Small Cross Country to Lebanon 4/02/11

I had visited Lebanon State Airport (S30) on my short solo cross country about two years ago, really enjoying the flight, meeting the cowboy pilot with the handlebar mustache, the FBO decorated in southwest American, and the fun and freedom of going somewhere completely new by air.

Looking through a recent addition of the Prop Wash (the Oregon Pilots Assn newsletter) there was an Airport Spotlight on Lebanon airport, and the LebanAir Aviation, the FBO. We needed to make it our next Saturday or Sunday breakfast trip.

The weather was forecast to improved enough to make a reservation for an airplane at Twin Oaks a good bet.

With N5440H reserved for 5hrs it was time for some trip planning. Although I could just set the "Direct To" function on the GPS, or follow the I5 freeway south and turn southeast after passing Salem, planning a trip with headings, time in route, fuel usage, ETA, etc, is part of the fun of cross country trip (even one that just barely qualifies as x-county).

We arrived at Twin Oaks nearly an hour early, knowing that no one had reserved the plane before our departure time, and hoping to get in the air a little early, we found the the airport covered in the dreaded spring morning fog.

Backtrack to Starbucks for coffee, hot chocolate, and the Sunday comics.

Back out to the airport about 30 minutes later we found the fog lifting, and began loading and preflighting the plane.

We departed around our originally planned time, and climbed past scattered clouds to our cruse altitude of 3,500 ft on a course that would take us east-southeast over Mulino, and then south to Lebanon.

The scattered overcast was becoming a little less scattered, so we descended under the increasing clouds to continue at 1,500 feet. A little bumpier down low, but a better view.

Shortly we entered the pattern for runway 34, and landed. Not my best, but not too bad considering I'd not flown 40H for more than 9 months.

We were welcomed by Tebo at LebonAir, given some advice on where to have brunch, and offered one of their courtesy cars to take into town. Courtesy cars are pretty uncommon these days, and it was sure great to explore beyond walking distance from the airport.

We stopped at Kevin's Cafe, where the menu is not fancy, but the plates are huge, and appears to be a very popular place with the locals. Good food.

Heatherle had a few letterboxes to find while were there, so we visited a few parks, and drove around town, and up the Santiam River a bit. Somewhere I'd like to explore a bit more on a future stop.

We headed back to the airport to drop off the car, visit a little longer before heading home, and look over the interesting avaition themed items available in the gift shop.

As I was getting the plane ready, I noticed a main gear tire that had gone nearly flat, so Tebo offered to get us fixed up if I could taxi over to the hanger.

The three of us then posed for a picture with the airplane that was made into a nice little 12 month calendar, and as we were climbing out for our return home, were thanked for coming to visit. Nice.

The return trip was rather bumpy but relaxing, still full from brunch and happy with our visit, Audrey taking part in her customary homeward bound nap.  I am fortunate to be able to take my family places by means that most are not able to experience  

This trip will be on our list to do again.