To Maniwaki and back

Wow! What a perfect VFR day today! Clear blue skies and zero wind!

Andy had booked CVO for us from 1100-1530, plenty of time to get to Maniwaki and back. We showed up at the club right around 1100 but the plane was taxiing out to runway 22. We got some story about the battery being dead and someone was taking it up for a spin to recharge the battery. When it got back (probably around 1140 or so) a whole pile of people got out of it so who knows if that story was true… (I suppose they could have just went along for the ride, but then why were they getting their picture taken with the plane afterwards?)

While we waited, Andy showed Dave and I the program he used (on his Palm) to do his flight planning. It’s called CoPilot and it’s pretty sweet. I actually have it on my Palm as well, but I’ve yet to use it. Now that Andy has showed me how, I think I’ll try it out for my next cross country.

Eventually we got on our way. Andy and Dave sat up front and I took the back seat. It was very different sitting in the back seat, especially during a climb, it felt way more nose up than usual.

We made our way to Arnprior where we did a touch and go (nice one Andy!) and then it was off to Maniwaki. We managed to figure out how to use the GPS that is in CVO and so it gave us updates on time and distance remaining. Very sweet deal! Thanks to Brad for showing me how to use the GPS in the first place. He also showed me how to get a map view with it, but I couldn’t remember how he did it so we went without on this trip.

Anyways, turns out the track that Andy was flying pretty much took us right down runway heading for Maniwaki’s 03 runway. Andy opted to take the downwind for 21 and do a 180 before landing. After touchdown (another nice one Andy!) he exited at the Alpha taxiway (the ONLY taxiway) and shut the plane off.

Andy called up FSS to close his flight plan and I opened up mine at the same time. The guy I was talking to asked me if I used to be a singer after hearing my name…I guess there is a Kevin Haggerty out there who sings. I found out that they (FSS) can automatically open up your flight plan for you at a specified time, that is very convenient!

After doing a quick walk around of the plane, we jumped back in. This time it was me and Dave in the front and Andy in the back. My feet had pretty much froze on the way there so I was hoping that they’d get more heat up front. Turns out…not really. It was Andy’s turn to get cold feet. He mentioned that he’s never flown in the back seat before so this was a first for him.

We departed Maniwaki on runway 21 and after climbing to 3500 feet, turned towards Gatineau. The flight was pretty uneventful, but the scenery was great. Lots of mountains (hills really) and frozen lakes. We saw lots of fishing huts and snow mobiles, we even flew over Mont St. Marie and saw some skiers.

Eventually we made it to Gatineau and did a touch and go there. I came in high on final and had to drop some flaps, d’oh! Not a big deal though, managed to get it under control and touch down relatively soft. On the go I departed runway heading on my way back towards Ottawa. We went right by a hot air balloon and I think Dave got some good pictures with his camera. I’ll have to wait and see if he posts them.

Took the usual route back in to good old runway 22 at Ottawa. Over the bridge and then in over Mooney’s bay before turning final and passing over the Hunt Club Golf Course. My landing was decent, I was happy with it.

We were going to head out for a beer, but Andy decided that it would be in his best interests to head home instead. However, when I dropped him off, Irene-Ann was out! Oh well, I’m sure he was better off being home when she got back than not being home. :)

Anyways, good times. I definitely would like to do another cross country with Andy (you too Dave, thanks for the help with the hobs board) anytime in the future. Maybe I can convince him to fly down to Fredericton with me for my wedding… :)

Dave – if you post your pictures, let me know.