The plane came back from annual last Monday. Sometimes plans do come together. I had to be in Miami last Sunday and the plane was in annual so we drove. I brought my flight stuff because the plane was almost done. Saturday afternoon I got the good news, I could pick her up Monday. We finished our business Sunday and drove up to Titusville.
When I hatched the plan, the weather was supposed to be foggy but clearing by 10 AM. Well we woke to really foggy and the forecast said not clearing. We took our time and headed out around 10 AM to cloudy skies and low IFR at New Smyrna where the plane awaited us. Heading up I-95 the weather started to look really good until we got near our exit. The reported weather was 2 miles and 200 overcast so we kept driving.
I figured we could come back later in the week. I hated to leave the plane and have to waste a few more hours to go back for her but did not want a low IFR departure coming out of annual.
As we drove we watched the clouds and at Daytona Beach it was clearing again. We took a chance and turned around having wasted 30 minutes but thing were changing, so where they truly wasted? As we drove South the sky got better and better. I don't mind having a few clouds along the way after annual but for my departure I want good weather in the event I need to make a quick return.
Arriving at New Smyrna I had what I needed. I took some extra time looking over everything and then fired up for the quick trip home. Everything checked out and I had a nice departure with VRF at both ends. I had an undercast in the middle but overall a nice return.
Thursday I took the plane out again to double check everything and to take a second look. All went well and I even started to get some of the annual dust off the wings. Saturday I too CC for a quick ride. We had great weather but there was sea fog along the coast. This made for some beautiful views.
I had been putting off stripping and sealing the boots till after annual and today was after annual. I can't say it is my best job but it looks pretty good. I lucked out and another Baron pilot stopped by the hangar and he was immediately roped into helping me tape the wings for the stripping process. He'll know better next time.
So now I have shiny boots and I was surprise that my skills did not get as rusty as I thought they might during annual. I have some more training to do this month to get back to where I want to be but I'm off to a good start with the shiny boots.
