Back In The Saddle

Today I finally made it back, yep, got on the horse and sat square in the saddle. Horses? No, back to flying! Mary and I made the trip to KILG, Wilmington Airport in order for me to once again attempt climbing on the wing of 679er. We headed out for breakfast at Angels, our favorite place, then headed to the Action Hardware store just across the street. I kept the motor running while Mary jumped out and headed in to search for the perfect step stool. A few minutes later she peeks out the door and holds up a plastic looking stool with two steps and no handle to get in the way, I give her a thumbs up and start to laugh. My lovely Bride walks back into the store and pays for the item then emerges with step stool in hand, all smiles.

The stool fit perfectly! It tucked right under the wing and with the help of my one crutch I slowly stepped up one at a time with my third step on to the wing of 679er. I felt like a little kid and I'm sure I had a smile from ear to ear. I reached in my pocket and took out the keys to unlock the cabin door. We had already pulled back the cover so I could grab hold of the handle to help climb aboard and now I pushed the cover clear of the top door release. 679er's door was open and it just fell out of my mouth....."I sure did miss you", Mary laughed. I climbed in with a revised Piper roll, almost in reverse. There I sat, just like old home, touching everything I could letting 679er know I was back, I was in love all over again.

I was trying to keep my drool to a minimum so I decided it was time to see if I could get out of the plane. It wasn't real pretty the first time around but I'm sure it will start to flow a bit smoother each time. We buttoned up our girl and headed home, I couldn't loose that perma-grin to save my life. Mary said it was even better then the doctors visit when he told me I could drive again, she said she got most of her husband back then, now he's all back.

I checked my log and my currency expired on June 29th since I made two of my last three landings on March 31st, 90 days had passed. I immediately sent out emails to a CFI that flys in our club and to my friend MikeB if he had any CFI's available for a few landings. I need three TO/LD full stop to once again be current to carry passengers. I'm sitting here typing this as I wait for the phone to ring like a teenager waiting on his first girlfriend to callback.......Yes, my flying addiction is pretty bad and I need to get back in the air. I want to get Mary out of here for a few days of Beach time, maybe a quick weekend trip to Nags Head this month, she needs it more than I do. Hey, she had to put up with me being home 24/7 since April 8th.

Post Op Adventure Planned

I will be heading to the airport this morning so I can attempt climbing in the Archer. Mary will be with me just in case I get to carried away and want to start 679er and go for a quick ride. After my boarding attempt I am going to take my Bride out for lunch at a new spot I read about just across the state line in Pennsylvania. Is this the adventure you ask? No, just what's on tap for today, now as they say "the rest of the story".

Mary and I both want to explore the great state of Maine. So for our first trip after my surgery we are going to visit Stonington. Stonington is a town in Hancock County, settled in 1762 and known as Green's Landing before it incorporated on February 18, 1897 from a portion of the town of Deer Isle. Its name implies the great quarries, four of which were developed after 1870 and supplied material for many buildings in New York City and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Fishing and, increasingly, summer residences provide the mainstay of the local economy. Stonington hosts three nature preserves, the following two managed by the Nature Conservancy. The Crockett Cove Woods forest covers 100 acres where thick mosses shroud the granite boulders, and old man’s beard lichen veils the trees. The area has a self-guiding nature trail and good bird watching opportunities.The Wreck Island Preserve features open fields and some spruce. Once used to graze sheep the ground is covered with woodland flowers and grassy fields make up most of the interior.

Pilot Get-Aways did a really nice write up and that helped us finalize the plan. Our destination Airport is Stonington Municipal Airport which is a public airport located one mile northwest of the central business district, thankfully our hotel will pick us up when we arrive. The airport covers 12 acres and has one runway. It provides service to private and charter aircraft traffic only. Stonington is located on Deer Isle which is only reachable by auto via a long, narrow suspension bridge, that I will most definitely have to check out.

Here is a snip of the Pilot Get-Away article:

Stonington, Maine If you’ve ever considered visiting Maine, summer is the best time to make the trip. Authors Cal Thomas and Janie Phillips take you to Stonington, at the southern tip of Deer Isle. It is easily accessed by aircraft, and with dozens of other nearby islands, this is a kayaker’s paradise. Nearby Isle du Haut is home to the most pristine portions of Arcadia National Park, with 18 miles of hiking trails through forests, marshes, and shorelines. Other maritime adventures include canoeing, sail boating, charter cruises, and island camping. In the town of Stonington, Main Street is just right for strolling its art galleries, shops, museums, and restaurants, and the ocean is right beside you. You can catch the show at the Stonington Opera House that has a year-round schedule of concerts, films, and other performances. When it’s time to retire for the evening, you’ll have numerous unique bed & breakfast establishments or inns to choose from. In a place like this, you’d guess the seafood would be fabulous, and you’d be right—the freshest Maine lobster, crab, and other delicacies tempt you from restaurants situated right on the water. Pair your meal with a local microbrew, and you’ll understand why the locals love this town!

