[ MSFS2020 | VATSIM ] the A2A Comanche, KIND-KBAK-KBMG-KHUF-KIND for "Pumpkin Pie and Patterns"!

Tonight we loaded into our A2A Simulations Piper Comanche, packed a bag full of pumpkin spice-scented candles, and joined the Indianapolis ARTCC for "Pumpkin Pie and Patterns," featuring Indianapolis International (KIND) and three nearby Class Delta airports: Columbus (KBAK), Bloomington (KBMG), and Terre Haute (KHUF)! Our goal was a clockwise VFR circuit starting and ending at Indy, so we spawned at Signature and got underway.

A direct course from Indianapolis to Columbus grazes Restricted Airspace R-3401A around Himsel Army Airfield (KHBE). I didn't check the sectional margins during the stream -- it turns out that in November, that airspace isn't active on Mondays -- but I planned around it just for the exercise. Heading east eleven miles to Greenwood (KHFY) and following US-31 south kept us well clear of the eastern edge. That plan worked fine until a major internet disruption knocked us on and off the network, briefly distracting us from our surroundings. Greenwood popped into view just as we regained situational awareness, and a little help from the Clifs NDB (BA; 410) confirmed where we needed to be to call Columbus Tower. They cleared us straight-in to Runway 14, and aside from one more network burp during taxi out, it was an uneventful first stop.

Leg two took us to Bloomington. Our plan this time was to avoid R-3401A by staying south of the 085 radial off the Hoosier VOR (OOM; 110.2). Once the deviation needle confirmed we were clear, we turned west toward the VOR and the field. We spotted another aircraft off our right wing a few miles away, slightly lower and likely bound for the same airport. No traffic advisories were issued, but we kept him in sight and followed him northbound into the left downwind for Runway 17.

The third hop is where things unraveled. It began cleanly enough with a right-downwind departure and a northbound turn toward Cagles Mill Lake -- a large, obvious visual point, much clearer than the clutter of "numerous small lakes" farther southwest. After crossing the lake, though, situational awareness deteriorated almost as quickly as the weather. Low overcast, mist, and precipitation made the view unreliable, and we scrambled to sort ourselves against the Terre Haute VOR (TTH; 115.3). Between trying to break in on Tower, losing visual on the field, fumbling with the VOR, keeping up with chat, and noticing our carburetor was icing over, we drifted too close to the north side of the airport before establishing contact. The Tower controller gave a brief but deserved reminder to remain outside Class D until two-way communications are established. Once re-centered, we entered a left downwind for Runway 5 -- straight into a surprisingly busy sequence, with one aircraft on short final and another on an opposing downwind-to-base. Judging the timing of our turn to base and final became a fun challenge -- almost enough to help the memory of our chastising to fade, just a bit!

We had expected the leg back to Indianapolis to be the easiest visually. That might have proven true if we could actually have seen outside! Fog and mist boxed us in and eroded our confidence in identifying roads and airports along the route. Thankfully the controller was willing to issue a pop-up IFR clearance: simple radar vectors and an altitude to maintain. We were already preparing for an instrument approach when we finally popped out east of the airport with a crystal-clear view of the massive Indianapolis terminal complex. One last stiff crosswind greeted us on arrival -- we mashed it onto the runway slightly sideways, but the Comanche survived without complaint. Honestly, the worst bruise of the night came from the Hulman Tower controller, but I can’t say I didn’t earn it! -- Watch live at   / slantalphaadventures