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

First Trip Inside a MOA

Had my first flight into a MOA on Monday. Departed CHD in 54288. Flew between P08 and Florence avoided restricted airspace R2310. Contacted ABQ CTR to verify that the OUTLOW MOA was COLD.

Landed at E67. I need to plan plenty more of these types of flights. Thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

E67 inside the OUTLAW MOA

Departed 08 & climbed east before turning back west

Climbing out West back to CHD

Sharing the Ramp

Took this photo on the ramp at KIWA last week. Love sharing the ramp with military aircraft.

N54288 KIWA Ramp

Working On Landings

Flew CHD to DVT yesterday via the Phoenix Class Bravo airspace. Been thinking long and hard about my landing technique during the week. I added in more aft trim as suggested by my Facebook friends. Seemed to work. I also held off the weight on the nose gear as with a soft field landing. I think this will have to be my new technique going forward.

Loved the ATC aspect of yesterdays flight. I'm very lucky being able to fly in and around class bravo airspace.

KDVT arrival video - GoPro DVT Video

Right Seat To KPHX

Had the chance to fly right seat into KPHX today. Flew with a fellow pilot from CHD in a Piper Warrior. It was pretty much the same routine as my PiC flight in December 2012. 

Gotta love flying into Class Bravo airports. It's certainly a highlight for me here in Arizona.

Can't wait to do this again next month!!

View from Cutter Aviation

Holding Short 25L KPHX

KC135's at KPHX

P08 Departure Video

P08 Departure Video - GoPro Departure Video

P08 Arrival Video

P08 Arrival Video - GoPro Arrival Video

Coolidge Pancake Breakfast (P08)

Attended my first pancake breakfast at P08 last weekend. I had to disappoint some of my non pilot friends back home on Facebook because I showed no photos of actual pancakes! Same here i'm afraid! Just planes.

This was my first visit to a non towered fly in. I wasn't quite prepared for the number of aircraft flying in at once. It was quite a buzz. And I certainly wasn't expecting landing on the active whilst someone else was still on the runway. As with all other flights, I loved working the radios.

Approach was fun. Had to keep my speed at 90-100KIAS for long as possible to ensure spacing behind me! Will certainly be heading back in March!