Good writeup, George. I though about trying to contact you Thursday
morning, but didn't have a #. I, too, decided to fly at the last minute.
We couldn't have been very far apart at PNE. I may have been just ahead of
you. Two interesting occurances. As I changed tanks (Archer) near
Robinsville, I suddenly smelled raw gasoline! The smell went away pretty
quickly, and I couldn't find any wetness around the selector valve, so
decided to press on figuring that it was probably a seal that leaked only
during movement. That had never happened before, but I did think of my Dad
(http://users.erols.com/viewptmd/Dad7.html). No further problem, but we'll
get that looked at.

A Cessna was cleared for a straight-in approach over the river to 33, and I
was told that I should watch for him, but was never cleared to land or given
any further instructions. As I crossed the runway centerline over the river
at 2,000' I finally asked if I could turn final. "Oh yeah, sure," replied
the tower, " Thanks for reminding me. Cleared to land, 33." Now I was at
2,000 feet, fast and close to the runway. Slipped it all the way down the
approach, but still made the first turnoff. Not pretty, but the Cessna in
front had to go around because he was too high. Probably doesn't slip with
flaps :-)

My first AOPA Expo. Saw a lot of toys for me and the airplane, but nothing
I could afford except a hat and a Montreal sectional. Some of the new
aircraft are really sexy, but way out of my reach (and skill level, some of
them). Had to leave at 2:30 because I wanted to check the fuel valve and
still get back before dark. Didn't change tanks on the way back, just in
case. What a great day for flying. Smooth as glass both ways.

--
Bob (Chief Pilot, White Knuckle Airways)


"G.R. Patterson III" wrote in message
...
After a half hour of futile exercise in that direction, I decided to fly.

Left the house about 8:30 and got in the air a bit before 10:00. It was
already
clear that I'd miss the first seminar I wanted to attend. I reported over
Robinsville, just like the AOPA procedure sheet recommended, and PNE told
me to
report over the Turnpike bridge. Well, I found the river, but wasn't real
sure
which bridge was correct. PNE gave me vectors for that. I ran right base
for
33, just like they wanted, and got set up on final. About 300' AGL, some
cretin
took a fuel truck across the airport, and I was told to go around. Another
pilot
later told me that the ground controller reamed the truck driver royally.

Then somebody stepped on the tower transmission while they were telling me
what
to do next, so I'm left drifting out over the Philly suburbs while three
planes
conduct business with the tower. Finally got turned around and down. I got
the
last parking spot at Atlantic Aviation. The controllers were surprizingly
cool
for such a hectic day.