown we were cleared to five thousand and then in time handed over to Wilkes-Barre Approach.  Wilkes-Barre gave us direct Binghamton (CFB)and a climb to six thousand. We were handed off to Binghamton then Elmira eventually getting stepped down for the arrival into Ithaca.  A smooth landing in clear conditions with a taxi to the ramp full of Mice (Beechcraft Musketeers). We were here, start to stop just two hours with one hour forty minutes of that flight time.

KITH

Cayuga Lake

Final One Four - KITH

KITH Tower

The lineman brought out our car, a new grey Volkswagen tiguan. Neat lil SUV with plenty of room.  We loaded up then took a call from Bo and Tom who were waiting in the FBO parking lot, they had tracked us on FlightAware. SO nice of them to come get us since they weren't sure if we had a car scheduled for today's amended arrival plans. We followed them to the hotel. a short few minute drive.

We got everything unpacked and realized we forgot sweatshirts and heavy jackets, the temps were in the low fifties. We will make do and once finished getting things put away we headed downstairs to meet the BAC Fest attendees. Mary and I headed to the bar for a drink and some good conversation. It was so nice to see Bo and his Bride Sandra.  Mary and I mingled and I got to put faces to the names on the Beech Aero Club forum.

The group gathered for a "happy hour" in a private room in the hotel.  Munchies were great and so was the chance to walk around and meet people. There were so many new faces and names, I'm not sure I can remember everyone. 

The Rose

The folks at our table and a few others decided to walk across the parking and have dinner at The Rose, Tap room and grill. Food and service was good and the conversation never stopped from the hotel to the Rose and back to the hotel. Mary and I decided to call it a night since we had been up since 5AM. We were happy to be here a night earlier than originally planned.

Saturday 10/1/2011

Saturday was our day to explore. The plan at breakfast was to invade the Ithaca Farmers Market, Apple Festival, Indian Festival and a second run to the chocolate factory, well at least a first visit by Mary and I.  I think we had four cars in the party and once staged we were off to have fun. Most of the men stayed back for the business meeting, I took a pass, I sit in meetings all the time and I didn't need to make this one.

Farmers Market

First stop was the Farmers Market. This place had a little bit of everything and a lot of produce, breads and wine. Here are a few pictures to enjoy, it's better then reading it all.  The picture of Mary and I is taken with Cayuga lake and the boat ride dock behind us. It was cold and windy but the pavilion helped block most of the wind.

At Farmers Market boat dock on lake Cayuga

Sandra took a pass on returning to the So Sweet Chocolate factory with us so Mary and I went on ourselves with the trusty GPS to guide us. The roads and homes reminded us of Wilkes-Barre, PA....only the names and address was different. Small town USA is everywhere. We both noticed how clean and updated everyone kept their homes, again home town pride. We passed a State Park sign and a sign that read Taughannock Falls, we would need to investigate this after the chocolate stop.

Life's So Sweet Chocolate

We made a U turn at the car wash and found on street parking. This was old main street, the buildings were very old but most had a shop of some sort making a go of it, I like the old towns and the architecture of the buildings. I parked out front of an antique store just a few steps from the Life's So Sweet Chocolates. We walked in and immediately could smell the chocolate! The young lady working the counter gave us a lot of good info and she knew the products and process.

Mary and I literally were like two kids in a candy store! We purchased the following; peanut clusters in milk choc, macaroons, pecan clusters in milk choc, sweedish fish, some chocolate with little white dots and we each got a chocolate bar, one with cashews and one with toffy crunch sprinkles.

With our sugar rush in high gear we saddled up for a ride back down the hill to the state park.  We passed the antique mall that was noted for a potential afternoon visit and finally turned off the highway for the falls. We had our choice of hiking through the woods to a river level falls view or drive on through the park to the scenic view, we opted for the overlook.

The falls were gorgeous and now we understand why the Life's so sweet clerk said most graduates have their pictures taken there. We hoofed it back up the slate stairs and back to the SUV. We weree keeping an eye on time since the BAC Fest had a scheduled luncheon and general members meeting scheduled at noon. I pulled the Volkswagen into the lot with a few minutes to spare and we headed inside, out of the rain, to clean up for lunch.  The meetings were split between members and spouses, I think the ladies had more fun but I will admit I learned about the club and how we operate.

