March: In like a blizzard, out like a hurricane

AuntPeggy

AuntPeggy

Final Approach
PoA Supporter
Joined
May 23, 2006
Messages
8,484
Location
Oklahoma
Display Name
Namaste
Home Airfield
OK93 (Airman Acres)
Last night we heard the wind roaring around the cliffs and rocks, watched the lights flicker, die, then come back on. The roar of wind was so loud our initial association was that snow plows were back. Even vaguely associated the sound with long-forgotten tornados from our Oklahoma days. Branches and trashcans flew and rolled around the yard and street.

We were making plans to gather broken limbs this morning when the call came from the airport. Passenger side window had popped open. Not much rain inside. One aileron hanging limply, easily moving independently from the other. Broken push rod. Forget the trees, I'm on my way right now.
 
Good luck, Peggy. Where in NY are you? Over here in northern NJ we had driving rain for nearly 24 hours. Still no cable tv and the basement was flooded this morning.
 
The broken aileron seems to be the worst damage to our airplane. I put splints on both ailerons and the rudder because the wind is predicted to be pretty fierce tonight. A twin not far from our plane broke off its tail tiedown and bent the others. It was skewed, sitting next to a fence that it missed. Another plane was tossed upside-down. I didn't see that one. One of the BDR runways flooded as did some of the taxiways.

Drove past lots of downed trees and signs and fences, some non-functioning traffic lights, flooding. Hubby stayed home to gather sticks and roofing tiles from the yard.
 
OffCenter said:
Good luck, Peggy. Where in NY are you? Over here in northern NJ we had driving rain for nearly 24 hours. Still no cable tv and the basement was flooded this morning.
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Thanks. We live in White Plains, but moved the airplane to Bridgeport for financial reasons.
 
You're not that far from me. I'm near Lake Hopatcong, about 15 minutes drive from Andover Aeroflex, 12N. Sounds like Bridgeport got whacked hard!
 
No word yet from the mechanic.
 

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Insurance? Why I like my hangar. When the remains of hurricane Ike blew through here and trashed my yard, I knew my plane was safe.
 
steingar said:
Insurance? Why I like my hangar. When the remains of hurricane Ike blew through here and trashed my yard, I knew my plane was safe.
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Problem is that hangars in Peggy's area are both hard to come by and expensive.

That's a big reason why you'd have a hard time convincing me to move back to the NY area. The other is that I just don't like it.
 
And we still have 1/2 of march to go!

AP- I do hope it is something simple and inexpensive to repair.
 
Yea we got slammed and drenched here in PA. Our town still has 200 residents without power. It was sure a nasty one. Hope its a quick and easy fix Peg.
 
AuntPeggy said:
The broken aileron seems to be the worst damage to our airplane.
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Aunt Peggy, I am sorry your bird is injured.

I did my initial training at BDR. Where on the ramp do you tie down? At Three Wing or across 11-29 from the tower?

-Skip
 
Skip Miller said:
Aunt Peggy, I am sorry your bird is injured.

I did my initial training at BDR. Where on the ramp do you tie down? At Three Wing or across 11-29 from the tower?

-Skip
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Thanks to all for your good wishes.

I tie down directly under the tower at "gate 1". Three Wing FBO has moved down to the west end of the ramp next door to their hangar. The terminal building has been torn down and replaced with a giant new hangar that obstructs the view of nearly all the ramp from the tower.

It was the east end of the field that is flooded. Runway 11-29 and several taxiways are currently NOTAMed out of service. Atlantic Aviation, on the east end, had some roof damage.

The insurance company has been notified. We have $100 deductible. No idea how much more it will cost.
 
Well, the mechanic finally got a chance to look at our plane. We will only need a new pusher rod and re-trim. Got off really lucky.
 
AuntPeggy said:
The terminal building has been torn down and replaced with a giant new hangar that obstructs the view of nearly all the ramp from the tower.
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I guess, on balance, that is good news. There were no commercial flights in and out so the terminal building was basically empty. It gave the impression of a dead airport and that is never good. At least there is a hangar with, presumably, paying tenants now.

KBDR is owned by the city of Bridgeport although the airport is located in Stratford. It would be awfully easy for Bridgeport to sell KBDR and there are more developers than airport operators waiting to buy. I think the restrictions on the Fed grants are probably the only thing keeping the airport going!

It was a great airport to train at.. Class D and light traffic. I hope it continues to exist and thrives as a GA airport. Runways are too short for the big iron, although they did have Commuter service using Beech 1900's for a while.

-Skip
 
Im not missing the east coast! Snow day today, 30 inches of snow predicted in one day :yesnod:
 
Must have some weird calendars out East, the 14th isn't even the midpoint of March where I'm from.
 
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