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 Previous Item - AOPA Internet Flight Planner v. 2
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My first long cross country |
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Joe Varner - Mar 21,2011
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I have been flying for nearly 25-years and never been more than a few hours from home in any small aircraft. I was always content with playing around the central florida area, and just reading stories about the adventures of others flying long distances (Thanks Dan). I finally said what the heck and did it. I flew my Searey from Winter Haven FL to Peach Tree City Ga (Near Atlanta) and then back to Winter Haven the next day. I left friday morning and returned saturday afternoon. I know for some of you this 850 mile round trip would be considered a short cross country, but for me it was a big deal. It turned out to be the most enjoyable flying that I have ever done before. The weather was very good on the way there except being a little bumpy and it was picture perfect for the return flight. It was like a magic carpet ride, just sitting there watching hundreds of miles of beautiful farm land go by and seeing the little farm towns. When you drive through a small town you only see the main street. When you fly over, you see the whole town. I thought that florida had a lot of airports but in Georgia they are everywhere. It seemed like just about every small town had an airport. The return flight was the most fun as I strayed off course numerous times if there was something that I wanted to look at. I flew down the suwannee river for about 15-miles and was amazed at all of the people enjoying boating on the river. I couldn't resist a couple of landings on the river, never done many landings on narrow rivers before. I taxied past some boaters and they looked at me as if i just i just landed from mars or something. I also quickly figured out that you really have to watch for wires, just when you think there is nothing around for miles you will find wires crossing, which are hard to see as the poles will be hidden by the trees. The only issue that I had during the entire trip was this clicking noise that I would hear every few minutes. When I landed for fuel I inspected everyting trying to find where the noise was coming from and nothing looked out of place. When I got back in the air the clicking noise started again which made me a little nervous. Any new and unusual noises are not a good thing most of the time. I finally figured out what the problem was when I reached for my half full bottle of publix drinking water and heard the click as I touched the bottle. This noise was the crinkling of the thin plastic bottle when the water shook around when I was in bumpy air. I also wanted to point out how much more enjoyable the flight was by having a good moving map GPS. I purchased a Garmin Aera 560 touch screen gps and it proved to be an excellent tool with so much information available just by touching the screen. However it can be a little difficult to touch the screen in the proper location during bumpy weather when your bouncing around. I have it mounted directly in front of me next to the dynon where I am looking straight at it. I can see that it would be way more difficult to use if it were mounted in the center of the panel where a lot of people mount their gps. I could go on and on about my adventure but it's getting late and I'm getting tired of typeing. It was a wounderful trip and I am going to go places more often. Also it is all about the weather. The weather makes the difference between a wonderful trip and a miserable trip. <br />
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Don Maxwell - Mar 21,2011
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Good going, Joe! It sounds like a fine trip--with many more to come.
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Steve Kessinger - Mar 22,2011
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I'm at least another year and a half away from that and am very jealous!!
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Frank A. Carr - Mar 22,2011
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Congrats Joe, sounds like you logged a Life's Experience. I've flown your route 40 times--<br />at 6000'--and always wondered about the Suwannee River; now I want to see it. Thanks <br />for sharing.
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Joe Varner - Mar 22,2011
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When I was flying over the the Suwanee I unexpectedly came across a large crowd of people on the bank they were enjoying beautiful clear blue water that flowed into the river from a spring that was located a short distance away. Thats why I love Searey flying, you never know what you will see.
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Dan Nickens - Mar 22,2011
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'...magic carpet ride...' Now that's what I'm talking about. Good show, Joe. Where to next?
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Joe Varner - Mar 22,2011
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Not sure where to next Dan. I think I will start dreaming big and try a trip all the way to California some day. I just added it to my bucket list.
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Russ Garner - Mar 22,2011
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Joe, that's what's fun about a go anywhere airplane like the Searey, It may take you a little longer to get where your going but it's a lot more fun. Now you can put something in that<br />XC line in your log book. Congratulations.
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Joe Varner - Mar 22,2011
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I was actually disappointed that the trip was over when I got back home, so I had to fly for another hour locally.
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Kenneth Leonard - Mar 22,2011
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Joe - I'm with you. The farthest I went so far was up the Suwanee and it was a hoot. Had John flying top cover watching for bridges and wires and I was below treetop. I hope to start the long cross countries this summer. Thanks much for justifying the GPS - knowing EXACTLY where I am in relation to airports and airspace makes things much less stressful.
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Russ Garner - Mar 22,2011
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Ya, I was out putting the boat in the lake when you flew by I figured you just got back.
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Stewart Adams - Mar 24,2011
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How about flying up here to NH next time? :o) I would even let you take me for a ride and if I still have my share of a 172 Skyhawk I would return the favor. I would like to hear more about your trip and if you have pictures that would be even better. I often see the pictures you folks post and read what you have been doing with these great little planes and just dream of what life could be like. Ahhhhhh. Not to mention the warmer weather this time of year! Keep on flying and sharing for us dreamers.
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Philip Mendelson - Mar 25,2011
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Keep working at it, Dreams do come true.......
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Marty Corr - Mar 25,2011
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Great story with useful info too. ( I am thinking about where to put my gps now, but have little experience actually flying).<br />I am sure there will be many more now you have done the first
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