By the time the social hours wrapped up we had enough time to grab a few winks,shower and dress for cocktails before dinner. We all met outside the ballroom to mingle and enjoy a drink or two. I was knocking down sprite since I was flying in the morning. We enjoyed a nice dinner and we had an excellent speaker from Aero News Network, the Editor in Chief, Jim Campbell. BAC also handed out awards and our friend Bo(Flights of the Mouse)took home a gorgeous plaque for his efforts. Congrats my friend!!!

I didn't hang out to late with the group but I hear the party lasted past midnight. I turned in around 10:30 wanting to check on Mary who had left not long after dinner due to a diverticulitis flare up. My bride was resting comfortably and feeling a little better. I'm glad she decided to lay down and rest since we would have a possible bumpy flight home in wx.

Sunday 10/2/2011

I guess we wandered downstairs around 8:30 and met up with fellow club members for breakfast. Everyone looked no worse for wear as we all planned departures, most by car some of us by plane. I checked on the latest updates and it looked like a 1PM departure was our best bet but by the time we finished eating the updates rolled in and they looked worse. Radar was painting an ugly picture (that I forgot to snap) but it was moving west through Ithaca. Once that band had passed we were at least good to go for avoiding heavy rain and winds.  Here is a shot I just took at 4:51, six and a half hours after we left. Update was from 4:30.

Waiting on a Mooney to land, hold short 32

Wheels up ready for IMC

Here we go!

We launched into 800 overcast with a comfort factor knowing I could get in on the ILS if I had to. I kept the fuel load a bit lighter just in case we needed to climb out of a layer to avoid the icing area. Temps were in the forty's when we left and the freezing level was at eight thousand.  I had planned for seven thousand but after looking at the Minimum Enroute Altitude(MEA)I opted for five.

Broke out at 3000'

Thanks Wilkes Barre, heading back into IMC

I sat at the hold short watching a Mooney land and he reported tops at three thousand. That report gave me a warm and fuzzy. Once cleared for takeoff the tower passed along his info and I thanked the Mooney pilot. We were on the roll ready to enter Instrument conditions. A nice steady climb out at six hundred feet a minute with a radio flip over to Elmira departure.  I was cleared direct Binghamton (CFB)and eventually handed off to Wilkes-Barre Approach.  WB cleared me to six thousand (in the clag) and I road along checking outside temps sitting at thirty five degrees. Light rain sprayed the windscreen but didn't even make any noise. I kept a close watch on the temp probe and the corner of my window where I could watch rain drops dance, as long as they keep dancing.

IMC and the rain

Broke out north of Allentown

Thanks Allentown, descends me into IMC at 4000

Pitot heat was on just to be safe as I logged almost an hour straight in the crap. About seven miles north of Allentown I finally broke out for some sun but could see potential layers daring me to enter. I requested a deviation to the right twenty degrees to avoid some large build-ups then quickly returned to course. It was looking like I could make it well into Philly airspace and almost to Wilmington at this altitude.

almost in the clag

The pipe dream didn't last long as Allentown lowered me for Philly traffic.  I thought this might happen but had wished for the best. Goodbye sunshine, into the clag we go. I got blasted with showers but the outside temps were now near forty degrees.  Allentown handed me off to Philly and they turned me direct Modena (MXE)instead of my as filed Pottstown (PTW). I didn't make it to Modena, not even close as Philly decided to turn me towards their airport and vector me for the RNAV GPS 27 into Wilmington. The young female controller advised to expect KAHOE.

DRBA War Memorial and offices ( thats my office)

Misty rain....

Landing two seven at ILG

I chugged through the Garmin 530 but did not see KAHOE on the GPS 27 on the Vectors To Final selection (VTF). It was listed on my approach plate as an Initial fix and available if I choose RUUTH or Woodstown (OOD). No problem I was on vectors so I selected RUUTH then direct KAHOE so I was ready.  I got the final vector for KAHOE and was directed to maintain at or above three thousand. I crossed KAHOE, making my right turn to a loooong final at three thousand. I was looking good on course and altitude clicking off. Down to eighteen hundred at GUSTE. Eight sixty at JEKVO and four eighty say five hundred for the Missed Approach Point (MAP).  I caught a glimpse of the twin bridges and then nothing. Back inside then a peek out still nothing. Mary calls out ground, six hundred descending and I see the Air National Guard C130's off to the right of the runway and finally the runway as I pass through five fifty.

