Blogging More

I think I need to blog some more about my flying experiences rather than just posting photos.

Looking back at Sedona

Whilst I flight plan for my next Texas flight, I have been looking back at some of the flights I took over the last 12 months. 

One of the best had to be Sedona, AZ. Talk about beautiful scenery on approach. I departed CHD in the early morning and flew up the east side of the PHX class bravo. Picked up flight following with PHX DEP and was then handed off to ABQ CTR. Video picks up as I check out with ABQ CTR a few miles south of KSEZ.

Last Flight Arizona

Took what was probably my last PiC flight in Arizona for the remainder of 2013. Flew 3.4hrs PiC with 4 landings/2 airports. Route was CHD -> DVT -> PAN -> DVT -> CHD. I picked up @cholubaz from Deer Valley (DVT) and then we flew to Payson (PAN) for breakfast.

PAN ended up being my 30th airport visited in the US. PAN has a pattern entry similar to that in Ireland. I had to fly overhead perpendicular to the runway and then join a left downwind for landing. Crosswind was 90 degrees off the nose which resulted in a crosswind component of 12-15ts. 

Dropped @cholubaz back at DVT and then my last class bravo transition over PHX back to CHD.

I am not going to miss the bumps and heat in Arizona :)

Big shout out to Chris for taking these photos.

Turning Overhead Payson

Final 06 Payson

Landings at DVT

Overhead Payson Airport

Last Flight Arizona

Flying on Saturday for what will probably be my last flight in Arizona before the move to Oregon. Right now, I am looking at the WX and considering which options are available.

Hasn't flying in Arizona been amazing?

Visiting KPHX

Another great flight into KPHX this week. All low hour Pilots should try their hand at flying into a class bravo airport. It's made easier for me by a very helpful TRACON.

First Oregon Flight

I have spent the last 12 months flying the same two aircraft from the same FBO. Today I took the plunge and got checked out in Oregon. Not sure why I was worried. Flew 1.2hrs in a C172D to two different airports. ASI was in MPH and knots. Simple conversion. Hardest part was figuring out there all the other traffic was. I don't know the landmarks well enough yet. I will be landings on runways less than 3000 ft long. Have been used to longer runways in Arizona. Time to focus on my short landing techniques! I performed five landings today. Slipped on three of them (20deg of flaps!) and performed one go around. The CFI was impressed that I chose to slip without being prompted. She was also impressed with my decision to go around. She wasn't impressed with me landing left of the center line though!!

It's going to be great learning to fly in a new state. God I love aviation.

Cub at Twin Oaks Airpark

Inside 08Y

08Y Pre Flight

Last Flight KTUS

Flew into KTUS for probably the last time in 2013. If you have been following my blog over 12 months, then you will know how much fun I have had flying into the airport. Flying into KPHX was rewarding in terms of work load on the radio etc, however, flying into the class charlie KTUS airport has to be up there with the best. How many other airports can you be sharing a pattern with another C172 whilst an F-16 departs on the parallel runway with an American Airlines MD-80 on a 5 mile final to the same runway?

I'm going to miss you Tucson Airport!

F-16's KTUS

MD-80 11L KTUS

My First Crew Car!!

Serious Biz Jets @Atlantic FBO

Departing 11L KTUS (11'000' runway!)

Boeing Factory

Two years ago, I never thought I would be visiting the Boeing Factory in Seattle. Moving to the US has brought so many aviation opportunities for me. I started working up in Portland, Oregon three weeks ago. Found myself with a couple of days off whilst waiting for work stuff to happen. Decided to visit the Boeing Factory at Paine Field which lies just north of Seattle.

To be honest, I was under the impression that the tour would last fifteen to twenty minutes with minimal views of the factory floor. I was blown away by the ninety minute tour!

First part of the visit was to the 747-8 assembly building. Stood very close to a Lufthansa 747. Amazing to see the 747 still in product albeit in -8 version. I'm yet to see one fly though.

Then the tour moved to the 777 building where several 777's were being built. The 777 assembly moves a few inches an hour!

Finally the tour finished up at the 787 assembly line where I was welcomed by a ANA 787 and the second and third British Airways 787's. On the way back to the tour start location, I passed very closed to the first BA 787 which was waiting for it's paint job!

