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.