Alberto comes and goes

The prop is back on.  This makes the plane much more useful. On Saturday I had planned to fly South with dad to KGIF to fly a Stearman they have for rent down there but we had sub tropical storm Alberto churning in the gulf.  Forecast was for low ceilings and strong storms so we played it safe and cancelled the flight south and stayed local for some practice.

Looking at the weather we had intermittent low clouds in the area.  I figured this would be a great way to get some actual instrument time and rack up some approaches.  I filed instruments and off we went.  Initially things were going well and we were in and out of the clouds but turning onto the firsdt approach the clouds parted and it was bueatiful and sunny.

Not to be discouraged, after the first approach done in VFR, so it did not count, I asked the controller for another airport which was reporting lower clouds.  You can guess how this turns out, we fly through the clouds for 15 minutes to again arrive at great weather.   It's like a curse when you want clouds you can't get them.

The controller was nice enough to climb us back into the clouds and vector us about for a while for the practice.   After which we got gas and enjoyed the good weather.

Sunday was a washout and Monday was looking pretty poor as well.  Not good visual weather but not low enough for approaches.  Then later in the afternoon it cleared.  I headed out for a quick flight but by the time I was ready to go, storms had started to form.

It was till clear by home base so off I went.  You can see the activity on the radar display above.  On the GPS display, green and yellow are generally fine to fly through.  Red is to be avoided.

I flew parallel to the line a respectful distance away to have a look.  The radar is a composite of Nexrad Doppler radars and it is assembled and transmitted every 5 minutes.  The storms were moving 35 mph NNE and I could clearly see that the picture was behind the storms progress.  

For example it showed the rain all the way down to Palatka but the Southern edge was several miles North.  A good reminder that data-link weather is for large scale planning only not tactical weather avoidance.

I then headed over Saint Augustine.  I was watching traffic on the on board traffic system and acquired it visually about 2 miles out.  We had 500 feet vertical separation but otherwise passed reasonably close.  Can you see the small dot that is my traffic. 

This is the traffic enlarged.  Another reminder, keep your head on a swivel and everything looks small until it is really close.

After passing over Saint Augustine I notice that the showers were starting to turn into thunderstorms so I hightailed it back to the hangar.

I put the plane away and watched the sky darken and when I started to hear rumbles of thunder decided it was time to close the hangar doors and head home.  Didn't get to fly the Stearman but did have a fun weekend.

Missing Something

So I have been having lots of fun lately flying the plane.  Everything has been working well but I detected a tiny amount of grease coming from the prop.  Investigating a bit we saw traces of grease coming from the blade roots by the hub so it is back to the prop shop for repairs.

The mechanic came by this morning and removed the prop.  By lunch the prop was on its way to the prop shop and the plane looked like this.

 And this.

Looks a bit funny.  Yes that is a rag stuffed in the front.  The pitch of the prop is controlled by engine oil.  When the prop is off, this is the high tech plug to keep dirt out and oil in.  Prop will be back next week so I am grounded for a bit.

A fly In of One

This weekend was the second annual Staggerwing and Radial Reunion.  This event is held at our home airport so it is really convenient.  What is a Staggerwing, this is a Staggerwing.

These classic planes were born in the 1940s mostly.  They have large cabins and cruise in style. They do burn a bit more gas.  While we will run 13 Gallons per hour to get 170 knots, they run 25 to get 145.  But they have lots of style.  So Staggerwings are radials.  What's a Radial?

That's a radial or round engine.  My engine is 6 cylinders horizontally opposed.  That means there are 3 cylinders on each side and they sit to the left and right in two rows of three.  Radials have their cylinders arranged around a the central crankshaft.

Last year's event was a blast so we signed up for this year.  It kicked off Friday evening with arrivals.  It wasn't only Staggerwings though.  One of my favorites was a 1942 Howard.  It had begun life as a Navy transport in WW2.  This is the advanced cockpit.

So Friday was arrivals, there were supposed to be 33 planes but the weather was iffy with a strong front across the country.  Less came but there seemed to be at least 15 or so planes.  Here are a few.

Today was supposed to be nice until late afternoon but we woke up to a front that had not listened to the forecast.  The plan was a fly out to Saint Simons Island to feast on Southern Soul BBQ.  I have posted about their food before.  The classic planes were all safely tucked in hangars around the airport.  That is where they stayed.

Lunch was scheduled for 11-3:00 and the weather was scheduled to roll in by 3:00.  The classic plane pilots decided to drive the 49 miles.  I looked at the front and the forecast and decided to fly.  In the end we were the only plane to fly to the fly in.  The guy below is another Staggerwing arriving Friday.

We were told to look for the DC-3, food would be at the Hangar behind the plane.  On arrival, it was quite obvious where to taxi, the DC-3 is big and has a distinctive look.  We taxied to the DC-3 and tied down.  Blue skies had started turning grey so we kept an eye on the weather.  Since we were first there we had the freshest and best BBQ.  Usually we need to walk half a mile and stand in line.  Today there were huge platters of pork, ribs and brisket. 

The host had set a hangar with tables and it had a plane hanging in the center and another classic in the corner.  After a few helpings of BBQ, the drivers showed up.  We socialized a bit and looked the DC-3 over as that was the only other plane there.  It did not count as a fly in as it is based there.

We watched the weather closely and around 12:30 figured that we better get going.  We easily cruised home though you can see from the zoomed out picture on the GPS, the storms were coming.  I stayed around the airport to change my oil and right around 2:30 the first showers came.  This slowed me a bit as I had to close up the hangar to keep things dry and then wait to do my leak check run-up.

We met back up with everyone tonight for a banquet.  The storms really showed up with full force around 5:00 but were done by 6:30.  The people who drove did complain that they had some bad weather on the highway as they rode back late in the afternoon.  In the end we had a great day, had a smooth safe flight both directions and I set a new personal record of being my own fly in.

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.