A Total Eclipe

 April 8th 2024 was the Great American Eclipse.  I started planning for it in 2017.  In 2017 I had a mechanical issue and missed the one that went over South Carolina so I said, I'm not gonna miss the next one.  Fast forward to February 2024 when I was remined that it was coming soon, I bought some glassses and started thinking about where to go view it. 

Apparently while I started in 2017, having done nothing for 6.5 years, other people had gotten ahead of me in the planning department.  I pulled up some resources and soon figured out where the path of totality would be.  Then I started to think about what was the shortest path to Totality.  The answer was Missouri.  Yeah, I thought that was strange but after some double checking, the answer was still Missouri, specifically Cape Girardeau.  

Technically there were airports slightly closer but I wanted a big place with services and a control tower.  I knew there would be a crush of traffic and I figured some order might be a good thing.  My next step was calling the FBO and Morgan answered the phone.  Yes they would be having an eclipse, yes you need to be on the list.  I am not much for commitment but I sent them an event registration fee and was added to the list.

So after devoting 30 minutes of planning in February, I went blissfully on my way until about a week ago when I started to see if I had picked wisely or needed a new plan.  Apparently I did OK and the weather was looking good for the big event.  We discussed possibly leaving Sunday and getting closer to the event.  Hotel rooms in Totality were long gone but a hundred miles out, they were plentiful.  In the end we decided to do it all Monday.

Everything was looking good Sunday afternoon.  The low over the great lakes was going to create a line of rain across the top of Alabama.  I awoke to a solid line of storms across our path but it was on the move.  Taking a further look, it seemed like it might just get out of our way.  Even if it did not move completely we could go around.

My first look showed we would need to deviate 165 miles.  By the time we were ready to head out it was 124 miles.  I looked again as were about to start and it was down to 100 miles.  Things were looking good.  We headed out towards our first stop.  The way up would be 4 hours with headwinds so we decided to top off West of Atlanta.  We had used Carrollton, GA before.  It's a noice stop.

Heading out from Georgia things were looking good. Storms had moved bit still blocked our path a bit.   I decided to stay direct and see how things played out.  In the end the storms moved and though we flew through a bunch of clouds, but no storms.  

When we checked in with Memphis Center the controller asked if we had a reservation for Cape Girardeau.  They had run out of room and closed the airport to anyone without a reservation.  I said I did and we heard many other aircraft get the same question and reply that they did and had paid the fee.

We arrived at a mini crush and were told we were 4th for the airport.  It seemed like we were 8th when all was done but it all worked out.  As we entered the ramp that had flag men to direct us and we were sent to a nice row across from the FBO.  The early arrivals were all crowded on one part of the ramp.  We lucked out with spacious parking.

The local pilots group put on a BBQ fundraiser and CC and I partook of cheeseburger, chips and water.  Later we purchased ice cream from a local vendor.  They had a nice setup, everyone was friendly and it was a lot of fun.  We wandered a bit and looked at airplanes.  One Bonanza had brought a serious telescope and he let us look at the sun.  Our glassses were good but this was top shelf.

The number of jets was also impressive.  One CJ3 arrived and the people piled out.  They then set up a picnic on the wing.  Fisrt time I had seen packed lunch set out on a CJ3 wing.  During this time we kept looking up and watching the moon creep in front of the sun.  Even with half of the sun blocked it was still bright out.

Eventually more and more of the sun was eclipsed and you could see that everything was a bit dim.  We headed back to the plane to enjoy the show.  Right on time, those NASA guys are good, it happenned, Totality.  The glasses came off and we all went Oooo, Ahhhh.  It was quite cool, I tried to take pictures but it didn't work well so I just stood and stared.  After a bit over 4 minutes, I had to put the glasses back on.

I found the post eclipse show a bit anticlimactic so I started packing up and a few minutes after totality we were ready to start.  I believe we were the first.  We fired up, called ground and they said, go forth and taxi.  I asked about my IFR and they couldn't find it but I had a backup so we headed out VFR.

The first controller was swamped with airborne IFR pickups so I didn't bother him.  I had a plan filed from an intersection 100 miles away.  As we neared the intersection, I called a much less busy controlled who had both of my plans and we soon were in the system.  This was good as we still had some clouds over Alabama.

We made another quick fuel stop in Georgia as they never got to my plane for fueling during the event.  It was just as well as the gas was cheaper in GA and we enjoyed the quick break.  The flight home was smooth and as we arrived I heard the plane from the hangar next to mine sequenced behind me.  We had seen eachother in the morning as we prepared to depart and he had gone to an airport close to us.  

I beat him back by 2 minutes, then held to let him get past so that we did not have a parking jam.  Overall a great day, lost of flying and an eclipse!!!!

