This was a nice weekend, filled with social events
Yesterday morning / early afternoon was devoted to errands. We started off the day driving to Yulee to rent a U-Haul trailer so we could move Jeanie's "big chair" and some other stuff to the storage unit (which is now stuffed to the gills). While we were in the moving mood, we also took Jeanie's old computer desk to the CAP trailer. After dropping off the desk, we returned home, and I dropped Jeanie off and then drove back to Yulee to return the trailer.
Jeanie had a hair and nails appointment, so I dropped Jeanie off at the salon, and then ran a few more errands.
I went by the UPS Store to ship the defective Electronic Suspension Control Module from the Stealth to ECM To-Go in Texas for repair. I decided to ship it rather than attempting the repair myself for two reasons: 1. The main guy (Glen) at ECM To-Go was really nice last week talking to me about the ECM and TCM failures and what to look for, etc. 2. I could see at least one electrolytic capacitor that was blown, and it was stuck to a ceramic disc capacitor, so I questioned if it might also be damaged, and I just don't have the time right now to be hassling with repairs which may not work. Unfortunately, ECM To-Go did not have a TCM in stock, so I had to order it from another company - ECU Direct. I am hoping that the new TCM arrives some time next week so that we can get the Stealth back on the road.
I also went by the Radio Shack and picked up a new wireless keyboard and mouse. The set was on sale for $19.99, and had a $10.00 mail in rebate. I just so happened to have a $10 off a $20 purchase coupon I had received when I purchased the stuff from the Radio Shack in Jacksonville which was closing, so, I purchased the cheapest thing I could find in the store - a $0.47 set of lighted tire valve caps - so, the mouse and keyboard will only end up costing me a couple of bucks total (caps, postage for the rebate, sales tax). The mouse doesn't quite have the range that the old one did, but fortunately, I had a set of extension cables, so I was able to move the receiver closer to the desk. The mouse and keyboard are not quite as comfy as the old ones, but, you can't beat the price, and the keys on the keyboard don't stick, and the mouse doesn't exhibit the quirks that the old one did.
In the evening, Jeanie and I went to a Newcomer's Club cocktail party. Jeanie was her usual social butterfly, and fortunately, one of the other newer members of the CAP was there so I spent the majority of the evening talking with him about the CAP and flying.
This morning, Jeanie and I flew over to Jekyll Island (in the McGill Archer) along with two couples from the Atlantic Flying Club (in the club 172) and the owner of the local FBO (in his Tiger). The flight over was quick and uneventful. It was the first time I had ever flown anywhere with other aircraft, and even though we didn't fly over in formation (which would have been a no-no) we stayed in radio contact and it was kinda cool. As usual, there was a cross wind, and 18 was the favored runway which means I had to fly a right hand pattern. At least this time I was a little better mentally prepared for the wind and pattern. I still was a little long on base (because of the tail wind on base), but nothing that I couldn't easily correct. I was the first to land, and I was grateful that my landing while less than perfect, wasn't totally embarrassing. Since the last time we were over there, a company has started renting cool little electric cars right at the airport, so we rented a couple. We drove over to the Jekyll Island Club and feasted on their delicious brunch, then took a lap around the island. The food, sightseeing, and company were all fantastic. The weather had called for afternoon thunderstorms, so we decided to head back around 2:00 PM, which turned out really well, as shortly after Jeanie and I got home, a fairly intense storm hit. The ride back was a little bumpy, but not too bad, and a nice day of fun and flying was capped by a fairly decent landing.
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Posted by David at July 30, 2006 10:16 PM