Adel Again

Last year we had a bit of an adventure going to the Adel GA monthly fly in BBQ.  I had been meaning to go again but weather and stuff kept getting in the way.  Today, things lined up nicely and we headed over for some ribs, beans, slaw, salads and talking.

I also just got a new GoPro 6 so it was a good time to try it out.  It is best not to be pilot and camera man so I brought along some assistance.  I thought the flight there was going to be clear but I filed IFR both ways just in case.  The just in case was a good idea as it was broken clouds most of the way.

Approaching Adel, we were told that we would have to circumnavigate the MOA (military operations area). Now if you are VFR you can transit so we took a watch and wait approach.  No need to start going around too early, our plan was to cancel IFR if conditions permitted and finish the last few miles VFR.

Luck was on our side as the controller, gave us a descent and told us we could transit the area IFR.  Sometimes good things come to those that wait.  Arriving at Adel, we had a twin Cessna which was a conflict.  We maneuvered behind him and after giving him plenty of room we turned final.  Well he missed the turn off and on short final he turned around on the runway.  We had room to land and stop but chose the safer action which was to go around.

With the new GoPro adding some video
Use 1080p and full screen for best viewing

Second time was the charm and we topped off and were soon enjoying airplanes and BBQ.  We left a bit after noon and the storms had begun to build by the coast.  We worked through some buildups but luckily by the time we arrived, the rain had moved South and West and with a slight North deviation we cleared the weather.

After that it was a straight in visual to 14 and back to the hangar.  The food and fellowship were quite good, we will be back.

The wet road home

On the way out we did about 10 minutes of dodging to avoid some showers.  Coming home it all started very easy with helpful controllers and great weather.

Starting up in Greenville we called ground for our clearance.  We had it right away and were given taxi instructions.  Greenville is an air carrier airport.  Think Delta, United, etc so you sort of expect more services and a bit more formality.  This morning it was quiet.  Tower and ground was the same person.

At the end of the runway, before we could complete our checks, we were cleared to take off.  We declined and requested a delay to finish our checklist.  Once finished we were number one and on our way.

It was a straight shot until we passed Augusta and then I started to get busy, we skirted a small shower and started looking towards our arrival.

The East Coast from Charleston to Brunswick was popping with storms.  So I pulled a Wabit out of my hat.  I requested a deviation to the West over WABIT intersection.

Again we had contrasting views.  To the left storms and some window reflection.

To the right, blue skies.

The Wabit worked and soon we were around the rain and looking good for our arrival until a storm parked over our airport.  Initially they wanted to vector us through it but we declined and asked to try the visual from the opposite direction where it was clearing.  That was not available so we decided to pass by and land in Saint Augustine as it was clear.

We made a quick stop, topped off the tanks and then flew the 10 minutes back to our field.  Everything went smoothly in the end with the exception of hitting about half the bugs in South Carolina and Georgia.  CC made quick work of wiping the wings while I got the high spots.  Then it was back in the hangar until the next flight.

A day on the town

Those who read the last post will remember we just arrived in Greenville, SC for a quick get away. After finding that our old house was standing, we ventured off to meet some friends.  Ironically they were not old Greenville friends but some recent transplants.  We went by and saw their very cool new house and then headed off to downtown for some lunch and reminiscing.

When we lived in Greenville there were falls at the end of main street but no park.  Somewhere in the last few decades they built a park with a really cool curved suspension bridge.  As luck would have it, the bridge was under renovation.

We had to trek down the old fashion way to see the falls and take selfies.  They look sort of small until you see the people in the corner and get the full scale.

We spent a bit more time walking down the river looking at the ruins of the old mill.

Now how do you tell these are ruins from a mill?  CC told me and I am sure she is right.  I did enjoy some of the nature, like this tree growing out the side of a hill.  I could have done with a little less heat.  I figured going to the foothills would cool things off, instead it was hotter.

Now one cool thing was staying at the Marriott by the airport.  First they had a double shower head.  Never underestimate a great shower.  Second, for the second time I could technically see my plane from the hotel room.  Yes, it is just a blur in the picture but if I had a longer lens it would have been sharp.

In the evening we went downtown and acted trendy.  We saw an improv group at the Coffee Underground.

Yes it is underground and the theatre is even less fancy.

After the show we strolled Main Street and stopped by the hotel where we stayed the night of our wedding.  After that we grabbed some food and called it a night.

Greenville, SC

Long weekend and empty nest means Roadtrip!!!!  Actually air trip.  We once lived in Greenville, SC so we decided to go back and visit.  September is usually a lousy travel month due to the frequent tropical weather but we made it work this time.

We woke up and headed out Saturday morning.  This should have avoided the storms but there were a few just North of town.  We initially thought we would need to fly up the coast to Savannah before turning towards Greenville.  As we passed the first big shower we could see a clear path pretty much on course.

We skirted one small shower, enjoying a plethora of rainbows as we maneuvered.  Though the weather looked ominous at times off to one side, we always kept an escape route available.