Wings of Gold

Tuesday morning we were up early, pretty much stayed on Eastern time.  Our objective was the National Naval Aviation Museum.  It is located on NAS Pensacola and closed for a while during COVID.  I had been there last in 1999.  I did not remember much of it so it was like the first time mixed with some De Ja Vu.

As a side note, the Blue Angels are based out of NAS Pensacola and they flew their first demonstration flight on June 15, 1946 at Jacksonville’s Craig Field.

Since it is on the base you can’t just drive there directly.  They make you use the West Gate which is on the other side of the base and adds about 10 minutes to the commute.  At the gate we had our IDs ready and after a quick check, were on our way.  The museum opens at 9 AM and we arrived just after.  

It was pretty empty when we started but got progressively busier.  The museum has several parts.  The main floor has a section of propeller aircraft circa 1935-1955, early jets, and then the early propeller aircraft.   Of special interst was the AF.  My dad flew this aircraft and I have a video (converted from film) of him coming aboard the Princeton sometime around 1954.  It was not the prettiest landing but he survived and I am here.

The next area is an event space hosting 4 blue angels in formation.  Along the sides of the main floor are exhibits such as a movie and display of aircraft recovered from the great lakes.  The main building has a second floor with more exhibits and planes at eye level.  There is an additional large display hall that holds the more recent aircraft.  Think Vietnam and newer.  

They also have a gift shop where we picked up a gift for my dad and scored 2 free t-shirts.  Why was it t-shirt day?  Well apparently an order of shirts had a spelling error.  It’s hard to spot and the staff was told to hand them out as bonuses so we have some slightly defective shirts now.  Can’t wait to wear it and see if anyone spots the issue.

The Museum took us about 2.5 hours to complete.  We headed back to the airport, again the long way as we felt it was best to not challenge federal authorities and crash a gate to save 5 minutes.  We topped our rental car and then handed the FBO the keys.  So far I have never flown off with the keys and I hope to keep it that way.

The FBO, Pensacola aviation, was pretty nice.  We had the Yoo-Hoo on arrival, they had a bowl of Hershey's Kisses and a basket of snacks for us to partake of on departure.  Our plane was a bit far out on the line and they even shuttled us over in a golf cart.  

Pensacola International is large but not that busy.  Ground had my clearance right away and with a strong South wind we had a long taxi.  We had to wait to cross the active for a departure and an arrival which gave me time to complete my runup.  

Reaching the end we were ready and released almost immediately.  It had been clear by the beach but we had a layer on departure from 2800 to 4000 feet.  After that it was smooth and we even enjoyed a tail wind. Yeah really!

Total engine run time was 1:48 with 1:36 in the air.  Not bad for what is a 6+ hour car trip.  Overall Pensacola is a nice little city.  Out at the Beach the food is very touristy and it’s a bit Honkey Tonk but a nice get away.

Pensacola Bound

Sunday we headed off on our first trip of the year.  I have been flying and training but we did not travel.  CC had some in town commitments so we stuck around but we finally had a few free days.  

About 24 years ago I visited the Naval Air Museum in Pensacola but it was a rushed visit. I had always wanted to get back but never had.  We had a tight window, wanting to be back in town on Tuesday evening but it’s a short trip so it all looked good.  My plan, head out Sunday later in the day, sightsee Monday and Tuesday.  

The flight to Pensacola was smooth but we bucked a headwind that was mostly 20 knots but dropped off a bit as we neared the destination.  The FBO had higher prices than most but the service was very good.  Our car was brought around and they had a fridge of drinks.  They offered us beer or wine coolers but CC and I went for the Yoo-hoo. I’m not sure when I last had one but it was at least 2 decades.

We were staying out at Pensacola Beach, so we headed South from the airport but took a slight detour.  We stopped by the Graffiti bridge.  This is an old railroad bridge that has been continuously tagged since around 1935. They say it can change daily and we saw some people at work on a new creation.  

When we drove by Tuesday it had already been painted over with a new creation.  There is also a boat ramp, bridge and fishing dock.  It was a nice way to stretch the legs after the 2 hour flight over.

We stayed out on Pensacola beach.  I booked a Fairfield Inn.  In general the chain is a so-so hotel though the rooms are typically large.  This is a new one and was a bit swanky with a fancy lobby and nice rooms.  My years of travel were rewarded with a free upgrade to ocean view with a balcony.  We ended the night with some local pizza and a grinder, after that it was time to rest for some gulf shore sightseeing Monday.

Our first stop was the Fort Pickens National Historic Site.  We used the visit to renew our annual park pass. The $80/year is a super bargain.  If you are 62 or older you can get a lifetime pass for the cost of a year.  We are not quite there so we need to renew yearly.  

Fort Pickens is a pre civil war era structure that was in use through WW2.  We have been to many forts and this one was just OK.  The signage was a bit lacking and it has been rebuilt and added to over time so that it’s a mishmash of old and new.  The old brickwork is falling apart in many places.  It may be that the Florida climate is not conducive to preservation.  On top of this is WW2 cement structure that in many places looks like it was done in haste, which it likely was.  

