SDFCVOH's Flight training thread.

[sdfcvoh]

Took off at about 17:30 to fly N over PHX and onto Sedona tonight. Mother nature had other ideas!

I got off the ground just as it was getting nice n' gusty at RYN. A nice 20kt takeoff headwind. Come to think of it - would have been fun to practice a short or soft field just to watch the speeds. Anyway, I got up through PHX without any concerns, but it was building really nice up ahead the whole time. Eventually, about 50 miles N of PHX I gave up and decided to sit down at Payson - a cool field with some ups and downs on the runway. Talked with a cool guy flying for Native American Medical named Jason.

I figured I'd wait it out for a little while and then try for Sedona again. Unfortunately my better judgement got the best of me, and I decided that my first approach to Sedona would be better attacked during the day and in total VFR conditions. So.... I headed South.

Here's the lightning bit! Man - it was nutz up ahead. I got vectored all over the place over PHX by center, and there was lightning everywhere. I wish I'd had my video camera for that. Eventually I got within visual of RYN again and made it back with plenty of margin. Flight following totally rules.

Oh - one other bit. I was near Casa Grande at about 9500 and noticed landing lights that weren't moving. I kept waiting for them to divert, but they just kept getting closer and closer. I know when I finally dropped 1000 feet and went to the right it wasn't like we crossed within 100 feet or anything, but it was closer than I was comfortable with. So which one of you did it?!

I'll try for Sedona again tomorrow. Can't wait to experience that place. Thanks for reading!

[sdfcvoh]

Finally - made it to Sedona. What a beautiful setting. Got there at the perfect time, too. Just in time to activate the runway lights. If you've never been to Sedona - and you have a chance - do it!

My only complaint: I could smell bread baking from the restaurant on approach. No Kidding! Jeez - it smelled like heaven. I guess its a great place to take a dinner stop. from what I've heard - and now from what my nose told me - I believe it!

Another 4 hours... Only 700Billion to go

[sdfcvoh]

Tonight's adventure should be called "Wild Kingdom". Albeit - a pretty uneventful flight. I decided to take a break from holding altitudes and directions for the first hour, and just went sightseeing. There's a cool place about 20 miles west of the airport called Kitt Peak, an Observatory. I flew up and over and around it, and then headed south to the border to check out some other cool peaks. Eventually, I climbed up to about 13000 to test myself with thinner air. So yeah, I wasted a bunch of flight time tonight!

On return, I had to go around b/c there were animals on the runway. That was a first for me. Then I got back to the pilot lounge to find a freakin' tarantula guarding the door. So there - Wild Kingdom!

I'll try to actually use my flight time for something useful tomorrow. 3.2 hours of messing around tonight. Still goes into the logbook, eh?

[skidz]

Originally Posted by sdfcvoh

I'll try to actually use my flight time for something useful tomorrow. 3.2 hours of messing around tonight. Still goes into the logbook, eh?

How about some instrument training? I'm waiting to read the stories

[sdfcvoh]

Originally Posted by skidz

How about some instrument training? I'm waiting to read the stories

Me too! Its going to be about a month until that portion begins. I'm going through a time building phase until then.

[skidz]

Originally Posted by sdfcvoh

Me too! Its going to be about a month until that portion begins. I'm going through a time building phase until then.

cool. I might be starting on instrument training in a month or so, can't wait.

[sdfcvoh]

Joshua Tree CA. The scariest landing yet!

My wife and I went over to JT to visit some friends, about 3 hours west of us. The trip over was uneventful. But the landing.... First, Roy Williams L80 in JT is published as a 50' wide runway. Allow me to explain that it is about 20 ft wide with pavement that would jar your teeth loose in a Cadillac. No problems - just a bit narrower than expected.

