As it turned out, I of course had to get higher than that before reaching the lake west of Warner Springs, which was easy with some of the updrafts I was getting... then difficult when I got into that pass and got some downdrafts. Didn't quite make a "legal" 6500, but with the wind below 6000 out of the east, it wasn't for long. Two pairs of eyes in the plane helped enhanced safety there.
The Champ rides waves and thermals pretty well... the key word is rides.
Very effective lesson in managing pitch and throttle in the Champ... the A of A was changing often, requiring some important decisions about power even though it didn't seem like I was climbing or diving. I dug out the new handheld from under the seat, hoping to get a bearing to Julian VOR, but apparently I haven't figured that out yet. I put it away.
No matter- when I positively ID'd that lake (without getting quite as close as shown) I knew where I was, and could see how to get where I was going. I made a big turn to the SW, looking down the wing for the VOR. Couldn't see it.
On the way to Ramona, the wind was such that I was heading about 150 by the wet compass for a while... west of Hoffman (?) Lake, Rich called out some traffic while I was looking down: it was a KC-130 refueling two choppers- probably involved in Sunday's show at Miramar. They were 500 feet above me, heading SE.
The rest was old hat- Ramona to San Vicente Lake at 4500; to Gillespie then Sweetwater Lake at 3000; to 2000 at Otay Lake; get the ATIS, call Tower, "Roger, Champ 70E, right base runway 26 right, report the prison"... done it a few times recently.
I was asked to land long for a Tiger departing 26R midfield but didn't quite pull it off, although I floated 70E with power for a bit. But they didn't have to wait too long- I have gotten more confident taxiing this strange little beast at a brisk pace.
I taxiied to the pump for another fillup: total burn for the 2.9 hrs was a little over 14 gallons, which was a little more than the tank holds.
After securing the Champ, I tried to act casual as I said goodbye to her. It didn't work very well... I was sad.
I am going to miss that little airplane...
It was bittersweet goodbye all around- I will also really miss the gang at First Flight; they made me feel welcome.
But I've learned a lot, really enjoyed getting some good old-fashioned x-c pathfinding done, and I feel like I am at an important crossroad.
There will be more taildragger flying in the near future, maybe even into my IR training.
