Saturday, April 19, 2008

Breakfast flight to Cambridge

Breakfast today was going to be an expensive affair. I had, however, been looking forward to it as I was able to take my second trip with the whole family. We all got to the airport early and after a weather brief and preflight we got into the air and headed Southeast. The winds were calm and the air was smooth. The only downside was that there was some haze in the atmosphere that limited our visibility to about 6 miles despite the weather report of unlimited visibility. Once over the bay we could see a large amount of boats stretched out from one side to the other pointing every which way. Once we got over to Cambridge and landed we taxied to a crowded ramp. Some other people had the same idea we did. I found a spot for the plane and we went in to "Kay's" for some breakfast. We all had pancakes. The last time I went to Kay's my passengers and I thought that the food was good, but the service was slow. This time the service was acceptable, but the food was just mediocre. There was nothing wrong with the size or the price of the food, the pancakes just didn't seem to taste all that good. I'll still give them another try for lunch again though. On the way back it was smooth flying with just a few little bumps in the way in. Once I called Potomac TRACON and told them I had Tipton in sight I was advised that there were four aircraft in the traffic pattern and to use caution. I thanked him and started the process of trying to fit into the pattern. I found an aircraft that was departing and turning to crosswind. I knew that I could fit in behind him to follow him onto the downwind leg and get behind him. I wasn't sure if he was leaving the pattern but I knew that I could fit in. While on the downwind I could see the aircraft ahead of me continuing downwind. It continued downwind past the point where it should have turned base but kept on going. I waited a few more moments until I got to the point where I was ready to turn base. I was ready to make my base turn as the aircraft in front of me continued on the downwind leg. I thought that since he was that far downwind, he must be leaving the pattern. I called my turn to base. Just as I did so I heard a frantic call over my headphones, "Did you say turning Base!?!?" I then realized that this pilot did indeed intend to land despite being about three miles away from the runway threshold. I immediately called and advised that I was extending my downwind and throttled up. Eventually the other aircraft turned base and final allowing me to make my turns. When I got onto final approach I was approximately on a three mile final approach. I made the radio call, "Tipton Traffic, Cessna One Niner Fower Sierra, Pah-pah, turning final, LOONNGG Final, Tipton." Perhaps it was rude to point out the long final but I was really surprised that the other pilot had turned final so far out. My landing at Tipton was much better than the one I had a Cambridge. Once we taxied over to the fuel pumps, my passengers had to bolt to meet another appointment. That left me at the airport for about an hour and a half. I was able to sit down and enjoy the weather and watch the takeoffs and landings.

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