Purple Board For Pilots: Meet up With Pat KJGG 06/02/12

            On June 2, 2012, I had promised a friend to give a 30 minute flight to a member of her travel group.  We met with the group at about 11:30 at the FBO at KFCI, and my son Charlie drew a name out of a hat.  I took the winner for a 30 minute flight around the area.  The winner was a woman who had graduated from my high school the year after me.  She was nervous but enjoyed the flight—I hope.  Glad to do my part to spread the joy of aviation.  I hope to do more flights like this.

            The plan was after flying the winner of this drawing, I would meet up with my Purple Board friend Pat (pat301) at KJGG for lunch.  He wasn’t going to arrive until 2:00pm.  It was just after 12:00 noon, and I needed to be back for Charlie’s baseball game which started at 5:00pm.  Needing an hour to get home and to the game from the airport, I figured I’d need to arrive at KFCI at 3:30 pm to give us time to refuel and put the plane away.  So I’d need to leave KJGG at around 3:00pm.  That’d give about an hour to hang out with Pat.

            Pat called as I was chatting with my CFI, Monty, in the FBO.  I told him of my plans, and we confirmed the 2:00pm meet up.  I talked more with Monty and the person he had just flown on a discovery flight.  It is always nice to talk to someone who is excited and interested in aviation.  I told him to be sure to check out the Purple Board.  Then I spoke with my CFI about getting lessons for my two oldest.  We can start soon!!

            Jack (13), Charlie (7) and I then headed back out to the ramp where N18NS was waiting.  It started right up and we taxied out.  There were a couple of inbound planes and one leaving.  A twin was taxiing behind us.  Felt nice to have a busy day out there.  We departed 33, and I turned and flew east up the James River contacting Potomac Approach for flight following.  I had not contacted them until I was a bit east of KFCI, so I remained outside the RIC Charlie airspace. 

            I let Jack fly for a bit once we were straight and level at 3,000.  The boys love this trip.  They love the sandwiches at Charly’s at KJGG and they love flying down the river and seeing the boats and other sights.  Near KJGG you can see Busch Gardens.

Jack Flying

A Plantation on the James

 

            We were making good time.  I was handed off about two times, then about 10 miles out was told to switch over to advisory.  Winds were light at KJGG.  They were reporting calm, but it turns out I had a bit of a left crosswind as I flared.  I landed on 31 and taxied to the ramp.  

KJGG: Williamsburg Jamestown

 

We got to park right in front of the restaurant, and the kids and I sat outside to watch the planes.  A helicopter took off and landed.  Several other planes landed or took off.  It is a great place to sit, enjoy yourself, and absorb aviation.  

Charly's Restaurant/FBO

 

            It was about 1:00pm when we landed.  I waited awhile before ordering our lunch.  I didn’t want to eat too soon before Pat arrived.  There is a large playset beside the terminal building.  The kids had a ball playing and then coming to the table and watching, drinking soda, talking, then more playing.

            We enjoyed a great lunch—huge sandwiches with Charly’s homemade bread.  I think we all ordered the Billy Mitchell.  Charlie only finished half of his, and Jack was trying everything to bribe him to give up the leftovers.  

Enjoying Lunch

Huge Sandwich!

 

            Just after 2:00pm, we heard Pat over the radio—the restaurant has speakers outside with CTAF on them.  Pat made an excellent landing on 31 and taxied up beside my plane.

Pat Taxiing

Pat (l) and Me (r)

 

            I enjoyed meeting Pat, his friend (and pilot) Rick, Rick’s son, and Pat’s son. We talked a lot of aviation.  They ordered lunch and the kids played on the playset.  KJGG is the perfect place to relax and enjoy an afternoon.  We watched a 182 come in to land--too fast--and he went around.  The hour went by too quickly—I felt I had hardly had a chance to visit with Pat and Rick before it was time to go. 

            We said our goodbyes, and the boys and I taxied out to 31 as Pat and his group finished their lunch.  

Photo courtesy of Pat

 

            We departed KJGG with a wind of about 310 at 5.  The flight back was great, but the clouds were building.  I think ceilings were at 4900, but I stayed at 2500 for the return trip.  We flew right by the campground on the Chickahominy where we have camped with the Indian Guides many times, including just a few weeks ago.  The kids love to see that sort of thing from the air.  Gives them such a new perspective.

Route 5 Bridge over the Chickahominy River: campground to the right and above bridge

 

            Winds had picked up by the time I had returned to KFCI.  They were 310 at 8G14.  Basically, that’s right down the runway since I’d use 33.  I wasn’t too concerned but didn’t want a gust to hit me during my flare.  I just remember what the DPE said last July—just keep pedaling and fly the plane.  Don’t think of anything else.

            That advice was good advice.  I had a great landing at KFCI.  In all a great day of flying and a great day overall.  I had run 10 miles, seen my 5 year old’s soccer game, flown a person new to aviation, flown the boys to lunch, watched my 7 year old’s baseball game and topped it all off with an evening at the pool. Hard to beat that!

Flight to Crewe (W81) 04/11/12

I flew the boys to Crewe, VA, (W81). The idea was to stay current on landings and to get the kids out of the house.  It was getting light later, so I had time to make it down and back before it got totally dark.  The boys were excited to fly. I was interested in the comparatively shorter 3,300' runway, especially to see how short I could stop in preparation for landing on a much shorter grass strip.

The boys in front of 18NS

We departed into calm winds and made the flight to Crewe at about 2000 feet.  I let my 12 year old fly on the way down. He did well and enjoyed the sightseeing.

Jack Flying to Crewe

Once we got close to Crewe we could see Blackstone off to our left.  The boys and I had fun trying to pick out the Crewe airport amongst all of the chicken farms.  Thos buildings look a lot like T-Hangars from the air!!

Once we had found the airport, I crossed midfield to double-check the winds and to set up for a downwind for runway 33.  The landing was uneventful in the relatively smooth air.  I got it stopped pretty quick, too!!

We taxied up to the terminal and took a potty break and switched seats for the flight back.  My 10 year old wanted to take the controls.

The Terminal Building at Crewe

I made a short field take off from 33 to head back to KFCI.  It was a perfect afternoon. 

My son did a great job flying back holding heading and altitude.  We landed at KFCI and I had two more landings to record so my currency would not lapse.  And the boys had a great time, too!!