We’re OFF – Eventually!

Leaving Hamilton Airport

April 29, 2011 – Grimsby to Sudbury

Evening time in Sudbury

We drove out to Grimsby airpark. The man who built it, Ralph Meyer, was there. He had already picked up the sign that had blown down in yesterday’s windstorm and he was checking out the field. The airpark has three long hangars with seven bays each and a maintenance hangar. All of this was Ralph’s work – an industrious man. His son is the aviation mechanic who did an annual maintenance check on our plane before we bought it.

Ed the pilot

Ed and I went to the hangar housing our plane, pulled out the Cardinal, loaded it and tied down the luggage.

Ed did the exterior pre-flight check of the plane and climbed in, started it up and taxied down to the runway.  After an initial run-up, he taxied to the end of the runway and he was off!

I waited while he did one touch-and-go and circled back to land. There was a pretty strong cross-wind and his landing was a bit wobbly – but not too bad. We spoke a few quick words before I left in the rental car, drove 27 km to return it, got a cab and arrived at the Hamilton airport just as Ed was refueling.

10:30 Weather check is not so great: low ceiling, possible rain and windy. Ed decided to wait for a few hours before we start out for Sudbury.

Improving towards Parry Sound

1435-1655

Flight to Sudbury!!! It was a shaky start but the weather improved GREATLY as we flew north. From Parry Sound to Sudbury – clear skies and slight winds.