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Well, we decided to obey the new rules and filed IFR to go to breakfast in MIV (Millville, NJ, 25-nm from our home base, (Smyrna, DE 38N.) It really was no big deal except for going through all the radio stuff for a 25-mile flight. Controllers were courteous and not upset. There was not a lot of traffic in spite of the CAVU visibility. Apparently, most people felt it was simply not worth the hastle. We had 4 aboard the Cessna 177-RG and climb performance is 300 to 500 fpm with that load. Departing MIV we were cleared to 4000' via Cedar Lake VOR, which is north of our intended westerly destination. We requested a lower altitude due to the short flight and it was denied. After we reported Cedar Lake (which is 5 miles from MIV) the controller must have noticed we were struggling to get to 4000 and amended our altitude to 3000. All-in-all, it was a very nice flight, although I felt sorry for all the people who could not fly on this beautiful day because they are VFR pilots. We discussed the future of VFR flying and feel the FAA will require all flights into Cass-B airspace to be IFR. This means that you MUST fly around these areas. The beautiful Hudson River VFR flight corridor will be history! I do not know how this will affect College Park Airport (The oldest operating airport in the world and a national shrine) This airport lies directly between Baltimore and Washington. Since I fly in there often, I have been notified by e-mail that they are closed to ALL traffic until further notice. The fly-in, scheduled for Sept 22 has been canceled. At 72, I do not cherish the idea of all the work and $$$$ that I will have to spend to get my airplane and myself IFR certified. This is especially true considering my ability to retain all that exacting information and new changes being considered. I have not flown into Class B airspace for a number of years because I have had no need to do so. If this is the only change to VFR traffic it would not hurt me personally. That restriction may be a great inconvenience to other VFR pilots, I do not know. I will be glad when all this is behind us. The sooner the better. It sure would have been nice to fly my "Coupe' today. Oh well, at least I am walking on TOP of the grass! George Frebert Dover Delaware _______________________________________________________ Send a cool gift with your E-Card http://www.bluemountain.com/giftcenter/ ==^================================================================ EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?bz8Sid.bAhN69 Or send an email To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This email was sent to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
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