I love San Diego, but one thing I miss about living in the northeast US is autumn. While it's technically not fall yet, it felt like it this morning. Crisp, cool air and clear skies were a perfect recipe for flying. On one hand, I was a little disappointed that I only had to fly about 200 miles today, since the east coast weather was great and I could make it pretty far south. On the other, it was going to be a nice change just to fly for a short distance in nice weather, and I was looking forward to my stopover in the DC area. Either way, though, this flight, as with all flights during
the rest of my trip, will be flown solo. Before going to the airport, Bob and his childhood friend Anna, took me to see the
grave sites of my paternal grandparents and great aunt and uncle Helen and Sid. They were very special people, so whenever I'm in the area, I try to pay a visit. This visit was especially fitting because I was able to afford my original flying lessons due to a small
inheritance from Uncle Sid. If it weren't for that gift, I may not have a pilot's license today. Thanks, Uncle Sid! Later, Bob and Mark dropped me off at the airport to see me on my way. Despite the beautiful
weather, I decided to file
IFR to avoid all the special rules associated with the
ADIZ around Washington, DC. After a quick, but sad goodbye to Bob, I hopped in the plane, got my clearance via cell phone (completely different from what I filed), and took off toward
Manassas, VA, west of DC and just south of Dulles airport. My flight took me directly over Frederick, MD, the home of the
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, and a short distance from
Martinsburg, WV, where the last Tigers were built up until recently. My flight at 6000 ft had me skimming the tops of some very thin and occasional scattered clouds. Soon after Washington came into sight and passing Dulles, I
was cleared for the visual approach to
Manassas airport's runway 16R, the same designation which provided the title for an excellent movie about general aviation,
One Six Right, released last year. Upon taxiing up to
Dulles Aviation, the lineman drove my rental car up to the plane, loaded my luggage, and prepped N3SK for an overnight stay. Today's flight totals: 1.7 hours, 198 miles. Trip totals: 23.0 hours, 2648 miles, 14 states.
the rest of my trip, will be flown solo. Before going to the airport, Bob and his childhood friend Anna, took me to see the grave sites of my paternal grandparents and great aunt and uncle Helen and Sid. They were very special people, so whenever I'm in the area, I try to pay a visit. This visit was especially fitting because I was able to afford my original flying lessons due to a small inheritance from Uncle Sid. If it weren't for that gift, I may not have a pilot's license today. Thanks, Uncle Sid! Later, Bob and Mark dropped me off at the airport to see me on my way. Despite the beautiful 
weather, I decided to file IFR to avoid all the special rules associated with the ADIZ around Washington, DC. After a quick, but sad goodbye to Bob, I hopped in the plane, got my clearance via cell phone (completely different from what I filed), and took off toward Manassas, VA, west of DC and just south of Dulles airport. My flight took me directly over Frederick, MD, the home of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, and a short distance from Martinsburg, WV, where the last Tigers were built up until recently. My flight at 6000 ft had me skimming the tops of some very thin and occasional scattered clouds. Soon after Washington came into sight and passing Dulles, I 
was cleared for the visual approach to Manassas airport's runway 16R, the same designation which provided the title for an excellent movie about general aviation, One Six Right, released last year. Upon taxiing up to Dulles Aviation, the lineman drove my rental car up to the plane, loaded my luggage, and prepped N3SK for an overnight stay. Today's flight totals: 1.7 hours, 198 miles. Trip totals: 23.0 hours, 2648 miles, 14 states.
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