We already made our reservations for a four day mini vacation and I scheduled 679er online. The plan is to visit the Stonington area, then rent a car after taking 679er on a short hop to Hancock County-Bar Harbor airport to explore Bar Harbor. It will be nice to take some time off for us after all this surgery/recovery time. I will post more details and flight planning as the date gets closer.

Last Call For Boarding

I scooted out to the airport this morning trying to cross off one of my things on my list to accomplish. Mary went with me and supervised as I tried to board 679er. I was happy to see that the step up to the wing was a short one, that would make it a bit easier for the right leg and knee. However, looking at the first step with the left I don't seem to remember it being that much of a step as it now seems to be. None the less, it was time to give it a go. I set my cane aside and balanced on the wing with my right hand, avoiding any pressure on the flap area. Next I made the step up to the foot peg or step and as my left foot was firmly in place my right knee buckled. I did manage to catch myself on the wing to avoid hitting the ground.

I was not happy with that try but decided to not go again until I had a step stool to help relieve some of the distance and pressure required on my new hip and finicky knee. I'll try it again this weekend once I find a one or two step type stool to help out. I still think I could back into a Cessna and wiggle in to the left seat, for now.

I hope to report mission accomplished tomorrow as I sit and dream about flying once again from the left seat of 679er.

Just To Say Thanks

I purchased a new headset (DC X11) for Mary to replace her David Clark H10-13.4s that she has refused to part with. Last year I replaced my very same type set with a new lightspeed zulu headset and I have to say the quiet experience is fantastic. The X11's are the same as my zulu's in that they both are ANR (Active Noise Reduction) headsets and both have the ability to connect music and cell phone without having to slip earphones under the headset earcup. That's right, no more messy wires dangling, instead, a clean cockpit and quiet comfort with added protection for Mary's hearing. We'll give the new headset a test run and see how she likes it. The clamping pressure on her head will be less and the new unit is very lightweight, all great features when in the air on long trips. The extra quiet will also be nice when she likes to.....um..."cat nap".....while we get from point A to point B.

As a second part of this 'thank-you' I purchased a very nice Helzberg White Gold Diamond Bangle Bracelet to give Mary as a special gift for all she has done to take care of me, drive me around (while I drove her nuts with my right seat driving lectures) and make sure I was safe during my hip replacement/revision recovery. My Bride has been there every step of the way, from the first full day (and night) of surgery to the physical therapy accomplishments along the way. I could not have made it without her. Mary jokes and tells people this was our retirement test, I'm just happy she hasn't held me under the water in the hot tub until the bubbles stopped........I guess this means we passed that test.

Thanks for being my best friend and Bride, I love you Mary!

Medical Update 6.15.09

Wow, what news today at my follow up visit with the Doctor. First things first I was herded off to x-ray for some new pictures and we added two with an arrow pointing to the spot where I still feel some sort of nerve related pains (see after 10 weeks I can play doctor). Once the leg goes into the relax mode this one spot sends a streak of pain across the thigh starting at my incision, sort of like peeling back a layer of skin. After looking at the x-ray it seems this 'hot spot' is located right at one of the wire braided ties holding the bone graft and femur together, we hope the muscle gets used to the braided tie location, they will be sharing space for the rest of my days.

Next up we headed back to the examination room and on the way the Doc said "loose the crutches", I stopped, looked at Mary and asked, what did he say. Doc once again said loose the crutches and let me see you walk full weight bearing, one step at a time and let me know what you're feeling. Ok, I admit I was immediately stuck in stupid but did follow his instructions and shed the sticks. I gave it a go and took maybe five steps and it felt pretty good with only some discomfort around my knee and the quad muscle straining a bit. I turned and walked back, still favoring the right leg, not quite ready to trust it completely.

I was given a script for four more weeks of physical therapy and we made an appointment to come back for new pictures in four weeks. Yep, four weeks! If I could have danced the jig I would have, but I was to afraid I might fall. I was also cleared to drive! Now the Doc did say don't throw the sticks away just yet. Going full weight bearing was not as easy as just walking about, he said it would really take a toll on me and when I felt that the leg was starting to feel weak I was to get back on the sticks ASAP.

My next visit is scheduled for Monday, July 13th. At that time I should, fingers crossed, be cleared to return to work and cleared to fly! Yeah, you read that correct, CLEARED TO FLY! My flight physical is due by the end of July so as things continue to move forward and I'm motoring about in good fashion I'll get the physical scheduled. Mary will be keeping a watchful eye on my quest to return to the cockpit, she's as eager as I am but, we both want to stay safe.

That's all for now.....I owe my wife a dance and I may take HER for ice cream tonight!

