gary m. posted an article on Gary's FLight Journal - Feb 4, 2012, 5:35 pm
Mike and I once again swapped text messages and it was decided we would make a lunch run to Chester County, KMQS.  I gave Mike a heads up I was going to ask Vince to tag along, he agreed.  We all met at the plane, including the fuel truck, around 11:30.  Fill to the tabs plus two translates to 1...
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gary m. posted an article on Gary's FLight Journal - Feb 3, 2012, 9:28 pm
Mike B and I swapped a few text messages and planned some flight time this evening.  Mary was feeling good and I felt confident she would be ok resting at home.  With her blessing, more like a go play and give me peace and quiet, I was headed to the plane. Jersey shore looking north from cape ma...
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gary m. posted an article on Gary's FLight Journal - Jan 29, 2012, 1:30 am
08Romeo departing KILG - photo by Vince G.Well after a few weeks of searching and looking at various units Mary and I closed on a motor home.  Yes, we will now have a 'beach home' on wheels, in Ocean City Maryland. We gave some thought to a unit in Maine for just under what we set as our limit but...
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gary m. posted an article on Gary's FLight Journal - Jan 27, 2012, 1:17 pm
I previously posted about upgrading the avionics in 08Romeo and today I agreed to my plan 'B' with Red Eagle and scheduled for March 1. I am going to keep the Collins Nav/Com equipment since they both work and just upgrade the transponder so I can have the Zaon traffic back online.  Besides, the...
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gary m. posted an article on Gary's FLight Journal - Jan 26, 2012, 8:57 pm
Well Mary and I have added another RV to the search.  We plan on flying to Queen City Saturday after checking out the local RV.  The new unit added to the list is a 1997 Fleetwood Storm 35.  The Fleetwood Southwind Storm 35 has one slide-out (expandable living room)it sleeps up to six. The unit...
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gary m. posted an article on Gary's FLight Journal - Jan 24, 2012, 10:15 pm
I had some time today to meet up with the owner of the Fleetwood Storm 30, Class A Motorhome Coach we are thinking about buying. Finally a chance to get hands on and really give the unit a good once over.Overall the unit looks good, it needs a good detail (wax). Generator fired up and ran fine, heat...
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gary m. posted an article on Gary's FLight Journal - Jan 21, 2012, 6:58 am
KILG early AM,,,,picture from Ben Clendaniel.Overnight, Wilmington got its first real taste of winter with a coating of snow.  The forecast was calling for a coating to one inch but after walking Maggie this morning I would say it's closer to three. Right now we are getting freezing rain so we...
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gary m. posted an article on Gary's FLight Journal - Jan 15, 2012, 4:45 pm
BRrrrrrrr...............I got up around 5am and got Maggie outside then fixed her breakfast.  My Bride was still tucked in bed, snug as a bug.  I was surprised to see it snowing when Maggie and I did our abbreviated walk and I was worried the forecast had changed enough to cancel my flying for th...
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gary m. posted an article on Gary's FLight Journal - Jan 13, 2012, 5:36 pm
In my previous post I made a quick stop at the airport to get 08Romeo plugged in for some pre-heated weekend flying.  I failed to mention that I forgot my keys and had to ask the Avionics shop to lend me my spares I keep locked up with them.  It saved me a trip back and forth and got 08Romeo taken...
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gary m. posted an article on Gary's FLight Journal - Jan 13, 2012, 5:14 pm
It's that stinking time of the year, yes, winter is here.  No snow yet but cold temps with a wind chill factor and gusty winds hitting 50 mph. I made the quick trip to the airport to plug 08Romeo in for the first time 'this year'. Maybe I can fly this weekend or Monday, since I am off for the Holi...
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gary m. posted an article on Gary's FLight Journal - Jan 11, 2012, 6:54 pm
Mary and I have went back and forth on her headset.  Our first headsets were the David Clark H10-13S model, great headset.  With the purchase of our own plane and many more hours of planned flight we each decided to upgrade to ANR's (Active Noise Reduction).  I purchased the Lightspeed Zulu's wit...
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gary m. posted an article on Gary's FLight Journal - Jan 8, 2012, 10:28 am
TIA's, no this is not an aviation term, however, it is a serious medical condition. Flying seems so trivial when we are faced with medical emergencies that effect us and/or our family.  My beautiful Bride had her blood pressure spike which resulted in signs of a stroke. A transient ischemic attac...
