Preparing for takeoff from Air Mountain Ranch at 8:50 AM, December 31, 2005. The machine was out of Mountain Dew, I had to settle for regular Coke for the flight. Curses.
The sunrise was gorgeous over the mountains, casting Seattle in warm tones. Coke was shaken from a bit of buffeting comming north over the water... Jeans now slightly damp. Double curses.
For someone who grew up in Northern Michigan, Washington state doesn't get near enough snow... It was pleasant to fly into the Canadian winter. Maybe this Coke isn't so bad. Jeans drying.
Note to self: Set cruising altitute a few feet higher next time. Still, a rather impressive view of the trees scant feet below. Glad now of the retracting gear. Pants now sticky from dried Coke. Re-curses.
Ahhh, civilization again. Plane handles well on approach... No traffic, was granted clearance to land without hassle. Out of Coke, thirsty.
Landed fine at 10:16 AM, same date. Taxing to parking now. Maybe they have a machine with Mountain Dew.
All in all, it's a great plane, and for the price I payed for a two-pack of planes, a wonderful deal. I wish the autopilot was a bit more modern, but it serves, and the plane trims fine for level flight anyhow... No major issues even with the limited autopilot.
