Itching to fly after a dry spell

        From a recent email sent by Mick Pahnke

I took the plane out Friday for the first time in 2.5 months.  Long dry spell!  I am always a little hesitant when I haven’t flown much over a long period.  You wonder about the gas, has anything corroded over time – especially your skills.  But everything was fine, except the hanger.  Greased all three landings.  Went to Lansing for lunch, hit the bathroom in DeKalb and put the plane away.  Hard to see DeKalb with the setting sun and everything brownish on the ground.  And some dude in a Bonanza called a 5 mile final and then a 3 mile right after I called down wind.  I slowed the plane down, pitched in the prop and extended my downwind looking for the guy.  Called twice for a position report and then turned base when I hadn’t heard anything.  He must have called his approach off but not announced.  I half expected to have him run up my tail, not a good feeling!  The hanger door center down pole was frozen.  I have always put antifreeze in the hole but I guess it must have finely gotten diluted out.  And then due to frost heaving, I could not get my south door open all the way.  Made getting in and out a little bit tight.  - but the flight was worth all the trouble.