What happens when it rains?
What happens when it rains?
I get wet.
It was supposed to be blustery and windy all day so I planned to do things other than fly.
I looked out the window at the Santa Maria Valley at 11:00 and the leaves on the trees weren’t blowing hard and the sky was a lovely blue with fluffy white clouds. I checked the weather and the forecast and it appeared to be a lovely day to fly to San Luis Obispo for lunch.
I had not flown the Predator from the front seat in the last 41 days so waiting till tomorrow seemed like a bad idea. Tomorrow is promised to no one.
It was almost noon by the time I made it to SMX.
I called Leidos and the very friendly weather briefer cautioned me to stay low. Freezing levels were 2,000 feet and there were some cumulonimbus clouds popping up.
Precipitation was unlikely.
I worked through a careful preflight and pushed The Predator outside.
I checked the ATIS and winds were 270 degrees at 14kts gusting to 20kts.
I have never heard ATC speak so fast. I am glad he doesn’t do it with my clients. There were very few pilots to talk to so I don’t understand his need for speed.
The run up went well, I changed from ground to tower, turned the transponder to mode C.
I heard the magic words; “experimental gyroplane 142 Mike Golf; straight out approved; runway 30 clear for takeoff.”
We were wheels up by 12:15.
I went through my pre-rotator and takeoff instructions aloud and followed them well.
I was a little slow to add power and The Predator leapt into the air at 55kts as soon as I advanced the throttle.
It is hard to understand the trouble my clients have keeping the nose down.
There were dark shadows and when I would emerge from one I could feel the warm sun on my face. I love the sensory overload I get flying The Predator.
The throttle was moving constantly as the building clouds tried to suck us up and the nearby down drafts would cause a sink. Level required anywhere from 1,800 engine rpm to 2,320 rpm. I loved the challenge of straight and level.
The recent rains are turning the hills a rich green and I love the smell of the wet earth.
My microphone muff does not work as well in the front seat and I had some wind noise.
I called San Luis Obispo ATC from eleven miles to the south east, inbound with Zulu. He asked me if I wanted direct or a left downwind for runway two niner. I had already told him I wanted to come in through the Avilla pass (left downwind for two niner) so I tried to put it in his words.
“Experimental two Mike Golf, make left traffic for runway two niner; report midfield.”
I dutifully read back the instructions.
Over Shell beach he asked me my position and altitude and again in the Avilla pass. The only traffic was coming from the north plus someone working left closed traffic.
When I reported left downwind for runway two niner to land he gave me two wind checks as I made my way toward the ground.
Apparently I was not to too rusty because the landing was one of those where I wonder if I have touched down.
“Experimental 142 Mike Golf taxi to parking; remain this frequency.”
I was the only aircraft in restaurant parking and no one was on the patio. I was concerned the Spirit of San Luis was closed.
It was not and both the owners were there treating my like an honored guest.
I ate inside the heated restaurant and was slow to depart.
I felt a single drop of rain during my preflight that was quickly joined my many more. It was pouring as I taxied to self-serve.
The fast moving rain storm passed as I was filling up but had some friends behind peaking over the mountains.
ATC launched me with a helicopter less than a mile out.
“Experimental 142 Mike Golf, I have lost sight of you in the rain; would you please let me know when you are clear of my Delta?
I climbed out quickly at 75kts indicated air speed making 95kts of ground speed. I was getting sucked up into the clouds so I backed way off the power when I reached 1,200 feet.
I was looking for some blue sky and found it over the Oceano Dunes. I was surprised to see BB sized hail bouncing off my kneeboard. The nearest cloud was 15 miles away.
I called Santa Maria Tower and I was to make right traffic for runway 30 and report midfield.
That took me right through what appeared to be rain but when I got there is was dry.
The landing was as nice as could be and ATC wished me a Merry Christmas.
No pictures from the flight home because my camera is not waterproof.
I pushed her into the hangar just before the skies opened up and drove home in a pouring rain.
Average speed was 46kts for the 58 nautical mile flight (44kts direct) with a maximum ground speed of 96kts.
What a great way to spend a few hours on the day before Christmas!
Merry Christmas to all!
