Back in the 172 Saddle

I was able to sneak away to KDYL for a few hours early this afternoon for some quality time with N92789. I'm getting checked out next weekend in Big Sky Aviation's 172, and wanted to get a little bit of airtime in 789'er just to get the 172 feel back. I've been predominantly flying either the PA-28s or the C152. In fact, it's been several months since I flew a 172.

I had the airplane beginning at 12:30. As the morning progressed, I watched a strong cell develop and then move across central and upper Bucks County. I dialed up Intellicast radar in one browser window and DYL's webcam in another as the cell moved across the area. Ultimately, the rain stayed north and by 12:15 the cell was well to the east and the air behind was clear. I was going flying!

I got the keys to 789'er at 12:30 and ran through a normal preflight. 789'er has an airspeed indicated calibrated in MPH, so I spent a few minutes reviewing the V speeds and planning my approach. Once I completed the refresher, she started up and we were off. Winds were generally light and variable but everyone was using 23 today, so I taxiied to the departure end. After the run up, I was off to Lake Nockamixon.

Just south of the lake I did some clearing turns and just worked on getting a feel for the plane. Then into slow flight and some more turns to headings. It was pretty hazy and there was a scattered layer between 4-5k, so I opted not to run through some stalls. After playing around for about 10 minutes, I turned for home with the intention of doing some pattern work.

Still using 23, I entered the pattern behind a DA-20 also doing pattern work. First landing was effective if not pretty. I find the sight picture of the 172 to be much different than the PA-28 planes. In the 172 you sit really high and look down on the nose; on the PA-28 you are practically sitting on the floor and look across the nose cowling. Also, 789'er has 40 degree of flaps.

Second attempt was not as nice. I tried landing with 30 degree of flaps and carried way too much speed over the fence. I started to flare and attempted to hold it off. But I didn't gauge the distance right and touched down with a full head of steam. I hopped back off the pavement and punched it for a go around. It was hot today and the DAs were up, so I knew that in addition to my excess IAS that I was also quickly running out of runway. No sense pushing it. Back to pattern altitude to another try.

Third attempt was better, albeit not a grease. Still carried lots of speed over the fence and got a small hop when the wheels touched down. I'd only planned to log about .7 today but was not content to leave on a less than stellar landing. Back to pattern altitude for one more try.

This time it clicked. Speeds were right on and I was on the glide slope all the way in. Stayed with 30 degrees of flaps again, carried less speed over the fence, and flared just a tad earlier than I had been. A gentle chip let me know that I was back on the ground.

Parked her with .9 on the Hobbs. Stuck around the airport to watch some folks in the pattern. The guys had a charter tonight so I stayed until the King Air departed, and then headed home to attend to the housework.

Felt good to fly the old 172 again. I feel more certain, than ever, that I should focus on flying one type as much as possible. I think that this is the best way for me to maximize my skills and efficiency given the amount that I'm currently flying. So, it'll be high wings for the forseeable future.

Checkout at Big Sky, hopefully next weekend. If all goes well, I'll be punching holes in the Jersey Shore sky for the next few weeks!

Got to go flying last night with Rob in 09L. We met at KLOM at 5pm and, after spending a few minutes trying to deciper some returns around Reading that were showing up on the radar, we decided to get airborne and see how things looked as we progressed East. Intended destination was Zerby/Schuylkill County airport in Pottsville, 61nm from KLOM.

Climbout was unremarkable and, while it was hazy and really just gray, we didn't see any signs of rain or convective activity. So, we dialed in the Pottstown VOR and were off. We decided to fly the VORs so that I could brush off some dust in advance of a couple of rental checkouts that I have the horizon. We flew a radial from Pottstown with cross checks from East Texas and Ravine. Course was good and our positions were confirmed with the GPS. Reading provided Flight Following, although we only heard from them upon our initial request and then again when we cancelled. It was a nice night to be in the air, even with the lackluster visibility.

As we neared Zerby we heard a flight of two military helicopters calling a position at our 11 o'clock (Apaches, maybe?) Rob got a visual and we got a nice view as they passed from our left to right.

Zerby sits up on a litte plateau and was a really pretty approach. Not much activity at the airport and only saw a few planes on tie downs. Runway was in nice shape, though.

A quick taxi back to the departure end and we were airborne again. VOR still dialed in for Pottstown, we were heading home. Overflew the northeastern edge of Reading's Class D and came in over Pottstown/Limerick and then Perkiomen.

Slight headwind on the return trip, as you can see from the cooling towers. Still made decent time. Before we knew it we were in the pattern for Wings.

1.9 on the Hobbs, felt like about 45 minutes. Good night to go flying. Trying to see if I can make the NE Flyers gathering at WWD this weekend. Gary offered to pick me up and I'd love to get the checkout at Big Sky done, but Kelly's working this weekend and I'm not sure if I can get coverage for the kids on Saturday. Stay tuned.

