Beating the Race Traffic

Friday 5/31/2013

This weekend is race weekend at Dover Downs Raceway.  For anyone that is not blessed with such an event, consider yourself lucky.  I enjoy racing but I hate the thought of driving anywhere around the track or interstate system for 25 miles in each direction.

Mary and I needed to move some items to the motor home including the new crate for the puppy. We had the Sundowner packed and I had ordered fuel to the tabs, makes for a 30 gallon total on a 45 minute flight.  When we got to the plane Friday night it was fueled to the slots which added an estimated sixty pounds to my payload. I did a quick calculation with my iPhone app WnB Pro and I was still good to go despite the ninety plus degree temps and density altitude issues.

We launched for Ocean City and flew as filed KILG-ENO-EZIZI-KOXB.  Temps at six thousand were cool and the ride was smooth.  Dover stepped us down around KGED and handed us off to Patuxent who advised expect visual approach to one four.  I made a nice landing in crosswinds and taxied to a tie down in front of the jump school.

Saturday 6/1/2013

Our main mission this weekend was to meet with a real estate agent and look at potential homes for retirement. We found a really nice floor plan that we both loved and I think that will be our target style home. More on the retirement front later.

I also had a chance to help one of our neighbors who was digging footers for his new deck. It was a nice work out and he's a really nice guy.

Mary captured my best side!

I had some work to do around the motor home so I snapped a quick shot that shows our set up. Yes, that's our little beach buggy, the VW Cabrio.

There is a funny this weekend, it happened at the Food Lion market.  I was going to sign the credit card slip and the lady handed me a pen.  A pen with a spoon attached.  I had to ask why and she just giggled. So, I'm sharing my find at the market.

Sunday 6/2/2013

It was an early start this morning. We both wanted a smooth ride home and the winds were already picking up in Ocean City. The forecast for Wilmington was calling for afternoon rain and there were thunder boomers moving toward the area. We didn't want to tangle we either so we launched around nine-ish.

I did file but it was so nice I wanted to just enjoy the flight with my Bride and enjoy our breakfast we picked up. We made a stop to top off the airport car fuel and while there walked into the store next door.  Fractured Prune donut shop has the most amazing donuts. We each purchased a bottle of milk to wash it all down and it was the perfect in flight snack.

The tailwinds were great and it made for a quick smooth ride home. We did hit some bumps when we let down for Wilmington but not to bad at all.

UPDATE:
We did get to see few pictures of our 3 week old American Mastiff pup. We will either bring home a fawn or Apricot little girl. Mary and I are so excited!!

Approach Work

Mike and I got together tonight for some approaches and a dinner run to Chester County, KMQS.  I packed my flight bag last night complete with the Foreflight update 5.1.1, updated charts and the Jeppesen  update for the Garmin 530.

I dashed out of work at 3pm and headed to the plane.  08Romeo really needs a wax job, she is looking dull.  I hope to have they guy scheduled for next week to bring her shine back and have her really looking good for summer.

I went through the pre-flight, sumped fuel and was ready for Mike to arrive.  Mike came through the gate and did an abbreviated walk around then climbed aboard.  The plan for this evening was a few ILS approaches at Chester County followed by dinner at the Flying Machine Cafe'.  My first ILS was ok. I was out of sorts on my flow, setting speed to 90 knots way early as I was about ready to get established.  This approach ended in a low approach only, as planned.  Round two was much sharper, I kept the needles in the bubble and did a nice job with managing the cockpit and checks.  I really do need to verbalize more. I guess I cut that out of my procedures because Mary doesn't seem to like me calling everything out......maybe she thinks I forgot what I'm supposed to do???   Nah.....but the thought cracks me up.

Round two ends with a full stop and taxi off to the ramp. We enjoyed dinner at the Cafe' and as always did some post flight review. I'm rusty, it's obvious and I need to get back to flying more instruments.

We launched for Summit, KEVY and Mike shoots the GPS 17 approach. A bit of a rough go on the first approach but Mike soon dialed in and flew 08Romeo as he always does, smooth and on the numbers. This approach ended on a low approach and followed with a transfer of control back to yours truly.

I wanted to shoot the ILS 1 back into Wilmington, KILG.  Mike role played ATC and vectored me in.  I did a nice job, cockpit management much better with nice speed and needle control. I lifted the foggles at 300 feet and attempted the landing. I felt I was way to hot and after setting 08Romeo down without letting her quit flying  I managed to briefly skip on the mains and nose it in. Ughhh....full power going around. I didn't feel like playing Flipper.

