Skagit Regional Airport

One of the benefits of returning to Bellingham is flying our airplane, 997. While we're in Powell River, she patiently waits in her hangar for an aerial excursion.

It's blazing hot right now, so we got up early to beat the density altitude. Wayne went to the hangar yesterday to plug in the battery charger. With all that sitting, 997 sometimes gets tired of waiting. There are so many benefits of having a hangar.

Today's flight was multi-purpose. We wanted to get current with our take-offs and landings, we wanted to exercise 997 and all of her systems, and we wanted to heat up the oil to make it easier for a change. Our next visit to the States will include a long distance flight to Los Angeles and we want to be ready to go. So, our destination of choice was Skagit Regional Airport.

Skagit (KVBS) is located thirty miles southeast of Bellingham. It's on the coastal plain near the mouth of the Skagit River and Padilla Bay. The elevation is 144 feet (43.9 metres) and Runway 10/28 is 5477 feet (1669 metres) long. That was good considering the density altitude and 997's performance requirements. Skagit can be a busy place on weekends with student pilots and visiting aviators, but today was a quiet Tuesday morning. Just right for our touch and go needs.

After some much needed exercise for 997 and practice for her pilots, we headed back to our home base in Bellingham (KBLI). First we gassed up from the Bellingham Aviation Services truck (check into their fuel discount program) and then started a quick drain while the oil was hot and thin.

Then it was time for 997 to settle in for another a long summer's nap. Sleep well and dream about your trip to the big city! - Margy