Wing Walk

Wait, you thought maybe I was going to wing walk?  LMAO! No, not a chance.  Instead, it's time to upgrade the wing walk area on 08Romeo.

Ok, the plan for this rainy beach day is to finish 08Romeo's detail by CAVU back on March 21st and get the wing walk areas looking just as good as Ivan left the rest of the plane. My plan of attack is to purchase a product made by Rustoleum or Krylon.  Not just paint but an anti-skid paint to dress up the existing wing walk product.

Step 1 - Painters tape and plenty of newspaper/detailers paper to protect the aircraft.
Step 2 - lightly wire brush existing area and clean with compressed air.
Step 3 - Shake the heck out of the can and get all that good grit moving.
Step 4 - Get the blue gloves on and cross my fingers that I apply the product smooth and even.

As I finished taping off the pilot/left side I realized I forgot to take pictures of the process...DUH!

 

I got the left side ready to wire brush and took a few shots. I also managed to shoot the non-slip paint on my steps. They look good and now have the extra grip for Mary and I when we climb aboard.

I did take a few of the right side between coats.  Here is the right side after the second coat was applied and then the final results after the paper and tape are removed.

Overall I think the results are fabulous! This job took some time to paper off and prep but overall much easier than the wing walk product and using rollers. One spray can did two coats on each side and it was easy to shoot since it was one of those cans you could hold in any direction. The product has very good texture and for under $7 it was worth the time and effort to complete 08Romeos spring detail.

Working on 'The List'

It was a beautiful day to fly but I really wanted to get a few things finished up on the plane.  After reading Bryan's blog, My Journey With Cherokee N32052,  I was inspired to get busy with 'my list'.

The plan for today was to clean up and refresh the wing walks, both sides. Yes two doors, two wing walks. I asked Ziva if she wanted to go to the airport and play, she dropped what she was playing with and headed for the garage door. I took that as a yes. For todays videos I packed our Cannon SX270HS. We mainly use this camera as our vacation camera, even though we use our phone cameras most of the time.

The first stop was our mail pavilion to check and see if my Zulu's or Mary's Bose have finally arrived, strike out, neither one on this trip. However, a package was in the box and it was from Warren Gregorie & Associates.  The leather yoke covers have arrived! That is immediately added to todays to-do list.

Right Wing

It was warm today, but much nicer then the previous week.  I got started on the right side wing walk, cleaning and prep for the new product. Following the right wing I climbed aboard and tried to remove the double sided tape from the Kool Scoop, no luck. I'll get it off somehow, at least I have fresh double sided tape for when I sell the scoop.

Next I worked on the Warren Gregoire leather yoke covers, they went on fairly easy and I think look great. It took some time to provide a hole for the PTT and the AP disconnect but overall pretty straight forward.

Left Wing

The last item on the list was the left side wing walk. I repeated the same process and once the product was dry I removed all the paper and tape I put in place to prevent overspray. I think both wing walks look very good, and the bedliner product holds its color and texture longer then the regular aviation wing walk products. It's also a heck of a lot easier to apply.

MAESSR Rescue Flight

Tuesday, December 28th

The Mid Atlantic English Springer Spaniel Rescue (MAESSR) email announcement read as follows...

"Magdelena is being adopted by a family in Wilmington, DE. I currently have her near Richmond. If anyone is heading North on 95 and can help will all or part of the route, please email me."

Hmmmm.....Mary and I discussed the rescue flight via emails from work and agreed we would volunteer for the run. My email reply.

"I am flying Friday since I am off work.  I can point towards Richmond and bring Magdelena home to Wilmington.  Let me know!"

The flight/ride to bring Magdelena to her forever home was already filled, there would be no transport over the holidays for us or 08Romeo.

On Thursday, December 30th I get an email from Debbie.

"Do you still want to fly tomorrow? If so, I have a springer in West Grove, PA that needs to come to me."

Great news! We are back on for a flight! We swap information and make arrangements to meet Adam (foster home and a pilot) at Wilmington, KILG.  Mary backs out from the flight since she wants to spend some extra time with her folks and she knows Mike will fly.  Mike and I swapped emails and he was on board for the mission.