After advising the tower I was going missed I was redirected to enter a right base for runway three two. Not a problem as I gathered my thoughts and got back on the ground.

Memorial Holiday Get-Away

Thursday 5/23/13

The plan was to fly to the beach for the holiday week of vacation, Thursday night through Tuesday evening.  The wx for departure didn't look so hot, rain and windy conditions that are not worth a pleasure flight to the beach.  Besides, the big red flag for me is the CB – Cumulonimbus from 1900-2200. The Cumulonimbus always indicates a strong instability to the layering of air with appropriate convection or turbulence. Hey, I don't get paid to do this, it's for fun. 

KILG (TAF
231558Z 2316/2412 20012G18KT P6SM SCT025 BKN035
TEMPO 2316/2319 6SM -SHRA BR BKN025 OVC040
FM231900 18012G20KT 5SM -SHRA BR BKN025 OVC050
TEMPO 2319/2322 -TSRA BKN025CB
FM240300 22008KT 4SM -SHRA BR OVC008
FM240900 29005KT 4SM -SHRA BR OVC006

After looking at the Friday forecast we made the decision to ground pound it to the beach. We were loaded up and on the road by 9:30 pm and we arrived at the motor home at 11:30.  We made good time and that included a fuel and munchies stop!

METAR KILG 240951Z 25004KT 6SM BR OVC003 18/17 A2974
METAR KILG 240851Z 23003KT 8SM BKN003 OVC110 18/17 A2973
METAR KILG 240751Z 24005KT 10SM OVC003 18/17 A2974=
SPECI KILG 240739Z 23003KT 10SM BKN005 OVC110 18/17 A2974
SPECI KILG 240725Z 00000KT 10SM SCT005 BKN085 OVC110 18/17

Friday 5/24/2013

After a great nights sleep we decided on a early afternoon round of golf. We passed on splitting a small bucket of balls to warm up on the range, instead, opting to have right at it. It was not a pretty day on the links. I had trouble off the tee and an ok day with the irons and putting. We both should have warmed up on the range.

The low for the round was me shanking a shot and almost killing a fellow golfer. My ball wizzed by him and his partner before I could even get my brain to signal my mouth to yell FORE!!!!  The guy walked over and picked up my ball and as I walked toward him, iron in hand, he tossed it to me.  I apologized and he very kindly said no problem, we all have those days.  Thankfully I re-holstered the 6 iron I took for defensive purpose and drew out the 3 wood for a decent shot towards the green, yes, in the right direction.

The remaining time at the beach was great. Good food, good neighbors and plenty of sand and surf. We are both looking forward to flying down and not having to ground pound next weekend.

Mike's Flight Time

Mike and I swapped text messages and decided we would get some flight time this evening. Mary was down with a migraine and its best for her to sleep in a dark room in quiet surroundings.  In short that means me not making noise or asking her a zillion times how she feels.

I quickly changed into shorts and grabbed my flight bag.  I made a cal to Atlantic Aviation for fuel on my way to the airport so the fuel would have some time to settle before my sump.  It felt good getting 08Romeo uncovered and ready to fly. I completed my preflight and other than taking out two small bee nests everything was good to go.  Yes, I carry wasp spray in my carry on of tools and cleaning products, I hate bees.

Mike came in soon after I checked fuel and finished the sump on the three locations.  Mike did an abbreviated walk around making checks on fuel, oil, control surfaces and gear. We saddled up and decided on a short hop to Summit Airfield (KMVY) where Mike would knock out a few approaches and I would enjoy the view....no....watch for traffic.

First up was the GPS 17 followed by the GPS 35 and a circle to land. Mike said he needed to knock off the rust, yeah right, and he did a few touch and go's to get the sight picture back.  If Mike was rusty then I need a bead blast and powder coat to be as proficient as he is. Mike is always spot on 08Romeo's numbers, precision approach descent, bang right on it, set it and forget it. Non-precision same thing, set it and forget it.  I learn more about flying from watching him than I do spending time practicing.

While practicing the hold for the GPS 35 Mike tossed in slow flight for the lap. I am never comfortable getting slow and low, to the point of obsession I think, especially when I am turning final. As always, Mike makes it look effortless, smooth and cool.

