Very short flight

OK, so I've decided this will be an extended pilot's log for the time being.

N2825A ("Aggie") is down, having the power pack (gear pump) replaced. I'll probably write more about the problems I've had with the landing gear in a later post. Anyway, Steve and I felt a very real need to get in the air last weekend, so we rented the plane we flew together for 2 years - N2571M, an Archer II. As it happens, Steve and I have the same birthday - June 22. So, on Sunday morning we tried to celebrate our birthday with an early morning flight.

The ATIS at Concord (KJQF) reported 5 miles of visibility and clear skies. Now, 5 miles of visibility means it's pretty darned hazy. Steve and I decided we would fly over to Rowan County (KRUQ) which is only 16 NM to the Northeast and do some touch-and-goes and maybe try some landings from the right seat. No sense in flying too far for practice, especially with all of the haze.

We preflighted our old plane, taxied to the end and went through a brief run-up. Steve was in the left seat. We were cleared for takeoff, and as reliable as ever, at 70 kts, we lifted off on our way for a few uneventful landings - or so we thought.

At 500 feet AGL we made the crosswind turn and saw some very heavy pockets of mist (OK, those pockets looked a lot like clouds) pretty close to our altitude. We decided immediately to amend our plans. I called the tower and asked if we could stay in the pattern locally and do some touch-and-goes. The tower remarked that they had been discussing the visibility as they watched us make the downwind turn.

So, no big deal. We'll just do some local pattern work. We made the base turn and final and landed with a satisfying 'chirp.' Full power again, and up we went. On the downwind we found ourselves in one of those pockets of mist. We advised the tower that we were done and wanted to land with a full stop. It was then that the tower advised that the AWOS, something they can't broadcast, was showing some clouds at 800 feet. We told the tower that sounded pretty accurate to us.

We made the base and final turns and put it down. Now time to taxi back to the ramp and shut down. Unfortunately, our day of flying was over. Still, any time up in the air is a great time. .4 hours of flying.