Oscar Avalle Posted January 8, 2015 Report Posted January 8, 2015 Temperatures may be nice here... but winds have been gusting during the week up to 30kts, which with the mountains around the area creates conditions favorable for extreme turbulence and makes flying not recommended. So hoping for winds at least in the high teens for the weekend... Quote
Marauder Posted January 8, 2015 Report Posted January 8, 2015 We hit -31 C at 4 AM. Shit! Yves Yeah, we have a heat wave going on here in Delaware. You should come down and vacation on our beaches. It was -16C (2F) here this morning. Even the cats and dogs are huddled together. Quote
bonal Posted January 21, 2015 Author Report Posted January 21, 2015 Took a quick trip to STS Sunday then again yesterday beautiful weather and very nice flight had a nice mix of jets on the ramp and tower was very busy getting us on our way. Stopped by Lake Aero and met a Mooney Spacer doing an annual. Nice guy with a beautiful Mooney. Time for an oil change. Seeing just over 140 knots indicated with power pulled back to 22mp Second pic is coming into my home field 1 Quote
Robert C. Posted January 21, 2015 Report Posted January 21, 2015 Saturday I picked up my newly ELT equipped Ovation from VIP Avionics in Hartford, CT (KHFD), flew to Westhampton (KFOK) for lunch and then took the plunge....my 1st ever foray into the Hudson River Corridor SFRA before returning to KDXR. Decided to do it at 1000 ft, skipping the class Bravo Skyline route. Flying 5 miles away from the shore (to avoid the JFK class Bravo) at 1200 ft was an interesting and slightly nerve wracking experience passing over a couple of huge container ships exiting the harbor. Entered the corridor on the south side, transiting to the North. Discovered that the pylons on the VZ are about 700 ft AGL but look like 950 ft AGL. Busier than a one-armed paper hanger monitoring other GA aircraft and the helicopters swarming out of the various heliports and my navigation so these pictures aren't the best i ever took. Still a great record of a wonderful flight. Will be a lot less intimidated the next time 2 Quote
bonal Posted January 21, 2015 Author Report Posted January 21, 2015 GREAT FLIGHT New York skyline very impressive thank you for your post quite a difference from mine. Bonal Quote
StinkBug Posted January 23, 2015 Report Posted January 23, 2015 I just went up to do a little pattern work today, and to test out some different camera angles for the GoPro. After my third landing the sunset started looking really nice so I headed down the coast for a few minutes to enjoy the view. This is a screenshot from the video I got. 2 Quote
Marauder Posted January 23, 2015 Report Posted January 23, 2015 I just went up to do a little pattern work today, and to test out some different camera angles for the GoPro. After my third landing the sunset started looking really nice so I headed down the coast for a few minutes to enjoy the view. This is a screenshot from the video I got. Tell me you don't have a Captain's cap on!? Quote
StinkBug Posted January 23, 2015 Report Posted January 23, 2015 LOL, nope, just my headset. Here's another shot with a little more light inside. I had my dog with me, but she only seemed to pop up right after landing, then proceed to nap again on the takeoff roll. 2 Quote
Robert C. Posted January 23, 2015 Report Posted January 23, 2015 I just went up to do a little pattern work today, and to test out some different camera angles for the GoPro. After my third landing the sunset started looking really nice so I headed down the coast for a few minutes to enjoy the view. This is a screenshot from the video I got. Beautiful! Quote
bonal Posted February 7, 2015 Author Report Posted February 7, 2015 Last Saturday took a quick hop to STS and as usual flew over the Geysers, this is a geothermal power plant. Sometimes when conditions are right the steam plumes can rise over FL150 Quote
flyboy0681 Posted February 8, 2015 Report Posted February 8, 2015 I'm putting this post to start a thread as a place to share with others our latest flight. Tell a bit about the trip attach a couple photos if you have them. I am hoping to help little Timmy so he can see why we love our airplanes and love to fly. Today's flight was from K1o2 to KIZA, my wife and I took our friends daughter and her new cat to her friend. Weather was cool 35 degrees F had 100 plus miles visibility with a nice tail wind. We flew at 7500 and all the controllers were wishing every one a happy new year. Made the trip in under 2 hours with nair a bump averaged 165 knot ground. Her friend met us at Santa Ynez with a couple of cheese burgers. Our return trip we had some stiff head winds but still managed 135 knots made 2 smooth landings and heard a few Mooney's on the frequency. I hope others will take the time and tell of their latest flight.image.jpgimage.jpgimage.jpgimage.jpgimage.jpg Isn't Santa Ynez the gateway to Solvang? Quote
bonal Posted February 8, 2015 Author Report Posted February 8, 2015 Isn't Santa Ynez the gateway to Solvang? Yes it is, a real beautiful area to fly Quote