Mixed Emotions

Yeah, that title sounds kind of girly (no offense ladies) but today brings mixed signals to this brain of mine. Today was the day I had planned to launch for Gaston's White River Resort, America's #1 Trout Fishing Resort, on the White River in the Arkansas Ozarks for the annual Gaston's Fly In. My surgery and recovery have wiped those thoughts out, but at least I can plan for next year.

Last night Mary and I met with fellow pilots at Wings field for a "send off" of sorts for those pilots that are going to make the trip. Ted from Williamsport headed to Bridgeport, CT (KBDR) to pick up Julia and then turn the "Aztruck", as he affectionately calls his aircraft, southwest to meet the group at Wings KLOM. Meanwhile, back at the ranch.......no wrong story. Meanwhile Southwest airline was transporting Adam to Philadelphia. Lee was waiting for AdamB, Mary and I battled traffic on the blue route (I-476) that was bumper to bumper due to a downed tree blocking the right lane, Rob was holding the fort at Wings along with AdamZ and GaryS. We finally arrived at Wings about the same time Andrew pulled in so things were looking good as far as the timing. The road crew cleared the tree and Lee and AdamB made pretty good time to meet the group as we all tracked Ted taking the Atlantic scenic tour south of Long Island then west over NJ and finally into Wings.

We all enjoyed the camaraderie of sharing this passion for flying and meeting with good friends. We also didn't do to bad breaking bread with two pizzas, two jumbo Italian Hoagies and refreshments. I happened to catch a bit of info on facebook that today was Ted's birthday so Mary ducked into Superfresh and since there were no birthday cakes left, she picked up a strawberry shortcake number that we substituted for his birthday cake. No we didn't sing but AdamZ did suggest he sing the birthday song himself, out loud, for all of us to hear, he declined.

As fun as it was to sit and chat Ted, AdamB and Julia had to saddle back up and head to Williamsport. We all said our goodbyes, wished them a safe flight home and a safe fun flight in the morning as they launch for Gaston's. Mary and I headed south on I-476, smooth sailing, no traffic and in good time.

The mixed emotions title just notes how much I wished I was making this trip. Last year we cancelled out and went to Sun-N-Fun in Florida instead and this year was out of my control. Maybe next year, who knows. The one really bright spot in all this travel talk is that I went to total my log book just to see where seven or eight hours each way would have left my totals.......when I looked at what my hours were to date I felt much better and that's without adding the trip I'm not going to make. I finally smashed the 300 hour mark!! 301.3 to be exact!! I guess I can handle not making the Gaston's run for now, but I'll be ready for next year!

Future Flight Plans

I received an email from the owner of our club plane and it really made my day! Our agreement is that total carry over time will be 10 hours a month, I've never had the chance to experience that, been to busy flying. However, with my surgery I have piled up 12 hours as of the end of June. My plan was to try and make the North East Flyers Mystic Seaport fly in the end of June and burn up enough time to keep me in the 10 hour limit. The email stated that I could build my hours and he would wave the 10 hour limit while I recoup. The initial thought to the rule was to stop people from not flying in the winter months and everyone cram hours in over the summer.

With this new thought in mind I opened up our "4-day" get-away file and started to plan our first trip when I'm ready to sit left seat. A few places that Mary and I would like to visit include Bar Harbor Maine, Charleston South Carolina, Niagra Falls Canada and Jekyll Island Georgia. I would like to take a few guy flights too, out to visit with Steve in Ohio for a ride in a cub, a trip to Ed's place at Prickett-Grooms Field located in Sidnaw, MI for the annual labor day bash, also a stop at Waukegan Regional to meet fellow blogger Tom on my way to Green Bay, schedule and complete my Instrument check ride, the Hudson river tour with another pilot who has made the trip and a few other places to visit with fellow bloggers and friends. One special trip that is on tap for October will be to Williamsburg, VA to meet up with the man who got me started blogging about my lessons and flying adventures after reading about his airplane purchase and (as he calls it)magic carpet rides with his wife, The webmaster of Flights of The Mouse.

Medical Update 6.1.09

Today I was scheduled to visit with my doctor to plan a course of action for my weight bearing status. The appointment was set for 9am and I was ready to go. Mary did the driving and we arrived early as we always do. The first step was to get an updated set of X-Rays, as opposed to the set that was taken just three weeks ago. Dr. S compares all the shots every time we meet and determines the stability of the new hip while looking for any settlement in the femur and signs of healing along the spiral fracture. Speaking of the spiral fracture, I had previously stated that it was about a third of the femur. Not so, the spiral fracture actually extends at least twelve inches, I really felt better thinking what "I" was thinking. Sometimes no news is good news, not the case this time but at least it's healing and so far looking pretty good.

I am going to start Physical Therapy (physical torture)tomorrow with an initial evaluation at Pro Therapy. Following the evaluation I will be scheduled three times a week until I'm back to full weight bearing. I did get the go ahead to start with fifty pounds of pressure that I can apply to the right leg. The instructions will be to use a typical bathroom scale and with my right foot press down until I reach the magical 50lb mark. Hey, sounds strange but I'm following orders and I just want to get better. Next week I can progress to 100 lb of pressure and see how that goes. If at any time I feel pain or something that is not the norm I am to call the doctors office asap. My next appointment is set for June 15th at 2pm for new pictures and hopefully more weight bearing advances.

