The flight down yesterday was wonderful. I planned it non-stop, since I talk about the ability to do that so much, and have the equipment to pull it off. It also made sense to try and get a seaplane flight in that afternoon.

I woke up at 5am with a drive to get moving. I opted to wait until 6am to leave the house, since there were some scattered layers about and icing was a concern.  I really had made that call the previous night. Much easier to detect ice early in daylight.

After a thorough pre-flight in the hangar, I loaded the airplane and pulled it out to a clear area for start-up. It took about 15 minutes to put the truck in my hangar; button that up; and make a final rest stop inside the FBO.

By that time I was ready to roll, but as expected, a thin layer of frost had formed on the wings and stabilator. Back to the hangar for the pre-warmed de-ice fluid and a quick spray-down.

I launched at 7am and climbed readily to my requested altitude of 8,000′. Smooth air, and a mild headwind all the way down. The enroute phase was somewhat boring, until I remembered to enjoy the experience as it unfolds. The flight down is something to be enjoyed as much as the end result.

I was surprised at how fast the trip went, and how much I truly enjoyed the view. I’m really looking forward to trying my hand at float planes, and want to make this work out. Fear of failure is in the back of my mind for the checkride though. Worry about that later.

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.