Brennand Airport Featured in Blog

Thanks to someone pointing it out, I found a nice article about Brennand Airport on the JetWhine blog. I didn't realize the person taking photos that day was there gathering info for a story.

The story shows pictures from September 26th, when I fueled the 172 and sent my student off on his first solo cross-country flight.

Fall Sightseeing via Ercoupe

I took Todd's Ercoupe for a solo joyride at the end of the day today, flying from Brennand Airport to Waupaca, to Clintonville, and back. It was a low-and-slow tour of what little bit of fall color is out there. This year, like last, our colors are a bit muted. (And when I upload photos to my blog, they get muted even more.) Still, I like to sightsee this time of year.

Usually I only goof around in the Ercoupe for 15 minutes at a time and stay near the airport. The weather this afternoon convince me to take a much longer ride. It was bumpy earlier today, but then high clouds moved in from the west. The air became very smooth and calm. I flew for a little over an hour, including my takeoffs and landings. It was warm and cozy in the plane.

I wished the flight didn't have to end, because our weather was supposed to take a turn for the worse the next few days. I could see the system moving in from the west.

I saw a hot air balloon when I was west of Appleton. It was west of Outagamie County Airport by several miles, and higher than me. I stayed well clear and tried to take a picture of it, but by now the daylight was fading, and the picture came out blurry. The light tonight did not get along with my camera.

Whoever was in the balloon could hear and see me, I'm sure, and we were probably thinking the same thing: it was nice to be up in the air watching a peaceful-looking sunset.

Congrats Dave

Congratulations to Dave for passing his instrument rating checkride today! The next time he flies the Arrow halfway across the country, he won't have to let those pesky clouds get in his way. Well, at least not until winter!

Dave trained for his private pilot certificate with me and was my first instrument student. I'm sure he will continue to have many adventures in aviation.

Hints of Color

Ted, Dale, and I made a lunch run to Central Wisconsin Airport in Mosinee. We ate at the restaurant in the airline terminal. The fall colors are just starting to show.

Iola:

A little color on the treetops:

A storm system approaches from the southwest:

Looking north toward CWA and Rib Mountain:

Some color on approach, and Rib Mountain off the wingtip: