Over the past few days I managed to get my airplane moving.

Branden T is a student who took the initiative to contact me about coming along on Angel Flights. I like to encourage kids who take the initiative, so I wanted to include him in any flight I had coming up. I can’t use him as a safety pilot, since he is not multi-engine rated yet.

Tom B, on the other hand, is a multi-engine guy, and I’ve used him before as a safety. Both of these guys are, or have been, associated with DSU near my home.

I invited both of these guys along on a recent flight in the area. I wanted to get some instrument practice before flying to Savannah with family. The plan was to perform at least 3 approaches, holds, and intercepts on this beautiful winter day. We managed that with minimal drama, and I think Branden appreciated the Twin Comanche’s speed.  We had the throttles pulled back with a considerable tailwind, and were still over 170kts ground speed.

That was a good day of flying, and we returned to my awesome temporary hangar at 33N after fueling at Delaware Coastal.

Just a few days after this flight, winds were kicking up big time as a cold front was passing through. Airport management at 33N told me my time was up in that wonderful hangar, so I promised to have it moved the following morning. They have been so good to me, I didn’t want to hold them up one minute.

Arriving at 33N, the winds were a direct crosswind at 21 kts from the north. Departing off of RW 27, the lift-off was not as dramatic as I expected. Losing that tree line in anticipation of the new runway made a real difference. Crossing through 1500′ it must have looked like I was manhandling the airplane from the ground as I blasted through a sheer layer.

The plan this morning was to talk with a gentlemen down at Ocean City, MD about hangar space. I flew there around 4000′ and the turbulence became moderate and continuous. I throttled way back to about 20″ MP – but the ground speed stayed around 200 kts!!

Landing at Ocean City was a blast. Strong gusting right crosswinds (16G31kt) made it interesting, but reminded me how controllable this airplane really is. It practically lands itself. What a machine!

My contact wasn’t there, so I flew the airplane to Delaware Coastal and put it on the ramp for a few days. Still working through my options there, and I’ll try again at Ocean City to get back inside until my hangar gets repaired.

Fly safe.

By fdorrin

Fully retired now, unless something interesting comes along. I’ve enjoyed a lucrative career as an Electrical Engineer, Certified Software Solutions Developer, and Project Manager. An excellent and fun career that I’m very proud of. I began flying commercially in Dash-8 aircraft for Piedmont Airlines, and moved on to instruct in the Gulfstream 280; WestWind; and Astra jet aircraft. I’ve also been blessed with a type rating in the B-25 bomber in a fortunate turn of events. My wife, Beverly, and I currently own and operate a beautifully restored PA30 Twin Comanche, which we use to explore the CONUS.