A smooth landing adding power to make the first taxiway.  We are home! Almost two hours of actual and another Approach towards currency. The Instrument rating got us home today, on schedule. We would have been stuck in Ithaca until Wednesday waiting for the ceiling to lift.

Minimums

On top for a few minutes heading to 58M

Minimums, Yes today would provide my first real test of my instrument skills.  Yes, I've been in the "soup" on various flights but today would test my skills to minimums.  Wilmington was looking good for departure so I filed for the ten minute hop to Cecil County, 58M in order to have my leaking fuel sump replaced.  Ground read my clearance to me; runway heading, radar vectors, two thousand, one one niner point seven five squawk 4626.  I read everything back correct then advised holding for release.

Philly finally gave Wilmington the ok and I was cleared to takeoff.  I was in the clag, soup, IMC by seven hundred feet comfortable knowing I could get back in on the ILS or GPS approaches if needed.  Once handed off to Philly I followed my first vector heading two two zero.  I advised I had the wx at Cecil County, (noted from Summit airport) and continued on. Next turn was to two three zero and then a final turn to two nine zero, cleared for the RNAV GPS 31 approach maintain two thousand two hundred until established, showing heavy rain in the area, cancel with me or on the ground...blah....blah ...blah. The just shy of three thousand feet by seventy foot runway was going to be a welcome sight.

Rain passed 58M now I get to deal with it at ILG

Ok, the 496 hasn't shown any rain and the info is maybe 4 minutes old but it's best to trust approach.  I can't see a thing outside as I follow the approach inside calling out altitude and on course.  I make my final GUMPS call and spit out the missed approach procedure so I can hear myself.  I was just out side WESIL the final appraoch fix (FAF) and descending to one thousand seven hundred, still no ground view.

Finally a glimpse of terrain but gone just as fast. I am descending to the six hundred foot minimum descent altitude (MDA) and was making ready to go missed. I check out front and see nothing, look to my ten O clock and spot the Elk river. Passing through just under seven hundred I get blasted with heavy rain, I'm almost to the river. I have ground contact, six fifty, six forty I have the airport and runway.  I add a notch of flaps and continue in deciding not to flip back to cancel with Philly but to call once on the ground. That was my very first approach to minimums, what a rush!

The guys at Cecil Aero are the best and they worked me right in to swap out the sump. I hung out for a bit giving the wx a chance to clear. Things looked better at Cecil but what I flew through on final was now over Wilmington. I waited until 9:30ish and decided to pick up my clearance back home. I called the 800 clearance delivery number and was ready to go.  Once in the air I pointed direct Wilmington until I received vectors for the RNAV GPS 19 approach into KILG.  I was in the soup from eight hundred feet after departure and only had some bright sun peeking through to let me know I was close to the tops. I followed the vectors for JIGUP and shot the RNAV GPS 19. I flew a good approach breaking out at seven hundred feet, two hundred twenty above the minimum.

A great feeling knowing I can do this instrument stuff and be safe. I like the work load and the details not to mention the result of that hard work. Sorry no pictures today, I was to busy flying the plane.

Sump replaced and we are ready for the trip to Ithaca, NY.

08Romeo's Pampered

Look....no bugs!!

Mary and decided to have 08Romeo pampered at the FBO we use for fuel.  Their prices were very competitive and the location (across the field) sealed the deal.  I taxied 08Romeo over to Aero Ways, Inc on Wednesday morning and assured her she would love the treatment.  I did ask the line guys to please leave her inside if she is not covered due to the air vents on the top of the cowling just forward of the windshield.  I don't like to get the collectors wet and chance a leak, even though they have worked perfectly and 08Romeo has been watertight. I was told to expect her to be done Friday depending on how busy they were in the shop.

I received a call today at lunch that our girl was ready to go.  I got a ride over to Aero Ways from a coworker and squared up the invoice. First a look around to check out the work. From a distance across the hangar you could see the shine. 08Romeo looked just as nice as the day she rolled out of the hangar in Texas, spotless and a crystal clear reflection of her surroundings. I ran my hand over and under the wing and down her sides, the multi-color red stripes had a rich glow and were smooth as silk.

