Based on request from
@Sinistar here is the trip report.
Short version:
Flight Plan + FF + AOA = We made it back safely.
Long Version:
It turned out to be a beautiful day to fly and calm winds mostly, which is a celebration by itself in ND (and possibly an indication that something is not write)
Before getting into the plane, we decided we will do a full CRM. I would be the PIC and
@ArnoldPalmer would do checklist, help with traffic calls and if need be radio. This is farthest i have been on a single flight as PIC. On all legs we had Flight Plan, asked for and got Flight Following.
KFAR - KDIK
Smooth as glass air all the way. ADSB worked as advertised and most of the times we got both TIS-B and ADSB on Garmin Pilot via GDL 50. Approaching KBIS, we decided that we will circle the KBIS airport and take some pictures, asked KBIS approach and they were cool with it. After the photo shoot, we departed towards KDIK (Dickinson, ND). After we got handed over to MSP Center and about 30 miles from KDIK, they lost Radar coverage on us, we were at 6500. we were still receiving ADSB traffic and TIS-B wx, but no TIS-B traffic. at times we also lost ADSB wx. Approach and landing at KDIK was more of a horse back ride than a plane ride. ground temp was about 4C, but still a lot of thermal activity. Throughout the journey we monitored various weather reporting station and noticed a drop in pressure as we were flying west. Close to KDIK they were reporting 30.07 on the altimeter, an hour back it was 30.23. We had thought about going to Beach, ND the last one on ND - MT border, but saw a front sitting out there and with the pressure drop, we decided not to venture that way. the front was over Montana, i am pretty sure it was far far away, but we didn't wanted to push it. whole flight was 2.8 hobbs (2.54 flight time)
This is how the front looked from KDIK looking west:
We spent like 20 mins there, asked the fuel guy to fill up to the tabs, i was standing there to ensure he put in 100LL, to my dismay, he filled up both tanks to the brim.
Lesson learnt - don't assume they will do what u asked them to do. it was a non event, but if i had 2 pax and middle of summer, this would have been a problem.
KDIK - KBIS
We took off and called MSP center for flight following, they couldn't pick us up on radar, tried for 30 miles or so and gave up. the whole hour was constant light turbulence with occasional chops (i looked at
@ArnoldPalmer and all i got was a shrug and a "meh") - One pilots turbulent ride is another pilots "meh".
We decided not to land in Manden and instead ask for another ASR approach, Approach guys were more than happy to provide it. I have done it before at KBIS, that was only for few mins and then they handed me off to the tower 5 miles out. this time around, they did the full no gyro approach to the runway, didn't even hand me off to the tower (we got a clearance - "tower says you are cleared to land") - it was a great experience again. the only thing i messed up was, i couldn't remember my minimums (approach told me before the ASR, i forgot and didn't have approach plates and it was still more of a horse ride), ended up high over the numbers, slipped and the landing was ... well .. "meh"
we grabbed lunch at Hu Hot Mongolian grill, we over ate and then prayed for a smooth ride.
KBIS - KFAR
Smooth ride all the way, winds were calm at KBIS and 5 kts straight down runway 27, KFAR had to give me rny 36
Overall, awesome trip. 5.5 hrs of hand flying and we kept it within 60 ft of chosen altitude and within few degrees of DTK (apart from 1 time when bouncing around, i was off by more than 12 degrees).
@ArnoldPalmer is an awesome co-pilot and looking forward to more flights together. if weather permits .. may be KSUW (Superior, WI) next weekend.. but wx prediction looks pretty grim
