6-1-07

I got a call about a flight on Friday to depart at 1 PM.  Of course, I was ready to ditch work and take the flight.  Later on Friday, I was told that they wouldn't be ready to go until 4 PM.  I had two PAX and the return leg we would have a dog to return.  TS Barry had been growing in the gulf north of Cuba and was threatening to move into Savannah before we returned.  Beth was keeping me on my toes about my return weather.

I tried filing the IFR flight plans with www.Fltplan.com, which I use to plan flights and it worked out great.  It files the flight plans prior to your departure automatically.  Great service!  I have also used it for VFR flights.

I called the FBO who provides fueling and hanger space on the field to pull the plane out of the hanger and they did not surprise me with their service.  An hour later after I got to the airport to preflight and clean the windows (clean windows "Pet Peeve") I had to call the FBO a second time to ask them to take the aircraft out.

They arrived at about 10 after 4 and after the cordial greetings, we walked out to the aircraft.  They asked me the good questions while we were walking out, like how much experience do you have flying airplanes.  Most people will jump into any airplane with someone as long as they say, "I have a pilots license".  I know a few people who say, "I have a drivers license", but I won't ride with them in a car.  I responded to their question with a, "I have been reading up on the landings and I think I can pull it off".   I asked them the typical, "Have you ever flown in small planes before?"  The lady had but the guy had not.  I told them we should expect a few bumps on the way, however I hope to climb above them.  I had asked another instructor who just returned from a flight about how it was and he told me there were a few bumps.

We loaded up and I set the gentlemen up in the right seat with the XM radio and showed him how to load stations to keep him busy.  We climbed to 4 and had to level off and the ride was smooth so I asked to stay there.  As we went along we found the bumps and I asked to go to our filed 6 altitude.  About 15 min out we called the FBO for a cab.  Atlanta approached offered 27 vice 9 and I accepted the down wind landing on 27, winds were 140 light and variable on a 5500 ft runway.  We parked up front and I grabbed the crew car to get some dinner.  They told me they should be about 2 hours to pick up their dog from the UGA Veterinary Center.  I checked in with Beth and found a Taco Bell.

Three and a half hours later, we got back in the plane.  I helped the lady who sat in the front this time latch her seat belt.  She closed the door first and I told her to open the door to latch her seat belt since the door hides the latch when it's closed.  She said that she could get it and she did.  We had a quiet flight back as they switched us between center and approach frequencies looking for our clearance after climbing VFR to 3.  Savannah dropped us down to 1600 on the approach to keep us out of IMC (Instrument Meteorological Conditions) so we could take the visual to runway 9.  I had been calling "Everyone's favorite FBO" while on the approach to see if anyone would be able to push the plane in the hanger, I got no response, not surprising.  

Know your limits and ignore everyone else, unless you're the only one taxiing out.

Joe