Bravo Zulu Aviation

Doesn’t that just look like too much fun to be legal?  I decided to add a little thrill to one of my recent instrument training flights.  This particular student was looking to gain some experience with non-precision approaches in more remote areas.  These approaches are often more dangerous and harder to master due to more demanding descent schedules, and a need for increased situational awareness.  We left KRME on a beautiful morning and headed to KGFL for some fuel and a cup of coffee.  We decided to do the NDB approach into Laconia and make that a low approach only to venture to the southeast a little bit and check out the mythical B18 Seaplane Base.
During the winter they keep a FAA approved runway plowed, complete with a parallel taxiway.  With plentiful sunshine the runway was a bit slick, so we were certainly appreciative of the differential power on the twin we were flying.  David showed true mastery of his Beech Baron with a full stall touchdown right at the ‘numbers’ of this slick 2400′ runway.  Braking action was nil so we took advantage of aerodynamic breaking and a light touch on the throttles to negotiate the narrow taxiway.  After a brief tour of the bay we were lined up again for takeoff.  Smooth, matched application of the power is key to maintaining centerline, and this hot rod Baron soon launched from the runway for our next practice approach in northern NH.  We flew directly over Whitehorse and Cathedral Ledges in North Conway, just east of the snow covered slopes of Mt. Washington, and set up for the VOR approach into Berlin.  After a beautiful low approach and missed procedure, I gave the ‘clearance’ back to RME.  Even with a headwind we made approximately 180 Knots over the ground and enjoyed the beautiful White, Green, and Adirondack mountains on our journey back.  A smooth ILS approach guided us to the long runway at Griffis and we put the plane away until the next adventure…who says the winter isn’t any fun?

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