UVA and the ride home

We came to see UVA so Rachel could decide if this was a possible location to hang for 4 years.  CC and Rachel had visited briefly over the summer but I had never been.

On our arrival day we strolled campus somewhat aimlessly for 90 minutes.  We did see the famed Rotunda and the lawn.  I was taught that it is not a campus, they have grounds.  The lawn is what we used to call a quad.  It is surrounded by low residence halls built some time in the 1800s.  They are sought after apparently.  Why I have no idea.  No air, no real heat, no running water, you have to walk outside for facilities and  you use a wood burning heater.  In Pitch perfect 2 when forced to camp one of the characters stated "we are voluntarily living like dogs".  My feelings exactly, history is to be observed so we are not doomed to repeat it.

Our day started way too early and we headed off to check into the event.  They were quite organized and soon we were by the Rotunda again.  They had signs and chalk so you could find your way about.   They provided tea and coffee and then kicked off.  There were student dancers and even an acapella group.  Just like pitch perfect, scary.   The band played next, they should have been at the NCAA but... sorry too soon.

After this was an intro for all majors and we got to hobnob with the VIPs.

The rest of the day was taken up with info sessions, campus tours and stuff.  While Rachel focused on scholarly pursuits, I explored the important stuff.  The food.  First stop was Bodos.

We had been tipped off to this local chain.  Who knew you could get great bagels in VA?  Not only that but they are insanely popular.  You enter and the line is like Disney as in it snakes back and forth.  The food is well priced making it a value with broke students.  The taste was excellent too.

We did some walking and then went back to another place for dessert.  As a parent you are not supposed to play favorites with your kids.   When in Berkeley I went to Cream with Sam so at UVA I went to Insomnia Cookies (oops forgot to take Rachel).  Cream is famous for ice cream between cookies.  Insomnia is famous for cookies that are held apart by ice cream.

To be fair they have very different philosophies.  Cream has better ice cream and more of it but Insomnia has incredible fresh baked cookies.  Bottom line as a parent I will just have to treat them both equally and devour any combination of cookies and cream that come my way.  It will be tough but I am up to the challenge.  In the end we walked about 9 miles (really I have a pedometer), ate a bunch and Rachel made a decision.  And the decision, you'll have to ask her.

The flight home was as easy as the flight up minus the kick butt tail wind.  We actually averaged 10 on the nose but were sill moving 185 mph.  As a pilot you must always be vigilant as to other aircraft.  You must see and avoid.  We have automated traffic detection that helps but keeping your head on a swivel is a must.  Passing Columbia we had traffic pass over us 1000 feet above.  This is normal separation and we were both talking with the controller.  The picture above is just before we passed.  Traffic is less than a quarter mile.  Can you spot it?  You might need to click the picture to see it.  It is a big sky but you don't want to meet anyone up there.

On the way down we stopped for fuel and comfort in Allendale, SC.  The staff was  efficient, friendly and 20 minutes later we were on our way topped off and refreshed.  We had great weather until the last 10 miles.  On approach there were some low clouds and we were in them for a minute or so while being vectored for the airport.  We broke out at 2500 feet and easily had a visual on the airport.  In the end we spent 6 hours total in the air and maximized our time at UVA.  The airplane can be a wonderful tool when circumstances and weather align properly.

I need to give the plane a good cleaning though.  While everything went well, the two days outside gave the plane a nice yellow tint and a coating of pollen.  Sunday is for washing and waxing because next week is a special event.

Faster than commercial (#36)

Pilots will tell you that they fly to save time.   Airplanes are often called time machines, not because you can go back but because you can save a lot.  We had a trip planned to Charlottesville, VA and you can drive or fly.  The Google says driving is a 9 hour affair.  The girls did it over the summer and it was North of 11 with stops. 

You can go commercially via Charlotte.  2.5 hours in the air, 1 hour connection and 3 hours on either end so door to door is about 6-6.5.  Doing it ourselves we can make 4-5 hours door to door.  The difference depends on the winds.  We headed up Thursday once Rachel got out of class.  When the kids were young they would fall asleep in their car seats as soon as the engine started.  Now as young adults they do the same just without the car seat.

I decided to plan a fuel stop at 2 hours as the Charlottesville gas is pricey.  While it looked like normal gas it must be somehow special based upon the cost.  We stopped just North of Fayetteville, NC.  The airport had good reviews and they were spot on.  They fueled me while I feasted on fresh cookies.

We were soon on our way again and less than an hour later touched down in Charlottesville.   The speed was due to the 33 knot tail wind.  We peaked at 201 knots in level flight.  That's 231 mph, not too shabby.

Now Signature runs the FBO and their prime customers are jets.  We arrived to a ramp full of jets, big jets, small jets, all kind of jets and figured we would get parked way out.  Surprisingly they waved us right up front and since we were small, we fit into an open space between several jets.

We soon had our rental car and headed into the city to eat, sight-see and check out UVA.  We were at UVA to see if Rachel wanted to go there next year.  The town and campus are quite nice.

We walked in the footsteps of TJ, you know Thomas Jefferson.  I am told that he hung out at the Rotunda too.

After taking a walk about, we dropped Rachel with some new friends and we went out for dinner.  I was liking the town even more when we found a 5 meat (with 2 mustard) platter.

We added a pizza and life was good.

In case you all missed it, we have landed in Virginia, #36 done.

Traffic 12 O'clock

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.

You can go back

Just about a year ago CC and I went to 09J (Jekyl Island) to enjoy the cool red buggies. Today we just went for a nice flight and to take a stroll.  One year into the 48 state project and I have done 12.  One quarter down but my rate of new states has fallen off quite a bit.  The reality is that work and life have gotten in the way.

