Sea Level Lift Off

[AlanA]

Just want to share the thrill of taking off from a sea level airport in my J.  This may sound odd  to those who live at sea level, but as a pilot living and working the western mountain states I am so use to the longer take off roll at high altitude airports that this longer roll is what  seems normal to me.  

 

Today, however, I was in the San Francisco Bay Area and when I took off I felt like I was Tom Cruise in Top Gun.  I found myself humming the song "Danger Zone" for the next ten minutes.   A little while later  I am at 15,500 ft over Yosemite.    What a ride!!!  -- Of course I'm not telling you something you don't already know....  I just felt like telling someone who understands why I like my plane so much!  

[triple8s]

Makes a fella dream about the hot and nasty ..................(turbocharger)

[NotarPilot]

I took off tonight from my home airport which is at 60' MSL, I had about 49 gallons on board and I was alone. I was almost at 1,000 feet AGL before flying past the airport perimeter, so I know the feeling my friend.

[MooneyBob]

My airport is almost on the beach. In these cold and calm mornings I am at 1200' up on my crosswind leg in the pattern and have to pull my throttle way back to slow down on the downwind.

[carusoam]

Livin on the edge....

Always liked the really cold mornings at 125'

Best regards,

-a-

[jetdriven]

Makes a fella dream about the hot and nasty ..................(turbocharger)

A snail sure comes in handy out west.

[cliffy]

Well let's see- sea level airport, B757, ferry flight LAX to LAS, 2 pilots, no crew, 24L. Out of 12,000' at 2 minutes 50 seconds

from throttles forward on the runway. Next best thing to flying my Mooney!

[Super Dave]

We had a couple of days here at KEAU this winter when the density altitude was more than 4000' BELOW sea level!

[dfgreene61]

I know what you mean Alan! I haven't had 62G below 4,400 yet. I'm looking forward to some sea level ops.

[Hank]

You should come in the winter. Flying alone for currency, and turning crosswind between 400-500 agl to avoid Class D, I have to pull the throttle way back on crosswind to not blow through pattern altitude [1000 agl], and I'm just in a C. Then there's the cold winter mornings, climbing at 1500 fpm . . . I'll miss the climb rates, but not the cold weather, snow and ice. 

[PMcClure]

Ya'll need to switch to an Ovation - just another day!  (Sorry couldn't resist!!!)

[AlanA]

Man, I wish I could fly at sea level more often and climb out at 1500 fpm.  Out west by our 11,000 - 14,000 ft mountains we do have one fine ride of our own however - the mountain wave.  If I catch it just right (on the windward side) it will make me believe I have that turbocharger.  

 

Disclaimer:  Not trying to recommend to anyone that they surf the mountain wave...

[Hank]

Ya'll need to switch to an Ovation - just another day!  (Sorry couldn't resist!!!)

 

How well would your O do based on a 3000' field with trees at both ends? It's going to take some adjusting to being able to see the numbers on final approach . . .

 

I'll give you an introduction [with an ILS-equipped Class D just 4nm away as backup], for a ride back to get my plane. Depending on which part of Alabama you're in, of course, and given that Huntington ever has a snow-free weekend again . . . . . Durn weather!