biddeford

It's been a while since I've flown. The weather has been off and on, with either high winds or low ceilings, and last week I was out sick.

Today was finally the right time. This morning, they were predicting gusting winds up to 21 knots between 1 and 2 PM, but the rest of the time right around 9 or 10. I decided that, worst case, I might have to wait out the wind or divert somewhere, and it just wasn't going to get any better, so I went.

I arrived at the airport at 10:30 and discussed my flight planning with Adam, a new guy. He and I went over the details of my flight, and then at around 11, we went to talk to Tim, and he signed me off. I was supposed to open my flight plan at 11:15, but I didn't get out of there until about 11:45, so I'll have to remember that for next time.

After departure, I asked for a frequency change and then tried to contact Bridgeport radio on 122.1, listening Lawrence VOR. Nothing. I called three times, and got nothing. So, I leveled off at 3500 and called Boston Approach. They gave me 5152 to squawk, and I was on my way. I kept my altitude at 3700 so I wouldn't interfere with Portsmouth.

It's a clear day, and I could see the VOR radio sites on the ground, and that made it a lot easier to get my heading squared away. I guess it's cheating a bit, but I'll call it "pilotage" and leave it at that.

I started my descent based on a radial from Concord, and went back to VFR. I got down to 1500 around 5 miles from Biddeford.

Finding Biddeford was a cinch. Sanford is a huge landmark, as is the highway and the town of Biddeford itself. I noted the water line where Portsmouth Class C starts, and turned to the right to descend to TPA (995) and enter on the downwind. I made my calls and slowed to descend. On turning base, I noticed I was too close and just continued to turn final. On final, I pulled the power back and got to 30 degrees of flaps and settled in. I was around 80 across the numbers, and it made me float a bit, but I eventually touched down and then back-taxied to the ramp.

Getting to Biddeford was a good feeling. Not only was I in the right place, but I made that landing that I was so worried about.

I was half expecting to see a friend of mine drop by there, but I guess he couldn't make it. I sat in the FBO for a good 30 minutes, talking with the guys there and just relaxing from the stress.

I then went back out to the plane, and called flight service to open my flight plan. No more messing around with the semi-functional RCO. I set things up, and taxied out to take off. I departed directly to the southeast and climbed up to 4500 for the return trip. Around E. Berwick, I called Boston and got back on radar. The trip back was quick and mostly uneventful -- other than some bumps around Portsmouth that seem to be there all of the time.

My landing back at Lawrence wasn't exactly my finest, but I didn't bounce it, and I was prompt enough about getting off at Delta. I went back to Eagle East, did a lame job of parking, and secured the plane.

I have to practice the fundamentals for the test, and I need to plan a three-leg cross-country trip for my next big exercise.

Posted at 03:15PM Feb 21, 2008 by carlson in Aviation  |