Bald Eagle Encounter

[gmascelli]

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We heard that the restaurant at Cambridge MD - KCGE has reopened. The new Carol's Kitchen opened on 9/11 so Mary and I decided to make the hop and try it out. Mary hasn't been in the plane since the Wilkes-Barre trip in June. I've been up in the air once more then my bride with a coastline tour in August.

We waited for the low clouds to lift then made our way to the airport. It's a longer process getting back into the preflight and getting things set up. My tail cam was dead, despite knowing I had recently charged it. I did a reset when I got home and it's once again working.

The flight west was fairly smooth, some bumps passing beneath the cloud layer. I made a nice landing into Cambridge and taxied for the ramp, the commander makes three.
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The restaurant has changed, not much airplane memorabilia and now a bit more open seating. The register is gone and you now pay at your table, that works for me. The service is excellent the food was ok, scrapple was the best I've had since retiring to the eastern shore. Mary and I will return, its a half hour flight each way and I don't have to cross the Delaware Bay. Besides the eats it's worth the stop just for fuel. Here at Ocean City it's $6.50 a gallon, Cambridge is $5.88, I'll take the 68 cents a gallon savings anyday.

On the return to Ocean City flight we were enjoying the ride and conversation about the restaurant. I had just scanned for traffic and then glanced at the oil temps, pressure, CHT's and EGT's when I spotted a Bald Eagle heading right for us. I banked left the Eagle turned back away from us and went below the right wing. A real oh crap moment! Once we settled back down the remaining flight to OCMD was fine. We did get an alert on our downwind about a fox on the runway. I responded of course since we just missed a Bald Eagle departing Cambridge. Maybe Mr Eagle should meet Mr Fox. As we landed the fox was clearing the runway and running into the infield for cover.

I'm glad to knock out some fly time and I'm excited for our vacation to St. Simons Island in October.

 

[wab003]

If you’re going to take a bird hit, try to take it on the left side. 3TC has a nice newer heavy duty 114 leading edge courtesy of a gull hit in AK. Glad it was only a near miss.

 

[wiguy]

A few years ago I saw an eagle at about 3000’ AGL, not an extreme close call. I know it also wasn’t all that high, but most avian hazards are lower. At least an eagle is kinda big.

I’ve flown by flocks of geese, often they are near 1000’ AGL, they don’t adhere to hemispheric flying rules & altitudes.

I shudder to think about the hassle & expense to recover from a direct hit to the wing.

 

[gmascelli]

A few years ago I saw an eagle at about 3000’ AGL, not an extreme close call. I know it also wasn’t all that high, but most avian hazards are lower. At least an eagle is kinda big.

I’ve flown by flocks of geese, often they are near 1000’ AGL, they don’t adhere to hemispheric flying rules & altitudes.

I shudder to think about the hassle & expense to recover from a direct hit to the wing.

This was the first up close with this bald eagle. There is a known breeding pair that live just off of the 34 approach and we have encountered them on previous flights into Cambridge MD. Usually they cruise well clear but this flight was different. I think I interrupted his/her hunting and we startled each other. I knew it was really close by Marys reaction, typically she is pretty calm about the airplane stuff but this one gave her a scare too.