Once clearing Brunswick GA, we were able to settle back for a straight shot to Laurens, SC.  Laurens? You said we were going to Greenville.  We were but they have priced their gas as if they are adding gold dust so we opted to land 10 minutes short and gorge on cheap gas, before hopping over to GSP or Greenville Spartanburg International.

The FBO at GSP is very friendly and actually charges only $22.50 for the first night parking and fees and then $7.50 a night thereafter.  They waive the $22.5 if you buy gas but due to the price difference, cheap gas was the better plan.

I don't begrudge them the fees.  They parked us upon arrival, are open 24 hours in case you need anything, provide clean facilities, free waters, sodas, cookies and even ice cream.  I just got a cookie, water and my rental car, which they thoughtfully pulled up front to the main door.

We were soon on the road, even with the fuel stop, door to rolling out of the airport was 2:40, much better than driving.  Our first stop was our first house.  Back in the early 90s, I took some paper and a ruler and drew house plans.  Over 2 decades later it is still standing, pretty amazing.  No one was out and about so I just took a look from the street.  We both agreed it might have been creepy to knock on their door and ask for a tour.

Strange sights

I have not had a lot of activity on the Blog lately.  I have been flying and the plane has been performing well with the exception of the Air Conditioner which is working at reduced performance.  That was not an issue until the heat wave but I think I have a handle on the issue now.  Will require a trip to the shop but hopefully will report good news soon.

I went out for a flight this morning and overnight this appeared at the airport.

It is either a rebuilt Sikorsky Sky Crane or an Ericson Air Crane.  Ericson bought the design from Sikorsky in the 90s and has made upgrades.

This chopper can lift 25,000 pounds and is really useful when you need a sky hook.  Crane operator sits here and notice the bubble windows so the pilot can see down and back.

There are some jobs where you need a really tall crane to move something but have no way to bring a crane in in a practical manner.

They also can be outfitted for fire fighting and a host of other logistical missions.  Unlike most aircraft this one is built with everything hanging out to facilitate maintenance.  It can go about 100 knots so speed is not its thing.

I will be looking up in the next few days, it will likely be doing some lift work over Jacksonville.

Oh the things you might see!

Samantha returns to the West Coast tomorrow.  She is off to start her new job.  She had a request today, could we fly one more time.  I looked at the weather mid day and it looked like it might work.

After work we headed out to the plane and we had storms to the South, storms to the North and storms to the West.  Around us we had blue skies so off we went.  Sam wanted to get some pictures.  We first went to Saint Simons and then we needed to look at the Bridge.  Must be a Civil Engineering thing.

On the way South we flew past the King Bay inlet and saw one of the Nuclear subs returning to port. 

From there we headed downtown to enjoy the view and the blue skies.

After that it was a quick fuel stop and back to the hangar.

(Photo Credits - All Sam)

Shuttle Tour

CC and I had some time today so I decided to take her on a tour.  Florida is home to KTTS, also known as the the NASA shuttle Landing Facility.  It is 15,001 feet of pavement on Cape Canaveral.  Back in the day space shuttles landed here but now it is just a runway. 

The airspace over the runway is part of a restricted area but it has not been active much lately.  Even when it was, with permission you could usually swing by for a tour.

We  headed South IFR and passing Daytona we let the controller know we wanted the shuttle tour.  On the hand off to Orlanda approach he asked our intentions.  I requested a visual to KTTS and told him we would go missed and would like to continue IFR back North to 28J.

The controller cleared us as requested, we were told to stay our of R-2932, the restricted airspace East of the runway and to not touch the surface.  Tower was closed  so we switched to advisory frequency and commenced our tour.

I stayed high so we could have a steep descent to get a feel for what the shuttle pilots see.  The standard descent rate for jets and stabilized approaches is 3 degrees.  We flew 7 degrees nose down from 2000 feet to get a better feel and the shuttle came in at a 20 degree angle, 7 times a standard approach.

We leveled off over the runway going close to 180 mph, it takes about a minute to fly the entire runway.  This is a lot more than we need.  We can easily land in 1000 feet and departed in 600 today.  You get the view of the VAB (Vehicle Assembly Building) on the way by and they have a shuttle or a mockup on  the ramp too.

On the way back we were routed right over Daytona Beach airport which is home to the Daytona speedway.  Clouds got in the way of the picture but you can see how it is tucked next to the runways.  Good land use putting noisy things together.

It's a sign!

Last year the girls got me a sign for the hangar.  It was useful because it told me that it was my  hangar.  This year for Fathers Day they decided to be a bit more specific.

The new sign clearly reserves the space for my plane only.

They did a very nice job matching the paint scheme.

This came at a useful time as I needed to take the plane South for some maintenance.  Now I know my spot will be saved.  My AC compressor has been functioning less efficiently lately so off it comes and a new one will be installed.

The trip South this morning went very smoothly.  We departed and had an almost direct flight.  Approaching New Smyrna we were given the runway that would let us roll out and right up to the shops ramp.

The controllers were also very chipper and I received many Fathers Day well wishes.  I made the plane drop even more efficient by stopping on the way back to see family and to get some tasty BBQ at the Daytona Pig Stand.