Day 1 went off “almost” as planned. I was so excited to begin my journey. I arrived a couple of hours early to the airport so that I could do a thorough pre-flight and still have time to “correct” anything that may have needed attention. Luckily everything checked out OK and after a whole bunch of work calls/emails, I was ready to go.
After taking off VFR, I contacted Tampa Approach to pick up my IFR flight plan. Despite the “cleared as filed” clearance I received, ATC seemed to have other plans for me! After numerous “scenic” vectors, finally I was cleared to Taylor (TAY) > Waycross (AYS)>direct destination. I didn’t mind at all, because this new routing has even better (more direct) than what I originally filed and kept me clear of some pesky military airspace.
I got cleared to 16000 FT pretty quickly and eventually to 17000 FT. At that altitude the ride was sooo smooth!
After playing with the sat radio and camera for a while, I decided to try my hand at taking a couple of in flight videos. Haven’t had time to edit them yet. But hopefully I can get them cleaned up on YouTube later this week.
After a couple of quick hours, I landed in Duplin County Airport (KDPL), which is one my favorite fuel stops. (Didn’t really need to stop there… I could have easily kept going to RDU… But I needed a break and it was a good excuse to stop at Andy’s Burgers, which is a little greasy spoon, with a cool 50s style atmosphere right next to the airport.
After a little break (and some calls/emails, etc) it was on to the final, short leg to RDU.
As the weather forecast had predicted, there was a lot of low level turbulence and gusty winds, which really made for tough landing. But by that time, I was motivated to get down on the ground.
Had a great evening in Raleigh visiting family! No new states yet.. But I am recharged for Day 2 where I will hopefully land in 3 new ones!!
So far, here is the progress on the trip:
Stay tuned for the next leg of the journey…
Stay tuned for the next leg of the journey…
Cheers,
== T.J.==
Weather was CAVU after getting above the cloud deck… (But quite bumpy below that)
I expected the midwest to have lots of farmland… But didn’t expect all the windmills… Who knew how green
The mighty Mississippi River really didn’t look that grand in Iowa. (Way cooler in Louisiana)
Burlington, IA was an awesome find… Great little airport, multiple instrument approaches and
Beleive it or not, Burlington is a commercial airport. The airport terminal was incredibly small! … Notice the baggage claim area that serves all 4 commercial
Onward to the next stop (next state) Hannibal, Missouri (STATE # 25!!!)
On the way to Hannibal, Mo, a really cool bridge crossing the Mississippi.
No matter state you land in, always some cool planes to see… This was the towplane used by the
OK enough detours… Really, really time to go home now… Cruising @ 17500 FT… With oxygen and a really nice tailwind! Almost Home!!!
Here is really cool airport just northeast of Atlanta (KMLJ), which looked very cool from the air…
After Atlanta, time to cross to some small mountains (ok maybe hills)… But scenic either way!
Weather forecast was not very cooperative. (But still safely within my comfort zone.)
Despite being in the middle of the afternoon, I was in such solid IMC, that it felt like night flying!
Some cool airport (don’t remember which one) Looked like a runway inside a stop sign to me…
Getting close to Chicago (could barely see it through the haze)
The Crystal River Nuclear Power plant… (Rather cool site in an otherwise empty part of the state)
Aerial view of the Crystal River airport. (Did lots of landing practice there as a student pilot years ago)
Found a gr8 parking spot @ MEI next to some military trainers. (Notice the Navy and Marines use the same training fleet)
Capt Taylor graciously allowed me to climb Up to the cockpit of his bird.