Ibra Posted September 29 Report Posted September 29 8 hours ago, Ragsf15e said: This is what Washington looks like right now Such days are a pain: you go “vmc-on-top” to find the sun, then you find another layer above ! You have more guarantees when paying for “UV session” 1
Ibra Posted September 29 Report Posted September 29 (edited) Short flights to Chantilly racecourse and Reims-en-Champagne (LFQA) for visit of Vranken Pommery champagne caves Edited September 29 by Ibra 5
Mooney in Oz Posted September 29 Report Posted September 29 The tunnel colours and lights of the city are like magic. 1
Jerry 5TJ Posted September 29 Report Posted September 29 Nice flights in a J yesterday between Baltimore and Long Island. Good thing we departed Republic VFR as there were 25 IFR departures in the sequence because of the Ryder Cup. We “only” waited 35 minutes. 4
N201MKTurbo Posted September 30 Report Posted September 30 On 9/6/2025 at 9:20 AM, N201MKTurbo said: I was having dinner with my wife last night and said we should go somewhere this weekend. She said that sounds great. So I reserved a hotel in Grover’s Beach CA. We got up this morning, packed a bag and headed to the airport. This is what I Found: I knew they were going to work on the ramp, I thought they were just going to seal the cracks. Oh, well. They now say there will be a usable ramp this Friday. 3
Stubby Posted October 3 Report Posted October 3 It was a beautiful day up north yesterday. Record breaking highs today, then possible freezing temps by Sunday. 2
Ibra Posted October 6 Report Posted October 6 Week-end trip from Rouen (LFOP) to Saumur (LFOD), the hardest bit was climb to 2000ft as it was windy (storm Amy), however, we know the worst was behind and we were flying toward nicer weather. On return the windsock has given up indicating ! 2
bonal Posted October 13 Author Report Posted October 13 Yesterday my CFI friend and I took a short flight to LVK for an AOPA town hall. The turnout was a full house the new CEO made a very nice presentation first about his history in GA and then a pretty detailed list of issues that they are focusing on for the coming year. It’s very clear that he has a real commitment to the GA community. Weather was perfect for our flight except for a real strong headwind for the flight home mostly no better than mid one twenties miles per hour ground speed but surprisingly smooth nevertheless. He flew the P51 pictured below. Another famous attendee was Julie Clark in her beautiful 34 sadly I was the only Mooney on the ramp. 3
exM20K Posted October 13 Report Posted October 13 Southern end of the Smokies starting to get some color. -dan 3
exM20K Posted October 17 Report Posted October 17 How about some airplane noise? Sort repositioning flight. Note the new Vector Plane Pass equipment in the thumbnail. -dan 3
N201MKTurbo Posted October 17 Report Posted October 17 The wife and I flew to San Luis Obispo on Sunday. I was originally going to land at Oceanio, but I got a good deal on a rental car at SBP. On line people were saying there was county transient parking by the tower. While I was taxiing in I told ground that I wanted to go to transient parking. The ground controller said I could only park there for 2 hours. And the only overnight parking was at the FBO. So I taxied over to ACI. They were very nice and treated me well. When I went to leave they said the parking for 4 days was $195! WTF!? I was mad as hell. I said The comments on line said parking was $12 per night. They said it would have been $12 if I would have parked in transient parking. ??? I said the tower said that was not possible. They succumbed to my complaining and didn’t charge me a ramp fee, so it only cost $40 per night to park on their ramp. I will never deal with ACI ever again and I won’t be going back to SLO cal. 1 2
Hank Posted October 17 Report Posted October 17 5 hours ago, N201MKTurbo said: So I taxied over to ACI. They were very nice and treated me well. When I went to leave they said the parking for 4 days was $195! WTF!? I was mad as hell. I will never deal with ACI ever again and I won’t be going back to SLO cal. I feel your pain. I helped my mother in law moved from FAY (Ft. Bragg) down to Sweet Home recently, the website says nothing. My last visit at Christmas, parking was $50/night, so imagine my surprise to find it's now $100/night "due to the size of your plane." Fortunately I won't have to ever go back! 1
