This weekend was forecast to be our first taste of Spring here in Pennsylvania. I got out of work on Friday a little early and headed out to the airport with my wife to see if we could get a quick flight in. I checked the weather in the office and the winds were 13 knots gusting to 20. Oh well, I decided to take what I could get and figure on some good crosswind landing practice. The sky was just too blue to pass up.
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As expected, it was very bumpy and rough once we got airborne. It was also a lot hazier than it looked like it would be from the ground. I made a nice landing in the gusty cross wind and called it a day.
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Saturday morning turned out to be sunny with less wind. We decided to fly to Kitty Hawk Restaurant at York airport for breakfast. The kids didn't want to go, so Nancy and I left them watching cartoons and headed over to the airport.
Here is the view out the window and the synthetic vision version on the Grand Rapids EFIS screen. You can just make out the 29 on the picture of the runway.
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Full power and we're off! Next stop - breakfast.
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We climb out and turn on course for York -KTHV. It is beautiful and clear.
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Passing over Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
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...and the city of York.
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Base to final turn for Runway 35, York.
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Short final.
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EFIS view at touchdown.
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It's a mile long taxi back to the office and restaurant when you land in this direction. There are lots of planes on the ramp. We're not the only ones dying to start the flying season.
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All tied down and ready to walk into the restaurant.
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We can see the ramp and our Velocity from our table.
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The food looks great. This should hold me till lunch.
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| The Restaurant |
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| Pilot lounge |
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| Flight planning room |
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| Front Desk |
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We go out to untie the plane for departure. A group of curious pilots gather around the plane and we are happy to show them the interior and let their kids take a seat in the pilot's seat.
Then it's time for the long taxi back to the departure end of the runway. There are 5 other planes taking off and more in the pattern. It's good to see the airport so active.
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Number two for takeoff.
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Ready for takeoff. This is a really long runway.
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Crossing the Susquehanna river.
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Chester County Airport comes into sight and we start our approach.
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Some shots of the approach and landing at Chester County.
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Back at the hangar. It was a nice flight. Now I need a nap. Great start to the weekend.
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