Today I decided to do some training. The mission, Fly 90 miles North, shoot an approach to KAMG (Bacon County) and then return to Jacksonville. The morning had been cloudy but it was predicted to clear. I did all the preflight work and was ready to head to the airport.
295 North was a mess, I could see something in the distance slowing traffic but it was not until I got off that I saw my traffic. A police chopper on a trailer being towed. They had not bothered to secure the rotor though and instead had a man hanging onto it as they towed it. Not only this but they blocked all lanes and wouldn't let people pass. It took 6 police cars to escort this one chopper.
Don't see it? Click on the image and look just left and above the trucks mirror.
Once I got past the traffic jam it was smooth sailing. I got to climb through a deck on the way out and shoot a real approach. I topped off and by the time I left the weather was much better.
These small airports can be quite nice. Bacon has a fully stocked fridge for transient pilots. They have a bucket of money to pay on the honor system. I did not see the price list but they are usually very reasonable. The overall facilities are also quite nice so if you need to divert for weather, you have a nice place to wait.
Outbound, even with full fuel the plane climbed 1000 feet per minute all the way through 7000. At 8000 I enjoyed 20 knot tailwinds and made better than 190 knots. It was a quick trip home.
Returning I asked for a visual approach and the controller brought me down to 3000 and vectored me right through the deck. When I was close he dropped me down and 100 feet later I had the field in sight. I had to slow down as I was sequenced number 3 but soon I was touching down and back at the hangar.
295 North was a mess, I could see something in the distance slowing traffic but it was not until I got off that I saw my traffic. A police chopper on a trailer being towed. They had not bothered to secure the rotor though and instead had a man hanging onto it as they towed it. Not only this but they blocked all lanes and wouldn't let people pass. It took 6 police cars to escort this one chopper.
Don't see it? Click on the image and look just left and above the trucks mirror.
Once I got past the traffic jam it was smooth sailing. I got to climb through a deck on the way out and shoot a real approach. I topped off and by the time I left the weather was much better.
These small airports can be quite nice. Bacon has a fully stocked fridge for transient pilots. They have a bucket of money to pay on the honor system. I did not see the price list but they are usually very reasonable. The overall facilities are also quite nice so if you need to divert for weather, you have a nice place to wait.
Outbound, even with full fuel the plane climbed 1000 feet per minute all the way through 7000. At 8000 I enjoyed 20 knot tailwinds and made better than 190 knots. It was a quick trip home.
Returning I asked for a visual approach and the controller brought me down to 3000 and vectored me right through the deck. When I was close he dropped me down and 100 feet later I had the field in sight. I had to slow down as I was sequenced number 3 but soon I was touching down and back at the hangar.
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