Coming in I knew it was going to be windy, but jeez! So I line up the approach, and quickly realize that there is a wickedly gusty crosswind. I'm slowly bringing her back in line with the runway, and everything is looking good. Its pretty gusty, so I only put in 20 deg of flaps. Just about the time I'm getting close to wheels down, this super gust of wind moves us 15 feet to the right (practically on top of the bushes and totally off the runway. It was insane! Needless to say, I firewalled the throttle and executed a go around. The second touchdown attempt wasn't quite as bad. I kept the speed up and only used 10 deg flaps. It was still a wicked crosswind, and pretty gusty though.

Amazingly, my wife was pretty calm through the whole deal. As a matter of fact, the only thing she said was (after I firewalled it and was flying upwind over top of the runway) "What happened?". I just said a huge gust hit us - so we're trying it again.

My buddy was hanging out at the airport watching, and b/c of the placement of buildings all he saw was the plane lurch sideways, then throttle up, then disappear! He swore we crashed. I think it scared him to death. As we were turning crosswind I looked down and saw him zooming down the tarmac in his car, thinking he was going to be dragging bodies from flaming wreckage!

All in all, just another day flying. But by far the biggest landing gust I've ever felt. Looking forward to trying that one again!

[sdfcvoh]

My first flight with a really heavy full plane. Ferried three folks up to Cedar City UT yesterday. We were right on the line of max. Plus - density altitude was wicked. Man that thing climbed like a pig!

Had to stop halfway to get another splash of fuel for the second half of the trip in order to stay under weight.

The solo flight home was awesome (made the empty 172 feel like a real performer!) flew right over the new glass bridge over the Grand Canyon. Great views. Unfortunately my pics of the walkway didn't come out - but here are a couple over the GC. Another 8 (+) hours. But of course I didn't fly more than 8 hours!

[JEP]

Originally Posted by sdfcvoh

My first flight with a really heavy full plane. Ferried three folks up to Cedar City UT yesterday. We were right on the line of max. Plus - density altitude was wicked. Man that thing climbed like a pig!

........

ferried three folks......? did you skip from instrument training all the way to commercial?....Maybe I missed something.

Great pics btw!

[sdfcvoh]

Originally Posted by JEP

ferried three folks......? did you skip from instrument training all the way to commercial?....Maybe I missed something.
Great pics btw!

oops - i should explain that they were company folks that our school needed to transfer back up to CDC after they flew down to pickup a twin from RYN (non-rev stuff). their plane on the trip down bent a rod over PHX - emergency, then the twin they were picking up wouldn't develop full power and they had to do ANOTHER emergency shortly after takeoff in tucson.

since 3rd times a charm, i figured they wouldn't jinx the plane i was flying them back to CDC in. gotta love it - they came down for 2 planes and ended up with 0.

my first squawk code was x666, though. got me wondering....

[bunghole]

Enjoying your post.

What school are you training with?

Ohhh....always remember.....just cuz it has 4 seats doesnt mean you can fly safely with 4 people especially with density altitude factors. Just visit the NTSB for those who thought pushing the barrier was a smart choice but ultimately failed. As our friend Martha Stuart would say...'not a good thing'

[sdfcvoh]

Originally Posted by bunghole

Enjoying your post.
What school are you training with?
Ohhh....always remember.....just cuz it has 4 seats doesnt mean you can fly safely with 4 people especially with density altitude factors. Just visit the NTSB for those who thought pushing the barrier was a smart choice but ultimately failed. As our friend Martha Stuart would say...'not a good thing'

yup - don't mess around with that w/b thing!
(pm sent...)

[sdfcvoh]

Took off this morning with great aspirations of a flight with my wife up over the GC, then a fillup at PGA, and onto Monument Valley. Mother nature speaks.....

After taking a look at the weather we were starting to get into up near Sedona, I decided to sit down and figure out a new gameplan. There was no way with the low ceiling that we were going to be able to make it VFR across the 11500 corridor over the GC.

Plotted a new course direct to Monument Valley, and after a quick stop at Flagstaff we were off. Mother nature again!

