November 18, 2024
The Utah Back Country Pilots Association (UBCP) maintain a list of back country airstrips. Since I frequently fly over a lot of rugged terrain in Utah, I really wanted to have these airstrips shown on my display in case of engine failure. For members they offer a great set of ForeFlight Waypoints for these airstrips, unfortunately this did not help…
October 20, 2024
I picked up McMurdo Smartfind S20 units before leaving for Mexico in 2016. The batteries in these units have a seven year life span which meant they expired in 2023, but I decided to disassembled one and checked the voltage. The battery pack had s lithium manganese dioxide (li-mno2) battery which is good for applications with long-life requirements. Reviewing datasheets…
October 9, 2024
A fairly low key morning before grabbing some food in town and busing it out to the Taronga Zoo Sydney – I was not leaving OZ without seeing a Koala bear or two. My time on Australia was closed out with a fancy dinner at Arthur – a perfect goodbye.
October 8, 2024
A rainy start was perked up with visiting a friend’s son who is working in Sydney before dashing off to the Chau Chak Wing Museum at the University of Sydney and closing out the day by climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge
October 7, 2024
A nice breakfast before a not too far walk the UTS campus, followed up with a couple of buses rides out to Middle Head Battery for some exploring and beach time.
October 6, 2024
Wandering around the Justice and Police Museum, tasty Japanese lunch, exploring the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, and watching the NRL Grand Final in rugby with the locals.
October 5, 2024
Bus to Watsons Bay, beach time at Lady Bay beach, exploring South head, checking out The Gap, lunch at Doyles, and a ferry back to Sydney
October 4, 2024
Well let’s call it day 1.5 since I arrived late afternoon Thursday, but this was my first full day… Walking around, visiting the National Maritime museum, and a musical at the Sydney Opera House
October 3, 2024
We didn’t have to rush off in the morning so I started my day with a walk around Main Beach and a nice sit-down breakfast. Ah the luxury. After one last shower it was time to move Sky Pond up to The Boat Works for some maintenance and where she would be sold. It was a pretty mellow trip with…
October 2, 2024
We had been cautioned about the challenges of getting into a slip at the Southport Yacht Club due to strong currents and we had a 20 knot breeze to deal with as well, so we planned our arrival accordingly which meant an early arrival. Truth be told it was an easy hop onto the dock with excellent planning ahead of…
October 1, 2024
It was just a few hours down to the next spot. We left early thinking the current would be in our favor. Whether it was the 18 knots of wind on the nose or our inability to figure out the tide, the result was the same – a slow trip south to Wave Break island. We dropped the anchor in…
September 30, 2024
After the strong winds and rain finally passed us, it was time to move. Back around the corner, where we had problems anchoring, past the “yacht club”, and on down the Canaipa channel. It was an interesting section with lots of homes nearly each having a boat on a mooring ball. A bit further south it must have been the…