Departed HEF and planned to go northwest and pass through mountains at the I66 cut through but the cloud deck was lower than local stations were reporting at time of departure. decided to go south and try the I64 pass. once abeam CHO clouds obscured mountans. Landed at CHO to see if clouds would rise.
After waiting to see if clouds would raise decided to go south to the I64 gap and get a closer look to see if I could stay VFR over the mountain, intercepted I64 and followed it, cloud deck still totally obscured tops of mountains, returned to CHO to talk to Ray and file a SFRA in case it was needed.
After talking to Ray I decided to try the north pass @ I66. Departed CHO stayed @ 1600' most of the trip, intercepted I66 and flew it through the pass, once through maintained around 1600' until ceiling lifted some after right to right ended, encountered moderate rain about 20 miles out of SHD limiting visibility, but still VFR. G1000 terrain function well used, fly the Yellow.
Return trip after AP servo was installed, ceilings lifted some, was able to stay closer to 2000' flew the KAP140 most of the way back for familiarization and ops check. Good day, good experience with unreported ceiling, cloud banks like to hang out over mountains and the airports reporting are not on the mountain, good lesson. Dropped plane at Dulles Aviation, probably the last anyone with in Aviation Adventures will fly N2338V. This experience really makes me want to always fly G1000.
Night flying sight seeing with a stop in frederick with CM while the kids were at CAP. The fall wind is here, 11 kts across the runway at night in the baby bird made for an interesting landing. I look forward to the fall crosswind to practice landings.
MX Flight for oil change at HGR, First oil service since new engine. Walked to have lunch at Colonial Motel and Restaurant while they serviced the plane, took twice as long as stated (as usual) Great flight and better than being at work.
Return flight to look at A55 Baron for Eliot, first time flying Eliots Grumman. Nice VFR day, SML and Pilot Mountain were very cool. And first trip to Mayberry.. Very nice Baron, hopeful that Eliot will buy it, may make for some cheap multi time.
Took Sharky to HEF for oil change and night photo shoot. landed 16R had to taxi A,cross 16R,V, across 16L,B,C,D to get to the East ramp. Tower was a little confused. On departure called for taxi and was told to return to ramp for an envelope, Bob had forgotten to give me parts to take back to JYO for the Cougar.
Return MX flight from dropping DC, picking up from 100 HR inspection, with CM, what contrast to DC, super small to super sized. Flared a little high, been a while since flying this bird
Awesome trip with Tiernan, first time flying left seat since April or the last trip listed before this entry. Clear and a million great day to visit the highest elevation airport east of the Mississippi. Great to be aloft again. Very interesting landing sight picture...
Return trip, what awesome views of homestead below after take off or runway 25, right turn out to the north there it is. This airport and runway were so cool, like eternity pools but a runway. To Terran to worry about, all below you. On the ground the altimeter was reading 3800' msl .... What a great day, "I can still fly these things, and pretty well.