We finished up back at Wilmington with a super smooth landing on runway two seven and a taxi to my tie down. After we cleaned off the windscreen and leading edges due to a notable bug mass suicide 08Romeo was covered and tucked in for the night. We capped off the night with a stop at Border Cafe' (EATS) for dinner.

Annual Flight, Grounded

It's that time of year when Mary and I make the trek to Wilkes-Barre, PA to take care of my parents grave site. Knowing I am current but not as proficient as I would like to be we closely monitored wx Friday and Saturday.

 Rise and shine this morning and the wx looks good but very windy at Wilmington.  The wx at Wilkes-Barre was scattered with the Skew T showing freezing temps around 5000.  Again very windy conditions for our planned arrival and departure.  I didn't have enough of my own personal comfort factor  for the cloud layer and dropping out underneath if needed having to contend with the mountain terrain, well mountains for out east anyway.

So, this morning I made the call to ground pound it north. I made great time since we left the house at 6:40am and in two hours we were pulling into the store for flowers and mulch. I did note some temps driving down the mountain and temps ranged from 51 on top (1200-1600 ft) to 54 crossing the valley.

It was good to take care of my parents and honor a tradition for the upcoming Memorial Day holiday.  Flowers planted, mulch neatly spread and headstone cleaned, our labor of love completed.  We made a stop for some fruit smoothies and hustled the ML320 south for two hours and a safe return home. It cleared up nice here in Wilmington but after watching the gusting winds whip the tress around I decided to watch the final round of the PGA tour event instead of flying.

First Beach Flight 2013

FRIDAY 5/3/13

Mary and I packed up and headed to the airport Friday afternoon.  Yes, I took a half day and decided to head south.  Mary's Friend Jo Ann joined us for the weekend and pulled up to Red Eagle ready to fly at 1pm.

I had taken on some fuel to make my total thirty gallons for the flight.  This was a VFR flight direct KOXB, Ocean City.  The wx was looking great but the winds were blowing. I found the sweet spot right at three thousand and rode along smooth and steady.  I was watching the clouds roll in from the coast and knew I would have to duck under or get a pop up into OXB.  The bottom of the layer was around twenty five hundred feet so I descended to eighteen hundred for the last ten miles making my position calls.  I felt bad, the smooth ride was over and I was know getting pushed with tail slides left or right, not fun for me, or my passengers.

I had the wx at OXB and the winds were zero six zero - zero seven zero around 15 gusting twenty something.  Runway 2-20 is still closed so it will be runway one four for my best shot.  Running through my mind is the fact I flew once in the last month and had logged two, yes two landings. I wasn't ready for the crosswind but knowing I was going to take a shot or run for Salisbury KSBY.

METAR KOXB 031653Z AUTO 06017G23KT 10SM CLR 12/07 A3040

First attempt, not stable, wings rocking and throttle work was keeping me busy. Only a second notch of flaps for this try as I cross the fence with airspeed from 80 down to 60 knots feeling like the bottom falls out then floating. I'm in the flair or what I managed to make resemble the flair when I felt like I didn't have enough throttle to arrest the sink. I was nearing my go around point and went full power hanging in ground effect then getting positive climb before retracting flaps, a notch at a time.  Meanwhile I was listening to the stall horn sing to me like a police siren from Great Britain.

Somewhere in there I mumbled a c'mon baby climb out as I horsed 08Romeo around to the crosswind.  I extended my crabbing downwind a bit and made my base to final turn. Nice and steady, one notch of flaps this attempt and seemingly better control of the gusting conditions. I'm over the fence, left main planted for a short squirrely ride then the right main and nose gear. We're down, now making more aileron corrections to keep me down the middle of the runway. It felt good to taxi off and shut down.

Joe the lineman came out to meet me and help tie down. He said nice second landing, looked like a wild first ride. I acknowledged it was and followed up with no fuel but I'll take that change of shorts, he couldn't stop laughing.

He then told me the jet on the ramp made multiple attempts too so don't feel bad. Yeah, I nodded, and they get paid to do this stuff.

Ready for the C&C in the motor home!

We loaded up the airport car we keep covered in the lot and headed for the motor home. Jo Ann said I bet you need a beer. Beer hell, I'll take that captain and coke when we get there.

