Texas Flying - Wx Woes

Friday was the day after getting checked out in N733CP, I was starting to keep an eye on the weather for my Saturday trip. The TAF showed OVC009 until 11:00L. I had the aircraft booked from 7am till 10am. In my mind I was not flying on Saturday. I was already disappointed. I perked up after lunch on the Friday when we were allowed to finish early. I went straight onto the online booking system and secured 733CP for a couple of hours that afternoon. Took a work colleague with me. Had a couple of delays at the airport but we departed 17L at KAUS at 14.15L. 

Holding Short 17L KAUS

By the time we got airborne, the wind had increased.  The visibility was quite poor. Ended up cutting the flight short. Flew only 0.7 hours. Again, I failed to film with the GoPro (sorry!). My colleague from India had never been in a small aircraft before. He had an absolute blast up there despite the short time. 

As with my checkout flight, I received several vectors from a very helpful Approach Controller. I did make one mistake. Rather than saying "Austin Approach", I said "Austin Arrival". I was a bit tongue twisted that afternoon.

The flight on Saturday was cancelled. However I did go to an aviation event in Hondo Texas. I will blog about that next. There was one other attempt at flying after the weekend. I will blog about that too.

Circuit Of Americas

N733CP

Exploring Texas - Getting Checked Out

Spent several years before I had a pilots license traveling around Europe, Japan and the US on business. During my spare time on the trips, I tried to keep the weekends aviation theme based, for example, visiting a museum or an airport for some spotting. But now being a Private Pilot, I can get checked out for a rental. This is what I did on a recent trip to Austin, Texas. 

I had some great plans to fly over the one weekend. However, low visibility and wind ruined my flying plans. However I did get to fly twice. A little bit of research and a visit to KAUS, I came across a couple of rental options. Ended up going with Above & Beyond Aviation based out of Atlantic Aviation on the east side of KAUS. After finishing work at 4pm, I ran over to the airport to meet the CFI that the owner has assigned to me. Flew 1.3hrs in SKYHAWK 733CP which was a C172N. Not the prettiest on the outside but flew lovely. Great value at $99 an hour wet!

KAUS Airspace (skyvector.com)

Prior to the flight, I hadn't spent much time studying the Texas sectional. I soon  realized why most of the runways were orientated North/South in Texas. Wind was almost always 17014G20!

Flew to Lockhart which is 20nm south of KAUS. There we did 2 touch and goes followed by some stalls and steep turns. KAUS airport lies within class charlie airspace. One of the fun parts of charlie airports is getting radar vectors from ATC. I had already experienced this heading into KTUS back in Arizona. I was inbound back to the airport at around 18:00L. ATC were very busy with inbounds for 17L and 17R. I received about 5 heading changes from ATC and was cleared for a "high speed" approach to a left base 17L. I landed behind a C152 and in front of a Challenger jet. After landing, I received praise from the CFI. He signed my logbook and I was approved for rentals over the weekend.

One regret. I didn't record anything on the GoPro and MP3 recorder. Could only find about 5 seconds of audio on liveatc.net  due to all the frequencies being very busy. 

N733CP

See Ya

Ever listened to liveatc.net a heard a rather over enthusiastic see ya from a Pilot? Happens all the time.

Here's my attempt. I get about a 50% success rate in the controller returning the see ya.

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