A Dream Realized

Yesterday, December 31, 2005, I realized a dream I've had for over twenty-five years..

When I was in college, I thought that the coolest date in the world would be to tell my date that we were going out to eat, but not mention where I planned to take us.

My dream was that I'd pick up my hot date and then drive her to the local airport, where we would walk up to a single engine airplane at which point I'd say "hop in," then we'd get in the airplane - destination still unknown to her - and I'd fly us off to a wonderful destination somewhere where we'd enjoy a meal together.

For years, Jeanie has commented (at least every time we drive by the exit on I-95 and then some) that she's always wanted to go to Jekyll Island, Georgia. Somehow, we've just never managed to make it there.

Well, a couple of months ago, I got the idea to fulfill her desire to go to Jekyll in combination with the realization of my old dream.

I started out by charting the trip on the Jacksonville sectional. I charted it using VOR navigation, as the GPS in the plane I rent is an old style small GPS that fits in a standard aircraft instrument spot on the panel and is really too small and dim for me to readily use. The route can easily be flown just by pilotage, but, I figured it was a good exercise.

I then "flew" the trip on Microsoft Flight Simulator. I think MS Flight Sim is a great tool for active pilots, both for helping to maintain general proficiency without spending a bundle actually flying, as well as to "dry run" things in a safe environment prior to trying them in real life.

I asked some of the local pilots for suggestions regarding dining on Jekyll, and even used Google Earth (another great free resource for pilots - and everyone else) to get a map of the island with restaurants highlighted.

I picked a day for us to make the trip, but whether foiled those plans.

While Jeanie was away visiting friends and family a few weeks ago, I used one of my semi-monthly proficiency rentals to actually fly the trip. I flew it VOR for the practice, but it is a really easy trip to fly basically just following the coast line up to Jekyll. The only two "tricky" parts of the trip are that the runway is relatively narrow and short - at least relative to what I usually fly from. Not too narrow or short, but enough to make me pay attention. The other tricky part is that runway 18 has a right hand traffic pattern. I find flying a right hand pattern challenging both because I do it so infrequently - in fact, I think that first trip to Jekyll might have been my first time - and because it is harder to "see" the turns out of the right window, given I am flying from the left hand seat. Anyway, the practice trip went smoothly, and after a quick "looksee" at the ramp (I never even got out of the plane) I headed back home.

I had scheduled to fly the CAP C172 on Friday but when I arrived at the hangar, I was greeted by the squadron maintenance officer who informed me that the aircraft was grounded due to a fuel leak. I decided I'd just fly McGill's Archer, but it was unavailable, so I just went home. After listening to me whine about not being able to fly, Jeanie suggested we fly somewhere on Saturday or Sunday.

Someone once told me that the definition of Luck is when opportunity meets preparedness...

On Saturday, I told Jeanie that I was going to take her out for lunch. When she asked "where?" I told her it was a surprise, and that she should dress "nice casual" and wear (or bring) comfortable shoes for walking. I checked the weather on weather.com and got a weather brief on DUAT - it looked fine - 3000 foot ceilings and winds at 10 knots, a little crossed for Jekyll's 18-36 runways, but not bad.

After arriving at the airport, I talked to Sean and John McGill (who happened to both conveniently be there sitting in the classroom). They suggested the Jekyll Island Club Hotel rather than Morgan's (great suggestion) for lunch.

After I preflighted the aircraft, Jeanie and I climbed in.

The trip started out bumpy - physically and otherwise.

Based on some advice I received from the CAP flight instructor who is supervising my C172 checkout and Form 5 preparation, when I took off I tried to cross control for cross wind by deflecting the ailerons at the start of the takeoff roll. I guess I had too much aileron because I dipped the upwind wing at liftoff, but recovered and flew a less than beautiful climbout (my airspeed was high and my flying in general just wasn't as crisp as I expect it to be). I had expected to cruise over at 2000 feet, but the ceilings were only 1500 feet - right at the limit of my comfort - which meant I had to fly at 1000, which is legal, but lower than I'd prefer and lower than Jeanie was really comfortable at. To tops things off, the air was bumpy; not turbulent enough to be troubling, but enough to detract a bit.

