Met up with some of the PFC members (who I'm cozying up to as I prepare to join the ranks) at Linden for a breakfast fly-in to South Jersey Regional. Took me about 15 minutes to drive there (it being Sunday morning). Swee-eet.
The fleet consists of two 172s and two 182s; they keep one of each at Linden and Caldwell, with the 182s being rotated between the two airports. They're all IFR-certified with nearly identical avionics suites. The Skyhawks are 180-hp "Superhawks".
For the ride down, I'll be piling into the Skyhawk with three other guys (and not-quite-full tanks; don't worry). My sort-of club mentor, Mark, is flying the Skylane with just his young son, but they're not here yet, and we're hungry.
KDLJ has sure changed a lot since the last time I was here, but it's still just a very cool non-towered field,snuggled up against the rump of the KEWR-KLGA-KJFK airspace. TPA is 850 MSL, with the southern approach shelf for KEWR right on top, and dooon't you bust that unless you want a haircut with a jet engine.
Lots of interesting residents...
This Robinson driver was working very hard on patterns, with a careful descent to the numbers each time, followed by a shallow takeoff down the runway. Egg-beaters fly an opposite pattern to the fixed-wings. I know it sounds goofy, but it seems to work. I figure they are usually slower, have much better visibility from inside, and are so maneuverable, they just manage to stay the heck away from the rest of us.
And some more, etc, etc... let's play "Name That Aircraft!"
Don't be deceived: this is one of a small fleet of very well-appointed planes here, outfitted strictly for banner towing.. Droopy wingtips, flap strakes, etc. A cowling is just for going fast- why bother with it interfering with cooling or quick repairs when all you care about is hauling a great big floppy rag into the air and flying around with it at whatever speed it can manage?
Excellent pick-ups by these guys... sorry, no pix or video. Some other time.
This is a Super Cub that's the same age as me. That's really frikkin' old, BTW...
There was a minor mob scene at the pump ($5/gal., BTW..
), and the lineman was kind enough to play Human Tug for us, so we wouldn't have to restart to move up for our turn.
Next: part 2: off to KVAY
