After removing the cover from the aircraft my worst fears were realised. After the torrential rain of the last few days the carpet in the pilot and passenger foot wells was saturated. On its way to the floor in this area the water must pass through the back of the instrument panel and so it was immediately clear I would have instrument damage. When I powered the instruments up the Dynon EFIS reported an error and the transponder digits started rotating on their own. At the point I knew my plans were coming to a shuddering end. The aircraft and its systems must be 100% serviceable before I will consider a flight across the Tasman.
With help from Stan the Kerikeri Airport Manager and Bay of Islands Skydiving I've now got Thunderbird 6 tucked under the tail of a PAC 750 and have removed the carpet for drying. Fortunately the skydiving firm has a dehumidifier so that's now doing its thing in the aircraft. If necessary I can fly home without a transponder and am confident I can get the Dynon EFIS working again.
Even if the Thunderbird 6 was fully serviceable tomorrow I now would be struggling to catch-up with the rest of my friends in "the squadron". Just to eliminate any chance of trying to catch up another Low is developing on the route between Lord Howe Island and the Australian mainland. There is a higher authority that is sending me a firm message about this trip.
With my plans in tatters and nothing further to report this blog is now over. If I plan a trip that might be of interest I'll resurrect it. Thanks for your interest.
