Preflight 20090131

Mission: Brief 1500Z
Preflight
Crank up
Fly Binghamton VOR whilst using pilotage and cross radials for checkpoints
Land at N23
Use checkpoints and VOR for return trip
Debrief

Debrief 20090125

So we had a change of plans today. Instead of flying to KN23, we flew to Ithaca. I got to use my trusty E6B Flight Computer today. It's much cooler when you actually get to use it. It was COLD. -5 to be exact. Oh man was it nasty. Our hands about froze. We fueled up the 152 and got going. It was a pleasant ride to Ithaca. Slightly bumpy but nothing too bad. Talking to ATC this time was a breeze. I liked that Jerry had me go to Binghamton first cause that made this sooooooo much easier and less nerve shaking. Anyway, we did a touch and go. On the touch par tof the equation, Jerry said there was a crosswind and to make a nice crosswind takeoff...and I finished up the "go" with a crosswind takeoff. The ride to Ithaca and the ride to Towanda was for the most part smooth. We tracked the VOR and all the while looking at checkpoints we'd checked on the map and used cross-radials to verify our location.
Mission Complete.

Preflight 20090125 CHANGE

New Mission: Follow Ithaca VOR to KITH
Identify checkpoints & mark times
Touch & Go @ Ithaca
Return KN27 via VOR & pilotage

Mission Status: Complete 20090125

Preflight 20090125 UPDATED 20090131

Mission: Brief 1500Z
Fly Binghamton VOR to Sidney Municipal (N23)
Return to N27 via pilotage and D'ed Reckoning

Mission Status: Incomplete (Scrubbed until 20090131)

Debrief 20081227 (20090104)

Well we finally got the cross country done. It was not much different than I expected. I only got tongue-tied once or twice while talking to ATC. That was a little nerve-racking just because I didn't want to sound like an ass, but I guess if that's all I have to worry about, then I'm pretty well off. I know there are probably people who don't like talking at their home airports. Getting there was easy, and coming back was easier.
We fueled up before we left and from the moment he noticed I was wearing shorts he busted on me the entire time. I told him and Sean that real men wear rediculously long shorts and midway socks in cold weather, it was about 35 degrees today, but I swear it did not feel that cold. He even tried to make me cold during the flight. Haha, it was funny...I gots the young blood.
Talking to ATC wasn't bad. A little confusing at first but basically, when they talk to you, respond. I said the full name of my aircraft but I also switched it up to '609. I cannot imagine they like that too much. But anyway, talking to them was not bad. We did two touch and go's on runway 16 with right traffic. Right traffic at first is a little odd, but all in all pretty easy. Jerry helped me out with the radio during some of it, mainly when we were at the airport.
The Greater Binghamton Airport is an easy airport to get low at during the pattern cause the runway is built up on a higher elevation, but landings were nice and everything went smooth.
I would grade this mission 100 over 100. I kind of like doing these preflights and debriefing things. Hopefully they're as fun to read as they are to write. Until next time, Over and out.