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gary m. posted an article on Gary's FLight Journal - Jan 1, 2012, 1:25 pm
 I decided to start the year off right with a short flight today. The wx is perfect and it's going all downhill the rest of the week.  Mary passed on breakfast so I sent Vince a text and posted on Facebook.  Jeff in Woodbine posted that the Woodbine pilots are heading to Georgetown -KGED, great, ...
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gary m. posted an article on Gary's FLight Journal - Dec 25, 2011, 9:42 am
It's time for my annual year in review and a look forward to some new goals for 2012. Here are the goals I set back in January. 2011 in Review Hours: 105, Total flight hours 649 Ratings: Nothing new this year :( Airports: N71, KSEG, KPTB, KLKU, KPVG, KPOU, K22, KJWN, KROA, KITH States: None this yea...
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gary m. posted an article on Gary's FLight Journal - Dec 24, 2011, 8:34 pm
Mary and I started the day heading to the airport to get some power flowing to the Reiff heater system.  I got the chance to use the new generator we purchased earlier this year and hooked it up to get the oil temps up prior to my engine start. We completed the engine pre-heat hook up and headed...
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gary m. posted an article on Gary's FLight Journal - Dec 19, 2011, 1:42 pm
I have been reading and reviewing about flying IFR since I haven't put in many hours left seat in the last month. While reading my favorite subscriptions, IFR Refresher and Aviation Safety, I happened to log into the AOPA home page. I noticed one of the subjects is lost communication procedures, I...
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gary m. posted an article on Gary's FLight Journal - Dec 17, 2011, 4:39 pm
Finally some flying!  Thanks to my brother Joe the kitchen floor was completed yesterday with just the stair nose remaining for install.  Joe's wife Janice also helped out when she checked in on us and brought us lunch. Mary and I owe you guys a nice dinner out at the club, we could not have do...
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gary m. posted an article on Gary's FLight Journal - Nov 1, 2011, 4:36 pm
Day 1 -  Monday 10/31/11 I hit the road early with a few tools, lunch and my flight bag.  I always get excited at annual, the chance to work on the plane, play with power tools and hang out with the guys in the shop.   I made a stop for donuts  for the guys and a large tea for me.  Frank was...
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gary m. posted an article on Gary's FLight Journal - Oct 30, 2011, 6:37 pm
I went to the airport this morning relieved that I didn't have to remove ice or frost from 08Romeo, in fact the cover was dry and control surfaces good to go. Mary dropped me off and headed south for 58M, Cecil County Airport in Elkton Maryland, about a forty minute trip. I completed a pre-flight a...
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gary m. posted an article on Gary's FLight Journal - Oct 25, 2011, 10:36 pm
I flew with Mike tonight as his safety pilot.  We left Wilmington under the VP's  TFR as a VFR flight, despite filing just in case.  The tower asked if we wanted to cancel the IFR plan, I advised if we can depart VFR then yes.  We were soon off heading south towards Summit, KEVY.  SE View at ...
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gary m. posted an article on Gary's FLight Journal - Oct 21, 2011, 4:37 pm
VFR Sectional with TFR's and WXWhat's New in ForeFlight Version 4.2 4.2 is a big release including: * In flight SiriusXM weather via Baron Mobile Link * An all new data-driven map engine with global basemap coverage * ForeFlight Global Winds * Map layering (e.g. radar on sectionals) * Super-zoom en...
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gary m. posted an article on Gary's FLight Journal - Oct 11, 2011, 3:54 pm
iPad Proficiency for Pilotsby ForeFlight iPad Proficiency for Pilots from ForeFlight on Vimeo.
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gary m. posted an article on Gary's FLight Journal - Oct 8, 2011, 9:10 pm
I swapped a few messages with Ryan and Kathy from Williamsburg, VA and Ted and Susan from New York during the past week.  Mary and I decided that we wanted to attend the Cape May wine festival along with the West Cape May Lima Bean festival.  What better way to spend the day then with friends, the...
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gary m. posted an article on Gary's FLight Journal - Oct 6, 2011, 9:36 pm
How can anyone concentrate on the job at hand?  I was working at the Millville airport this week helping out a co-worker on his project. I was riding the work site and getting my daily report filled out when this AH-1W enters the pattern and lands just north of me on the Big Sky ramp. Thanks to Jo...
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gary m. posted an article on Gary's FLight Journal - Oct 5, 2011, 4:40 pm
It's that time again, IFR Certification time. Yes, that biennial event that we hope goes without a hitch since avionics seem to cost so much.  Red Eagle had 08Romeo in the shop and called to say she was finished up, but, Yikes I hate but, give a call to discuss the Altimeter. Gulp.....funny how ju...
