Leg Six: Meeting Old friends and Breakdown

Today has been a good and bad news day.

I had made the decision to stop at Sanford-Lee Airport in North Carolina (KTTA). This is the home of my first Club; the Wings of North Carolina, where I earned my private license. And in particular I wanted to meet George Scheer, my first instructor in engine aircraft. From him I learned many of the skills I have been using during this trip.

The good news is that I was able to meet him as well as other club members from past times. It brought back many memories. All of them very good people. Despite all the years they made me feel at home again.

The bad news is that the starter of the airplane stopped working and I could not take off from Stanford-Lee and finalize the remaining 1.5 hours to Kitty Hawk.

On the other hand if the starter had to malfunction somewhere along this trip this was the best place to happen. In effect, James Garlick, (expert Chief Mechanic) immediately diagnosed the issue and offered to have it replaced. He had a new starter in stock, which BTW is a new improved and lighter version compared to the original.

James put his expert hands to work and despite all his other duties he had it replaced w/o any problems.  BIG, BIG THANKS to James.  He is awesome!

N669TW is now again up and ready to go. Tomorrow, weather permitting, I should be able to complete the trip and land at Kitty Hawk, where the First Flight Airport (KFFA) in honor of the Wright Brothers was built.  

Now some pictures:

 LaGrange, Georgia "Smart move" says the city water tank.

 Lafayette square in downtown LaGrange. (The picture is of bad quality and taken from the car but you may see the statue among the branches.
(Presumably of Lafayette himself, although I did not check)

LaGrange-Callaway airport from the air after take off. Bye-bye LaGrange.

 Chocolate water, due to the recent rains in the region and thus the rivers mobilizing more sediments.

Large beautiful lakes in Georgia.

 An airfield strip along the way in South Carolina.

 Back in time I am at the Sanford-Lee airport again. The Wings of North Carolina, my first flying club.

 Their facilities, much improved from the time I was taking my lessons.

The Club fleet with the same Cessna 152's I used to fly with. With these airplanes I did instruction with George, my first solo, first cross country flights and my check ride.  My Pilot logbook still contains all these entries....

I was happy an honored to see George after the years. He was glad I was still flying and that I stopped during the trip. He gave me very good recommendations for my return flight based on his experience when picking up an airplane in Portland, OR and flying it back to the East coast.

George Scheer, Chief Flight Instructor at Wings of Carolina Flying Club.

 Before I realize James is already working on N669TW.

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 The culprit; the non-working starter.
It was really heavy. Apparently this model is no longer used anymore.

 Here the new shiny and lighter starter already in place.

The starter now works consistently and with strength. Great job James! He saved the day and the trip.

Thank you so very much! 

The flying community is a very close and friendly one. Will be happy to correspond in kind, anytime. .

Track of the day:

Day totals:

• 346 nm
• 2 hours 45 min

That was the story of the day. 

Tomorrow is the "D" day. Now...... time to rest. 

All best,

Eduair    ;-)