In case you are wondering I did ask if I could drive....yeah, he laughed too. I was told that when I am full weight bearing he will let me drive, great, I'm thinking maybe the end of June. I did ask if I could at least return to work and once again I got the same speech he tendered for my driving request. A bright note in all this is that he thinks I might be able to head back to work by July! I would like to be back in the office after the holiday so that is my personal goal. As I have learned after all this is that my goals really don't mean squat to the doctors but it helps my progress and they do seem to take notice as to how far I've come since surgery only seven and a half weeks ago.

A Reunion of Sorts

Mary and I decided that I needed to get out of the house this morning. I'm getting anxious to hear from my doctor next Monday on my possible 'partial' weight bearing status so I'm sure I'm driving Mary crazy! I made a call to John, a friend since grade school and my first call for the right seat when it's open. John visited the house earlier this week to do some computer work; adding a read write drive since mine took a dirt nap and he got both our laptops back online so we could print on the one printer hooked to the desk top computer here in the office/temporary cockpit (Thank God for MSFS).

The plan today was to pop the top cowl and remove the oil cooler winter plate. I crutched around hugging 679er, peeking in her fuel tanks, performing a visual pre-flight and looking under the cover into the cockpit like a first time love struck teen. I think I slobbered on the side of the plane. John soon arrived and we opened the cowl. I balanced on one leg with a crutch under each arm while helping lift and John took full control making sure the cowl was clear of the prop and placed safely on the ground. After that it was five minutes to remove the two screws and nuts and re-secure them on the plate as it was tucked away in our storage box in the baggage compartment. It will be easier to find this winter if it's intact in the same location every year.

I looked around for bird nests, there were none and no oil leaks on our girl. We buttoned 679er up locked the baggage door, secured the cover and I said my goodbyes. We gave John a quick lift out to his car and then we headed home. John had to make a stop in Wilmington for a part for his home air conditioner and we went to look at a sprinkler installation.

A short stay at the airport today but I did get to see one Cessna Citation X arrive and one Dassault Falcon 2000 depart on runway one. Its been seven weeks since I last flew, I miss it. One note I should add is that the club added a fourth pilot. The new guy is multi, commercial and instrument rated and a new flight instructor. He is getting time in type this week and has 679er scheduled for a trip to Ocracoke June 5th. It's good to have her flying and I hope the new guy works out. Maybe I'll get to meet him when I get back in the left seat.

WINGS Fly B Q 2009

Finally Something aviation related!!

Mary and I got on the road around 10:45 making a quick stop at Dunkin Donuts for a bagel and cold drink. I needed to take my pain meds and they required something in the tummy. I-95 was moving along at a good clip and the Blue Route, I-476 even better. I was the navigator for this run, a different experience for me, normally the left seater. Mary parked the SUV in front of the KLOM - Wings Terminal and handed me my crutches so I could climb out. I am able to get out ok if I take it slow but I still need some help getting in the truck. Maybe I could climb in better if I was on the "drivers" side....The Bride just gives me the look, enough said.

METAR KLOM 161540Z AUTO 00000KT 2 1/2SM OVC003 20/20 A3008
METAR KLOM 161600Z AUTO 16007KT 3SM BKN005 OVC010 21/20 A3006
METAR KLOM 161620Z AUTO 16007KT 5SM OVC009 22/20 A3005
METAR KLOM 161640Z AUTO 15006KT 5SM OVC011 22/20 A3004
METAR KLOM 161700Z AUTO 19007KT 7SM SCT013 BKN020 BKN024 23/20 A3003

The 5th annual Wings Fly B Q was scheduled for today and despite some low overcast conditions pilots and spouses trickled in starting around noon and numbered around 40. Adam Z organized another great event and with the help of the usual suspects put together another fun filled shindig. Gary S coordinated efforts while Andrew S had the smoker grills doing their thing. Rob S was loaded for bear as he clicked off pictures and had a backpack full of photo goodies, this years unofficial, official photographer along with Matt teller.

Hmmmm...the smell of smokin' charcoal and BBQ was in the air! This was the first year we attended but didn't help, it felt odd. Despite the crutches I was in heaven, plenty of airplanes, good friends and good food. Gary S and I sat and chatted, such a nice man. Mary and I both agreed he kept an extra eye on my whereabouts making sure I was safe and comfortable, it did not go unnoticed. Thanks Gary, your concern provided Mary an extra comfort factor for the day and I appreciate that.

