Airports of Yore

Hesler-Noble Field in Laurel, MS

When flying without a co-pilot, we usually throttle back our 601HDS, N314LB, to 4,400 rpm. This produces about 40 hp and requires 3 gal/hr of fuel. A light load on the 80 hp engine indeed. Speed is close to 90 kts. In automotive terms, speed is more than 100 mph, and we get 33 mpg.

Once en route, the autopilot takes over. ADS-B supplies radar weather and details about airports. The Garmin Pilot displays the map with the icon of the plane. Endurance is more than 6 hours. Urgency of fluid output is no longer a problem, thanks to a simple solution: a bottle.  With the problems of old times—piloting, weather, navigation, endurance, and fluid pressure—solved, we just sit back and enjoy the views for hours on end.  Compared with driving = work, we have flying = vacation.

Now and then such a trip takes us back in time: When airports were bustling with activity, service was provided beyond the call of duty, and the visits became a memorable experience. We just took such a trip from Dallas to the Tampa, FL area to see family and friends.

On the first day, we stop at the Marianna, FL airport. We get a covered parking spot for a small fee, and the best courtesy car ever: It's almost new. Amazing. The airport building is in the midst of an overhaul, demonstrating that aviation is alive here. 

The next morning we discover a nasty problem with the exhaust. A muffler spring has quit being springy. We have tools to take things apart, but now need some help. Air Prop Specialists, Inc. has their shop right on the field. We go there to ask for help. Not only do we get wire material for a temporary fix, but the mechanic proposes to help and gives a hand with the installation. I had scratched my hand badly when taking things apart. Walking back to the shop, he insists on providing a band aid.

The flight to the Sarasota-Bradington airport in the Tampa, FL area works out okay. But when we get to the Tampa Bay area, Approach Control talks like a maniac to keep a number of planes in the air. Read-back is impossible. We are used to slower exchanges, so this is stressful. 

We are on final for runway 14 when the tower requests, "Slow down to allow a jet to land ahead of you." I see the jet over the Gulf, coming in on right base and banking sharply for final. The tower advises, "You may want to do S-turns." Fortunately, flying slow is a real strength of the plane. Coming in a bit fast, the jet misses an early exit from the runway, so has to taxi to the next one. All the while we are on final, banking back and forth like a person pacing in front of an occupied restroom. 

At last, the jet is off the runway, and we touch down. Still on the tower frequency, the pilot of the jet says, "Thanks to the pilot of the experimental to allow us to land ahead of you." I respond, "You are welcome." If there had not been so much communication on the tower frequency, I would have added, "With the fuel you need for a go-around, I can fly from Texas to Tampa and back, so I was glad to wait."

Inspection of the exhaust system shows that additional repairs are needed. Fortunately, we first are to visit brother Stefan and wife Karin. In two days, he and I work out a design change that prevents spring failures by small heat shields for each ball joint of the exhaust pipes. We replace all springs and double them at two points where G-forces by the muffler are largest.

Heat shield around ball joints protects new springs

The Sarasota FBO has just as many business jets parked as single-engine planes. So we are small potatoes for them. Ramp fees for jets range up to several hundred dollars and are waived if several hundred gallons of fuel are purchased. I don't know the hangar fees for jets, indeed do not want to know. But they give me a special low rate that makes hangar storage for two weeks affordable. The plane is parked in the corner of a huge hangar right next to a jet and a turboprop.

As Stefan and I reinstall the exhaust system, one of the heater hoses tears and cannot be attached. We walk over to West Coast Aviation Services, LLC for help. The hangar is filled with business jets. We explain our predicament to the mechanic on duty. He searches the parts inventory—no success. Then he goes through bins of used parts and finally locates tubing of the right size. Hands it to us, no charge.

Morning VFR takeoffs in Florida are almost always delayed due to low clouds or even thunderstorms. So on the return trip we make it just to Laurel, MS. We had never stopped there before. As we taxi to the FBO, a young man indicates where we should park. Then he refuels the plane.

The airport is neat, everything in its place, all organized and in excellent condition. At each tiedown, ropes are neatly coiled.

Tie down, Laurel Airport

The FBO building is elegant and even has flowers.

FBO building, Laurel Airport

We ask, "Could we put the plane into a hangar?" He says, "Yes, no problem." "How much would be the charge?" He simply raises his hand and makes an "O" with the index finger and thumb. I interpret this as an okay sign that the fee is reasonable, and say so. "No, no," he says, "there is no charge." Later, he takes us to the hotel, saying, "Taxi service is not reliable." I ask him for his name: Kent Graves.

In the morning, Kent picks us up at the motel and takes us back to the airport. On the way, he tells that he is a student, works part-time at the airport, and has started a company, South Mississippi Air Detail, for plane detailing. The email address is smississippiairdetail@gmail.com. We insist on making a contribution to his college fund. Having met Kent, we have no more worries about the future of the US.

Friend Terry commented once that he likes the blog posts for the aviation stories and the photos of flowers. So here comes the second part. 

The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, FL is one of the jewels of Florida. We attend an outdoors concert with wife Ute, who has come with Southwest Airlines, and friends Barbara and Terry. It is a wonderful setting. Chandeliers dangle from the trees.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Sarasota, FL

The greenhouse is filled with orchids, all listed with Latin names that I cannot possibly remember and have no chance to write down. Here are some photos.

Orchids of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens ...

Photos by Ute...

I do not remember how many times on this trip I said, "Thank you very much." Well, here it is one more time, for all the kind folks who made the trip memorable.