Fall flying weather is almost here. Saturday gave us a bit of a preview. For three days last week it was in the mid-50s in the morning, with clear skies all day. As I looked out my 6th floor office window last week, I was simply hoping for similar weather on the weekend. Sunday wasn't quite as nice as the week had been, but it was clear with roughly 30 miles of visibility.
Flight planning was my responsibility this week and knowing that the SC Breakfast Club was meeting at Columbia Owens Downtown (KCUB) a place we've flown to a number of times, I decided it was time for another fly in. Aggie was in front of the FBO when I arrived and Steve was already pre-flighting (after being fussed at by the line crew for taking a picture from the ramp - the folks at JQF need to get over their power trip). Both Steve and I had asked for fuel, so the tanks were completely full.
Aggie started like a champ and we were soon on our way down runway 20 for a 90 mile trip to Columbia. The initial climb from Concord to the South routes you over 4 very tall antennas. Steve and I have a great deal of respect for antennas, so we are on heightened alert when we take off in this direction. The antennas are about 6 miles away, meaning we are typically 1,000 feet above them when we get to them. Still, you want to make sure you have plenty of room.
Once we were past the antennas, Charlotte cleared us direct to Columbia and into the Bravo airspace. I set us up for cruise at 4,500 feet and we were on our way, cruising around 135kts over the ground. As we departed the Charlotte area we could already hear other traffic heading to KCUB and knew it was going to be a bit hairy getting into Columbia.
Charlotte approach handed us off to Columbia Approach as we passed over Lancaster. The Columbia controller was busy dealing with all of the traffic headed to Owens. As we passed 10 miles East of Winnsboro, two other breakfast-goers called in, one directly over Winnsboro, the other 2 miles behind the first. I was able to spot one of them. They were both in experimental class aircraft meaning they were likely Vans RV6s or RV7s and were going to be 30 kts faster than we were. Still, it gave us plenty to think about as we started planning the approach.
The approach to Owens can be tricky for a couple of reasons. First, Owens can be tough to see. You have to know what you are looking for. The runway is parallel and next to a railroad track, located less than a mile East of Williams Brice Stadium. The runway is 13/31 and isn't well situated for approaches from the Northeast. Runway 13 is right traffic and Runway 31 is left. So, either way, you have to pass midfield coming from the Northeast. With all the traffic coming for the breakfast club, it was going to take some finesse to get in the pattern.
As we got close, the Columbia controller cut us loose so we could talk to the traffic coming into KCUB which does not have a tower. At first we started to deviate to the East in an attempt to go completely around the airport. I decided that wasn't the way to handle this approach. Instead, we turned to mid-field and crossed 2,000 feet above pattern to try to assess the situation. As we crossed, there were at least 5 planes in the pattern and more approaching. We headed Southwest of the filed and made an S turn to drop some altitude. As we did, we had to evade a C172 first, then a Mooney. We were finally able to enter the left downwind for Rwy 31 and landed ahead of the Mooney we had encountered. A smooth touch and taxi to the ramp and we were tied down with roughly 40 other planes. What a mix of aircraft we saw.
These fly-ins are typically sponsored by the local EAA chapter, so there are always kit planes in attendance. For this event, there must have been 30 RV3, RV6, RV7 and other kit aircraft and most of them were absolutely beautiful. Also parked near us was a Piper Turbo Arrow IV, built much like mine (though I don't have a turbo). This aircraft had a Lopresti cowling, new interior, and updated avionics. It was a beautiful plane.
Steve and I made our way to the hangar where a line of about 60 people waited to pay their 6 dollars for eggs, grits, bacon, sweet roll and coffee. We chatted with folks in the line, paid our bill, and grabbed a plate. We sat next to a couple of guys who had flown in from the Greenville area and did some hangar flying as we ate. After breakfast, we walked the ramp a bit and marveled at some of the wonderful workmanship shown by these builder/pilots.
Finally, it was time to jump in our plane and head home. We watched as some of the RVs took off and immediately pitched for Vx to show their climb ability. We taxied to Rwy 31, waited our turn, and took to the skies. We flew over downtown Columbia as we climbed to our cruising altitude. At 5,500, we settled in for the rest of our 40 minute flight. The flight home was uneventful. Charlotte even treated us well, not making us come down early and basically letting us go straight to Concord. As we approached Concord which was reporting calm winds, we expected a straight in clearance to Rwy 2. Instead, Concord had us cut in front of the departure end of 20 and set up for a right downwind for 20. Okay.
Steve planted us on the runway and we taxied to the ramp. 2.3 hours of wonderful flying, some food and pilot fellowship. Another fun day in the air.