SUNDAY 5/5/2013

We had a great time in OCMD. Tried a few new places to eat, cooked clams here at the motor home and cruised around having fun.  I had watched the wx overnight and decided I wanted to be in the air close to 12:30. I had figured on that being the best time for a chance to bug out VFR even though I filed, just in case.

sitting at hold short r/w 32

We were packed up and to the airport just about on time. I took on sixteen gallons to make my fuel total forty.  Joe fueld 08Romeo and told me a Cessna 182 came in after me on Friday and made multiple attempts to land finally coming in and pranging the prop, not good. With fuel complete and tested and a last look at wx I knew I had to contact Washington Clearance Delivery.

METAR KOXB 051653Z AUTO 05013G22KT 10SM BKN016 OVC035 12/07 A3022

We launch off of runway three two with the sock dancing back and forth. When it did swing it looked like it slightly favored three two over one four so off I went.  Washington Clearance returned my call and cleared me as filed; KOXB ATR DQO KILG.  On departure fly runway heading, three thousand expect five thousand in in ten. Frequency for patuxent 127.95 and my squawk code 5612. I switched back to unicom and made my departure call then rolled down the runway. I was off and crabbing/climbing to three and eventually made contact with pax.

We sat in IMC for a short time and then I was cleared to five thousand direct waterloo (ATR). On my way to ATR I was handed off to Dover Approach and a direct to KILG followed.  Wow! that was too easy, maybe all that clean living, ah no.

We finally broke through on top and our friend Jo Ann thought that was the coolest! She has been in the plane with us multiple times but this was her first IMC experience. We were on top to just north of Dover, Delaware when the layer vanished.  Dover stepped us down to four thousand and handed me over to Philly.  I reported in with level four thousand and hotel at KILG. Philly vectored me for the visual runway nine since he was trying to get a Piaggio in ahead of me and in between two other planes.

Final R/W 9  KILG

A super smooth landing and another fun trip is completed. A great first beach run for the season, testing my metal into OXB and getting some IMC on the way home.

Checkout Flight

After a great three days in Ocean City we decided to head north for home so I could get some flight time.  Typically we fly to/from OCMD but we needed to ground pound for one more trip to move some outdoor furniture.

After returning home I swapped text messages with Vince and made arrangements to pick him up.  08Romeo really needs a bath along with a spa day compounding and waxing her back to her beautiful shine.  We finished the pre-flight and saddled up for a short hop wanting to check out traffic and the Garmin 327 operation.

I also had the Collins nav radio freshened up along with one of the digits replaced.  The nav radio looked and worked perfect.  The mic cord was replaced and I had the clock power source moved to work when the master is on instead of always hot.

The 327 switched to altitude reporting as I passed 60 knots and went wheels up.  We climbed out on runway heading pointing to the southeast and Millville airport.  Next up was the traffic  check and the Zaon was squawking  from start up. Each aircraft was displayed on the Zaon screen and with a few changes on the Garmin 496 I could watch targets pass by with the +/- altitudes displayed, traffic finally restored!

A good check out flight and 1.1  hours in the log.  It's been a month since my last flight so  it felt great being back in the air.  Friday we hope to  start flying to the beach.  OCMD has Springfest so while Mary and friends shop I'll get extra flight time in with a possible breakfast flight to Cambridge.

She's Ready To Fly!

After almost a month off from flying 08Romeo is ready for a test flight.  The headliner work is completed and Mark from Top Stitch Aviation did an excellent job!  Dale at Red Eagle knocked out my list of things to do, a new Garmin 327 transponder, new WAAS GPS antenna and coax, new mic cord pilot side and reconnect my clock to the master so it's not running all the time.  I'll keep this one short and sweet, here are the pics.

Our Maggie Girl

This evening, Mary and I had to make a decision that ripped our hearts out, we said goodbye to our Maggie Girl, our Italian Mastiff. Having just turned eight in March she suffered from kidney failure following a simple surgery to have her teeth cleaned.

Maggie was admitted to the local Vet hospital in hopes of flushing her system and for lack of a better term "jump start" her kidneys. thirty-six hours later she turned for the worse.

I sit here in tears typing this but in my own way it helps move the grieving process along, at least for me. I know she wouldn't want that, she never did like us being upset.  She was always the class clown with the goofy look or stare into space "not listening" when you wanted her to do something she didn't want to. She didn't approve of the cats occasional fighting and would always get up from her comfy bed and get the boys to neutral corners then return, plop down, and give a big sigh as if to say crisis averted now can I get some sleep.

