Sue and I took a mini vacation this last week as a chance to use our new for us C414. An opportunity came up on the Twin Cessna Flyers forum to join a couple at a house they had rented in Governors Harbor Eleuthera Bahamas. We didn't know this couple at all, but those that were going to join them in this three bedroom house could not go at the last minute. They generously offered the unused rooms to whomever wanted to bring a bottle of wine or bourbon.We had a fabulous time. The other couple was so easy to get along with, and we had a super time together. They have a new to them C340, but it was still in annual so they flew their Mooney down.
I am still learning the capabilities and performance of the C414. I wanted to carry enough fuel to the island to get back because there is no fuel at MYEM. So a stop in Florida was necessary. I picked KHWO because it was about as close to my destination as possible (217nm) and had the cheapest fuel. Only thing was the runway is only 3255' and I wanted to go out with full fuel of 163 gallons. Hmm. I weighed everything going into the plane to the pound and interpolated the performance chart to the exact weight and temperature. 3020' to clear a 50' obstacle is what the book said. I can only estimate where I actually rotated at 91 kts, but I think it was exactly what the book said. I feel good about that.
The overwater flight to MYEM was easy. The airport is uncontrolled, and there were only 3 planes in parking. Customs took minutes (and 50 bucks), our new friends were waiting, and off we went to a fun few days.
The house they'd rented was beautiful, comfortable and well located. There's a reason the pink sand beaches are world famous. We ate well, but nice restaurants are expensive. We toured around a little because the other couple is looking to buy a place or property there. Saturday night even happen to be the Junkanoo festival and parade in Governors Harbor, and we had a lot of fun attending that. (A small drone was cruising around, I suppose to video things. It hit some electrical or telephone wires, crashed next to me and bounced onto my leg opening a small cut. Now there's a unique story.)
It was chamber of commerce weather until early morning Sunday our departure day. The cold front that brought all the weather to the southeast passed over bringing rain, low ceilings and very strong and gusty winds. The wind noise woke us up numerous times during the night. The ceilings had lifted some and the rain had mostly stopped by morning, but it was very windy and gusty. The winds aloft were very strong headwinds all the way home at all altitudes.
The other couple decided to stay another day, but we departed for KFPR. I was able to get up to 8,000' VFR, contacted Miami Center for my clearance and fought the headwinds back. At 8,000' I was seeing as little as 132 kts ground speed while sucking 28 gph. I'm glad we filled up in Florida.
Customs was easy at KFPR, but the winds there were strong and gusty too. FBO is right next to customs and has a small restaurant. Nice lunch while they filled us back up. Our flight back to our home airport was fine, but again strong headwinds made it longer than I would have liked. Arrived after dark, and it was pretty cold compared to what we'd enjoyed for the previous few days.
So we've made new friends, used our plane as intended, seen a new place and had an adventure. I am again so happy to have gotten into general aviation.
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