11/25/09

Fog.... Sigh

Matti and I had planned a noon time flight south along the Cascade foothills, or a loop around Mt Hood, but we were foiled by lingering fog in the valley Twin Oaks is located in. 

Out there somewhere in the fog is Chehalem Mt at 1440 MSL.

Just a few miles in any direction was clear, so we went for some coffee, and sat back for an hour, but still no sign of clearing.

Still, hanging out for a bit at the airport on a foggy day with your son is still a good time.

11/12/09 Alone in the Pattern

Finally... a decent day with some free time available.

I left work a little early and headed out to Twin Oaks to spend some time alone in the air, a first since I was still a student.

So, what to do?

Explore somewhere new?

Fly around and take in the sights as the sun sets and it becomes dark?

Nope.... just an hour doing laps in the pattern.

Actually it was a good choice. My first few landings felt a bit off, but not too bad with a little crosswind. As I felt back in the groove, I began to throw in some soft field takeoffs, no-flap landings, slips, short field takeoffs, etc.

I also had some company in the pattern, a Cessna 150 was doing the same as I. The picture was taken as I walked up from the ramp, and the wingtip lights of the 150 on short final can be seen against the hills in the background.

It was really nice flying around the pattern, with a little time alone.