I was very satisfied with the results. I cannot wait to go fly. Since I had to return to work, a short taxi across the field would have to suffice. GREAT JOB AERO WAYS!!!

The Breakdown:
Degrease,Wash - 1.5 hours @$45  $67.50
Aero Glaze - 4.0 hr - @$45 - $180.00
Total Spa Day treatment  $247.50

Awesome looking plane - PRICELE$$

Breakfast Hop

I decided to  take advantage of the cool temps and get some flight time in today.  Mary took a pass since she said we will be flying the next three out of four weekends, which translates to, she will have her fill of flying.  I headed south for Wilmington trying to decide where to eat.  I sent Vince a text to see if he was available to fly and he replied "see you there".

The VP's Gulfstream

I took on some fuel at ILG but wanted to run the right tank low so I could replace the fuel sump that started to drip. The parts should be in soon, I'm waiting for Roger to give a call from Cecil Aero.  We both climb aboard and I finish up my pre-start checks. No TFR's scheduled today so we get the fan turning and plug in Vince's choice, Cambridge Maryland - KCGE.  Good choice Vince, now get us set up and make the calls, it's your trip today.  Wilmington immediately puts us in a ground hold, Air Force Two will be taking off shortly since they just called on the ground frequency. Great, nothing like a heads up.  Oh well, we sat for maybe ten minutes and at least the oil had additional time to warm up.

With the V.P. climbing away from Wilmington in his Gulfstream, I am directed to proceed to runway nine via taxiway kilo, hold short at Kilo 5.  Vince makes all the calls and does a fine job. Once cleared to take off I roll onto the runway and climb out. Cleared on course and with a follow up check by Vince with the tower he has us turning right to a southwest heading.

Vince made the call for flight following to Dover and we were good to go. There were jumpers at Ridgely just six miles off the nose so we kept a close watch for meat missiles and the jump plane. Vince soon had a visual on the jump plane and we turned farther east to give more room for jumpers that were going to be falling through the layer above us.  We didn't want to meet anyone up close.  By this time we had been on with Potomac approach and we advised them of the deviation for the jumpers.

Ready to go at KGED, clearance to ILG



Departing rwy 10

The wx started to show on the garmin 496 and it confirmed what the eyeballs were telling us. It looked like heavy rain now moving into the Easton and south area covering our intended destination. I made a call to Potomac and diverted to Georgetown, KGED. Georgetown was busy with traffic and Vince and I both were looking.  There was plenty of cloud cover so it took some scanning to spot traffic.

That's right where we're headed

Yep, 496 is correct

Just starting to sprinkle

washing off the bugs

I was tooling along reporting my position and intentions to land on runway one zero. As I got closer reporting a five mile final something didn't look right, there were no numbers and as Vince noticed there was someone on the "runway" potentially going head on with us. Nah...this is not right, that's the taxiway. 08Romeo is going around, I have the Mooney crossing midfield, we were outta there. I circled to join the left downwind for one zero and turned base to final with the picture now looking much better. All the markings were now correct and the numbers where they they should be. A super smooth landing with a nice roll out to clear the runway.

Ah....that's ugly

just under the layer, no bumps in the cool temps

We secured 08Romeo and walked into the terminal to order fuel and grab some breakfast.  I was still re-flying the go-around and reviewing what I was looking at and what I should have done better/faster to pick up the problem. I should have just kept flying the plane, keeping just the mental picture of traffic and not obsess with making visual contact with each target, it distracted me from my landing, lesson learned.

At least the rain quit

The worst is behind us

Breakfast was good as we sat and talked about flying. I decided while we sat at the table to file for the flight home since conditions were getting worse.  Not terrible, but the scattered layer was now broken and moving in. Despite what the AWOS was reporting the layer now looked much lower. We finished up, paid for fuel and did an abbreviated pre-flight.

Localizer Alive!

Nice Intercept Angle from Philly

Glide Slope Alive

We taxied out and I contacted Dover Clearance Delivery for my release. I was waiting on a cirrus inbound on the GPS 4, circle to land one zero. He came in hot and long, I didn't think he would clear the trees climbing out but he did. We sat for another five minutes before Dover released us. The amended route had us direct Waterloo (ATR) then as filed. We were soon given the climb to three thousand direct DuPont (DQO). The thick cloud layer sat above us at three thousand two hundred, dumping a light rain on us until we were just south of Dover.