Other than the lower than preferred altitude and bumpiness, the cruise to Jekyll was uneventful. Jeanie was still unaware of our intended destination until about five miles out from Jekyll when I made my initial call on the CTAF. We got to Jekyll, and entered pattern.

One of the other areas that the CAP instructor has been coaching me on is flying crisp, close, tight patterns. I prefer to fly slightly "large" patterns - more like a mile from the runway on downwind rather than 1/2 mile, and a slightly longer threshold-to-base leg, as this gives me a little more time to make adjustments during the last stages of the pattern. So, trying to be a "good boy," I set up for a tight pattern. Unfortunately, I didn't realize that the wind had shifted and was exactly 90 degrees to the runway at 10 or 11 knots so I didn't compensate enough for the crosswind flying my downwind or making my turn from base to final. Since I was flying a right hand pattern, I couldn't see the runway as I made my turn to final until I rolled out, at which point I realized I was WAY to the left of the runway. So, I did a go around.

The second approach was better - not great - but good enough. From last time flying, I had really tried to focus on remembering to drop the upwind wing when I used the rudder to kick out of the crab just before touch down. I did that, but then after the nosewheel touched down, we jumped to the left and I had to quickly correct to get back straight down the center line. I now realize that right before the nosewheel touches, I need to neutralize the rudder, but keep the ailerons deflected to help keep the upwind wing down and help maintain directional control (the other "cross controlling").

I guess that's one of the things I like about flying - it challenges me right to the edge of my ability. I say "right to the edge" since I figure that as long as I can keep walking away from landings where neither the airplane nor I are bent, I haven't been challenged beyond my ability.

We taxied to the ramp, and tied down and locked the a/c. Even though the airport is not attended, there are tie downs and chocks available for visitors to use - a nice gesture.

We started walking to the Jekyll Island Club Hotel - and I was glad that I listened to Jeanie and took the "path" that stayed along the sound rather than staying on the road as the path led straight to the resort.

A few minutes after we started walking, I looked to the west and noticed that - contrary to the forecasts - the clouds seemed to be thickening and lowering. My concern was that we would end up getting stuck at Jekyll if the weather deteriorated any more. We made the decision to stop and have me call for a weather briefing. The briefer at Macon FSS was really nice, and told me that the weather - according to observations at SSI (St. Simon's Island) and a recent PIREP - contrary to the forecast was ceilings at 1000 feet and visibility of 3 miles - right at VFR minimums. He indicated that the forecast and weather to the west still showed that it was likely to get better over the next few hours rather than worse, and since it was already marginal VFR, Jeanie and I decided to continue our walk to the Club rather than turn around and try to head home, and take our chances that conditions would improve in a few hours. I also called McGill and let them know we might not get back when scheduled due to the local weather. Fortunately, there was no one else scheduled for the Archer for the rest of the day, so I was told it would be okay if we were late.

Okay, so at this point, you're probably thinking "he did say dream come true, not nightmare, right?" Indeed. Read on.

It was a short walk - at most 15 minutes - and quite pleasant. There were lots of informational/historical signs along the way, and the scenery was lovely.

We found our way to the main building, and got a map of the Club and information on our dining options. We elected to eat at Cafe Solterra, and ended up sharing a delicious bowl of "Farmer's Pot" vegetable soup and a club sandwich on Rye which we enjoyed sitting out on the veranda. For desert, we shared some monkey bread. After lunch, we walked around the grounds, visiting some of the gift shops, and looking at some of the historical homes.

As predicted, the skies opened back up somewhat, and we departed shortly before 4:00 PM. The trip back was better - the air was smoother and the ceilings were higher. By the time we got back, the winds had come down and shifted to right down runway 22. My dream-come-true was capped by probably the best landing I have ever made.

Even though things started out a little bumpy, from the time I hung up with the briefer, things just got better and better, and the day ended as well as I could have ever dreamt - the most important thing being that Jeanie had a wonderful time - which is of course, the true measure of the success of a date!

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Posted by David at January 01, 2006 02:33 PM