Sun n' Fun 2015 - Transit from Essex Skypark to Lakeland, FL

Bruce picked me up at 3:30AM and we arrived at the airport around 4:15AM.  There was a lake in front of my hangar -- it had rained all night -- so we loaded the plane in the hangar.

Essex Skypark is located in the middle of a forest and as you can see it is very dark at night.  As in ABSOLUTELY PITCH BLACK.

 
   
We made a night takeoff to the west.  Rolling down the runway, I could tell the airplane was heavy.  The tail usually comes right up but not this morning.  Of course, we had two adults (who could afford to drop a few pounds), full fuel, camping gear.  Even so, the RV was airborne halfway down the runway.  I made a shallow climb out and soon we were looking at the lights of Baltimore off our left wing.
   
We circumvented the SFRA -- it has been in place for so long I can't remember what the acronym stands for, just know you can't go in that DC airspace, unless you are in a gyrocoptor, of course -- by flying west to Frederick and then turning south.  We watched the pretty sunrise as we headed south.
   
My new favorite airport in North Carolina is Harnett Regional (KHRJ).   I can't remember when I've paid lower for AvGas:  $3.73.  But more than that, this is one of those airports that has rave reviews in the AirNav comments section.  We landed and the FBO guys came out to help us fuel.  They lent us a courtesy car to drive to the Waffle House for breakfast down the road.  Harnett (and Warren Aviation) is one of those friendly airports that would do anything for you.  Later in the day they were serving BBQ to pilots heading south to Sun N' Fun but we were way early for that.
   
My new favorite stop in North Carolina:  Warren Aviation at Harnett Regional.
   
The first leg to Harnett was shorter than the second to Lakeland.  But it seemed to take forever.  The second leg, although an hour and a half longer, seemed to go faster.  Here we are flying past Savannah, Georgia where Bruce's son Nathan lives.  Never been there myself, but I have heard nice things about it.
   
A little community surrounded by water.
   
An airport community near Savannah.
   

We flew over Jacksonville then angled toward Lakeland.  Soon we were approaching the Lake Parker power plant.  I had read the Sun 'N Fun Notam carefully and had a copy on my lap.  Plus I've flown to AirVenture and Sun 'N Fun multiple times.  The controller on the approach freq kept repeating the instructions as well.  Still, it seemed like half the planes I was hearing hadn't even read the Notam.  It's not like that at AirVenture where pilots are pretty good about knowing the arrival procedure and following it.  You're not supposed to talk.  There are guys on the ground that see you and radio you instructions.  You rock your wings to indicate you understand.

Per the Notam, we flew over the Lake Parker power plant heading west.  Approach spotted us and had us rock our wings.   As we approached Interstate 4 where we would turn left, this plane came in from the north and just flew down Interstate 4 in front of us!  I let delayed to get separation then followed him in.  We switched over to tower and they had us turn left downwind, then a tight right base and final on 27R (usually a taxi way) and land on the green dot 2/3 of the way down the field.  We landed never having had to say a word.  Then a long taxi across the airport to Homebuilt Camping.

I enjoy the excitement of flying into AirVenture and Sun 'N Fun.  It's not a big deal as long as you keep your head on a swivel and fly defensively.

For the first time, I get to see my newly polished plane out in the sun.  I'm pleased with how it came out.
   
Bruce starts setting up his tent next to the RV.   Which we have tied down well.  Everyone remembers what happened here four years ago.
   
 
   
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