We made it about 20 miles SW of Monument Valley, and landed at a small field called Kayenta (0V7). We both needed a quick pitsop, and I could tell the weather wasn't going to cooperate. Plus, the deviation calls over Center Radio were nutz. When all I hear on the radio where I'm heading are deviations, I take that as a hint + 1/2 for my butt.

The takeoff from Kayenta was actually scary. We got about 50 feet up and WHACK, insane gusts hit us from behind! I had full rudder in, and we were still flying very uncoordinated, and I mean scary uncoordinated. I said screw the golden 500ft clime rule and turned directly with the wind. We crossed over the highway at about 150 feet (close to the airport). BTW - what would you, dear reader, have done in my shoes? I'm sure there's another technique.

Later I asked my wife if she noticed, and she just said she thought we were pretty sideways, but it didn't seem strange to her. So, she can fly with me again!

Flew around some wicked stuff on the way home, here's a pretty cool video from about 60 miles WNW of PHX. Thanks for reading!

[sdfcvoh]

Tomorrow I get to fly my first RG, high performance plane! Just found out about an hour ago. I'll be flying with the instructor from my PPL up to Vegas to trade it for another plane. Yeah!

[sschlesinger]

Hey i just started my ground training today at tus, I start my flight training in two week. I'm so excited for you about your flight training. I cannot wait to get my PPL so I can take my wife up.

[sdfcvoh]

First flight today on a complex. 172 Cutlass with RG. Nice plane! Didn't climb very well, but it was more fun to fly than the normal 172. Also, the whole adjustable pitch/manifold pressure deal is awesome. I don't want to fly the skyhawk anymore!

Flew over to North Vegas VGT to drop off the plane, then another timebuilder took us back to RYN. Amazingly McCarren didn't tell me to avoid class B, so I got to really fly the approach. Pretty fun, and slightly overwhelming, but I didn't miss any calls and it all went smoothly. Even had a chance to snap a photo from my phone over the strip!

Also, I remembered to put the gear down for landing. I felt like that was slightly important.

[N826AW]

Originally Posted by sdfcvoh

Finally - made it to Sedona. What a beautiful setting. Got there at the perfect time, too. Just in time to activate the runway lights. If you've never been to Sedona - and you have a chance - do it!

My only complaint: I could smell bread baking from the restaurant on approach. No Kidding! Jeez - it smelled like heaven. I guess its a great place to take a dinner stop. from what I've heard - and now from what my nose told me - I believe it!

Another 4 hours... Only 700Billion to go

Sedona is hands down the best airport I have ever been to. Standing on the ramp, it's almost as if the red rocks are painted onto the sky. It's so amazing.

And I know what you mean about the smells from the restaurant. The food there is very good! But be sure to bring your AMEX because it ain't cheap. I recommend the Chipotle Chicken and the Brownie Fudge Sundae. Just not all at the same time if there are a lot of thermals.

[sdfcvoh]

Flying into TUS today, the second time I ended up being on Base about to turn Final when the wind sheer warnings came. It was my first experience actually being in line with it. Tower kept me informed of the situation (cool to hear the sirens going off in the background of their mics). Decided that I was best (duh) to avoid it. I flew around the little cell (looked like a couple mile long swath of virgo) and then landed on the backside of it, opposite runway. My "real" base leg was insanely bumpy and windy, too. Interesting too was that I floated probably halfway down the super long TUS runway b/c of the back end wind. Loved it. Nice and gusty crosswind landing.

Word out to the ATC guys at TUS.

[sdfcvoh]

Its been forever since I last posted in this thread. Wow - its like I have to keep up with family here or something.

Anyway - things are going very well. I'm about halfway through my time building phase to start Instrument, then Commercial. I think I'm at 115 now. Give or take. Who's counting? I'm so happy. My wife told me a few days ago that I'm re-growing hair on my bald spot. It must be the altitude! I guess it could be that not "guarding" my desk after the last 13 years has given me a new lease on life, too. hmmmm......