Lollygagging on Wednesday

So I am pleased to report that I was able to get away and log 0.9 in Warrior 9280A. Nothing fancy, just a quick trip over to Pennridge, some sightseeing over Lake Nockamixon and then a couple of landings. My flight track was all over the place, thus the "lollygagging" title. It was nice to just enjoy the view and have no particular place to go. I was jonesing to get in the air and this flight took care of my itch.

Once I can figure out how to upload my Google maps with the flight path (hey Rob, little help here) I'll try to post the flight.

The flight almost didn't happen. After scrubbing a flight Tuesday afternoon due to a change in my babysitter's plans, I scheduled the plane for Wednesday. I've been fighting a cold for the better part of two weeks now (still sick today) and having weighed my IMSAFE criteria. After deciding that I was indeed fit to fly, I headed out to the airport.

My flight actually began on a bit of a sour note. My plan was just to take a quick hop over to Pennridge, which is only 8nm away. A very, very short trip indeed. However, a quick glance on AOPA's site before I left home showed a TFR for Pennsylvania, but no language about it in the details section. I don't know about you, but I don't like to mess with the TFRs. I probably wouldn't have called otherwise, but since there was a bit of doubt in my mind about the possibility of a TFR I decided to get a briefing. The briefer was a super nice guy and, despite the basic nature of my trip, gave me a very courteous, entertaining and detailed briefing. I always enjoy the briefing and like to learn more about the weather, etc. Anyway, I hung up the phone and some guy in the briefing room basically says, "Dude, don't take this the wrong way, but you got a BRIEFING to go to Pennridge???"

WTF.

I felt like saying mind you f'ing business. Instead, I explained that I was uncertain about a possible TFR. Had there been a TFR, it wouldn't have mattered if I was only going to Pennridge. A bust is a bust, and I did what I thought I had to do.

So I walked out to the ramp feeling a combination of pissed and a bit ignorant. I kept telling myself not to let the opinion of another pilot bother me. All was quickly forgotten when I got close to 80A.

She's a great little plane and I had a nice flight in her on that afternoon, but I decided at the end of the flight that I'm going back to the high wings. I've been bouncing between three different aircraft models lately due to funds, availability and training. When funds are tight (as they very much are right now) the C152 is my plane of choice. I tended to prefer the Warrior simply because it was new to me. And our only IR equipped bird is the 172. However, keeping V speeds straight and adjusting to the sight and feel differences has been tough. Not only that, but each plane has its own idiosyncracies. For example, the radios are FUBAR in 80A. I'm not sure what's going on with COM1, but you have to transmit on COM2. Just a minor annoyance, but would be a non-issue if I were flying the same plane day after day.

So since our IR platform is a C172 and I'm on the hunt for a 4-place partnership, I think I should focus my flying in the 172 whenever possible. If I can't get the 172, I'll take the 152 but the feel and speeds aren't different enough to affect my style.

Also, we're heading out to Punxsutawney this weekend. Quick overnight Sat-Sun. My Cessna 172M N61674 was taken off the flight line at DUJ, so I emailed the CFI at N35. I heard that he's got a C152 that he rents. Hopefully I can get a check ride in on Sunday morning and have a plane available again out there. We also have our upcoming two-week pilgrimage to Cape May the first two weeks of August. I may try to run down to Big Sky at WWD and get checked out in their 172 so that I can fly a few days while we're there. Jason, one of my best friends and a ATC'er at NY TRACON will be down. Always nice to fly with him.

What day is the 4th???

I must be losing it.

I was all set and psyched to go flying tomorrow. We have a barbeque at the neighbors in the afternoon and we're hosting some friends on Sunday, so I hatched a great plan. I'd intended to get up with the sun and try to have wheels off the ground by 7am-ish. I really enjoy flying early in the morning and the forecast looked good. I asked Kelly and she hesitated and said, "uh.... I guess that's OK." It wasn't until about 2 hours later that I realized that tomorrow is the 4th. Southampton Parade is at 9am, so there's no way I'm getting in the air.

Oh well. May try again for Sunday, before our friends arrive. If not, Tuesday afternoon may be my next shot.

In the meantime, I've got a bunch of items now trolling on ebay and Craigslist for the airplane fund. Nothing big, but every penny helps. I also hung up a Partnership-Wanted sign at the airport today. Keeping my fingers crossed that something may develop.

Interestingly enough 02S (the plane in which I nearly became a non-equity partner) was flying again today. I didn't recognize the voice of the person at the controls. It definitely was not one of the partners with whom I negotiated back in the Spring. Wonder if they finally sold a slot?