Friday - 12/31/10

We decided to plug in 08Romeo yesterday and keep her warm for our planned early start this morning. Well the oil and CHT's were nice and toasty but all surfaces had frost and needed time to be cleaned up.  Mike and I got to work polishing off the frost with the plane tugged out of the tie down and pointed to the sunshine that was trying to peek through at 8:30 am.


Mike and Scruffy

 Adam rolled in on time and we made the transfer.  Scruffy is a sweet boy, and just a gorgeous dog. I don't know much about the Springer standard but this fella had a beautiful head and top line and the very best personality to go with his good looks. It was time to saddle up and get the mission started.

Scruffy with a kennel command and a tap of my hand inside the baggage door gave me a jump  into the doorway.  I assisted with  a little boost and he was ready to go. A few spins in the baggage area and a lap or two around the cockpit and Scruffy picked out his spot.  Yeah, he passed on the nice moving blanket in baggage and instead sat his butt on my back seat and peered out the window with the "lets get going" look. The same look he had when I let him keep warm in my ML320.



Scruffy..If I can't fly the plane can I drive your SUV?  Huh...can I?

Mike and I got 08Romeo started and  taxied for departure. We decided not to open the IFR flight plan and instead make the flight VFR, the weather was beautiful. We soon were climbing out and switching over to make contact with Dover approach. Dover gave us a squawk code then canceled it and handed us off to Potomac approach. Potomac did a nice job and eventually handed us off to Washington Center. Washington handed us back off to Potomac and we road along together until maybe 15 miles north of the field. We were advised we had a transponder problem so we canceled flight following and set up for the GPS 16 approach. The transponder was intermittent, who knows. Mike asked me to brief our passenger but he was still asleep. After we landed our furry passenger was sitting between us looking out, maybe he wanted to give the controls a try.

CandD canal...lokking west

We taxied clear of one six and headed to the FBO. I advised we were bringing in a rescue Springer Spaniel and if there was someone waiting for us, there was, Debbie was out front.  Once we opened the doors Scruufy was first to deplane....not the plan we had. I grabbed the leash and then Mike grabbed hold. Just that fast he now gave my door a try as I was climbing out. I had to do my best goalie immatation and sprawl across the wing walk and roll off the back of the wing with Scruufy in tow, man he's quick!  We made the hand off to Debbie, did the nature break and headed back out to the plane. I was now flying left seat for the ride north. I'm not sure what caused the transponder problem but everything looked good for us to launch for home....with a planned lunch stop of course.

08Romeo climbed out of Hanover at plus 1000 feet a minute, proud girl she had completed another rescue mission.  I was pretty happy too, I really enjoy theses flights.  KESN - Easton Maryland was right on the flight path home. I was looking down runway four as Mike made the contact for a clearance to land. Easton tower directed us; "Enter right down wind, report midfield for runway two two", Mike acknowledged.  There was another plane from the east nine miles so I kept the power on and descended around 120+ knots to the field. Base to final with a pretty good landing in the book. We taxi clear and head to the FBO for lunch at Sugar Buns Airport Cafe.

Ok, if not on the seat then it's my pillow

With full tummy's and a doggie bag, we walk out to the plane for a pre-flight. I sump the fresh fuel and Mike performs the walk around. We strap in for the flight home and taxi for a runway two two departure, right turn out for noise abatement.

08Romeo climbs out and I quickly notice cold air really blowing across my legs. I think to myself, Nah, it can't be. Yes,it certainly can be, an open door, my door. Maybe too much lunch at Sugar Buns and I couldn't squeeze in, I'm not sure.  Mike makes the call to the tower so we can return and get squared away.  Take two....we taxi back and with the clearance to take off we once again rumble down the runway. This departure was a non-event and I am hands off for most of the trip home to Wilmington.