As always it was great to catch up with the rest of the Wings bunch. Time flew by as I sat and chatted with Rob, Bob and Mackenzie, Shane and Beth, Dave, Ted and Andrew, when he returned from picking up Missa in Williamsport (KIPT). I finally got to meet Teller (Matt) from the POA forum and it was great to catch up with Adam and Marisol, Kent, Ed (and his recent Comanche purchase), Grant and Leslie, Tony, Lee and the list goes on. The original plan was to only stay for an hour or two at the most but we managed to hang out until 4pm. It's not easy dragging the little boy away from the airport or the airplanes!

Smithfield, once again, provided all the meat one could eat and with Andy at the controls it was cooked to perfection. There was pulled pork, hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, cookies, coleslaw, sodas and water to feed the group. Prizes were handed out for the furthest traveled by General Aviation (Grant & Leslie), furthest traveled commercial (Tony C) with a long layover in Atlanta. Ed won an award too, but I didn't hear it since we were still laughing about the most recent grass cutting joke award......that would have went to Missa.

All in all a great day! Mary and I got to see our friends and we both realize just how much we both really miss flying. Once the wx lifted some of the group was giving rides. If only they could have got me into one of those planes, oh well, I'll be back flying soon, I hope. Rob fired up the Diamond and had a few passengers and Ted had the Mooney doing laps around the pattern, Ed gave rides in his Comanche also. I can't forget to mention that Wings discounted fuel for the event and were gracious hosts for the annual gathering.

Mary and I already have next years Fly B Q penciled in on the calendar, third weekend in May. A fun event with the chance to catch up with friends from across the country. Did I mention how much I love this flying stuff?

Pictures provided by Rob Schaffer. The guy in the shades!

Additional Photos by Matt Teller Photo Albumn

PIREP Looks Good

I had a 10am doctors appointment today for my surgery follow up. Initial exam and x-rays went well with good range of motion although trying to extend and hold my leg straight out still needs a lot of work. The healing process continues and all the replaced and new parts are holding position very nice. The eight braided ties are looking good and the bone grafts along the femur that are acting as splints look secure. The three screws added to hold the new socket in place also look very good.

As per the doctors orders I will be remaining non-weight bearing for 4 more weeks, giving the leg more time to heal. I scheduled my next visit for three weeks, close enough to four and it gives me a head start. Following my next visit/x-rays I should be moving to partial weight bearing status,new exercises and moving to a local PT facility a few times a week. Of course I asked when I could drive, go dancing and return to work......His look was priceless but the answer was as I expected. First he laughed "at" me, then said once your full weight bearing we'll revist those topics. Until then follow orders, don't torture your wife and keep up the good work.

So for now it's exercise reps to rebuild the quad muscle and continue to increase my function around the house. The hospital bed is leaving along with the wheel chair tomorrow afternoon. Why is this important you ask........because it says I am trying to return my life to some type of normalcy. I finally was able to make all the stairs and sleep in my own bed and.......the biggie.... take a shower this week, it's the simple things in life we take for granted.

Thanks for all the visits, calls and well wishes. I will see most of my fellow pilots at the Wings Fly B Q this Saturday.

Never Say Never

Ahhhhhh....a good nights sleep in my bed!! I did have to relearn the Rudder pup that my side of the bed was still my side and his few weeks of sleeping with Mom carried no weight in the sleeping arrangement. I may be gimpy but I'm still the alpha male, sounds good anyway.

I guess we rolled out of bed around 8am and decided we were going to go out for breakfast. that's right, no more sweats or shorts, it was time for jeans and sneakers. I did the sponge bath routine while all the while looking at my shower......in time corner shower stall...in good time. I crutched back to the room and got on a pair of jeans, a belt and my outter banks T-shirt that has "The beatings will continue until the morale improves" with pirate logos. My "tools" were downstairs so Mary helped me get squared away so I didn't look like a dork. I did the stairs, we locked up the dogs and we were off to Angels for breakfast. No handicap parking permit yet so I had a short way to go across the parking lot. I knew it would be worth the work. Mary ordered two eggs and toast, I had creamed chipped beef with home fries with cheese and onions and we split a scrapple. I had a very small portion of the creamed chip beef, wiped out those home fries and enjoyed the scrapple. I was feeling like a human again, out in public, dressed in real clothes and functioning.

Mary bought breakfast and we made our way back out to the SUV. With all the therapy my leg is starting to get some range of motion back and it gets easier for me to get in and out. Mary packed away the walker and we headed for home. We both skipped lunch and will have dinner when I finish this post. Mary's Mom made us lasagna and let me tell you, she can cook!

A few days ago I was feeling pretty low, the body was hurting, I was sick and tired of being in the house and I was just dang tired of the walker, my crutches the wheel chair and anything else that I had to use to get around. I told Mary that I am never going through this again no matter what, I would sit my butt in a wheel chair and motor around before I went through a day of this crap again. My Bride just listened, gave me a hug and told me we will get through this together, the hard part was over.

