The first leg of my journey across the United States was a short ride from Tacoma Washington to Portland International. The flight plan was straightforward with a direct course to HELNS and arriving via the HELNS6 arrival. I avoided the clouds during the middle of my climb to 9,000 feet; the air temperature was conducive to icing, and I don't have a TKS anti-ice system! I burned nine gallons of fuel on the 53 minute trip.
Getting ready to leave on the ramp at KTIW
Cruising above the clouds
A blinding approach into Portland