@100 above DA, a mile out, needles in the donut and speed looking good

ILG's new EMAS

Dover handed us off to Philly and they asked if we wanted the ILS 1 or visual approach. I accepted vectors for the ILS RWY 1. I got one turn to the left which had me on a nice intercept for the localizer. I was restricted to hold three thousand until I was established on the localizer, and so we did. Once I intercepted I started my descent for two thousand holding there until HADIN the Final Approach Fix crossing that point at one thousand nine hundred. A real nice glide slope intercept and a smooth ride slowing to ninety knots making small corrections. I was eyes in and out since I could not have the foggles on with no safety pilot. Another smooth landing and taxi to Red Eagle. Thanks Vince for all the pictures!!

October Fun Trips

Mary and I have a few adventures planned in the next few weeks.  Once 08Romeo is finished with the spa day (degrease, wash and wax) we gave her at AeroWays, we plan on attending a couple of fly-in get togethers. 

First up will be the Beech Aero Club BACFest.  This will be a short hop to Ithaca, New York in the Finger Lakes region. The event is scheduled from September 29th - October 2nd. This is a perfect opportunity to find out about the Beechcraft Musketeer, Sundowner and Sierra and Sport.

One of the largest tourism regions in the state, New York’s Finger Lakes covers 9,000 square miles from the southern shore of Lake Ontario to the Pennsylvania border and encompasses 11 parallel lakes spanning the center of New York State like a giant handprint. The most popular lakes located in the Finger Lakes region are: Canandaigua, Cayuga, Conesus, Owasco, Otisco, Honeoye, Keuka, Seneca and Skaneateles. Although each has a name of its own, these thin glacial lakes are most often referred to as a group: the Finger Lakes.

EDIT/UPDATE: 9/16

It looks like we may attend the Cape May Lewes Ferry Wine Festival on October 8th located in Cape May. NJ.  Mary and I haven't locked in yet.  There is also a Lima bean festival that same day, which we wanted to attend last year.  As of today it's looking like Lima beans.......

Cape May – Lewes Ferry (CMLF) officials announced that a series of four (4) Wine Lovers Sunset Cruises on the Delaware Bay will be offered in late September and early October, beginning on Friday, September 23. The Lewes cruises will depart the terminal on four consecutive Fridays at 4:15 p.m. while the Cape May cruises are scheduled to leave the terminal on successive Saturdays at 6:00 p.m.

The West Cape May Annual Lima Bean Festival is the one event you must attend. Great food, quality vendors, antiques, entertainment and fun. Come out and celebrate West Cape May's farming heritage. You will never think of legumes the same way again. Located in Wilbraham Park from 9:00AM to 5:00PM. October 8, 2011, Rain date October 9.
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 Next up is the Pilots of America fly in to Windwood Resort, October 14-16 , located in Davis, WV. This was the first overnighter when we purchased 08Romeo in October 2009. It was a fun filled trip from Texas to get to Windwood and log our first night landing.

Windwood is located in the heart of beautiful Canaan Valley, West Virginia. Sitting high in the Allegheny Mountain Range, this alpine valley is the highest plateau east of the Rocky Mountains. Its unique cool and moist climate allows for cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers. The valley is surrounded by the Dolly Sods & Otter Creek Wilderness Areas, Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Blackwater Falls & Canaan Valley State Parks, & 900,000 acres of National Forest Land. Canaan Valley is well-known as a four-season paradise.

New York will be an overnight followed by a day of winery exploration or a short hop over to Rome NY to visit with friends.  Windwood WV will be a day trip only this year.  Mary and I went back and forth about overnight or making it a weekend but without ground transportation and having to board Maggie it was decided to day trip only.

I am flight planning and arranging transportation for New York, completing the hotel and Saturday banquet reservations. Windwood is just a day trip so for now it will be a wx watch and simple IFR flight plan to file.