Maggie has stood by Mary on a daily basis as my Bride battled with her health issues, often never leaving the room until I returned from work. She was faithful and loving and we will miss her everyday.

The Last Battle

If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this -- the last battle -- can't be won.

You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.

We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.

Take me to where to my needs they'll tend, Only, stay with me till the end
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see. 
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do for me.

Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved. Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;
We've been so close -- we three -- these years, Don't let your heart hold any tears.

-- Unknown

Airplane Update

08Romeo's headliner fiber board is repaired and new the new foam installed. The new fabric should be installed tomorrow.

Red Eagle pulled the Collins nav radio out and shipped it for repairs to Stellar Avionics, the same folks I am buying my Garmin 327 transponder from. The old GPS antenna is gone along with the coax, new antenna and coax installed and ready for the Fall 2013 WAAS upgrade to my Garmin 530.

Airplane Progress

I met with Mark from Topstitch Aviation on Thursday just to check in as he was removing window plastic and ultimately 08Romeo's headliner.   As I had mentioned the headliner was starting to bubble, it looked like there were pillows stuck under the headliner material.

 With the interior picked clean Mark was going to head back to his shop.  We briefly discussed covering the plastic trim parts with a leather like material to really give it a custom look but for the cost involved I rather put the $$ to avionics.  Maybe in the future, at least I added it to my want list.

Mark sent along a few pictures today as he makes progress removing the foam and leather headliner from the fiberboard.  I was surprised when he noted duct tape on the fiberboard, not a good fix for the headliner and not a good surface to bond to.  As we swapped text messages Mark confirmed he would fix the fiberboard and it should last another 34 years, I can live with that. ;)

While the headliner is out Red Eagle is going to get my plane in the shop to run the new coax cable for the Garmin 530 WAAS upgrade and install the Garmin GA 35 WAAS/GPS antenna. All this to make life easier and save some $$ not having to remove the headliner and trim again when I do the upgrade at the end of our beach season travels.  Dale at Red Eagle found me a yellow tag Garmin 327 and gave me a quote for the work.  I'm keeping the existing Collins transponder and tray to list for sale.

Serviceable used Garmin GTX327 Mode C Transponder, tagged with Form 8130-3, warranty will be provided by Stellar Avionics, 30 days.  $1195.00

10 Labor hours to Perform Item(s) Listed Above   $700

Miscellaneous Installation Items: Includes wiring, coax, connectors, wire braid, and all

other shop supplies used during the installation.     $35
 

Shipping  $27

 

Sub Total $1957.00

 

Getting a quote for the new coax and GA35 antenna, mic cord replacement pilot side, Collins nav radio digit replaced and unit freshened up and rewire clock to master.

 

More pictures tomorrow after 08Romeo is tucked in the shop.

Headliner Fix

before the bubbles

 Today I met with another company that does upholstery work on aircraft.  It's been a bit of a search to find the combination of price, quality and schedule availability, but today I believe I found the one. Mark and I met at the plane and reviewed my list of wants. As I had mentioned in a previous post my headliner started to bubble or pillow would be the best description.  It seems that the liner foam material has separated from the fiberglass headliner board.

My want list is is a new headliner, I don't think the old material can be reused.  Repair my passenger headrest that has a few stitches coming loose and two additional areas, one at each door where a seam is starting to come loose.

good before shot of the area, new pics (to follow) will show the problems

We closed the deal today and work will begin Thursday for removal. The work will be labor intensive with all the window trim needing to be removed to allow access to the headliner. I hope to provide some pictures along the way and get a look at the vent tubing that supplies cabin air to the six vents. The estimate is 2 AMU's, painful indeed, but I want to keep the plane looking great.

As soon as the headliner is completed I should be getting into the avionics shop, more updates to follow. Also, I am getting on the schedule for the start of season wash wax at the local FBO.  A crazy few weeks as we get ready for the busy beach season.

I should add that while all the airplane work is going on Mary and I will be getting the motor home ready to head south in a week. I'm ordering new complete awning systems for four windows and installing, that should be fun and a chance to invent new words and phrases. I'm also pricing out a washer dryer unit to be installed, no, I'm not installing that.