On April 10th we loaded the family in the RV10 and began our adventure vacation. The plan was a trip to the Florida Keys. This would be the farthest we had ever gone from home by about 350 NM. Customs was booked for a 9:00 arrival in Cutbank. We were on our way in smooth air and I was really happy to have a break from work. 130 NM to Cutbank. Flight time 0.9hrs. Customs cleared, the tanks full we were on our way in short order to Rapid City. 475 nm. Flight Time 3.1hrs.
We always use flight following and you need to be above 9500ft to get coverage in these parts. Even then they lose you for a while. We dropped down for a bit to look at Devils tower and then jumped over the black hills into Rapid City. We are yet to have a smooth ride over the black hills.
Devils Tower
Rapid City SD
We had packed a lunch and ate it at the FBO. The plane was quickly filled with fuel and so were we. We loaded up for the third and last leg of the day to Kansas City. 481 NM. Flight time 2.9 hrs. This flight leg was a rough one over Nebraska. The plane rolled as much as 45 degrees from the turbulence at one point. Fortunately the last quarter of the flight it smoothed out at 9500ft. As we approached Wheeler Downtown airport we were told it was closed. Airplanes were in holds everywhere waiting to get in. A Cessna got a flat at the intersection and shut the entire airport down. Our timing worked out well as it opened about ten minutes before our arrival and we slipped in amongst all the traffic. It was a neat place to land. The day was done and we found our way to the hotel and had a great supper.
Kansas City
Next morning we got up to a hazy day and loaded up the plane for a stop in Atlanta to have lunch with Brandi and Brian at Cobb field. 570 NM. Flight time 3.7hrs. We filled up all four tanks in Kansas City so we had lots for the flight. The scenery was getting much prettier as we got farther south. The rolling hills of Tennessee, ridges in Georgia, the leaves staring to show themselves more and more.
Many Boat houses on Lake of the Ozarks
Mighty Mississippi
We soon were talking with Atlanta approach and set up for Cobb Field. Once on downwind we soon learned that this is an approach you do not want to mess up. There is a HUGE open pit right next to the runway! We got down safe and taxied into their hanger with about 35 gal left. It was nice to see familiar faces being so far from home. The plane got filled up and we went in for lunch.
Cobb Field
Lunch was spent trying to come up with a plan as to what we should do if we could not get through the weather. There was a massive storm on the Florida Georgia border that we did not know if we could get around. The forecast was not good at all for the remainder of the week so we really wanted to get through. The decision was made to head direct for Jacksonville and see if we could make the slot. I told everyone that they had to eat fast as every half hour counted based on how fast the storm was building. Brian and I agreed that this made flying so much fun. I figured it would even be more fun if you new for sure you could get around the weather.
We said our good byes and told them it was their turn to visit us. We have Flames tickets for them if they do! Departing Cobb was the only place we had a bit of frustration with the controller. He gave us a left turn on departure and cleared us SE bound which was turning us directly to the Dobbins Air Reserve Base. I figured he would then hand us off to them. Nope, he just said we would have to get clearance. The Airspaces connect so that was not going to work. So I continued the turn and departed NE bound to stay clear of the Delta advising tower of what we were doing. I really do not know why we were not given a right hand turn out. We soon contacted Atlanta departure and we were on our way SE bound.
Every time we are heading for marginal weather I set my minimums. I go through the map to find the highest MEA and set my Efis. I then make a decision as to what number I make the decision to turn around at. That way your decision to turn around is made well ahead of time and you are not scrambling in the ****.
We had a nice 10mile gap showing up on the radar that we were heading for. The tops on the right of the gap was reported at 45 thousand feet, the left was less. Centre had the same info as us and was vectoring us to the gap. We dropped down to about 1000ft above the turnaround altitude and chugged along in light rain with a smooth ride. We soon rounded the corner and had it made. Easy flying and we pointed the nose for Gainesville for our first Florida Landing. 300NM in 2.0 hrs.
Gainsville FL
A quick washroom break and a fill for our last leg to Clearwater. On departure there was cell that formed from the time we landed to departure. It was on our flight path with heavy rain and lightning. We went around it and headed farther south.
A little Weather
If the ocean keeps rising....
We had planned to stop in Clearwater Airpark but learned there was no rental cars on the field so we changed the plans and headed for St Pete. 110 NM in 0.8 hrs. It wasn?t long and we on a long final for 18L and tying down at the FBO. Two days and 2066NM flown. Total flight time was 13.4hrs burning about 10.5 gph at cruise.
Landing ST Pete
Where is the beach?
Linear Mode
