Unwanted Guest

Turns out the jammed ASI which gave me a scare last month was due to a spider-web, and presumably a spider, in my pitot line. This blockage prevented the Air Speed Indicator from registering any change in dynamic air pressure, hence the needle did not change regardless of what speed I was doing.

I wonder if, before it blocked completely, it was ever partially blocked? This would cause the ASI to lag, I presume. I never noticed an effect like that.

I've got a new pitot cover now, although it's too big for my Musketeer's unusual pitot tube.

Full Load

For the first time ever, we fitted four people into Squibby. Three adults and a baby is really all that Squibby can carry, even with half fuel. And, given that Squibby has absolutely no luggage area, and given the amount of junk you need to carry when you're transporting a baby, plus my flying briefcase, plus the various toolboxes etc, we were packed in like sardines.

Sally, Kim, Sophie and I were heading across to Rottnest, to visit the Fahrner family.

We were right on the maximum weight limit, to the extent that when we got the call to bring across 4 litres of soy milk, I was worried about the extra weight. But everyone was impressed that we were able to hand-deliver soy milk, which could not otherwise be obtained on the island.

We left later than planned, so that we couldn't stay long at all before returning in daylight. One time where I've wished I had my night rating.

Got quite a lot of stall warning on takeoff, particularly in the high crosswind at Rottnest. By that time, I could not see much out the front, with the blinding sun close to the horizon, so it was quite a tough take off.

Sally enjoyed her first flight in Squibby, and was the official photographer for the expedition.

Sophie with her shady hat on.

This is her second flight. One day I'll get used to seeing her in a headset, but for now, it's just so cute.

Sally took this photo as we approached. We're heading into the late afternoon sun.

There was a reasonable crosswind as we landed, then it was howling when it was time to leave.

Busselton, or More Unwelcome Guests

Flew down to Busselton for a wedding. Unlike last April, we have had plenty of rain, which is great, although it makes flying a bit tougher.

There was a front moving through on Friday. I was flying by myself, as Kim was a bridesmaid and had travelled down a few days earlier. Hoped to leave before the front arrived, but it wasn't possible, with everything I had to do. It turned out well, because I decided to stay in Perth for the morning, which meant I could catch up on my work, and also do a few last-minute jobs for Kim.

I took off after lunch, by which time most of the weather had passed through. There was still some low cloud around near Jandakot. I stayed a low 2500 all the way down.

It was a pleasant flight. I could hear another aircraft, BOF, a few minutes ahead of me the whole way down. When I descended into the Busselton circuit I had the most beautiful sight. There were two 172's in the circuit, and I could see them both the whole time glistening in the sun as they flew each leg. It looked like an instructional movie on how to fly a circuit.

When I got on the ground I talked to the BOF pilot, who had also flown down for the weekend for a wedding. Turns out it was a different wedding at the same venue. In fact, on Sunday we flew the return leg at the same time. He started a bit behind me, stayed 500 feet lower, and was overtaking me as we reached the metro area. We were close enough that the area controller gave a proximity warning.

Some of the last low cloud drifting in towards JT.

2500 was the height I decided to fly at.

Bunbury is very easy to pick from the North. It has a big lake in front of it, and the coastline suddenly hooks around.

This photo was supposed to show what it looks like to approach Busselton airstrip. I can't spot the strip though.

The wedding was Saturday night, and I was to fly back on Sunday. I had a pretty late start. The day looked beautiful - not a cloud in the sky - my plans included a leisurely breakfast with the wedding party. Unfortunately, when I got the weather it said that thunderstorms would reach Perth around 3pm. This ended my hopes of a leisurely breakfast. I instead had to cram a muffin, gulp a coffee, and race to the airport in order to leave by around 12:30.

When I was checking Squibby I found her covered in ants - inside and out. Not big bitey ones, but medium sized ones. I checked the ground near where I parked and found some ant-nests. There was nothing for it but to saddle up and hope that they didn't bite me on the way home.

I didn't get bitten, but it was distracting to have ants running over me, and running over guages in flight. I hope they don't decide to take up permanent residence.

I'm glad I didn't leave any later - by the time I got to Perth there was some dark cloud, and some parts of the sky had lightening flashes. Jandakot was consequently very quiet. I just about had the circuit to myself.

I made a real misjudgement turning onto base. I realised I turned too early, and was way too high. I completely closed the throttle, took early full flap, but I was just way too high when I turned onto final. I guess I could have side-slipped to recover, but since I was the only one in the circuit, I just said "Sierra Quebec Bravo - I'm going to go around". Felt like a bit of a goose, but much better than trying to force a good landing from a bad position. My next circuit and landing were just fine. I can't really account for what went wrong - I don't recall ever messing up an approach that badly before.

The wind was picking up as I tied-down, and within half an hour it would be bucketing down. On the way out, I drove past some hangars which are for sale.

Thank You For Smoking

I don't know why, but this sign in Squibby always makes me smile. I think it's the idea jamming three adults plus a baby into the cabin, then lighting up and puffing away as we putt along.