Day 8 — The Wind Beneath my Wings — NJ, Hudson River, CT, RI, and Mass

I’ve never flown MOJO like we did today.  We had turbulence and constant crosswinds gusting to 25k.  I even had to do several go arounds.  My rule is if not down safely by the third try, find another place to land.  Claudette was in complete agreement.

We left Brandywine in PA and flew to Old Bridge (3N6), NJ.  I used to have a plane located there. I forgot how narrow the runway is - only 50 feet wide and surrounded by trees on three sides and a racetrack on the last side.  It was windy and on the third try, we safely landed.  Then we put our certificate for the Hudson River Exclusion to good use.  Flying through the corridor was also bumpy and exciting.  We exited at the north end near the Alpine Tower and headed to Connecticut.

We landed at KMMK, Meridian, CT where one of our 99, Constance Castillo is the airport Manager.  It is so much fun to connect with 99s around the country.  (This is a good reason to be part of the 99s — camaraderie and support everywhere you go.).  MMK has one runway 18 / 36.  Of course, the winds were will 290 @ 11 gusting to 21.  Does that look like winds are down the runway — no way so another go around!  Constance made us feel welcome and showed us an RV 12 project that the CAP cadets are building on the field.

Onward to North Central State, RI (KSFZ). There are four runways at KSFZ and the winds did not favor any of them — 290 @ 12 gusting 18.  One more landing complete.

Finally, we landed at KBAF Westfield / Barnes in Massachusetts.  We were met by another 99, Glenna Blackwell.  Glenna hosted us and made a delicious supper.  Her friend and pilot extraordinaire, Doug, joined us.  Doug Stewart is a DPE and expert on the Hudson River Exclusion.  He was one of our presenters at the 99s International Conference in Philadelphia last year.  Glenna’s home is charming and she even rents out rooms as a B and B.

This makes 13 landings in 13 states.  Woohoo!!

For my honey — here is proof that we are cleaning the airplane. 😍


Sorry the pictures are not in the correct order of the day’s events.

                                              Myra and Claudette cleaning the airplane

                                           Constance Castillo, manager of KMMK and a 99

                                                         North Central Airport, RI

                               
                                   Old Bridge, NJ (3N6) - we love the airplane weather vane

                                                                  Statue of Liberty

Meridan, CT (KMMK)

Glenna Blackwell met us at KBAF Westfield/Barnes, Mass.