WTW and pics from KHWD to KMLB

TheStig · February 22, 2021

Finally was able to pickup our new plane N43FM. Love this plane, flies like a dream and the miles just slip behind you effortlessly. Started at Hayward, CA (KHWD) with an instructor from Tucson (KTUS) who was absolutely fantastic. Glider, aerobatic, Mooney owner, worked at Mooney service center ...so much information packed into a day and a half. If you are in search of a great instructor please let me know. Besides tweaking and "finishing" landing technique and power settings, "getting on the step", etc. we also did slow flight, stalls (various, maybe all?), chandelles, climbing 180s, steep, like very steep turns (90deg!), power off 180s to land. First time I came in too low (but there was a threshold so would have been fine), 2nd time, nailed it on the numbers (power cut abeam numbers); it's a good feeling to be able to "glide" to a predetermined spot and nail it.

On the second day I left my instructor after more landings, an ASR-PAR landing and lunch. Heading East, the flight was uneventful and I spent the night in Lake Charles LA for crawfish of course. Honey Be Crawfish Express is highly recommended. And Million Air FBO have a new E300 for a crew car. Great place to stop.

Next day (Saturday), the last leg home KCWF >> KMLB (Melbourne), and it too was uneventful until the last 5 minutes. Cruised with avg. ground speed of 198 (top speed 232) so the trip was done in short order. However, landing was a little more interesting with crosswind of 17G26. All I can say is it handles well in crosswind conditions.

The welcoming committee was there with art and champagne and happy to see daddy!

And she's home in her new home!

Some pictures to color the story.

--Stig