Got talking to a fellow British guy up there. Turns out it was @Planeinsight on Twitter! Ended up spending a couple of hours with him touring the perimeter of Paine Field! Ended up standing about 500' from the runway where we watched one of the Dreamlifter's depart! First time seeing one of the them!!

I will be sure to visit Seattle again in the very near future to see one of the BA 787's flying for the first time.

BTW, the tour is $18. Great value for money. Only negative part is that no cameras allowed during the tour.

The First British Airways 787!!

Dreamlifter departing KPAE

JAL 787

Dreamlifter arriving at KPAE

Back flying soon.............

With commuting between PHX/PDX with my day job and being sick last weekend, I have not flown for 3 weeks. 

I plan to fix that next week with brunch at KTUS. Expect a new GoPro video soon.............

F-16 and MD-80 KTUS 2012

Commuting

After a 17 month break I am back commuting for work. Very much enjoyed my short flights between PHX and PDX over the last few days. Will be doing this for another 5-6 weeks before finally settling down in Portland, Oregon.

F-15 at KPDX

Grand Canyon from FL390

KDVT from 10,000'

Flying in Oregon

Visited two FBO's in Oregon last week whilst up there on business.  I visited Hillsboro Aviation based out of KHIO and Twin Oaks Airpak (7S3).

skyvector.com

Visited two FBO's in Oregon last week whilst up there on business.  I visited Hillsboro Aviation based out of KHIO and Twin Oaks Airpak (7S3).

The KHIO FBO requires 1.5hrs ground followed by 1.5hrs in the air. This would cost me nearer $400 to get checked out. Twin Oaks Airpark requires about an hour in the air which will be halve the price.

7S3 lies South West of the PDX charlie airspace. Very nice little airpark with a 2500' runway. I am going to get checked out in one of the C172's over the next couple of weeks.

Twin Oaks Airpark (7S3)

C172 departing downhill 20

Lovely Surroundings

Skycatcher!!

My Crazy Wife!

My wife had her turn at enjoying aviation in Arizona this weekend. She did her first tandem parachute jump. She jumped with Tom from 13,500'.

Highly recommend Skydive Arizona who are based at Eloy (E60). A very professional outfit.

Twin Otter

Go!

Scream!!!!!!!!!!

YouTube Channel

Be sure to check out my YT channel if you haven't done already.

http://www.youtube.com/user/pilotngb?feature=mhee

Passing 80hrs PiC

Getting closer to by first aviation goal of reaching 100hrs PiC. Today, I added airport number 27 to my "been to" list. Flight was approx 70nm. VFR flight following with PHX APP (123.7) and ABQ CEN (125.4).

Coolidge P08

Final 11 E77

Ramp E77

Big Hole near E77!!

Flying in Oregon

Preparation is continuing for a work move to Portland, OR next month. Very excited about exploring two new states. Will be passing through 100hrs PiC up there.

Pearson Ramp C177 (taken in 2007 on FS9)

FS9 Short Final Hillsboro (taken in  2007 on FS9)

Busy Month

Been a busy month. Hopefully by the weekend I will have time to summarize the flights I flew. In the mean time, enjoy some photo's.

C182S KDVT

Landing KTUS in C182S

Million Air FBO KTUS

Final Approach 03 KSEZ

Sedona!

KPHX Arrival Video

KPHX Arrival Video - Video Link

KPHX

Flew into KPHX again today. 0.9hrs logged. 15 minute flight inbound from CHD. 17 minutes to get home. Great service by PHX TRACON and Cutter Aviation. I am going to miss this when I leave Arizona!

Turning final 07R

N54288 on the ramp at Cutter Aviation

"SKYHAWK 288 cleared for take off 07R"

Departing 07R

GoPro Video's

Quick update with a few videos from the last three weekends.

E67 Kearny - Video Link

KFLG Arrival Video - Video Link

KFLG Departure Video - Video Link

KFLG 7000' MSL

Before I post more details about my trip to KFLG, here are a couple of teaser photos. What an experience!

Beautiful Sedona from 9500' MSL.

Turning Final 03 KFLG

All Fueled / Ready for Depature