When I looked in the mirror last night I didn't like the guy I saw, besides the usual scary face, I didn't like the guy who was on the fence giving in because it hurt and it wasn't easy to do the things I needed to do, I wanted to just play Sally and quit. What was I thinking? I wasn't raised that way, I'm hard headed, prideful and to stop me ya' may as well kill me. I sometimes suffer from that tunnel vision, I get the site picture locked in and it's all I see. Well, getting better and shedding the tools that help me motor around is my goal. Time to Buckle up butter cup, screw the hat down tight and take care of business.

Support From Friends

I was feeling pretty good today with hopes of knocking out all the stairs when the PT nurse eventually arrives, it doesn't take much to get me pumped up these days. Around lunch time Rob (Rob's Flying Adventure) called and asked if it was ok to stop in for a visit. We had all planned for a get together on Sunday, Brides included, but I was really feeling under the wx, heck, Saturday wasn't much better. I even kept family away I felt so rotten.

Rob logged our "ATC" communications on his web page as he made good use of the new GPS Jade approach. We spent some time hangar flying while he ate lunch and I waited to see what Mary was going to make when she got home. It was great to talk some shop, design and the construction end of it all, it keeps the brain working. We watched the wx on the tube, what else would two pilots want to watch? Rob's is scheduled to fly safety pilot for Lee on Wednesday evening which should be a blast. It's always a learning experience to watch another pilot and if they are shooting approaches it's even better. Rob finished up his Wawa Italian Hoagie, it smelled good. I had tuna salad and some ice tea, I'm working on shedding some weight. I got on the scale last Thursday at the PCP's office and I was down seven pounds, it's a start.

Unfortunately Rob had to head back to work and I had to deal with the PT nurse. If it wasn't for the fact that I was going to do all the stairs and practice getting in and out of my bed I may have tried to stow away. It was a great visit and Rob had me laughing. The pilots Mary and I met have been so supportive. Rob and his Bride Becky have offered so much support, it's truly appreciated, and we can only pass along a heart felt thank you for being there, for the both of us. Bob and Mackenzie came by for a visit, I've received emails of well wishes, pm's for updates and requests for our Wings Fly B Q status on May 16th. The flying community is a great bunch of people that we are lucky to be involved with.

How did the Physical Torture go? I made all the steps, completed all the exercises, some how wiggled in and out of bed and made my way down all the stairs back to the family room. I will say that my blood Pressure was really good prior to my PT 118/70 and heart rate was 86 or 88. After I finished all the work out my heart rate was 109 or 119, I was to pooped to ask again. I was tired but I knew I had to make the circuit one more time, I was going to sleep in my bed tonight no matter what.

Progress Continues

A quick update on my post surgery status. My home nurse says I'm doing well and my Physical Therapist seems to think my torture is moving along nicely. I asked to try the stairs Monday since my shoulder is feeling better. I'm still toe touch - no weight bearing status so I had to hop up the steps one at a time. It went smoothly going up and after a short rest it went just as smooth heading down the steps.

Today I decided to work the steps and have lunch in the kitchen. Up and back no problems which felt great. I'm trying to get up the guts to try the next set of steps going to the bedroom and master bath.......my kingdom for a shower! We did venture out today in the SUV. With all the therapy exercises it was a snap getting in and out of the truck. It was very refreshing to see the outdoors, new buds on all the tress some with leaves popping out. Pretty colors, fresh air and a change of scenery, good for the mind.

My lovely Bride is out with the girls celebrating her friends birthday, I wish I was eating dinner with them. I hope she has fun, God knows she needs a break from me and playing nurse.

I hope to report more over the next week......fly safe and have fun!

The New Routine

Things have changed since the completion of my surgery. Post operative recovery requires exercise, therapy, good food and some good ole rest and relaxation. My day begins around 6:30 when Maggie makes her morning visit to check on me then returns upstairs to get Mary up and going. The random checks take place at various times through out the night, normally around midnight then again a 4am followed by the 6 am wake up call. Poor girl is still trying to figure why we are sleeping in two different rooms and on different levels.

I lie in bed until Mary takes care of the zoo. Then the focus is on me getting my bones out of bed and getting started. Ahhh how we take for granted the simple shower, It's sponge time for me until I am allowed to do stairs and have my eighty staples removed. Yes, eighty staples and a twenty-four inch incision. After getting cleaned up Mary gives me a back rub with lotion and changes my bandage to track any drainage. Everything is healing nicely and the staples should come out Thursday afternoon when the visiting nurse makes her stop.

Next is getting dressed with all my special tools, what strange stuff. A dressing stick, a grabber tool, extra long shoe horn (doubles as a back scratcher) and my favorite the sock donner. Dress code is long shorts and T shirt, comfortable and easy. Next up is my exercise routine that I have worked on since my hospital stay. Everything is geared to generating some quad control and building strength. Mary has to help me with two of the sets that help swing my legs in a inside/outside movement like making snow angels and while laying on my back perform a heel slide working to maximize the range of motion in my knee.