Thedude Posted October 18 Report Posted October 18 On 10/16/2025 at 10:27 PM, N201MKTurbo said: The wife and I flew to San Luis Obispo on Sunday. I was originally going to land at Oceanio, but I got a good deal on a rental car at SBP. On line people were saying there was county transient parking by the tower. While I was taxiing in I told ground that I wanted to go to transient parking. The ground controller said I could only park there for 2 hours. And the only overnight parking was at the FBO. So I taxied over to ACI. They were very nice and treated me well. When I went to leave they said the parking for 4 days was $195! WTF!? I was mad as hell. I said The comments on line said parking was $12 per night. They said it would have been $12 if I would have parked in transient parking. ??? I said the tower said that was not possible. They succumbed to my complaining and didn’t charge me a ramp fee, so it only cost $40 per night to park on their ramp. I will never deal with ACI ever again and I won’t be going back to SLO cal. I'm based on KSBP, I didn't realize they limited transient parking time now, that's really frustrating. There have been a number of changes going on here and there's so much more big private traffic now (where the hell are all these gulfstreams and challengers coming from??), I have to assume that's why aci thinks they can charge on arm and a leg. 1
bonal Posted October 18 Author Report Posted October 18 1 hour ago, Thedude said: I'm based on KSBP, I didn't realize they limited transient parking time now, that's really frustrating. There have been a number of changes going on here and there's so much more big private traffic now (where the hell are all these gulfstreams and challengers coming from??), I have to assume that's why aci thinks they can charge on arm and a leg. Welcome to the hotel California
N201MKTurbo Posted October 18 Report Posted October 18 It doesn’t bother me that ACI charges what they do. It is a free country, they can do what they want. What bugs me is there is no option and they don’t post their rates. How are we supposed to make decisions about our flying? Since when is parking more than fuel? There were quite a few unused tie downs on the GA side of the runway. They could easily have designated some of those as transient parking. I would have happily Ubered to the other side to get my car.
MikeOH Posted October 18 Report Posted October 18 Reading experiences like this one is why I ALWAYS call the FBO ahead of time to find out what ALL their fees will be. If there is 'no other choice', including using a different airport, at least I don't get an unexpected surprise. 1
toto Posted October 18 Report Posted October 18 2 hours ago, MikeOH said: Reading experiences like this one is why I ALWAYS call the FBO ahead of time to find out what ALL their fees will be. If there is 'no other choice', including using a different airport, at least I don't get an unexpected surprise. I do the same, but via email. I want the fees in writing. 1
Marc_B Posted October 28 Report Posted October 28 Chasing storms yesterday from Austin to Florida. Wound up stopping in New Orleans and Tallahassee cause the Mooney was moving faster than the front! Alaska and a couple other commercial aircraft were landing at TLH to go to Million Air as they were having a sale on fuel…plus wx to Tampa and Orlando was blocked. Florida Flow Control I’ll bet was lit yesterday. ”If you have time to spare go by air” indeed. 10a arrival turned to a 7p arrival, but my ride was smooth and the Mooney stayed dry. Modern weather tools are really pretty incredible. PS. KNEW is a fav…first rate FBO (Flightline First), good fuel prices and fun airport to fly into right on Lake Pontchartrain. Put it on your list if you’re in the area and give yourself an excuse to check out NOLA 5
exM20K Posted October 28 Report Posted October 28 58 minutes ago, Marc_B said: TLH to go to Million Air as they were having a sale on fuel Wow: $2.95 showing in foreflight for SS 100LL. I'm in and out of TLH a bit, and that Millionaire has been one of the more expensive outfits in this part of FL ($7-8 fuel, $40 ramp fee etc.) Glad to see they've cut those prices and hope it persists. -dan
dkkim73 Posted October 29 Report Posted October 29 8 hours ago, Marc_B said: Chasing storms yesterday from Austin to Florida. Wound up stopping in New Orleans and Tallahassee cause the Mooney was moving faster than the front! Alaska and a couple other commercial aircraft were landing at TLH to go to Million Air as they were having a sale on fuel…plus wx to Tampa and Orlando was blocked. Florida Flow Control I’ll bet was lit yesterday. ”If you have time to spare go by air” indeed. 10a arrival turned to a 7p arrival, but my ride was smooth and the Mooney stayed dry. Modern weather tools are really pretty incredible. PS. KNEW is a fav…first rate FBO, good fuel prices and fun airport to fly into right on Lake Pontchartrain. Put it on your list if you’re in the area and give yourself an excuse to check out NOLA Great story, PIREP, and pics! 1
