"Head in the Clouds"Cross Country #3

July 10th, 2004

Michael Greene, Aerial Photographer

Roy Shenhar, Pilot (???)

Introducing:Piper WarriorN8090H

For safety purposes, a thorough engine inspection(10:15 am)

Oil dipstick

Fuel draining apparatus

Check list

This is what it looks like from Michael’s point of view:

Navigation instrumentsAltimeter

Dave’s back

The shoulders upon which all the responsibility lies

The planned course…(every … at the end of a sentence has a reason…)

Just kidding!

Weather briefing (10:40 am) reports a ceiling of 1500 feet (only) at Pittsfield

The pilot-in-command ignores… (call it inexperience)

Massachusetts

Connecticut

NewYork

OK, time to turn 1800!

And in practice…

The dam: first checkpoint of the unintended diversion (11:20 am)

Now what?

Changing the plan!

Massachusetts

NewHampshire

Vermont

On the way to land at Keene, NH, Mt. Monadnock is seen above the right wing (11:50 am)

Massachusetts

Vermont

NewHampshire

x

Approaching the nowhere airport Hawthorne Feather (12:10 pm)

NewHampshire

Massachusetts

Vermont

“Hawthorne Feather traffic, Warrior 8090 Hotel is on the 45 to left downwind 02, Hawthorne Feather”

Translation: reporting that we’re entering at a 450 into a left traffic pattern to runway 02 (which is oriented 200 to the north)

Overflying Jaffrey airport (12:20 pm)

NewHampshire

Massachusetts

Vermont

12:40 pm, spotting the Quabbin Reservoir over the left wing

NewHampshire

Massachusetts

Vermont

Above the left wing – UMass,

Carol and Michael’s house

Lincoln Apts.

Rt. 116

Rt. 9

above the right wing – North Amherst

Approaching Northampton airport for landing(12:55 pm)

Connecticut River Northampton

airport

“Northampton traffic, Warrior 8090 Hotel is left downwind 32, Northampton”

“Northampton traffic, 90 Hotel, left base 32, Northampton”

“Northampton traffic, 90 Hotel, final 32, Northampton”

THE END