Pilot Life: VOR Check in Corvallis

I didn't think I'd get a flight in today, but much to my surprise, I did! Weather was socked in IFR for most of the day due to fog, but it did finally burn off late into the afternoon so I took the opportunity to get a local flight in for myself. I also took the opportunity to conduct a VOR check for my uncle's Cessna 172 since it was most likely overdue, especially we're doing Instrument flight-related things.

Mondays suck, unless you fly N5174E, like me!

After doing all the pre-flight stuff, I got the engine started and taxied to Runway 16, since the winds were favoring this particular direction. After a somewhat prolonged run-up and waiting for traffic, I got airborne. I did three laps in the pattern and did touch-and-go landings on Runway 16 each time. After the third lap, I decided to head to Corvallis and do my VOR check there. After getting the weather, I navigated towards the airport and entered the left downwind for Runway 17; winds were calm so that made life a lot more convenient! I made it a point to expedite my arrival because as it turned out, I had a FedEx Cessna 208B Super Cargomaster come in behind me!

Namely, THIS Super Cargomaster! When you're sharing the airspace with regularly-scheduled cargo flights, you better not lollygag!

After clearing off the runway, I taxied to the south ramp onto the designated VOR Receiver checkpoint and proceeded to do the VOR check by tuning the plane's navigation receivers to the Corvallis station. After recording the necessary information, I was done with the simple, yet effective check. I taxied back out to Runway 17 and got airborne. After gaining some altitude, I turned back towards Albany and got ready to land there to end the flight.

Winds were still favoring Runway 16 so I stayed 500 feet above pattern altitude to safely cross over to the east side of the field from the west and got myself set up for landing. One smooth landing later, I cleared off the runway and taxied over to the self-serve fuel pumps, where I topped off the fuel tanks. Afterwards, I taxied back to my uncle's hangar to put the airplane away before heading home, happy that I got this somewhat overdue equipment check taken care of (which is needed if the airplane is to be cleared for my upcoming Instrument checkride!).