Debbie and Scruffy

I guess I should mention that as we were heading North east to Wilmington Mike and I heard the Air Force try and contact an aircraft on guard frequency to alert them about entering a restricted zone. There was no answer from the offending aircraft.  The Air Force then directed the aircraft to contact the FAA for violating the restricted airspace 30 miles north of KGAI, Gaithersburg, MD.  With a quick look on the sectional I think they might have busted P-40, Camp David. I calculate that Fredrick Maryland, KFDK is about 18-20 miles north so P-40 looks to be the restricted area in question.  Pilots need to keep ahead of the plane, there is NO reason to penetrate restricted airspace.

Back to the flight.....Mike makes the call to the Wilmington tower and we are directed to make a straight in for runway one, and for us to check our transponder. Great, no flashing light means it went belly up...UGhhhh that means $$$.  I land long but make it a great landing that Mike even commented on. I know I'm doing it right when he gives an atta boy. I taxi to 08Romeo's tie down and flow through the shutdown checks, mission accomplished.  We push back and get the plane squared away; clean out, reinstall the seat, place the deice pump sprayer and all three extension cords in the baggage area and lock up. Install the cover, nose plugs and pitot tube cover, double check the tie downs and give 08Romeo a pat on her cowling.....good girl.

Ziva's Back Flying

We headed to the beach to try and take advantage of the weekend sun and see if Ziva would remember the airplane. Her ride to the airport provided the sad puppy look, I think she thought she was headed to the kennel.  Once at New Garden she took in the smells of the local mushroom farms as I tugged 08Romeo out of the hangar.  Ziva wasn't impressed but she didn't shy away. Mary took Ziva for a walk while I completed my preflight and loaded the baggage.

Ziva,  just a pup!

Ziva did climb aboard and found her spot to settle in for the short taxi to the pumps. I added twenty gallons to bring me to forty total, this would cover for the round trip.

Ziva, 1 yr old.

Once the run  up was completed we taxied out to runway two-four and departed to the south. It was a bumpy ride until we found smooth air at three thousand five hundred. Both Mary and Ziva settled in, each getting a nap along the way. I made my calls from ten out and entered a long final for runway one-four into KOXB. Ziva had no problems climbing out on the wing walk area and jumping down. I know, no big deal right? Well she is not one to walk on different surfaces or try something new, it takes her some time to adjust. With everything transferred to the Cabrio we headed to the motor home. Ziva sure does fill the back seat, she's a lot of dog!

08Romeo Annual Day 1

An early start to a great day and a day off work to go play with tools and get dirty. I headed to Cecil Aero early and traffic wasn't to bad. I did make my Dunkin Donuts stop so I could walk in with a dozen and a large tea extra sugar for me. When I arrived I found that the plane had already been brought in and the cowl removed the night before. It was good to see everyone and I knew it would be very educational today.

My first job was to remove all the inspection plates under the wings and fuselage of the plane. As many as I have removed over the last 3 years one would think I could tell you how many screws were in each.....I have no clue. I borrowed a battery powered (DeWalt) screw gun from a co-worker for my portion of the annual, all other tools I could use at the shop. Keith was the ground guy today and he started on the landing gear getting things taken apart, cleaned up and bearing packed with fresh grease. Frank was up front at the power plant, Oil was draining and plugs were coming out for a compression check and give the plugs a once over. When I removed all the inspection plate screws (all but one so the plate could spin clear of the hole) I moved on to cleaning the plugs. I got to use the sand blast machine with a dust collector. I had to put my arms in the heavy duty rubber gloves and used a foot pedal to activate the system. I cleaned all the plugs starting with the threads and then carefully cleaning the inside around the insulator tip making sure there was no carbon build up. I was like a kid in a candy store only having to add in a Tim Allen Tool Time grunt to make it complete. I should add I had to keep the top plugs and the bottom plugs separated since we would swap them when we reinstall.