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gary m. posted an article on Gary's FLight Journal - Oct 2, 2011, 6:43 pm
BACFest is here!  Mary and I decided to attend BAC fest this year since it's almost in our back yard and we really want to see our friends from Texas. The event is going to take place in Ithaca, NY just one hour and forty minutes flight time north.   It's been hectic trying to plan a few trips...
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gary m. posted an article on Gary's FLight Journal - Sep 29, 2011, 3:38 pm
On top for a few minutes heading to 58MMinimums, Yes today would provide my first real test of my instrument skills.  Yes, I've been in the "soup" on various flights but today would test my skills to minimums.  Wilmington was looking good for departure so I filed for the ten minute hop to Cecil Co...
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gary m. posted an article on Gary's FLight Journal - Sep 22, 2011, 4:10 pm
Look....no bugs!!Mary and decided to have 08Romeo pampered at the FBO we use for fuel.  Their prices were very competitive and the location (across the field) sealed the deal.  I taxied 08Romeo over to Aero Ways, Inc on Wednesday morning and assured her she would love the treatment.  I did ask th...
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gary m. posted an article on Gary's FLight Journal - Sep 17, 2011, 5:24 pm
I decided to  take advantage of the cool temps and get some flight time in today.  Mary took a pass since she said we will be flying the next three out of four weekends, which translates to, she will have her fill of flying.  I headed south for Wilmington trying to decide where to eat.  I sent ...
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gary m. posted an article on Gary's FLight Journal - Sep 16, 2011, 7:04 am
Mary and I have a few adventures planned in the next few weeks.  Once 08Romeo is finished with the spa day (degrease, wash and wax) we gave her at AeroWays, we plan on attending a couple of fly-in get togethers.  First up will be the Beech Aero Club BACFest.  This will be a short hop to Ithaca,...
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gary m. posted an article on Gary's FLight Journal - Sep 12, 2011, 5:09 pm
I went into work early since I had no shot at getting out of Wilmington at 7am. The fog settled in right over ILG and I could not see the hangars across the field from my tie down at Red Eagle.  It was clear blue sky above and from I95 I could see the twin spans so visibility was greater than fiv...
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gary m. posted an article on Gary's FLight Journal - Sep 9, 2011, 1:16 pm
Air Photo for referenceI got a chance to have some fun at work today. I went to the top of the Twin Spans and took a few pictures but really just enjoyed the view.  Not as much fun as flying, but fun stuff none the less! I have taken many pictures as we fly in and out of Wilmington, I never get tir...
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gary m. posted an article on Gary's FLight Journal - Sep 5, 2011, 9:56 am
This abbreviated vacation started to take shape in late August. Mary's birthday is just around the corner and we wanted to take a few days to bug out of town. Reservations were locked in and arrangements for our "zoo" was complete. It was time to make final flight plans and check 08Romeo's ready sta...
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gary m. posted an article on Gary's FLight Journal - Aug 31, 2011, 6:31 am
It was a great night to be flying!  Unfortunately, I only managed to snap one photo while taking a water break after shooting two approaches rapid fire. This was the last "daylight" I would get to see before getting the foggles back on and getting back to flying. Mike and I swapped text messages...
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gary m. posted an article on Gary's FLight Journal - Aug 25, 2011, 11:54 am
08Romeo is safely tucked away at the Wilmington Airport.  With all the talk and online tracking for Hurricane Irene I thought it would be best to to relocate 08Romeo or try to find a temporary hangar set up until Irene has passed.  Some quick flight planning provided a two hour one way distance t...
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gary m. posted an article on Gary's FLight Journal - Aug 24, 2011, 8:23 am
8/23/2011 - East Coast hit by one of its biggest quakes ever! The top headline in today's paper followed by; "After fearful uncertainty, relief when little damage is discovered".  The east coast felt the effects of an earthquake in Mineral,VA. The U.S. Geological Service reported intensity levels,...
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gary m. posted an article on Gary's FLight Journal - Aug 21, 2011, 8:39 am
Due to the recent heavy rains our basement got wet. Mary and I decided that we would install gutter guards to keep the leaves out from our two large trees out front and a large river birch out back. Mary was the ground team and I did the ladder work. I had many thoughts as to how we could be bette...
