Dawn Patrol 6-12-09
Jun. 12th, 2009 08:59 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
slipstreamsurfrI got to do something this morning that I've always wanted to be able to say I did.
I took a flight before I had to be at work at the office this morning.
(I know, you all hate me so now!)
Up early this morning I check the weather. Clear below 12k, winds Calm. A far cry from the rolling storms of yesterday. I'm quickly ready and headed to the airport. The weather briefer tells me that there are some IFR conditions just north of me. With the temp/dew point spread being about 2 degrees, that's not too suprirsing. The briefer is in a good mood and we actually chuckle a bit about the weather yesterday vs today. It's been a while since I found a briefer in a good mood.
To the airport and opening the hanger doors, there she waits. My steed of the morning 07Lima. I pull her out and preflight while I marvel at how nice a morning it is. I'm soon done and finished with the runup and ready to go. First up will be a few patterns then a short flight. Word from Command is that the Hun may be on the move, I must inspect the lake for German activity!
A call to the pattern as the tower isn't open and I throttle up smoothly. The engine purrs as the wings take the weight and we are airborn in the calm morning air. Turning my crosswind the watercolor sky heralds the morning while I look down on the work traffic on I-20.
The first pattern is turned and I'm all smiles. The throttle is back in and we are back in the air. This time on downwind I see the sun barely peeking out now. The camera shaky in the awsome beauty of the moment.
Another nice approach, if the Germans on are the move like Command told us this morning, they've not made it inland as far as the aerodrome. Rolling it on, the power in and we lift towards the heavens. As I work another pattern, reminding myself to not be sloppy just because nobody is around to correct me I see the sun has risen a bit higher. It just doesn't get any more pretty than this.
Another nice landing, this one with flaps as I had set myself up high. I'm not quite use to this sight picture, a bit close to a 3 point landing on that one, I'll work on these some more later. It's now time to check the lake for Hun activity. So away I take my trusty steed towards the lake. Passing I-20 once again and chuckling at everyone heading in to the office.
The waters are calm on the lake this early morning.
Flying up and down the lake, turning circles I don't see much going on until I spot them far below. What's this? An intercept?
It is! It appears some of our boys have intercepted an inbound infiltration attempt They've got them on the run now!
My duty done it's time to head in. I've a report to make out to Command, and the reality of my workday awaits. An easy flight back and I'm soon in the pattern of my home 'drome.
Another few landings for practice and it's time to park 07Lima for the day. I leave her tied down at the end of her hanger row awaiting the next pilot on her roster for the day. I hear she'll be up in the air again soon spreading smiles once again.
And then, I headed off to work. I don't think they'll be able to do much today to wipe this smile off my face. 0.7 for the morning, 6 landings, a short flight over Joe Pool Lake, and all over and done with before the tower ever opened.
Life doesn't get much better folks.
I took a flight before I had to be at work at the office this morning.
(I know, you all hate me so now!)
Up early this morning I check the weather. Clear below 12k, winds Calm. A far cry from the rolling storms of yesterday. I'm quickly ready and headed to the airport. The weather briefer tells me that there are some IFR conditions just north of me. With the temp/dew point spread being about 2 degrees, that's not too suprirsing. The briefer is in a good mood and we actually chuckle a bit about the weather yesterday vs today. It's been a while since I found a briefer in a good mood.
To the airport and opening the hanger doors, there she waits. My steed of the morning 07Lima. I pull her out and preflight while I marvel at how nice a morning it is. I'm soon done and finished with the runup and ready to go. First up will be a few patterns then a short flight. Word from Command is that the Hun may be on the move, I must inspect the lake for German activity!
A call to the pattern as the tower isn't open and I throttle up smoothly. The engine purrs as the wings take the weight and we are airborn in the calm morning air. Turning my crosswind the watercolor sky heralds the morning while I look down on the work traffic on I-20.
The first pattern is turned and I'm all smiles. The throttle is back in and we are back in the air. This time on downwind I see the sun barely peeking out now. The camera shaky in the awsome beauty of the moment.
Another nice approach, if the Germans on are the move like Command told us this morning, they've not made it inland as far as the aerodrome. Rolling it on, the power in and we lift towards the heavens. As I work another pattern, reminding myself to not be sloppy just because nobody is around to correct me I see the sun has risen a bit higher. It just doesn't get any more pretty than this.
Another nice landing, this one with flaps as I had set myself up high. I'm not quite use to this sight picture, a bit close to a 3 point landing on that one, I'll work on these some more later. It's now time to check the lake for Hun activity. So away I take my trusty steed towards the lake. Passing I-20 once again and chuckling at everyone heading in to the office.
The waters are calm on the lake this early morning.
Flying up and down the lake, turning circles I don't see much going on until I spot them far below. What's this? An intercept?
It is! It appears some of our boys have intercepted an inbound infiltration attempt They've got them on the run now!
My duty done it's time to head in. I've a report to make out to Command, and the reality of my workday awaits. An easy flight back and I'm soon in the pattern of my home 'drome.
Another few landings for practice and it's time to park 07Lima for the day. I leave her tied down at the end of her hanger row awaiting the next pilot on her roster for the day. I hear she'll be up in the air again soon spreading smiles once again.
And then, I headed off to work. I don't think they'll be able to do much today to wipe this smile off my face. 0.7 for the morning, 6 landings, a short flight over Joe Pool Lake, and all over and done with before the tower ever opened.
Life doesn't get much better folks.