I had the opportunity to check out the JPI probes for EGT and CHT and learned that my CHT was indeed the thermal transfer, for lack of a better description, a washer with a wire attached. I also noticed the new Lycoming power plant had a Reiff preheat system on each cylinder and a stick on heat pad for the oil, this was not listed nor mentioned by the previous owner. I guess those folks in Texas don't give freezing temps a second thought. I could live without that thought too. I headed to the back of the plane to remove the rear seats and the vertical wall panel that hides the battery and other goodies. I also removed the ELT battery panel on the left rear and the opposite side panel for inspection along with the tail cone. There were plenty of little plastic cups with screws strategically placed around the plane where I had been working with the screw gun. The cracked wing tip was removed and a replacement ordered. The shop is going to paint the tip and reinstall. I feel bad, I know it's not intentional and crap happens, at least I didn't do it.

I could not believe how fast time was clicking off. It was lunch break already and it seemed like we just got started. I made a quick run to the local deli for a small mushroom cheese steak and an Orange Crush. Heck, I was ready to get back at it! We sat and talked airplanes and a few folks stopped into visit Roger and the guys. I know my body can't take the physical end of this type of work but I sure could get into this stuff and have fun doing something that really makes you feel like something was accomplished.

Lunch break was complete and we headed back out to the shop. I kind of snooped around watching Keith check brake hoses, complete the reassembly of the left side main and disassemble the right side. The guys are great and answer every question, a true learning experience. I got to inspect the wings for corrosion and the main wing spar right under the cabin. 08Romeo was in great shape and the guys commented that it was probably the cleanest Sundowner they have seen in a good number of years. I got an education on the wings and how the skin is attached since there are not rivets from the leading edge back to about halfway across the wing. I did find two little mud nests maybe the size of my thumb, one in the engine compartment and one just inside the wing tip. I cleaned them both off and treated the one inside the wing tip by hitting it with a Scotch Brite pad and spraying some Corrsion X just to be safe.

A fun day 1 of the annual adventure without to much damage to the flying account. We will have to contend with the Jo Bolt issue on the right side main gear since one was loose and one was still in good shape (nice and tight). I wanted to print out the Service Instruction I read on the Beech Aero Club forum so we could have some additional info to review. I head out to the car and drag my sore body in. Both shoulders are snapping and the hip is sore along with almost every other joint that touched the concrete floor today. Maybe I should have taken an Advil 'prior' to getting started. I'll be taking one or two with dinner. Day one complete.

Airplane Education

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

I was very fortunate to have the chance to tag along for a quick glimpse of 679er's annual inspection. Although I missed day one of the "open it all up for inspection" process I did manage to learn some neat things that will serve me in my future days of ownership.

I did get to help finish with the wax job (a small portion) that was better to be done by hand rather then chance burning the paint with a buffer. I removed the landing light wing tip strobes and cleaned the plastic lense covers and the light housings. I tried to help/not get in the way as the owner Gary renewed the wing walk area, that stuff stinks and mixes up like grits or cream of wheat. It went on very easily and dried in very little time. We removed the painters tape used to trim around the area and moved to the next task.

The alternator needed to have a bracket replaced and with that completed she was ready to button up. The man working on the plane was really pretty nice, he answered questions and let me help. The bottom portion of the cowl was installed (a boat load of screw fasteners) followed by the top portion. With out a hitch 679er was again looking like a youngster, shiny and new and ready to go.

I'm not positive on everything done but my short list that I heard was a new nose wheel tire and brakes and rotors that were in good shape but Gary wanted to update. It seems 679er does well through her annual's and thats due to Gary's upkeep and attention to detail. I'm very lucky to be flying this aircraft and it's very comforting to see how well she is cared for.

Oh yeah, I was instructed it's best to show up with donuts and coffe in order to take care of any dumb questions I think I am asking. Thanks Gary (owner 679er), Roger and Frank (Cecil Aero) for letting me hang out and learn a few things.

Ocean City Day Trip

Friday afternoon, while talking on the phone, we decided to head to Ocean City, Maryland for a nice get away day trip. We had given this some thought Thursday night but it all managed to come together Friday. The wx forecast was looking best for Saturday with the threat of thunder boomers around 20%, typical for the summer and with all this heat. We ordered out for dinner and planned our weekend while we ate. Mary called our friends Pam & Ted who have a place in OCMD and asked if they wanted to get together Saturday. Pam & Ted did one better and said we'll pick you guys up at the airport! The plan was hatched, we would meet at 9am at KOXB Ocean City Municipal Airport.