After some R&R we settle in for lunch then get back to another few rounds of exercises. I watch some TV, nap and surf the Internet to keep me occupied. If the wx is nice I get outside with my faithful walker and even get some seat time in my spiffy wheel chair. I eventually get settled in for dinner watching the news and enjoying the zoo while they interact. It sure is nice to eat Mary's cooking, I couldn't take the hospital food that I had to eat any longer. It's nice to eat dinner together as we sit and chat, watching the news and discussing my progress. It's going to be a long haul back to walking unassisted but I'm on track with a lot of support from my Bride, family and friends.

Sprung From The Hospital

My surgery went from 2.5 hours to 8.5 due to a spiral fracture stretching over a third of my femur. I lost plenty of the red juice and needed multiple transfusions to keep me going and after the bone graft splints, eight wire bands and hip replacement install, it took almost 2 hrs to close me up. I spent the night in ICU for monitoring then moved the next morning to the orthopedic floor.

Fast forward to Friday, April 17th. Mary sprung me out of the hospital due to my continued threats of wheeling myself out and hitching a ride, to anywhere but physical therapy, occupational therapy or my room . I'm now home, on the mend but doubting I'll make my June goal of attending Gaston's due to the complications. I will be NO weight bearing status for eight weeks at the least so that would take me to June 9th, two days prior to my departure date.

I can't thank my Bride enough for all she did for me and all she took on to keep things running during my surgery and recovery. It's not easy keeping the four cats and two dogs on schedule let alone running back and forth to the hospital, I'm a very luck guy. Thanks to my family for all the support and logistics with the hospital breakout and Marys family for their help in a stressful time.

Self Grounding

It's a definite, I have no chance at completing my IR prior to my surgery date. It looks to be a gorgeous day outside and here I sit typing on the stinking computer. I'm self grounding for my sickness and the medicine I'm taking. The Doc has me taking Avelox 400 antibiotic, it really kills the infection but leaves me feeling lightheaded. With moments of feeling lightheaded and if I bend over I feel down right dizzy, I figure it's a safe bet to hang up the airplane keys and work on getting better. The priority is to be ready for surgery so that is what I am trying to focus on.

I also had to stop taking Advil for any pain relief to remove the blood thinner factor. Instead I was given some new fangled patch to put on for twelve hour intervals. Lidoderm is the product name and it basically numbs the area where you apply the stick-on patch.

I hope to be back in the cockpit by early June, two months post hip revision. At least there are some fellow pilots I know who blog and I can fly/live through their postings and keep in contact with aviation, and get my fix. I'm going to have to work on Mary to see if she'll drive me to Kay's to meet the North East Flyers group for breakfast in two weeks.....which will roll right into my plea to attend the Wings Fly-B-Q.

I'll post again after my surgery, until then, Fly Safe!

Blowing In The Wind

My chances at finishing up my Instrument rating are blowing in the wind. No update on the nav/com radio install so 679er is on hold. Winds today do not look good especially since Wilmington is down to one runway. The weather here yesterday made it impossible to fly despite my radio issues. I also got late word Thursday night I had additional tests that had to be completed or my surgery would be rescheduled. To much planning went into the date that is set and the next available date is in June. Even though this would allow more flying and my shot at a check ride it would also pretty much guarantee my Gaston's trip. As sweet as this sounds, I can not tolerate the pain in the hip any longer, it's time as they say to face the music.


Monday and Tuesday are not looking good for much of a chance to complete the VOR check on the nav/com or to get a good mock check ride knocked out. I am patiently waiting for a break in wx and for my luck to change, there has got to be some good mojo out there somewhere!


METAR KILG 041051Z 29023G36KT 10SM CLR 09/M02 A2957

TAF - Terminal Area Forecast

KILG - Wilmington, Delaware
Updated at 10:51 AM GMT on April 04, 2009 (6:51 AM EDT):
KILG 041131Z 0412/0512 28020G40KT P6SM FEW050
FM041400 28027G44KT P6SM BKN050
FM042000 28025G40KT P6SM SCT050
FM050100 29016G26KT P6SM SKC
FM050700 28012KT P6SM SKC=

GPS Safety Seminar

Last Night I attended the FAAST Seminar "GPS From the Ground Up" held at the Plymouth Meeting Double Tree Hotel. It was a packed house with 300+ pilots attending. The seminar truly seemed like I was attending an infomercial at the start but eventually settled into a very good eye opener addressing the do's and don't of GPS use for every phase of flight: Flight planning, preflight, departure, en route and much more. The discussion also reviewed real-pilot "gotchas" that GPS users got themselves into due to lack of proper training. Overall a very informative presentation and worth the trip.

I couldn't do the evening justice if I didn't mention our pre-seminar dinner at Appleby's. Rob of "Robs Flying Adventures" got the word out to those attending that we should meet up and so five of us made the dinner run. It's always nice to catch up and hangar fly with the guys.

