THOSE EXPENSIVE CAPPUCCINOS AGAIN!!

SATURDAY 16TH OCTOBER

Aircraft:  Piper PA28 Archer III - ZK-WIT

POB:       2

Altitude: 2700'

Position: 2 miles West of Wairere Falls en route Tauranga

Weather: Scattered cloud at 2500 - 3000' (base) just west of the Kaimai ranges, otherwise, sky clear. Wind 290º at 15kt (forecast). 

Well, it hadn't looked too good for flying this morning with overcast skies in Hamilton and Tauranga with cloud bases under 2000'.

I had booked WIT from 1400 to take eldest daughter for a flight as she has just returned from her 3 month OE in the UK and Europe and was keen to go up.  It was also a chance for some time in WIT with all its "whistles and bells". 
I thought an "expensive coffee" at the AvGas Cafe at Tauranga would be good but it was not looking promising right up until about 1300 when the ATIS from Tauranga changed (in about an hour) from OVC 1700' to few cloud at 2500'.  Hamilton was scattered at 2000' so it looked good to go.

The weather was fine all the way apart from those few clouds on the windward side of the Kaimais (which had all but disappeared on our way back) and a bit of haze.  Coffee, a brisk walk, an ogle at the classic planes parked outside Classic Flyers, and a return trip to Hamilton, all complete by 1600.

Then the phone rang at 1700.  Hmm, an 03 number, wonder who?  Yep, it was the National Briefing Office - I had forgotten to terminate my flight plan.  Much embarrassment, but at least you know there is someone looking out for you!

Daughter dearest shot some video (which she is very good at), easy to edit and now posted on Youtube at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeqkW1Q-VnU

You will see how clear it was after the morning overcast.  It was a bit windy, though, especially back in Hamilton (thank goodness for the 07/25 runways!!)