Happy Halloween

 

KVDF-KZPH-X39-KPCM-KVDF

The Florida weather is changing. It was in the mid-'60s when I arrived at the airport. The early morning low clouds were clearing. The winds were predicted to start gusting by mid-afternoon so I had a window of about 3 or 4 hours to give Sally some exercise. While I have been active flying, it just hasn't been in Sally. This would be fun.

Certus is temporarily using my hangar so Sally is using the covered tie-down spot. So it took me extra time to get the covers and plugs removed and untie the tie-down ropes. (So much easier in a hangar.) Everything easily fit in the trunk.

The nose tire was nearly flat and the right main was low. The compressor was back in the hangar, but I had brought along my wife's bicycle pump. A small device, slightly larger than a cell phone, it worked great to inflate the tires without removing the wheel pants! This will become a standard tool in my kit.

The first stop would be KZPH. The jump plane warned me that jumpers would be in the air in two minutes so I decided to practice some steep turns while waiting. A beautiful day with a clear horizon made me realize I need more practice before my Flight Review. I entered the RWY05 pattern on the 45 and did two beautiful T&Gs before the next wave of jumpers. I departed to the west as the jump plane took off beneath me.

I'm just not in love with my Garmin 796. The functionality is fantastic but the ergonomics...well let's just say I liked the 696 better. Trying to touch icons in bumpy air is a challenge. My next destination was X39. The database didn't recognize that. I spent way too much time trying to input this simple "direct to" before I gave up and went to the map mode. I selected the airport from the map, hit the direct button, and bingo, I was on my way. Now I could use the system to check runways, and tune frequencies. Nice. X39 has a nice runway restaurant and their ramp was full but the pattern was empty. I did two more beautiful landings then departed to the east. 

The next stop was KPCM. ASOS told me the winds were out of the west at about 8kts so I planned to enter the pattern for RWY28. But once with 5 miles, the winds had changed to easterly. So I set up for RWY10. I diligently made all of my position calls and was surprised no one else was in the pattern. hmmm. Checked the radio and found there was a Skycatcher on downwind. I just have to be more diligent using that touch screen. Three more beautiful landings and it was time to go home. 

I love flying this airplane.