bonal Posted February 15, 2015 Author Report Posted February 15, 2015 . Approaching home field from the east Got to fly today just a short run for some shopping felt so good to be back in the air as it's been two weeks since last time. Met a nice gent and his wife from Redding and his 20E that he has owned since 1972 weather has turned back to normal California clear calm 75 degrees. Had a couple of mean storms blow through last week that really knocked the snot out of the coast lots of rain and winds gusting to 60 glad my Mooney was parked inside. Quote
bonal Posted February 16, 2015 Author Report Posted February 16, 2015 So for today we flew down to Buchanan field CCR to meet a friend even though I have flow over CCR dozens of times we have never stopped there. We set up for an eastern approach as is preferred by ATC the haze was so thick coming in low made it almost impossible to see runway 32 as we were on a 2 mile base. Made a decent turn to final but my landing was a bit firm. Had to get progressive taxi even though I had the diagram on the IPad. We met our friends who had some big bags of fabric to give to my wife(she likes to make quilts). We departed and made a right turn out towards Travis Airforce base when I began flight following as soon as we were on frequency I heard another Mooney who had just departed and was heading to Lampson same as us. Just before canceling with Oakland center I got a position report that the J was 7 miles behind at our 5 o'clock. There was no traffic at home so I made for the straight in to keep things moving for the J. Well now I know what the limit is for a C to get down and slow down. I was just about to go missed when I hit the glide slope and gear speed. Was over the numbers at close to 90 made one bounce then it set down OK. While taxi to the box I called the other mooney who was on the down wind to say hi. He was going to LASAR so I stopped by to say hi. He had a real nice looking J I think he is based at Angwin in Napa county. It was a nice trip getting 170mph ground speed with a light head wind but I was definitely off today. I guess some days are just like that. Quote
Bartman Posted February 17, 2015 Report Posted February 17, 2015 My last flight was last weekend Feb 7-8 from KPBX to KGCY and back. Since the wife was there visiting family in the hospital I flew solo with about 20 gal fuel total. Flying at 6,500 winds were about 40 Kts out of about 240* and it was a little rough below 5,500ft and worse on decent. On Sunday I filled up with fuel and hauled my wife's luggage home so I would be as heavy as possible but still solo. Winds were a little stronger about 50kts at about 240* and I was solo at 7,500. Cruise speed was good but as soon as I began my decent it was about as rough as I have seen in a long time. Had to overshoot and come back from the north into the headwind to so I could get down. Fought it all the way to the ground but had a great landing with crosswind gusting to about 20kts. I later found all sorts of items from the hatrack and back seat in the floor. It was not a fun ride ! 3 Quote
bonal Posted February 23, 2015 Author Report Posted February 23, 2015 Today I flew down to LVK and for the first time in quite a while my wife stayed home cause she wasn't feeling to good. That was likely for the best since I hit some turbulence that was as bad as any I have flown in quite a while. Made a nice landing with a strong cross wind. When it came time to fly home it was departing on 07L wind was 340 at 15 gusting to 21 and it got under the wing and pitched me up and roled me right but I got it under control and was on my way. On the windward side of Mount Diablo I was getting almost 1500 ft per min with power pulled way back and had to trim nose down to stay under the shelf of SFO bravo. No pics today since my girl was home sick. Hit some moderate turbulence and had a wind shift over the numbers that created a strong down wind landing. Touchdown was smooth but was real surprised how much that wind was trying to push my tail around on role out. Quote
flyboy0681 Posted February 23, 2015 Report Posted February 23, 2015 Today I flew down to LVK and for the first time in quite a while my wife stayed home cause she wasn't feeling to good. That was likely for the best since I hit some turbulence that was as bad as any I have flown in quite a while. Made a nice landing with a strong cross wind. When it came time to fly home it was departing on 97L wind was 340 at 15 gusting to 21 and it got under the wing and pitched me up and roled me right but I got it under control and was on my way. On the windward side of Mount Diablo I was getting almost 1500 ft per min with power pulled way back and had to trim nose down to stay under the shelf of SFO bravo. No pics today since my girl was home sick. Hit some moderate turbulence and had a wind shift over the numbers that created a strong down wind landing. Touchdown was smooth but was real surprised how much that wind was trying to push my tail around on role out. My flight to Tallahassee today was a bit less sexy. I've flown around Mt Diablo many times and it's a lot more scenic than the interior of Florida. 1 Quote
bonal Posted March 2, 2015 Author Report Posted March 2, 2015 ANY WAY....Today we took Snoopy down to the Nut Tree VCB so my wife could buy Kid Rocks new CD (she is a big fan) and I got to fill up at 409 a gallon but could only squeeze 30 gallons in. Weather was severe clear with a little gusty at Nut Tree and mid 60's. Nailed the approach which can be tricky since we drop in from a ridge line that makes for a rapid descent. Right on the numbers and soft landing. The home approach was not as nice and had to make some quick adjustments to a good landing. All in all not a bad day. I was hoping that others would use this to share with us your latest flight not so much for me although I like to add to this as a way of reviewing how things went. Sort of like a self critique and it was also an attempt to push Timmy down the list. So please share your experiences of your latest flight. Quote