Did I mention how much my Bride loves the beach? As soon as we cleaned up after dinner Mary, in a blink of an eye had three bags on the couch, ready to go, in the family room. A bag for extra clothes for dinner, bag two bathing suit and beach thingys and her new Coach hand bag. Hmmm, I didn't even start on the wx/flight plan yet. I wandered back to the computer room and ran through a quick flight plan on AOPA flight planner, it's habit and I always print one out even on short runs. I always print out my weight & balance along with a wx sheet on the back for reference too. After doing some investigation it seems that the morning may be a bit misty/foggy but good to go around 8ish and looking even better at the beach. I went through my flight bag and toy bag (the garmin and the zaon) they both took their place alongside Mary's collection.

I got up early so I could feed the zoo and let the dogs run out back. While they were busy, I fired up the computer and finalized my plans and wx outlook. Everything was printed, my notes penciled in on the wx sheet and I only had my wx brief call to make. I had a great Briefer this morning, if everyone was like this guy there should be no complaints. Ok, the business end of the flight was ready and all I needed was a shower and something for breakfast. We rounded up the critters and locked up the little guy Rudder, neither of us trust him on an all day event. The rest of the zoo is fine they'll do what they do best, sleep.

We made a quick McD's stop for a breakfast bagel and something to drink. We rolled through the airport gate around 7:30 and drove right out to the plane. It's a routine, rarely practiced, but one could set it to music. There is not much chatter as we go about the pre-flight process. I start the uncover process, Mary places the bags next to the plane and unlocks the tail tie down and baggage door. Nose plugs and chock are sitting on the wing walk area along with the pitot cover and gust lock I removed from between the wing and flap. Mary put the bags in the plane after she removed the storage box and loaded it in the truck. I was tossing the cover tie downs over the top of the plane and she walked back in time to slip the cover off, fold it and place in the truck also. I started my pre-flight and Mary took the truck outside the gate to park and lock. AeroWays was pulling up to top us off as Mary walked back to the plane. I sumpped both tanks and we were ready to get going.

I set up all the toys and stowed the flight bag. I completed my check lists and started 679er to get some cool air moving, it was already getting hot. ATIS info noted,flight plan plugged, Ocean City's NDB and DuPont VOR all entered and good to go. My taxi instructions were runway one nine via Kilo, hold short, contact tower. With the run up complete we were ready to go, Wilmington tower Archer 28679er is ready to go one niner at Kilo. Archer 28679er cleared for take of one nine have a great day.....I replied cleared for take off one niner and we'll see you tonight, thanks.

We launched in to the typical ugly haze so Mary got comfy for her cat nap. I use my references for visibility and the twin bridges were in view along with the Salem nuke cooling towers which figures to be maybe 8-10 miles. I switched over to Dover Approach and picked up flight following for the trip south. Traffic was very light this morning as I listened to Dover's calls making a mental note of who was coming from where. I forgot to turn the Zaon collision avoidance system on but had the 496 up and running with wx. I got a call out for traffic at my 10 o'clock and responded looking for traffic 679er. A glance up at the Garmin 496 looking for the traffic and nothing is on the screen. Oh well, eyes outside, fly the plane. My next call is Archer 679er traffic 12 o'clock make left turn to one zero zero. I snapped left 45* bank and glanced in long enough to hit my course heading while still looking for the traffic, I also woke Mary and asked her to look. Once on the new heading I immediately requested a position update on the traffic. Dover said traffic will pass behind you, no factor resume on course. I turned back south to a 180 heading and reached up to turn ON the Zaon, the screen lit up with box alerting me to a target same altitude just behind us. I'm adding check traffic system 'on' to my pre taxi procedures.

