January 16, 2010 -  Fun Flying Day

 The first immediate family member flies in the RV!  My daughter Maggie was spending the weekend with her friend up in Pennsylvania.  Two hour drive, but only a half hour by RV.   Here we are about to leave Tipton. 

Didn't take any other pictures today but I wrote up the day anyways. 

  
 

Got up at 6AM, drove to Essex, pre-heated the engine and filled up with gas.  The Red Dragon pre-heater I bought a few years ago is really paying off now.  I'd ruin my engine if I tried starting it up in 30 degree temperature without preheat.  The fuel club at Essex Skypark is very handy as well.  It was a quick 15 minute flight to Carroll County airport.  Mike and Dave were already at there.  I hadn't seen Mike's new ride -- an RV-4 -- or met Dave and his RV-3 yet.  We did a quick brief, then I flew with Mike in his RV-4.  It was tight in back; the RV-8 is much more roomy in back. 

 

I was on edge at first with the close form work.  But I gradually got used to it and by the time it was my turn, I was ready to go for it.  Dave and Mike practiced for about an hour, then we went back to Carroll County.  Dave debriefed Mike at planeside, then had to leave.  

 

One thing that always strikes me when seeing an RV in the air close up is how nimble they are.  Almost like a little toy.  It’s a dream come true to be able to own and fly a plane like this. 

 

Mike and I went up again, this time I was in my own plane.  I did not get nearly as close as Mike had but it was good practice.   I’ll get closer with more practice.  We stopped at York to get breakfast.  We left York and headed south where we split up:  Mike to GAI and I to Tipton to pick up Maggie.  The SFRA entry and exit went well. 

 

Lynnette and Maggie were waiting for me at Tipton.  Maggie hopped in and we were soon winging our way to Carlisle, just west of Harrisburg.  The air was kind of hazy.  Once out of the SFRA, I did a few steep turns and chandelles for Maggie.  She liked them and wanted to do a loop.  But we had unsecured baggage so I had to decline.  I need to rig up some netting or something.  It only took us 30 minutes to get to Carlisle where Maggie's friend and her family were waiting.  It was an easy flight back to Essex which was very active on this rare winter good flying day. 

 

At home I watched the playoff games and ate chicken wings.  A very good day. 

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