Deb Posted March 4, 2015 Report Posted March 4, 2015 A recent flight for us: KFXE-->TUPJ, Tortola, BVI. We had 3 plans: stopping at MBPV (Provodentiales), MYMM (Mayaguana) or TJBQ (Aguadilla, PR) for fuel. We had favorable winds and realized we could make it non-stop to TUPJ. We estimated that we could save about 2-3 hours by not stopping. The trip was 985nm, 11,500ft, 5.5 hrs and we landed with 23 gals of fuel. We wore life vest, and had a raft, etc. Normally we would have stopped for fuel but given the time to clear customs, immigration and paperwork, we decided not to stop. My wife was PIC for the leg. Some interesting notes: Night in the Bahamas extends to sunrise. We were asked to go to an IFR altitude for 6 minutes, even though it was quite bright outside. No need to file an IFR flight plan, and they were very nice. There are 2 stretches where we you're not in radio contact with Approach or Center. The second one was for a half hour, southeast of Provodentiales over the beautiful (but remote) Caribbean. Fees in Tortola: $8.24 customs, $10 landing fee and $1.50/day parking. This was at the GA ramp, not at the FBO. Gas was $8.95/gal. Coming back, we flew to Aguadilla to clear customs and immigration and to fully fuel ($6.58 cash, $6.93 credit card). We actually planned to fly non-stop to KFXE from there since we wouldn't have to worry about customs and immigration (Puerto Rico is considered being in the US, the USVI are not). If we needed, we could stop for fuel in the Bahamas. This leg was only 4.5 hrs (normally our maximum leg for a trip), and we landed with 36 gals of fuel. This was the first time flying the Mooney was less expensive than flying commercially, and no slower than the airlines. Friends traveling commercially left slightly earlier than we did and arrived a half hour later than we did, on both legs. One other note: We saw the video of the Cirrus sinking in the Pacific 250 miles from Hawaii. We hope the Mooney would stay afloat longer than 30 secs so we could both get out and stay together. It made us rethink how we'd handle a ditching and when we'd inflate our vests and the raft. 3 Quote
bonal Posted March 8, 2015 Author Report Posted March 8, 2015 Back to LVK today and with perfect weather lots of planes coming and going. There was a mooney that looked familiar gold and blue tail that was in and out can't recall his tail number. Any body here on MS flying the LVK today. Quote
1964-M20E Posted March 9, 2015 Report Posted March 9, 2015 Today's flight actually yesterday. Went for some fun flying on a beautiful VFR day down to KHUM just after touch down I hear an awful sound and felt vibration in the plane. I pulled back on the yoke and it went away and when I released the pressure and it came back. The nose wheel went flat on landing. I had my first flat while flying or should I say landing. I hate when that happens. Lucky for me the local mechanic was on the field and came right over. We moved the plane off the active runway pulled the nose wheel off went to his shop and within an hour I was back in the air. Gave him my information and he said he would mail me a bill. Only in the aviation community. While driving back to the plane to put the nose wheel on the tower called him they had another disabled plane on the runway. Not a good day to fly in Houma, LA I wen t back home and called it a day. Quote
Deb Posted March 9, 2015 Report Posted March 9, 2015 Ouch. Lucky there was no other damage. We found a flat nose wheel after refueling at KPHK. No mechanc, car rental or taxi available. A friend flew over with a tube and tools, and we changed the tube on the tarmac. We were advised that landing with a low nose wheel could lead to significant damage. Glad you had a good outcome! Quote
flyboy0681 Posted March 9, 2015 Report Posted March 9, 2015 We found a flat nose wheel after refueling at KPHK. No mechanc, car rental or taxi available. Hopefully your story is from a few years ago when Pahokee (PHK) offered cheap gas. Since Landmark took over a few years ago it's now among the highest in the area. Clewiston, about 15 miles to the southwest, offers the cheapest gas in the entire area. Quote
Mooney65E Posted March 9, 2015 Report Posted March 9, 2015 Today's flight was from S68-SZT (Orofino to Sandpoint,ID). It was a beautiful Spring like day here in the Inland Northwest with temps around 60 degrees. Sandpoint airport is just NW of Lake Pend Oreille and the town of Sandpoint is full of gift shops, art galleries, restaurants and such. We ate a nice lunch at Trinity on the waterfront before returning to Granite Aviations new FBO which has a neat looking Mooney tail turned into artwork out front! http://mooneyspace.com/gallery/image/36479-/ http://mooneyspace.com/gallery/image/36478-mooney-tail-art-sculpture/ http://mooneyspace.com/gallery/image/36477-granite-aviations-new-fbo-sandpoint-idaho/ 1 Quote
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