Flight Track ILG-OXB

The rest of the flight was uneventful, that's a good thing. I reported the field in site maybe 15 miles out and Dover had me squawk VFR. I replied 679er squawk VFR, Thanks for the service today. I switch to Ocean City's new CTAF 123.05 and announced position and intentions. Winds favored one four so I set up for a short 45* entry to the left down wind. I called out a five mile position report then entering down wind base and turning final. I made a very nice landing this morning and I think Mary gave me a thumbs up too!

We were met by the follow me golf cart and taxied down by the T-hangars and self serve fuel to park. The lineman tied down the plane as we unloaded and offered us a ride back to the terminal. I signed in and paid my $6 parking fee and advised I will be heading back out shortly but returning, at that time I'll take on fuel. The timing was perfect, Pam and Ted pulled up as I walked out the door and Mary was already waiting on the benches in the shade.

Ted got a new Escape and had the a/c blasting, it felt great! It was so nice to catch up today and of course on the way to their place the ladies had one conversation going in the back while the men a separate conversation going up front. Apparently a storm ripped through OCMD and they were doing some repairs to their deck, nothing structural but clean up and curtain things. Ted was working on the a/c changing filters and cleaning the cooling fins/baffles then made a run to a local appliance store to find a part for their stackable washer/dryer door latch. They said the unit was old but this place has parts for everything, they did.

The men were ready to go fly and the ladies were headed to the beach. We made plans to meet up for dinner and I wanted to be wheels up heading home by 7:30. Ted drove us back to the airport and we jumped on the golf cart for a ride out to the plane. The lineman put cones in our tie down spot so we would have a place when we returned. I decided to take Ted and Trevor on a short hop across the Delaware Bay to Millville Airport, I was hoping Tom had his hangar open and they could get a peek at his war bird collection. We launched off of one four and climbed out to 3,500 for some pictures and to let them have a good look at the OCMD skyline. I eventually picked up flight following for the trip with Atlantic City handing me off to Dover Approach. I shadowed the Cape May shore line of the Bay and soon reported the field in sight. Traffic was light going into KMIV but Millville radio managed to screw things up as they always do. They really really suck, I'm sorry there is no other way to put it. I get ticked just thinking about those nit wits. Anyway, the few planes in the area do manage to keep each other informed of their positions and everyone lands safely. The Flight Line was closed so we decided to invade the Corner Stone now the The Sunset Grille. As we unloaded a coworker JoeC met us at the plane. Joe has flown with me prior and when he got out of the Op's vehicle he just laughed. He knew it was coming, I whined about Millville radio and how bad they tie things up. It was so nice to see Joe, I haven't caught up with him since before my surgery the first week of April.

Flight Track OXB-MIV-OXB

We had a great lunch! I had the crab dip with some pita bread slices, Trevor had a cheese burger and Ted a sirloin burger. Everyone seemed full as we headed back out to the plane. This next hop was a direct line back to OCMD so we could meet the ladies for dinner. We climbed out of Millville at a nice smooth cruise climb as I kept hearing MikeB's voice laughing at my "gary climb rate". The haze was still with us and it was hard to make out the Delaware shore line from 15 miles but when I had a clear view I used the 496 to calculate a 12 mile visibility. The cursor/pointer can scroll around the map and whatever you point it at will show bearing and distance. It was time for Ted to fly for a while so I briefed him on our course and altitude and gave him control. I did any rudder work but he did a fine job of holding course and not to bad with altitude. He flew us across the Bay and over the top of Cape Henlopen then transferred control back to me. Ted seemed to enjoy the stick time and noted it took some work to keep squared away. Heck, he did a fine job and was pretty steady if I must say, better then I did my first time up.

I made my position calls for Ocean City traffic and with the few planes inbound and one departing we blended very nicely. If pilots communicate things flow very smooth. I turned base to final with another smooth landing to put in the book. My sight picture has been spot on since I got back in the air, it really feels good. We locked up 679er and walked up to the terminal so I could order fuel. The density altitude reported was dropping and I figured in another hour or two it would fall even more. With just Mary and I returning I asked to be fueled between tab and full on each tank. Just some added safety margin and I would launch in short field configuration.