Pictured in this post is a VOR key chain that Rob gave me at dinner, it's greatly appreciated and will be put to good use for 679er's keys. It will also serve as a reminder to keep focused on obtaining the instrument rating. Thanks Rob!

First Time Actual IMC

Finally! Today was the day I finally got some actual in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC). The plan was to see if 679er got her Nav/Com radio back and then decide what course of action to follow. A new Nav/Com would require a VOR check and in order to complete that it would require me to scud run. that's a no brainer, next option. Option two would be to fly with the loaner nav/com since we did check it out but it didn't receive very well when we used it. I'm not feeling warm and fuzzy with this choice either. Option three was to fly a plane that my CFII provided, a super clean Cessna 172 with the bells and whistles to get me some actual.

With option three I will be faced with a totally different plane then I have flown in a long time, but do have seventy plus hours in type from PPL days and renting. Option three it is and I meet my instructor on the ramp. It took me a while to climb in, I'm so used to the Piper roll after nearly three hundred hours. I read through the checklist and try to once again get familiar with the Cessna. I had filed our flight plan and Wilmington never got it so I refiled.

Wilmington Ground Cessna Nxxxxx at Red Eagle with Bravo, IFR clearance. I copied the following clearance. I like the mnemonic CRAFT for Clearance, Route, Altitude, Frequency and Transponder code. My version of shorthand for the Route is RWY HDG - runway heading and V HADIN is Vectors to HADIN the Outer Marker. 2000 was my initial altitude and 4000 should be expected in ten minutes. The departure frequesncy for Philly is 119.75 and 4525 was my assigned transponder code.

C - ILG
R - RWY HDG, V HADIN
A - 2000 - 4000/10
F - 119.75
T - 4525

Ok all set and ready to go since we are cleared to taxi to runway one niner via kilo, mike, hold short. Run up completed and holding short for a Gulfstream now on short final. Ok throttle full power some right rudder, gauges green, airspeed alive and we are wheels up. I guess we were in IMC by one thousand feet and I could not resist but glancing outside. Get those eyes going on your scan rang out and shattered my brief moment of wow this is cool stuff. Ahem...ok back on the instruments and I get my scan going. Holding runway heading and climbing to two thousand I flip to Philly Approach and get my first vectors. Honestly it's a bit blurry but I know I was going over the river maybe towards the Bay and back around to make a right turn to intercept the ILS.

Philly turned me within thirty degrees of the intercept with the following clearance, Nxxxx turn right three four zero maintain 2000 until established, cleared ILS RWY 1. I slowed to 90 knots, added the approach flaps (late) and watched the glide slope slip on under me. I had waited on my outter marker beacon to sound and didn't hear a thing, I was playing catch up from that point forward. I didn't factor for my tail wind which had me hauling butt down the glide slope pulling power trying to not deflect full scale. This first go was not the best by far. I remained a "bit" high on glide but had my localizer pretty good until short final then by the time I was at decision height it looked like I was crabbing in.

Full power climbing left turn when advised by the tower then handed off to Philly for another go. The second time was better as I intercepted with a left turn to final having come from the area of KEVY, Summit. This approach terminated with us going missed and once again following directions climbing out and following vectors from Philly. I got lazy in my climb and flattened out getting the finger point and shake to remind me to get my head outta my butt and get on altitude.

This last approach seemed like it took us forever to get vectored in. Chuck told me to look up and it was nothing but clouds below as we broke out and I sucked up the view, very very cool looking. I even got to see a rainbow which made my day as I was starting to think I had some bad mojo working against me with all the radio, flight plan and tight schedule. I was back in the game as I once again briefed the approach plate. I also configured for 90 knots and really wanted to nail my glide slope, tail wind and all. Again no outter marker beacon but I was on glide as I was on the localizer. I held good speed at 90, pulling power to descend while maintaining my airspeed.

This approach was going to be my last for the day so I was looking for my DH of (580) 600' for a circle to land. I started to turn right for my circle to land before the tower cleared me and got the finger point and hold runway heading until cleared. As if the tower was in the plane they cleared us and off I went. Chuck reminded me don't bust the 600 feet or your check ride is done however I did bust the 1.3 mile CTL limit edging into about a mile and a half. My CFII notes all the fine points and really keeps me squared away. I reference the finger point and shake but it's in jest as he makes sure I have his attention with out blocking radio calls. It works for me and I'm sure I'll see that every time I stray from heading or altitude whether he's flying with me or not. You pilots understand this....how many of you still hear you PPL instructors voice when you fly? I do!

METARS from this afternoon.....
METAR KILG 011951Z 12009KT 10SM OVC013 11/08 A3001
SPECI KILG 012047Z 14009KT 5SM RA BR OVC011 11/09 A3001
METAR KILG 012051Z 14008KT 2SM R01/5500VP6000FT +RA BR OVC011 11/09 A3001