A beautiful day to fly!

Friday was just Beautiful! Unfortunately our planes are still grounded for Maintenance so no flying with my Students, but I did get a call to fly with my Father-in-law. He had a mission to complete. We needed to fly to Fredricksburg TX to pick up a piece of equipment for the auto pilot in his Baron. The night before a cool front came through (we don't have COLD fronts in South Texas) and the air was so clear! There was a bit of light chop (a little wind shear) but nothing to bad! Once I arrived at the airport Jimmy had already the Cessna out of the hanger and pref lighted (now that is nice!). He offered to let me fly left seat, something I have not done in a while. I decided to take him up on the offer since as a cfi I don't get that chance very often. Then He pulled out the low enroute chart and approach plates for T82 and said I needed to fly the VOR-A approach and do a hold so I could keep up my currency. If you don't know what this means, Basically I put on a view limiting device (so I could not see outside the airplane) and shortly after Take-off I began flying the airplane only by looking at the Instrument inside, no outside reference! I flew it OK, the hold wasn't to bad, and the VOR approach brought me out right on target. It was funny I looked up to search for the airport looking straight out and thought I was off course because it was actually between my 10-11 o'clock position, then he reminded me of my 25 degree wind correction angle! Its funny how soon you forget stuff when you are not using it! So, one hour after engine start we arrived. Its also funny that for 10 minutes prior to our arrival there was nothing going on at the airport. No sooner then we begin our final approach into the field we had two aircraft coming in behind us and 3 wanting to take off.
So we get on the ground and go to the avionics shop to take car of business. After a little small talk and looking at some really really cool new airplane gadgets (which ranged in price from $10,000 to $15,000) We decided we better get out of there! Just about the time we get back to the airplane we spot a Cessna 190 behind us with engine running...Nothing had to be said, we both new we where not going anywhere until this beautiful airplane was off the ground. There is just something about an Airplane with a radial engine. The sound they make to me is like music! I have always said if there was another time in history that I should have been born it was the late 30 early 40's. I love the airplanes, I love the music, and even the look of that time! People just seemed to have more respect for themselves and one another.

Isn't she a beauty...



Now, listen to her singing...It does not sound nearly as good as it does in person, but you might get the idea.


OK, so now that she is gone we can get in and fire up. I'm back in the right side, and Jimmy has this leg...so I get to look out the window and take some pictures! T82 Otherwise known as Gillespie county airport is nice airport in the Hill country of Texas. Located in Fredricksburg Texas it is a favorite place for pilot's to come and have a $100 Hamburger. Also on field is a very nice hotel, The Hanger Hotel. It has a balcony on the second floor so you can go outside and watch Planes coming and going! My wife and I will be spending a night there real soon. I look forward to it. Here is a view of the Hanger Hotel

Here is another view with the Diner sitting just to the right...Look at the nice crowd of planes sitting on the ramp outside the diner on a Friday afternoon.

The diner has a 40's feel to it. They play old swing/big band music and have it decorated like a 40's diner. They even have a banquet hall dressed up the same way. It's a fun place!

Waiting for takeoff we watch another 172 coming in for a touch and go. This plane is also based at KSAT.

Finally our turn to go, departing runway 32, watch as I pan to my right you will see the diner, the hotel, and a DC-3 sitting on the grass on the right side of the ramp.


The ride home was nice, a little bumpy but nothing to bad. The clear skies and cool temps where a welcome relief for us here. Sometimes we forget just how fortunate we are here the United States. We have such freedom and opportunity.

Arriving back a KSAT On Final 30R KSAT