Jay, I've really enjoyed your reports here, as well as the many others.
I've
been lurking for a while, and have taken special note of your posts,
having
spent about 25 years growing up in the environs of one of the best places
to
live. I envy you, and sometimes wonder why I ever left. The first home I
remember was almost literally in the shadow of Kinnick stadium, post WW2
student/faculty Quonset huts that were eliminated to built the Dental
building.

Iowa City is, indeed, a terrific place to live. All of the advantages of a
big city (cosmopolitan, diverse population; world class entertainment; high
quality sports; etc) with none of the downsides (traffic; crime; sprawl;
etc). Although there are certain aspects of a college town that can drive
us nuts, most days we thank our lucky stars for having left the Rust Belt
back in '97...

I've never flown, and probably won't ever, except for the MS
Flightsim, but I can appreciate the passion you and everyone else here
shares. I know you'll understand when I say one of my favorite ideas for a
great time here in Chicago is to park by Ohare - or is that O'Hara? - and
just watch the miracle of Bernoulli battling Newton.

It's never, ever too late! I was 35 when I earned my wings, and that was at
least 19 years too late.

But just keep me off of I-294, going around Chicago's O'Hare International
Airport. I've almost killed myself (and others) a dozen times, gazing at
the jet-liners when I should have been watching traffic!

Did the tailwind compensate for increased weight?

Actually, we had a bit of an easterly headwind at 3500 feet. We climbed to
5500, where the winds were much lighter, but had to descend when we started
getting into a broken layer.

The layer broke up completely just as we came into the landing pattern over
Iowa City, and a huge harvest moon was rising over the millions of acres of
corn and soybeans that surround Iowa City. The winds were completely calm,
and all the farm lights had already winked on as we arched over the city,
with its thousands of headlights, streetlights and neon signs. Touching
down on Rwy 12, with the sky a blaze orange behind us, everything looked on
fire as we rolled silently off the runway.

Rick, it's a wondrous experience, this flying thing. I highly recommend it!

:-)
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"