Fire Works, Flash Lights And Fire Flies

A Dark Landing After Losing Electrical Power

- Kyle Johnson

With the early morning sun just beginning to brighten the sky, my 1966 Piper Cherokee climbed from Meriden Markham Airport’s (KMMK) Runway 18. The conditions in Meriden, Connecticut, were clear, with calm winds — a perfect day for flying. Armed with a Special Flight Rules Area VFR flight plan, I turned toward my destination, Tipton Airport (KFME), adjacent to Fort Meade, Maryland, and 7 nm south of Baltimore/Washington’s Thurgood Marshall Airport (KBWI).

On July 3, the Trump National Golf Club hosted President Donald Trump, with his accompanying 30 nm presidential TFR. It was a hurdle in my path, but not enough of one to deter me from reaching my family for a reunion and trip to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. After all, I bought the PA-28-140/160 for time building, so ground transportation was not an option on a perfect VFR day.