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gary m. posted an article on Gary's FLight Journal - Aug 15, 2011, 8:46 am
Mary and I have been thinking about a four day weekend get-away and something to do for her "29th" birthday.  We had a few places in mind; Jekyll Island, GA., maybe finally making it to Charleston, SC., or our favorite place Nags Head, NC.  Instead we decided on something different, a trip to the ...
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gary m. posted an article on Gary's FLight Journal - Aug 13, 2011, 7:31 am
Sunset on the ride homeMary and I decided to make Friday night a date night and head to the Philadelphia Aviation Country Club for happy hour. I left work at 3pm and headed home to take care of the zoo then turn and burn for the airport. I saw an accident on I95 south while heading north back to the...
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gary m. posted an article on Gary's FLight Journal - Aug 13, 2011, 7:09 am
The plans were set for a quick turn and burn to KFFA, First Flight, the meca of aviation, and returning to home base.  08Romeo was fueled to the top and ready to fly and Mike was already flowing through the pre-flight as I strolled in.  I had left work and forgot to change so when I pulled up to t...
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gary m. posted an article on Gary's FLight Journal - Aug 9, 2011, 8:39 am
I finally broke down and gave into the crossfill capabilities on the Garmin 530.  08Romeo is back in the shop at Red Eagle with her panel opened up.  I also decided to have the cables hidden that I had previously left accessible in case I wanted to take the XM antenna out of the plane.  I haven't...
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gary m. posted an article on Gary's FLight Journal - Aug 6, 2011, 6:23 pm
A milestone of sorts, at least for me.  With the last flight entered in the log I busted the 601 total time mark.  Total landings to date 809, instrument approaches 176, airports visited 81, states visited 22, cross country time 279, and only 4.5 hours of actual instrument time, simulated instrum...
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gary m. posted an article on Gary's FLight Journal - Aug 6, 2011, 5:58 pm
North to KLOM, catching the sunriseThe wx was looking good with a the forecast mist at Wilmington but it looked to be clearing by my departure time.  I showered and got on the road early wanting to get in the air by 7:15.   I had ordered fuel yesterday so I needed to sump the tanks to complete th...
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gary m. posted an article on Gary's FLight Journal - Aug 1, 2011, 9:20 am
It looks like I am going to attend this event on Saturday. I could use the flight time and Adam Z agreed to join me. I plan on an 7:15 departure from Wilmington with a stop at KLOM, Wings field at 7:40 to pick up my co-pilot for the day. I'll file for KPOU and head north with an approximate ETE of o...
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gary m. posted an article on Gary's FLight Journal - Jul 31, 2011, 12:41 pm
KILG-KCGEA quick turn and burn for breakfast at Kay's.  Kay's is located at the runway one six approach on the south side of the field, in the terminal at Cambridge-Dorchester Airport-KCGE.  I woke the princess and asked if she wanted to do a breakfast run or boardwalk run.  Together we dec...
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gary m. posted an article on Gary's FLight Journal - Jul 21, 2011, 3:54 pm
My Flight physical was scheduled for today and I was eager to get it over with. I have previously held the second class but for now the third class is fine. Of course with anything related to the FAA there is paper work involved. I filled out the AOPA turbo medical forms but found out they do not cr...
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gary m. posted an article on Gary's FLight Journal - Jul 20, 2011, 8:10 pm
 Poor quality shot but shows location of work08Romeo is in the shop tonight getting ready for a few small issues I want to update.  I noticed the co-pilots mic/PTT cable located under the yoke was starting to come apart.  I guess age and heat in the cockpit have taken its...
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gary m. posted an article on Gary's FLight Journal - Jul 16, 2011, 4:12 pm
I can not say enough times how dedicated the folks at MAESSR are to taking care of these furry kids.  I wish everyone could see how folks line up for the ground transports and pilots for the "Springer air" missions. Just watching the emails roll along and the coordination involved to make this al...
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gary m. posted an article on Gary's FLight Journal - Jul 10, 2011, 5:43 pm
Meet JacksonIt was a typical  work week, dealing with contractors and finishing up paperwork to close a few projects. While working on setting up cost summaries for some new work my email notification went off.  Adam S, MAESSR Transportation Coordinator had sent a request for a possible weekend ...
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gary m. posted an article on Gary's FLight Journal - Jul 1, 2011, 7:20 pm
I decided to bag a day of work and use up some of that vacation time I have saved up.  I wanted to get 08Romeo's wheels cleaned up and painted.  I also wanted to touch up a few scratches on my handle above my door and a few along the top of my door.  At least I had some sort of plan and I decided...
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