Warm Up

Tampa has been breaking records. Temperatures have been in the mid to high 80's. An early spring. I went out to the airport to give Sally some exercise. The fog lifted about 9:00am and it was still early for the scattered layer to form. I planned to spend an hour in the pattern at home base.

The Rotax was already warm by the time we taxied to the runup area. A good looking Cessna 152 was just starting his taxi to the hold short line. Obviously a student he was learning how to control the nosewheel. My engine runup complete, I waited. Traffic called at 5 miles on final on a practice IFR approach to the opposite runway. They waited. CHT rose to 237. I added a little throttle to help cool her down. It stabilized the temperature. I waited.

Finally, the approaching plane executed his missed and departed to the east. The Trainer took the runway and said his intentions were to depart to the east. I completed my checks and went to the hold short line. The trainer announced "Departure Leg" and I made my announcement to stay in the pattern. As I began my takeoff roll the trainer announce turning crosswind. What? OK, I took interval (gave him some extra space) and followed him on downwind. I gave him some additional space before turning base leg and was glad that I did when he announced full stop. He landed long. After landing I cleared the runway at the first exit and waited for him to taxi in front of me on the parallel taxiway. He went back to FBO. That was a lot of time spent on one circuit.

As we taxied to the approach end there was a Cessna in the runup area, another at the hold short line and a twin waiting on the nearby ramp. A Beechcraft had just turned base. We waited. My CHT was 208, no problem. The Beechcraft landed long, the Cessna announced his departure to the north. I asked if the twin was ready and he went next (I always try to defer to the big gas burners, Sally only burns about 1 gph  at idle.) The Cessna in the runup area didn't move so I went next. I practiced a maximum climb take off (Vx) and reached 700' agl by the end of the runway. 700' is my decision point for the "Impossible Turn". I announced crosswind and a Piper announced he was 5 miles out on a straight in. I left the throttle in as I turned downwind. I didn't see the Piper. I called base and the Piper had me in sight at 2 miles. Now I saw him. I announced I would go around. (3P's) Power, Pitch, Positive rate of climb. The rest of the pattern was normal, but still, it took me a lot of time for that next landing.

For the last one, I had the airport to myself. So I got 3 in, all felt good, and I had a chance to "play nice" with the other kids. It was a good warm-up for my situational awareness.

Decision Making

The Florida State Fair 2018

I made arrangements with the prospective student to do a Go/No Go weather check at 8:00am. I got up early to check the METARS and weather summaries for our proposed 10:00am flight. It was dense fog but forecast to clear to light scattered by the time we took off. I sent him an email that we were "Go". I walked out of the house and could hardly see across the street.  I wasn't sure if I made a good decision.

I arrived at the airport before 9:00am. Still dense fog, but I could hear an airplane engine. Moments later I heard the take off on RWY23 but never saw him. I remembered the tragic crash at the Bartow airport Christmas Eve. Similar conditions, fog so dense you couldn't see more than a few yards in front of you. I wonder if this pilot knew the risk he was taking. He made a very bad decision.

My student arrived on time. I apologized for not canceling but he was happy to be at the airport around planes. We went to the pilot's lounge and talked about goals. And then, we talked about weight. Light Sport is ruled by the 1320# maximum take-off weight limitation. He, Sally and I would be fine for taxi, but not for take-off, and any fuel in the tanks would put us way over the limit. He understood but still wanted to see the airplane. We went out to the hangar where I gave him my best "static display" presentation. I took him back to his car. Too bad, I would have enjoyed flying with him. This was a hard decision.

I always try to fly a "check flight" before flying with a new student. I want to make sure that Sally is seen in the best light, clean with all the systems working. So we took off on RWY23 and flew over the fair. Kathy and I attended last week and really enjoyed it. If you fly into KVDF it's only a few minutes away down Rt 301. Come on down! It would be a good decision.

Cracker Country at the State Fair.

Video Notes: Downtown