MikeAdminWith a major storm headed our way starting Saturday there was no way I was going to miss the chance to fly today. My initial plan was to do a little Northern Vermont swing – Newport, Montpelier, Burlington then back to Franklin County – but as I headed toward Jay Peak I was just on the northern edge of an overcast layer at 3k feet. To the north it was clear with only a “few” wisps of cloud but to there were only a few “sucker holes” otherwise it was a solid layer.
Despite my plan to get some quality IFR training the desire to play was to great so I floated along the northern edge of the clouds then slipped over the top and skimmed the layer for some quality cloud surfing.
After hanging 10 (RV10 get it:-) I decided to take what Mother Nature was giving and to stay West of the Green Mountains so we headed over to see what was going on at Plattsburgh (PBG). I let George do a little of the flying as we headed down to BABDI for an RNAV 35, but hand flew the approach to a touch and go. Then it was over to Burlington (BTV) for my first landing on Runway 1 since it reopened following construction.
Beyond being the first flight of 2021 there was another first for me on this flight as two balloons were sharing the pattern with me. One actually requested a touch and go on runway 33 and came down to bump his basket on the runway before climbing backup. This was a definitely a first for me and the tower controller – resulting in a fun conversation. To make it even more fun the balloon scared up a fox that then ran down runway 33 and was standing at the intersection of 33/1 as I did my touch and go.
It was then back to Franklin County for the RNAV 1 depart and come back in for the break! What a great way to start a new year!