I took the plane down for annual this morning. The plan was to do it around 10 AM but after the front came through Sunday, the weather was terrible this morning. Low IFR everywhere. Ironically I awoke to blue skies at my house. While I could look up and see the sun shine that was not the case at departure or arrival. I had a good sense that things would clear though.
It cleared on the North end first and I worked on stuff while refreshing the New Smyrna weather every so often. Around 10 AM Daytona went to 1900' and New Smyrna was up to 600'. I figured it was time to get going. Departure weather was basic sunny and arrival had bumped up to 900'. This was good enough for the minimums on all of the possible approaches so off I went.
The flight down is a short 82 miles but with the instrument approach it would be close to 100. I levelled at 6000' and as I passed Saint Augustine the clouds started to fill in. I picked up the AWOS, configured for the 25 approach and briefed the plate. Checking in with Daytona they told me to expect 25. A short time later they said, just kidding, they were switching to 7.
The minimums on 7 are 500' vs. 303' but I figured that meant the weather was holding. It was also better in that it would allow me to roll out and turn onto the mechanic's ramp. After some quick vectors I was intercepting final. I was expecting 900' but broke out at 1500'. The visibility was excellent and I made a smooth touchdown to cap off my 2024 flying. A quick review of my annual list with the mechanic and then I waited a few minutes for my buddy to pick me up. We had a quick pop through the clouds and a nice ride home.
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