Jim had me plan a flight from Melbourne to Sebring, FL, and return to Melbourne, about a 55 NM (55 Nautical Mile = about 64 miles) and 40 minute trip. A Restricted airspace lay in the way, requiring a substantial detour or using Flight Following, an ATC (air traffic control) advisory service. Glider pilots, even motorglider pilots, don't normally use the service because we wander too much to fit into the ATC system, but a touring motorglider in "airplane mode" does fit well.
We took off, and with Jim leading me through the steps of contacting ATC on the radio, we obained flight following for the trip to Sebring. ATC determined only a portion of the airspace was active, requiring only a minor deviation from a direct flight that cut 20 miles off the trip.
Approaching Sebring, it's automated weather station was reporting winds that were not aligned with the runway. They weren't too strong for Jim, but I don't have his experience. We diverted a few miles to Avon Park Executive airport (I have no idea what "executive" means in this context - it was a normal small airport), where one runway lined up perfectly with the wind.
After landing, I added 5 gallons of fuel to each wing, the first time I'd fueled it. Most small airports have self service pumps, similar to the gas pumps we use for our cars, but able to pump at a much higher rate. Rate isn't an issue with the Phoenix holding a maximum of only 26 gallons, but a faster four seat airplane might hold over 70 gallongs.
The return to Melbourne along the same path was unevertful, but visually striking as we climbed much higher to fly over the clouds, rather than below them. "On top" the air is smooth, cool, and clear, allowing higher airspeeds (about 125 mph in this case).
Just the short tips on today, to make the landings a bit easier in the wind.
With the autopilot holding it on a steady course, and the motor purring at cruise power, all the pilots have to do is smile...
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