Normally I've been heading out, on average, about 25 hours a week. I'm trying to spread it out until my next class begins. I go nutz when I'm not flying (ask my poor wife about labor day weekend - or any weekend for that fact.) I don't want to have a big lull between reaching required amount of hours then waiting for the next CFI slot to open for my training.

I do have a good story about Friday I thought I'd pass along....

I usually take off after looking at the weather to find out the gustiest crosswind places I can head to for practice. Why not practice in the good stuff? But Friday was heaven. I did my normal closed traffic departure from RYN with a couple of TnG's on the docket. But.... welcome to heaven. RYN was landing 24, with winds 33012G20. YES!!!! Why leave the promised land? 3.5 hours and probably 30 Tng's later I felt my numb arms, sweaty (cheesy) "pilot" suit, and possibly bored ATC had been through enough.

No kidding - I stayed in the pattern for 3 1/2 hours of heaven. It was awesome. The bumps just beat me to death. I actually got some humor out of the tower with a couple "request bounce and go" calls. I think one response was "Is it really that bad out there?," I just laughed a little as I keyed the mic. Granted - no one else was in the pattern... Everyone else had called it off with the exception of a few folks I followed into the pattern coming out off the training areas. A couple of them actually scared me - watching them bounce around like ragdolls. Suckers! (Oh - wait... guess I was the real sucker.)

My arms were actually sore on Saturday-no kidding. What a treat.

thanks for reading.......

[USNAInstructor]

Awesome stories of flying. I'm getting back into the cockpit after a four year hiatus. Have about 125TT with an ASEL rating. Need to get back in the groove, get my instrument, AMEL and commercial rating. I live in coastal South Carolina. Thinking about banner towing and then getting into instruction. Your posts are motivating!!! All the best and fly safe!

[bunghole]

I second that motion! This thread is great reading and look forward to more stories of blue sky fun! Keep it up!

[sdfcvoh]

Sorry for the super duper amount of time between posts. Basically, I'm doing a time-building phase right now until I get to 200 hours. Then it'll be right onto the Instrument and Commercial courses. I've been trying to be constructive with my time, making sure that there is a good blend of night, and cross country. As well, I make it a point to land at a class C (+) every flight. It is amazing just how much your communication skills improve by landing at busy airports!

As far as being adventurous, I have taken some time out to pass along the joy of flight - something I swore I would do well before any of this adventure began: I always dreamed of flying when I was a kid - but never really knew anyone with a plane. So in order to correct that for others, I decided to post an ad on craigslist.org activities for free airplane flights for anyone who wanted to come along. It was been quite a joy letting others enjoy what I love. Unfortunately, from the 150+ emails I got in response to my post, I was able to take only about 20 of them for flights. I highly recommend if you are ever in a situation that you can just pass along this gift to others, you do the same. Most of the time it was just a glorified intro flight - but the sounds of excitement from everyone who flew along was just great. The next time you're going up and you see someone staring at the planes, ask them if they want to come along. I dare you!

Of all the people who've come along for the ride, I only had one person get sick. Glad I had a spare bag handy! I learned later that this person was so nervous and excited on the drive to the airport, she almost stopped to spew while she was driving. I think she puked ten times.

Several mornings I've flown directly up to Phoenix to pick up the manager of our location. Again - nothing like flying into busy airspace to build your confidence and skills. Plus - flying the head of school - better motivation to grease landings.

Thanks for reading!

[skidz]

That was so cool dude, I think you made up now for all your screw ups

[Chewie von Nubbins]

Would this happen to be the post?

http://tucson.craigslist.org/act/409201687.html

[sdfcvoh]

Originally Posted by skidz

That was so cool dude, I think you made up now for all your screw ups

Originally Posted by Chewie von Nubbins

Would this happen to be the post?
http://tucson.craigslist.org/act/409201687.html

.... that would be me. I need to delete it b/c I just can't fit any more into the schedule.

Hope I can convince some of you reading this to do the same.