Ibra Posted November 3 Report Posted November 3 Flew with co-owner to Shoreham (EGKA) in UK before returning to France at night after TCUs have vanished. Clouds are easy to spot on halloween full moons 5
dkkim73 Posted November 4 Report Posted November 4 5 hours ago, Ibra said: Flew with co-owner to Shoreham (EGKA) in UK before returning to France at night after TCUs have vanished. Clouds are easy to spot on halloween full moons @Ibra That looks like a NASA photo or a Christmas card! Some of these night+cloud flights are magical. I remember flying home between layers with the moonlight overhead, returning from my IFR checkride in Minnesota; such a great feeling and a great memory. You and Sue and Matthias will have to have a European Mooney Moon Photo contest. 2
dkkim73 Posted Monday at 03:22 AM Report Posted Monday at 03:22 AM Yesterday, flying up to the big airport in Kalispell (Glacier Park International, KGPI). Nice airport. Read some bad PIREPs on the FBO fees but, at least this time of year, no issues for a Mooney (facility fee of $40 is silly, but waived with 15 gal or top-off). Courtesy car was a brand-new 4Runner. Traffic included a slick Challenger and a Caravan full of rescue dogs, among others. Drove past the tiny airport right in the city. 3000-something foot runway with buildings all around, displaced thresholds. Very old school, might get brave and try that sometime. Lots of amenities since I last drove there from my summer job in the sticks to go a movie 30 yrs ago. Anyhow, fantastically smooth and pretty day. Winds whipping around 30-40 kts at altitude but I am guessing the inversion capped all the valley air and so not the usual washer-and-drier effect coming up past the peaks. 2
Slick Nick Posted Monday at 04:59 AM Report Posted Monday at 04:59 AM @dkkim73 very nice! GPI is my preferred spot to clear customs now that GTF is charging a fee. We were “stuck” there for a couple days last month when my starter clapped out. The boys over at Rocky Mountain had a new SkyTec installed for me within two days and we were back on our way. Kalispell city airport is neat, there are some nice people there. Take a flight up past hungry horse dam, it’s a sight to be seen! As you’ve seen, Glacier Jet center is no more, but even though it’s now a “big box” FBO, I still get treated really well even in my little Mooney.
Ragsf15e Posted Monday at 05:37 AM Report Posted Monday at 05:37 AM 2 hours ago, dkkim73 said: Yesterday, flying up to the big airport in Kalispell (Glacier Park International, KGPI). Nice airport. Read some bad PIREPs on the FBO fees but, at least this time of year, no issues for a Mooney (facility fee of $40 is silly, but waived with 15 gal or top-off). Courtesy car was a brand-new 4Runner. Traffic included a slick Challenger and a Caravan full of rescue dogs, among others. Drove past the tiny airport right in the city. 3000-something foot runway with buildings all around, displaced thresholds. Very old school, might get brave and try that sometime. Lots of amenities since I last drove there from my summer job in the sticks to go a movie 30 yrs ago. Anyhow, fantastically smooth and pretty day. Winds whipping around 30-40 kts at altitude but I am guessing the inversion capped all the valley air and so not the usual washer-and-drier effect coming up past the peaks. I’ve used both airports in Kalispell, and you’re right to be careful with the downtown one, but it’s not terrible. Well the parking on the “city side” isn’t much more than a three car driveway, but it’s really nice to park and walk across the street to restaurants. I have a nice picture of my wife changing our son’s diaper just behind the wing at that airport! Beautiful mountains there for sure. GPI obviously has more amenities. We have been there twice to get a rental car and get into Glacier NP. Very convenient. I parked over in the self serve area across a (small) taxiway and don’t remember any fuss about fees. The fbo was pretty easygoing with us. Glad you had a smooth flight! Below is at the downtown airport but is not the diaper picture! 4
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