Woo hoo! I finally got a chance to fly my first Q flight of the year.  We've had a snowy winter and the taxiways have been snow and ice covered to the point that the Q wouldn't fit. The middle was plowed, but not the edges, so I couldn't get to the runway. Today I finally got my chance. I had to taxi through a little snow, but not too bad.

I had a great flight - smooth air, clear, mid thirties, and virtually no wind.  It was fun to get back in the air.  My only squawk was the battery in my outside air temperature gauge was dead - and I certainly wasn't going to let that stop me!

After tooling around the local area (I didn't really have anywhere in particular to go!), I came in for a decent landing!  Not bad for not having flown for almost three months.  I was feeling pretty cocky, but I still had to taxi back to the hangar.  I reminded myself you aren't done until it's back in the barn!  Well, I almost made it.  About 50 yards from the hangar I hit a snow bank with the left wheel.  I probably could have powered through it, but after a successful flight I decided to shut it down, pull it out of the snow, and get back in and finish taxiing.  No damage, no problem.  I'm glad I stopped and pulled it out.

Hopefully things will continue to melt and I can get up again soon.  But for now I'm just happy to finally be a member of the 2021 flight club!!

Paul Fisher

Q-200 N17PF  1.1 hours so far in 2021