It will likely be second half of 2018 before I can start adding states again but until then I can visit some of the closer places again.  Today we landed and did not borrow a buggy, rather we did a walk along the waterfront.  It was unseasonably warm, a year ago we were chilly in our heavy jackets, today we used the AC.

Rachel and Gang

This weekend has had some strange weather for this time of year.  Every morning has been quite foggy.  Rachel had wanted to take some friends for a ride in the plane and we can usually set a firm time the day before.  Monday it was anyone's guess when it would clear.

We waited until the sky started turning blue and then she went off to get the passengers and I to get the plane ready.   By the time we were ready we had blue skies.  It was a bit bumpy inland so our tour of the their school was not as smooth as normal.  The view from above did not raise their excitement level for the school.  In fact I heard comments that the roof looked dumpy.  So much for a new perspective.  

We cruised out to the beach and saw the sea fog hanging on the coast.  From there it was a smooth ride to Saint Augustine where we cruised over  downtown.  My right seat passenger got a chance to fly and did a nice job circling.

Meanwhile my back seat passenger was busy snapping pictures.  All but the first image PC goes to J. Cortez.

Coming back, it was quite busy,  several planes were all arriving at once and the traffic system was quite useful.  We sequenced behind a Cirrus and followed him in.  The tower did a nice job of working the traffic push and while not quite Atlanta Hartsfield we were number 4 at one point.  Our turn came quickly and once back at the hangars we completed the tour by raiding the hangar fridge for sodas and water.

The plane looks nice and shiny but it is a bit deceptive.  It too has a layer of yellow pollen like everything else in town.  I thought about a post flight wipe down but decided to wait a week for the pollen to abate.

Back in the air

So annual took longer than I liked.  It was a combination of the shop being backed up, mechanics being out because of the flu and a delay getting some parts.  Overall the the plane was in good shape.  Nothing unexpected.  New brake pads were needed, the nose tire was ready to replace, the mufflers had worn, I got new spark plugs and I did a small upgrade.

See those three little green lights?  They signify that each wheel is down and locked.  On my plane the wheels come up to decrease drag during cruise.  It is important to remember to lower them when landing.  The switch is low on the right side and the lights are right above the switch.  During landing we check multiple times that the wheels are down and locked.

The original lights work fine but require you to turn your head at a critical phase.  These new LEDs repeat the factory bulbs and put the lights right next to the airspeed and right where I am looking during landing.

Yesterday CC drove me down to the shop and I flew the plane home.  Today I had to wait for the fog to burn off but after that it was an hour flight to recheck everything.  I had done a thorough preflight yesterday before taking the plane and did an extra long one today looking for anything that might not have been tight.

I then went up and rechecked all the electronics.  Finally I flew at known power settings and fuel flows to confirm the plane was still flying straight and at the proper speeds.  Everything checked out and I returned to the hangar after an hour.  The weather was great but the beach still had sea fog hanging out.

Shop time

I have written a great deal about flying the plane but have not discussed maintaining it.  Since you can't just pull over if something goes wrong you need to keep on top of maintenance.

Now most maintenance must be done by a licensed mechanic but pilots are allowed to do some specific tasks.  For example oil changes which I have started doing myself.  I stay strictly within the rules and actually just do a small portion of the list.  Just because you are allowed to do something does not mean you should.  Before I started doing my own oil changes I watched the mechanic several times and then had a friendly mechanic walk me through the process to make sure I knew how to perform all steps correctly.

In addition to ad hoc maintenance the plane must have an inspection annually.  The inspector goes over the plane from top to bottom looking for issues and assuring the plane is airworthy.  During this process they open the plane up by taking out parts of the interior and opening all the inspection panels.  Most maintenance you should do right away but some things you might defer to the annual when the plane is open. 

For example a few months back while pre-flighting the plane, I found the right brake caliper had a drip of brake fluid on it.  That was a have to do right away type of thing and it went right to the mechanic for new O-rings.  Another example, the struts on the landing gear have fluid and Nitrogen gas in them.  Over the last several months I have noted that that the struts are a bit lower, they were set near the top of the spec and over time some nitrogen leaks out and but the plane was still within normal specification.  While the plane is on jacks for inspection, I will have them serviced and brought back to the top of the spec.

Some things we do proactively.  The alternator has been working perfectly but given its age and number of hours in use, it will come off the plane this year and get overhauled back to new limits and then re-installed.  This is not required but proactively replacing things on a schedule leads to better reliability.  Generally it is easiest to do this during the annual as the plane is down anyway.

The plane has been delivered, I dropped it off 2 days early because of my schedule so now it is a waiting game while the work is done.  The shop was quite busy, I counted 25+ planes there for work.  It is about a 30 minute flight South but a friend was nice enough to fly me home.  Not a Beechcraft but a good looking Cirrus.

Winter Break Meat Up

Winter break is drawing to a close for Sam.  The rest of us were back to school or work long ago but she has still been bumming around.  I had planned to take Sam and Maggie to Georgia BBQ but they close for a week for staff vacation and this coincided with Maggie's visit.

Sam heads home Monday and we finally had great weather if not warm weather.  We all slept late and then headed off to the airport.   Saint Simons lets you park for free if just stopping for lunch.  Very nice of them.  We arrived and parked just down from a classic DC-3.

We then walked over to BBQ and of course even though vacation is over, we arrived at 12:45 and it was cool out, there was still a line out the door.  Luckily it moves fast and I stared down an elderly couple and soon they gave us their warm table inside.

I have to take a picture some day before I eat but it is so good that my brain goes to eating mode before it can return to picture mode.

After lunch we headed back for the flight home.  Sam had me take her by the Brunswick Bridge so she could compare it to the Jacksonville bridge.  Must be a civil Engineering thing.

We passed the Jacksonville bridge on our way in.  Our's is bigger and better.  So much for fun, back to work, back to school.