Pete C
02-25-2010, 09:33 AM
Todays flight was from McGrath to Ruby with stops at Takotna and Ophir.
The weather was fine and clear when I wlked out to the aircraft at McGrath, and their wasn't any other traffic arround.
After a quick look around the aircraft, I settled myself in, and after the problems I had on the last flight, I made sure that my pre-flight was thorough. I wanted to leave nothing to chance.
Everything looked good, xacars was on, so I fired up the engine, and after checking the instruments, I released the brakes and taxied out to the runway.
T & P's look good so we're off and away to our first dropping point at Takotna, only 13 miles distant and 6 minutes flight time.
The trip was so short that I'd only just got her settled at 3'000 ft and it was time to reduce throttle for the descent into Takotna, where I was to delicver 1100lbs of the dog food, harnesses and new sled runners.
Click on image
http://cid-27ccf3b2bb1a72f4.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Iditarod%20thumbs/203-1%5E_s.jpghttp://c8gtjg.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pf4UqApHwpzIDTQ53sGXBzS0ggHyepejLWDeGdLwynqmdLMV TNHlExAxew5DFP4GIEKG_v0IUI00APm3Aeemip3dOu8fwWId1/203-1_s.jpg (http://cid-27ccf3b2bb1a72f4.skydrive.live.com/play.aspx/Iditarod%20203-1?ref=1)
The guys on the ground unloaded fairly quickly, and I was ready for the run on to Ophir, again only a short flight of about fifteen and a half miles. Should be there in about 8 - 10 minutes.
Again, I'd only just settled into the criuise when Ophir came into view, and it was time to let down again. This time though, as I was nicely lined up , instead of joining the circuit as at Takotna, I landed straight in.
The weather was still fine, but on the way over from Takotna, I had noticed that the winds had strengthened, and on checking the weather, I found that it had started snowing at McGrath, which for the purposes of the race can't be a bad thing.
Click on image
http://c8gtjg.blu.livefilestore.com/y1prwSFaoNG9sJlV23Plcc6n91MoxIFvi_Xze4R_ab_qZAq7UN w4d7WoXz5IBbIvnUmA7hkVf7Ulwn_Op-JVaDdYg9CaA5HZ4A_/203-2_s.jpg (http://cid-27ccf3b2bb1a72f4.skydrive.live.com/play.aspx/Iditarod%20203-2?ref=1)
We're soon airborne again and turning on course for out destination of Ruby, nearly 100 miles distant from Ruby, with an estinmated flight time of 49 minutes.
Once on heading, it's time to settle back, open the flask (Tea..........not coffee, I'm a Brit), and enjoy the flight.............Brilliant :D
The aircraft's empty now though, and those winds have really picked up, and the old girls bouncing around all over the sky.................tea everywhere (except in the cup, or me).
Eventually, after fighting the wind all the way, the river comes into view and there's Ruby. I'm looking forward to getting down and enjoying what's left of the tea.
Click on image
http://c8gtjg.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pkIQ7MjofyvL2X3NKbaWmjjxOqfB84Vm0naPJtvJ3bLLmg-S_TUWsat8ScQi2aVJrRDoXOhtx_aV-D1lqZC_OKx50hubB6jnP/203-3-s.jpg (http://cid-27ccf3b2bb1a72f4.skydrive.live.com/play.aspx/Iditarod%20203-3?ref=1)
As soon as I landed and shut down, the guys are there filling her up for the next run to Nulato and Unalakleet. Oh well, no peace for the wicked.
The weather was fine and clear when I wlked out to the aircraft at McGrath, and their wasn't any other traffic arround.
After a quick look around the aircraft, I settled myself in, and after the problems I had on the last flight, I made sure that my pre-flight was thorough. I wanted to leave nothing to chance.
Everything looked good, xacars was on, so I fired up the engine, and after checking the instruments, I released the brakes and taxied out to the runway.
T & P's look good so we're off and away to our first dropping point at Takotna, only 13 miles distant and 6 minutes flight time.
The trip was so short that I'd only just got her settled at 3'000 ft and it was time to reduce throttle for the descent into Takotna, where I was to delicver 1100lbs of the dog food, harnesses and new sled runners.
Click on image
http://cid-27ccf3b2bb1a72f4.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Iditarod%20thumbs/203-1%5E_s.jpghttp://c8gtjg.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pf4UqApHwpzIDTQ53sGXBzS0ggHyepejLWDeGdLwynqmdLMV TNHlExAxew5DFP4GIEKG_v0IUI00APm3Aeemip3dOu8fwWId1/203-1_s.jpg (http://cid-27ccf3b2bb1a72f4.skydrive.live.com/play.aspx/Iditarod%20203-1?ref=1)
The guys on the ground unloaded fairly quickly, and I was ready for the run on to Ophir, again only a short flight of about fifteen and a half miles. Should be there in about 8 - 10 minutes.
Again, I'd only just settled into the criuise when Ophir came into view, and it was time to let down again. This time though, as I was nicely lined up , instead of joining the circuit as at Takotna, I landed straight in.
The weather was still fine, but on the way over from Takotna, I had noticed that the winds had strengthened, and on checking the weather, I found that it had started snowing at McGrath, which for the purposes of the race can't be a bad thing.
Click on image
http://c8gtjg.blu.livefilestore.com/y1prwSFaoNG9sJlV23Plcc6n91MoxIFvi_Xze4R_ab_qZAq7UN w4d7WoXz5IBbIvnUmA7hkVf7Ulwn_Op-JVaDdYg9CaA5HZ4A_/203-2_s.jpg (http://cid-27ccf3b2bb1a72f4.skydrive.live.com/play.aspx/Iditarod%20203-2?ref=1)
We're soon airborne again and turning on course for out destination of Ruby, nearly 100 miles distant from Ruby, with an estinmated flight time of 49 minutes.
Once on heading, it's time to settle back, open the flask (Tea..........not coffee, I'm a Brit), and enjoy the flight.............Brilliant :D
The aircraft's empty now though, and those winds have really picked up, and the old girls bouncing around all over the sky.................tea everywhere (except in the cup, or me).
Eventually, after fighting the wind all the way, the river comes into view and there's Ruby. I'm looking forward to getting down and enjoying what's left of the tea.
Click on image
http://c8gtjg.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pkIQ7MjofyvL2X3NKbaWmjjxOqfB84Vm0naPJtvJ3bLLmg-S_TUWsat8ScQi2aVJrRDoXOhtx_aV-D1lqZC_OKx50hubB6jnP/203-3-s.jpg (http://cid-27ccf3b2bb1a72f4.skydrive.live.com/play.aspx/Iditarod%20203-3?ref=1)
As soon as I landed and shut down, the guys are there filling her up for the next run to Nulato and Unalakleet. Oh well, no peace for the wicked.