Oil Change & Service

I went into work early since I had no shot at getting out of Wilmington at 7am. The fog settled in right over ILG and I could not see the hangars across the field from my tie down at Red Eagle.  It was clear blue sky above and from I95 I could see the twin spans so visibility was greater than five miles at least, well, everywhere but the airport. 

I managed to get a few things done and check on my contract work across the bridge in Carneys Point. With the contractor busy and the tenants happy I scooted back to work and turned in a leave slip for a half day. The wx was looking much better at ILG and after a few extra gallons of go go juice and a sump I was headed to 58M.  08Romeo had fifteen gallons in the left tank and maybe five to seven in the right, she jumped off the runway! It's just a short hop to Cecil County and as soon as I hit 2000 feet I was nosing over and announcing my midfield crosswind entry for runway three one. An nice landing and slow roll out for the taxiway, I was down and clear. 

Roger marshaled me in and I shut down in front of the hangar.  Keith was going to do my oil change today so I gave a hand removing the top cowl. I did remember to take an oil sample so I can send that off to the lab, results will be posted.  Roger removed the right wing sump to check on replacing both O rings.  The Beech auto-valve 971D1 cannot be disassembled, it has a machine pressed pin that will not stay in place once removed.  Only the base seal can be replaced.  Roger is ordering the part, stay tuned for the rest of the story. In the picture below you can see where the machine pressed pin would lock in place just above the "crimp" area.

The Gascolater sump was also having an issue, not leakage but some blockage.  I tried to clean out the sump but didn't have much luck. Keith removed the unit with a special made tool that was a socket cut out to accomodate the cross pin. With an additional clamp to hold the socket tight and an adjustable to hold the gascolater nut in place it slowly broke free and spun off.  Keith had to use a small dental pic to clean out the mud dauber deposits. Some additional compressed air to finish the clean out and a spin on the wire wheel and the part was ready to go. Once reinstalled and tested we confirmed the flow rate was back to normal. I hope I don't have to get a "remove before flight" cover to keep the critters out.

The wing tank sump needed to be ordered so I will either have it replaced at annual in November or make another vist to the shop. The F75, pictured above, has a clip that can be removed and both O rings replaced, this is the replacement part for the 971D1 Beech Part.

As I was getting my sticker for 08Romeo's log book a gentleman walked into the office and introduced himself. Charlie has been a long time reader of this blog and we have corresponded a few times via email and through the comments feature on the blog. We finally meet!

I had seen a sweet looking Cherokee come in (green over white) and commented to Keith while we were finishing up in the shop. Keith said the owners name but it didn't register.  Of course I just got done crawling around the plane helping with the oil change and fuel sumps so I must have looked like I just crawled out from under a rock.  We all chatted and agreed to catch up for a lunch run, you know it doesn't take much to twist my arm to fly.

Charlie's Cherokee

Charlie had a ride back to N57 scheduled. I asked if he wasn't already in the air I would give him a lift back to New Garden. He thanked me but said his ride was on his way.  I finished my transaction in the office and was on my way. I was second in line to depart runway three one behind an aztec.  As I went wheels up I saw Charlie wave so I rocked my wings and climbed out for home. A total of .8 in the book, fun times working on the plane and meeting new friends!!

Charlie, where are we going to meet up for lunch?

N/A Fun at Work

Air Photo for reference

I got a chance to have some fun at work today. I went to the top of the Twin Spans and took a few pictures but really just enjoyed the view.  Not as much fun as flying, but fun stuff none the less! I have taken many pictures as we fly in and out of Wilmington, I never get tired of looking at such cool structures.

Delaware over my shoulder

Wilmington in the background

West view from on top of the New Jersey Tower

Here is some backgrond info on the bridges where I work.

The world's second longest twin suspension bridge

The Delaware Memorial Bridge links Delaware and New Jersey in graceful twin suspension spans that soar high above the Delaware River, just north of the mouth of the Delaware Bay. The twin spans touch down in New Castle, Delaware, and in Pennsville, New Jersey. The Delaware Memorial Bridge is a self-supporting toll bridge operated by the Delaware River and Bay Authority, a bi-state agency.

The bridge is a lasting memorial to those soldiers who gave their lives in World War II, the Korean Conflict, Vietnam and Operation Desert Storm. Each year on Veterans Day, a special ceremony is held at the Bridge War Memorial, which overlooks the Twin Span.