Chicago to upstate NY

[kfour]

I recently went on a trip to build up some XC PIC time from Chicago, IL (06C) to Plattsburgh, NY (KPLB). It was a fantastic flight the entire way, challenging and fun. The other pilot and I both had under 100hrs TT, and it was a HUGE learning experience for both of us.

Good times dealing with tons of early morning haze, lots of traffic and thunderstorms that built throughout the day. Anyways...on with the pictures!

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National Flight Services - FBO at KTOL, our first stop off of 06C


Panel of the Archer that took us there and back


Flying through the Cleveland class bravo, out over Lake Erie. Downtown Cleveland never looked so good


Flying over KERI (Erie, PA) on our way up to the 2nd stop, Dunkirk, NY (KDKK)


Dunkirk Aviation, FBO at KDKK


Lake Seneca, one of the finger lakes we crossed over


Sun setting to the west over the Adirondack Mountains as we fly up Lake George and Lake Champlain.


After landing a KPLB (Plattsburgh) we got picked up and headed across the border to Montreal...spending two nights there.


More Montreal


Gettin up nice and early to get back to KPLB...on a bus...crossing the border. Tons of fun


A couple of Fedex airplanes run by feeder Wiggins Air. Met a great guy who flew them...had some great stories about EWR ground


Next stop after KPLB? KERI! We ended up having to spend the night in Erie due to some thunderstorms that had built up around the Cleveland area.


On final approach at KTOL on the way back to 06C in Chicago. We finally made it back to Chicago that day.



Had a great time with this flight. A total of 16.4 hours was logged between us, we dealt with lots of new weather, learned much about VFR flight following (which we had the whole way...THANK YOU FORT WAYNE APPROACH!) and flew through our first bravo airspace!

[WindyCityPilot]

Good to see another 06C pilot on the board! When did you get your license? Who did you have as your instructor? I mainly fly the DA-20's and DA-40's.

[kfour]

My buddy recieved his PPL ticket out of 06C, I got mine out at DPA. Not sure who he had at 06C, sorry!

[Andrew_VT]

What did you do in montreal? (referencing the awesome nightlife)

Plattsburg is nice airport, I take all my students there for their short XCs.

Did you notice that the AWOS freq on the sectional didn't work? They changed the freq awhile ago and Notam'd it, but every chart revision it doesn't get updated. I've seen CommuteAir pilots put on some good aerobatic shows with their Beech 1900s there as well.

In a little while I've heard that the airport is getting shutdown, and everything will be moved over to the old AFB.

[kfour]

We didnt do too much in Montreal, to be honest I was completely wiped out from the flight. I wish we had done more. The one day we did have there was spent sleeping to fuel up for the flight back. We did get out a bit to see the city though. Went through the McGill campus and the Notre Dame Basilica. Good times. Oh, and adult beverages were imbibed...of course we did give ourselves more then the minimum "bottle to throttle" time.

Also, the FSS breifers let us know about the AWOS, so I believe we picked up the Burlington ATIS. We also landed at KPBG, the old AFB next to PLB...just to land on a massive runway (11758 x 200 ft ). Biggest one I've ever landed on! The FBO guys told us that they were going to close at the end of June...which is unfortunate because I really enjoyed KPLB.

[n57flyguy]

Wow! Awsome, I can't wait to have the freedom to do that.

Speaking of Wiggins, I met a guy who flew for them on Sunday and they are a bunch of great people! I love the Van to...

nice pictures, thanks!

[FlyingSig]

Cool pictures... reminds me of my Be1900 days flying between CLE and BUF....

[N519AT]

Heh, I work at National Flight. Too bad I wasn't working that day...

Anyways, nice pics!