FFA trip -tail wind both ways.

[0TreeLemur]

I write to provide a Pirep on our recent trip.

My co-pilot and I flew Saturday from Tuscaloosa (TCL) to the First Flight Airport (FFA) to pay homage to the Wright Brothers where it all began.   Had 15 kt tailwind component with one forced bladder stop and we decided to add some fuel.  Spent Saturday night with friends in Raleigh.   Sunday returned non-stop from Raleigh to Tuscaloosa, ending the flight at 8500' over BHM with 18 kt tail wind.   The Park Service is remodeling the Wright Bros. memorial visitor center, so the facility is not complete.   In the meanwhile, they are running the gift shop out of a FEMA trailer. 

I was disappointed to see very tall power lines at the departure end of 03, the same direction essentially that the Wrights made their first flights.   Screws up what should be an unobstructed view upon departure.

We flew just outside the class bravo of both ATL and CLT.  Having ads-b in from Stratux was good- we most often were looking for traffic before being told about it.  Makes it fun to play "where's the traffic".  I'm looking forward to getting ads-b out installed in our a/c so we can see more traffic.

But, the AOPA built a pilot's lounge near the ramp, where you can go in to plan flights, relax, or stamp your logbook with a FFA stamp.  It was a glorious trip, taking about 9 h.

-Fred

[MyNameIsNobody]

I thought it meant FAST Friggin’ Airplane... (FFA)

 

[FloridaMan]

I’m guessing a low pressure system passed through to the south given your route. Low pressure systems move counterclockwise. I think “high pressure, headwinds, up” meaning that when going north if there’s a high pressure system moving in that you’ll have a headwind, or a tailwind if it’s a low pressure system. This is good if you’re in NC and going to Disney because you’ll have tailwinds and nice weather. But if you’re in Florida and going to NC and catch a tailwind, it means the weather will be shit while you’re there. 

[TTaylor]

I thought you were going to the Future Farmers of America convention .

[N201MKTurbo]

You get just one of those flights in a lifetime. Glad it was a good one.

I always tell people the weather service could save a lot of money forecasting winds. Just call and ask which way I'm flying. The wind is going the other way!

[0TreeLemur]

5 hours ago, TTaylor said:

I thought you were going to the Future Farmers of America convention .

I did that back in high school.  They should have called the first flight airport KFAA.

[0TreeLemur]

TAS=150 kt at 70% power and 10 gph.  Not too shabby for a four cylinder!

[0TreeLemur]

6 hours ago, TTaylor said:

I thought you were going to the Future Farmers of America convention .

In fact, selling show steers is how I paid for my PPL!   FFA led to my first flight.