The fort does have the distinction of being one of the few Southern forts remaining in union hands during the entire civil war.  After that it basically did nothing but guard a bay that was never attacked.

After the fort and surrounding park, we headed back to the hotel to walk the beach.  The Gulf coast sand is white but it’s hard to walk on.  The water was cold too, at 60 degrees, I wasn’t getting in to check it out.

After some lunch we decided to check out the barrier islands.  We drove back over the bridge to Gulf Breeze, then East towards Destin.  About 20 miles later we just happened to find a Baskin Robins and were forced to get ice cream.  With that out of the way we drove back over to Pensacola beach.  We wanted to drive through the Gulf Island National Seashore. 

They have a really nice pavilion area where we took another quick beach walk. We also met  a group from Michigan and had a nice chat.  They stopped us to take their picture and it snowballed from there. Oh the people you may meet when out and about.  I guess I never learned not to talk to strangers, what would mother say?

The drive through the seashore is pretty cool.  The dunes and grasses are pretty unique.  Our final stop was the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk.  As this is the off season it was pretty empty.  It’s mostly junk shops, restaurants and bars.   We spent the rest of our time enjoying our view and the beach, and feasting on some Nachos and tacos.

Cloudy Night

I had planned a night flight Saturday.  Just looking outside in the early afternoon, it was perfect, not a cloud in the sky, just blue.  As I did my preparation, I saw that the weather was supposed to deteriorate around 4PM.  I thought this was a bit conservative but just to be safe, I would have a clear and a cloudy plan.

I was off to the airport around 4.  Yes sunset was 6:05 PM so night started at 6:35 but I had work to do before I could have fun.  My plan was to clean the plane, well some of it.  I have been cleaning the plane in phases.  The process of washing and waxing is a lot more labor intensive on the Baron so I have been lazy and just doing small parts over many days.  So far the fuselage including the belly, the horizontal tail and the left wing top have been completed.  I have noticed that CC always shows up for rides but seems to be busy during the waxing times. 

Getting to the hangar I decided to clean the bottom behind the engines.  This is where the oil and exhaust stains form so not my favorite part.  I did manage to put off the grimy work by bringing my label maker and finally labelling my screw collection.  So after procrastinating a bit, it was onto the creeper to degrease and then destain the bottom.  I use a cleaner wax which seems to do a nice job rubbing off the exhaust stains but its a lot of dirty work.

I took a break to look at the weather and it had gotten worse than forecast.  This was sort of cool as I was happy to get some night IFR practice.  I filed a flightplan TAY KLCQ EPXOM.  EPXOM is one of the dog leg fixes for the GPS32 approach so that would set me up for a return home.

After lots of scrubbing, the sun set and I had the guys come out and add some gas.  Since we would be IFR, I wanted more reserves.  We ended up landing with just over four hours in the tanks but extra gas is only a problem in the rarest of circumstances.  We had a really cool departure to the West.  It wasn't very low over the field but to the West the bases were around 1300.  

We departed runway 5 with a turn to the West, we were initially held to 2000 but were soon cleared to 4000.  We had left a dark and grey world and coming out of the clouds we broke into the fading light with the beautiful colors of sunset.  As we cruised along above the layer our light faded and we were truly in the dark.  Over Lake City it was mostly clear but we could see layers back to the East.

Heading home we pondered our options.  The field was calling 2300 so that should mean an easy visual but the clouds to the West were all much lower, around 1300.   The other factor was the winds.  They were gusty, 040 at 12-20.  My preference was runway 5 but the 32 approach does not allow circling at night.  This is because of some really tall towers South of the airport.  There is now 5 approach also because of those towers

Thinking through all this our plan was to shoot the 32 approach and if the weather was good, we could cancel IFR and make anormal VFR approach to 5 and if not, take the challenging cross wind to 32.  While I thought the VFR option would work, a King Air had recently departed and reported the bases as 1300 but he had gone West.  My local knowledge said that the clouds are often better East of the Airport than the West.

We were cleared for the approach outside EXPOM and crossing descended to 1900.  The beach was clear and on the dogleg I could see the end of runway 32.  The tower was still reporting 2300 right over the field, it was looking good.  The only issue I had were some small low clouds I could see between me and the airport.

We were transferred to tower and started tracking inbound from JEVAG.  The low clouds slid past us and as we reached the FAF, I could see we had good visibility and cloud clearance all the way into the field.  I had the runways and those pesky towers in sight so I canceled IFR, squawked 1200 and was given a landing clearance for 5.  As you can see from the last blurry picture, it was a weird hazy type of night.  Using 5 made the landing easy and we soon had the plane in the hangar.