dmccormack
Touchdown! Greaser!
- Joined
- May 11, 2007
- Messages
- 10,945
- Location
- Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
- Display Name
Display name:
Dan Mc
I flew more yesterday than I did in Dec through January combined.
Over 6 hours yesterday in two very different airplanes.
I started the day with a 30 minute flight to work in the Chief, then got a frantic email from a close family friend -- her mother is in very poor health and she needed to get to NC ASAP -- could I help?
I was excused from work, got a ride back to 4G1, and watched the windsock and flag snapping in the breeze now 90 degrees away from runway 5/23.
Takeoff was good -- wing stayed down as I lifted off, and slowly climbed to 1000' AGL. It was very bumpy at 1000' AGL, so I climbed to 1500, where it wasn't much better. I slowed to tolerable speed and fought the headwind for 45 minutes back to KWAY. I landed on the grass next to 9 and was happy with the landing, despite winds from 100@9G14.
I put the Chief away, drove home, packed a bag, said goodbye to my sweetie, and headed to Connellsville. After a quick refuel I was eastbound VFR, enjoying the scenery and fairly smooth ride. An hour and 20 minutes later I was at the Airways ramp, topped off, loaded pax, and called for clearance.
"As Filed" surprised me, but, I'll take it. While holding short for landing traffic "I've got a routing change, advise when ready to copy..."
Oh well.
Climbed into the twilight, enjoying the smoother air. All systems green, level off at 8k, enjoy the views of Baltimore, DC, the bay, et al.
3 hours and twenty minutes later we landed at the very desolate Maxson airport. The landing was a clunker as I could not see the surface --- too much rubber from the jump planes, but I was feeling for the ground and suddenly -- there it is! Ugh.
I taxied around for at least 5 minutes looking for tiedowns, I learned later this was a WW2 Glider training base. That's likely the last time this place was busy.
Our ride showed up 5 minutes later.
We should be returning this evening. I will probably make the LNS --> VVS leg early tomorrow as only 14-31 are open and the 14 approach is a black hole that I just don't like (VASI OTS INDEF). 32 is fine for day use, but the proximity of an 800' ridge immediately east raises the pucker factor at night.
Over 6 hours yesterday in two very different airplanes.
I started the day with a 30 minute flight to work in the Chief, then got a frantic email from a close family friend -- her mother is in very poor health and she needed to get to NC ASAP -- could I help?
I was excused from work, got a ride back to 4G1, and watched the windsock and flag snapping in the breeze now 90 degrees away from runway 5/23.
Takeoff was good -- wing stayed down as I lifted off, and slowly climbed to 1000' AGL. It was very bumpy at 1000' AGL, so I climbed to 1500, where it wasn't much better. I slowed to tolerable speed and fought the headwind for 45 minutes back to KWAY. I landed on the grass next to 9 and was happy with the landing, despite winds from 100@9G14.
I put the Chief away, drove home, packed a bag, said goodbye to my sweetie, and headed to Connellsville. After a quick refuel I was eastbound VFR, enjoying the scenery and fairly smooth ride. An hour and 20 minutes later I was at the Airways ramp, topped off, loaded pax, and called for clearance.
"As Filed" surprised me, but, I'll take it. While holding short for landing traffic "I've got a routing change, advise when ready to copy..."
Oh well.
Climbed into the twilight, enjoying the smoother air. All systems green, level off at 8k, enjoy the views of Baltimore, DC, the bay, et al.
3 hours and twenty minutes later we landed at the very desolate Maxson airport. The landing was a clunker as I could not see the surface --- too much rubber from the jump planes, but I was feeling for the ground and suddenly -- there it is! Ugh.
I taxied around for at least 5 minutes looking for tiedowns, I learned later this was a WW2 Glider training base. That's likely the last time this place was busy.
Our ride showed up 5 minutes later.
We should be returning this evening. I will probably make the LNS --> VVS leg early tomorrow as only 14-31 are open and the 14 approach is a black hole that I just don't like (VASI OTS INDEF). 32 is fine for day use, but the proximity of an 800' ridge immediately east raises the pucker factor at night.
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