We made our way back to pick up our dates. Trevor stayed behind as the adults, or older adults enjoyed a nice dinner out. I have to add here that this was the first time I met Trevor, he is Pam and Teds neighbor up in Gap, PA. He and their son Patrick hang out so he was waiting for Patrick to get off work. Patrick was also ticked he missed the flight. Today's flight was Trevor's first in a small plane, he did great and I have to say he is a really nice young man with a great sense of humor. Mary and Pam met us in the parking lot and we all piled in for an Italian restaurant, the Flavors of Italy Bistro. I had Chicken Parm, Mary had some shrimp lasagna mix, Ted lobster Alfredo and Pam something scampi with red sauce.

I was dead beat tired and was considering not flying home tonight but after two ice teas I felt like a new man. Mary told me later she almost pulled out the trump card and called no flying home since I looked so tired. I was just dehydrated and it took a toll. I had three ice teas with dinner and half of Mary's water. We all climbed aboard the escape, love that new car smell, and headed for the airport. The terminal was closed and the only access to the field was through a man gate which I had not walked through and didn't know the code. I tried a few of the typical numbers I thought would work but the man at the jump school eventually gave us the code to let us in. We all walked to the plane and took a few pictures, I was missing the golf cart after eating that dinner. I did my pre-flight and fuel sump then climbed aboard. 679er came to life and we were ready to head north. My wx checks showed clear wx going home within our arrival window.

It was a cool smooth ride north as I brought the auto pilot online and enjoyed the view. I picked up flight following with Dover Approach about six miles north of Ocean City so we had some company and extra eyes watching out. It was very pretty flying home, some haze as usual but the sky to our west and the sunset was very pretty. I did notice one monster towering cloud formation north west of us maybe at a rough guess on the north end of the Chesapeake Bay. I glanced up at the Garmin 496 and hit the button to widen my scan. Sure enough there was a yellow and green patch south west of Wilmington with two red cells. I scrolled the cursor over to it and it said 56dbz sounding and cloud tops 11,000....a real mac daddy going our way. I immediately changed my backup to something on the Jersey side just in case we need to make a run, I had plenty of fuel and made the decision to head to Millville if we needed to ride out this passing cell. I have friend there from work who would come get us if we needed them to and besides Big Sky has comfy leather couches.....I know strange things to think about when planning your alternate, alternate diversion.

I was still on with Dover approach and I did hear them say they were now wx radar equipped when a south bound Cessna asked about rain showers. My original guess was right, the cell was moving towards 58M Elkton Maryland which is ten minutes flight time from Wilmington. Now I know better then to swear by the 496 xm wx for final decisions but everything I was looking at matched what I was looking at just off to our ten o'clock. Dover turned me loose and I almost asked to stay with them until I had Wilmington in sight but elected to switch to the ILG tower and listen to any aircraft landing. The ATIS was reporting winds 180 at 15 gusting 20 so that storm was moving towards ILG. I looked at my 496 and I was now just 9 minutes out and could see the beacon. I was directed to enter a right down wind for one niner and acknowledged but thought that was odd. As I got closer I confirmed right downwind and the controller asked if I prefer the left, I acknowledged feeling better not crossing the field. at just about a mile out I turned down wind then base to final. Those runway lights sure looked pretty after looking at that cell headed our way. Ok get the mind back in the game, land the plane. The tower reported winds as I added my last notch of flaps having the field made. I pulled the power but was ready for any gusts as I set 679er down sweet and soft with a roll out to taxiway Kilo needing just a touch of throttle. We were home! I was happy and relieved all at once, it was a long hot day and I needed a cold drink.

Flight Track OXB-ILG

We buttoned up 679er in short order. Mary brought the SUV in and we loaded up the bags, broke out some cold water she had packed in small bag with ice packs. It felt mighty good going down and the a/c did too. We had a great day, Mary got her much needed beach time and she did get in the water for a bit. I got to fly all day and logged 3.5 hours. As a side note to the wx, it started to spit as we merged onto I-95 for our ride home...it was a good call to continue home and I had an added comfort factor with the XM WX on board to back up what the eyeballs were looking at.