PAMC-PANC my first leg as baton holder! :woot:
It was a late afternoon flight over the mountains in the Grumman Goose that started out with scattered low clouds and low winds...all that was to change during the course of the leg however. As we climbed so the wind increased and was virtually dead on the nose.
I am really glad that Dave and I scouted out the leg beforehand and decided on a safe altitude to fly at as we hit clouds over the mountains and a couple of times I popped out of the clouds to see mountain tops just 500ft below me.
The wind had also swung around to a tail wind of around 20 knots which was pushing us along at a fair lick and I was riding the edge of the yellow band on the ASI.
Once over the mountains we decided to head down but unfortunately Dave found some turbulence and the next thing we knew he had overstressed the Goose and it was game over for him. Within seconds of him announcing the problem I also bounced in the turbulent air and the ASI needle got very close to the red line. Only a fast hand on the throttle stopped me going into overspeed!
With Dave out it was now down to me with 40 miles to go and one more ridge to clear. I must admit to having a case of the old 'sweaty palms' for a few minutes but once the last ridge was cleared I could see it was fair weather and flat land all the way to the finish line. The airport appeared basking in glorious sunshine when I was about 15 miles out and then it was just a case of getting lined up and controlling the descent.
The landing was a 'greaser' if I say so myself and I let her roll to a stop under her own steam as the Goose is notorious for tipping on her nose as soon as you touch the brakes.
It was certainly an interesting flight for the first time as baton holder and a shame that Dave met problems with turbulence...better luck next flight Dave! :ernae:
It was a late afternoon flight over the mountains in the Grumman Goose that started out with scattered low clouds and low winds...all that was to change during the course of the leg however. As we climbed so the wind increased and was virtually dead on the nose.
I am really glad that Dave and I scouted out the leg beforehand and decided on a safe altitude to fly at as we hit clouds over the mountains and a couple of times I popped out of the clouds to see mountain tops just 500ft below me.
The wind had also swung around to a tail wind of around 20 knots which was pushing us along at a fair lick and I was riding the edge of the yellow band on the ASI.
Once over the mountains we decided to head down but unfortunately Dave found some turbulence and the next thing we knew he had overstressed the Goose and it was game over for him. Within seconds of him announcing the problem I also bounced in the turbulent air and the ASI needle got very close to the red line. Only a fast hand on the throttle stopped me going into overspeed!
With Dave out it was now down to me with 40 miles to go and one more ridge to clear. I must admit to having a case of the old 'sweaty palms' for a few minutes but once the last ridge was cleared I could see it was fair weather and flat land all the way to the finish line. The airport appeared basking in glorious sunshine when I was about 15 miles out and then it was just a case of getting lined up and controlling the descent.
The landing was a 'greaser' if I say so myself and I let her roll to a stop under her own steam as the Goose is notorious for tipping on her nose as soon as you touch the brakes.
It was certainly an interesting flight for the first time as baton holder and a shame that Dave met problems with turbulence...better luck next flight Dave! :ernae:
