My daughter, Lauren, paying her respects at the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Honoring the Fallen
My daughter, Lauren, paying her respects at the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Dinner Flight
With the gorgeous weather yesterday I decided to take a trip to Tacoma Narrows (KTIW) for Dinner. John, a friend from work, and I set out at 5:00 PM for Auburn (S50). We preflighted N9534H and took off into the hot summer afternoon (the temperature was reading 90 deg!). This was John's very first flight in a small airplane, so fortunately the air was very smooth. KTIW is only about 18 miles direct from S50, so the hop was very short. I contacted the tower and we were cleared right in to land on runway 35. There was a gentle wind blowing down the runway and I managed to pull off a very nice landing.
We taxied up to the tower and parked right in front of the Narrows Landing restaurant. This is the first time I've eaten there, and it's a great place for the $100 hamburger. It has aviation-themed decor with a bunch of model airplanes hanging from the ceiling. We ordered coconut shrimp as an appetizer, while John ordered the pork medallions and I opted for the Shrimp fettuccine. As we were waiting for the food, I noticed the nav lights on the airplane were still flashing! Uh-oh, forgot to turn off the master switch. Doh! I ran out and turned off the airplane properly :) Eventually the food arrived and it was fantastic. The prices are very reasonable too. I highly recommend Narrows Landing. It's among the best airport restaurants I've been to.
After we finished eating we loaded back up in 34H. We were cleared for takeoff on runway 35, and were also informed that another airplane was inbound on an instrument approach to runway 17 (in other words, they were headed straight at us). The controller asked us to deviate from the centerline after liftoff to allow the incoming plane to land. Since we still had an hour or so of daylight left, we opted for a scenic tour back home. We headed due North to Bainbridge Island, and then turned right to take us over North Seattle. We passed over the Space Needle and followed the 520 freeway across Lake Washington. We then angled South toward Issaquah. We then passed right over my house and headed to Snoqualmie Falls. The falls were definitely not as impressive as the last time I flew over. It seems like the flow is down to a trickle. From there we passed over North Bend and then turned South over Rattlesnake Lake. We followed the Cedar River through the pass and then made direct to Crest Airpark (S36). On the way there a CH-47 Chinook helicopter (we had a more "colorful" name for them in the Army :) with a UH-60 Blackhawk close in trail passed right in front of us on the way to Gray Army Airfield (GRF) in Ft. Lewis. After passing over S36 we headed direct to S50 and made a nice landing just as the sun was setting below the horizon.
All-in-all it was a beautiful flight. I think John had a great time and he's eager to go up again. I love the long summer nights in the Pacific Northwest!
Total Time: 1.6 hours
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We taxied up to the tower and parked right in front of the Narrows Landing restaurant. This is the first time I've eaten there, and it's a great place for the $100 hamburger. It has aviation-themed decor with a bunch of model airplanes hanging from the ceiling. We ordered coconut shrimp as an appetizer, while John ordered the pork medallions and I opted for the Shrimp fettuccine. As we were waiting for the food, I noticed the nav lights on the airplane were still flashing! Uh-oh, forgot to turn off the master switch. Doh! I ran out and turned off the airplane properly :) Eventually the food arrived and it was fantastic. The prices are very reasonable too. I highly recommend Narrows Landing. It's among the best airport restaurants I've been to.
After we finished eating we loaded back up in 34H. We were cleared for takeoff on runway 35, and were also informed that another airplane was inbound on an instrument approach to runway 17 (in other words, they were headed straight at us). The controller asked us to deviate from the centerline after liftoff to allow the incoming plane to land. Since we still had an hour or so of daylight left, we opted for a scenic tour back home. We headed due North to Bainbridge Island, and then turned right to take us over North Seattle. We passed over the Space Needle and followed the 520 freeway across Lake Washington. We then angled South toward Issaquah. We then passed right over my house and headed to Snoqualmie Falls. The falls were definitely not as impressive as the last time I flew over. It seems like the flow is down to a trickle. From there we passed over North Bend and then turned South over Rattlesnake Lake. We followed the Cedar River through the pass and then made direct to Crest Airpark (S36). On the way there a CH-47 Chinook helicopter (we had a more "colorful" name for them in the Army :) with a UH-60 Blackhawk close in trail passed right in front of us on the way to Gray Army Airfield (GRF) in Ft. Lewis. After passing over S36 we headed direct to S50 and made a nice landing just as the sun was setting below the horizon.
All-in-all it was a beautiful flight. I think John had a great time and he's eager to go up again. I love the long summer nights in the Pacific Northwest!
Total Time: 1.6 hours
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Sunday, July 20, 2008
Night Flight
It's been quite awhile since I last flew at night, so I scheduled some time with an instructor to get re-familiarized with night take-offs and landings. We rendezvoused at the airport on July 16 around 9:30 PM, after Civil Twilight ended (the end of Civil Twilight marks the "official" beginning of night-time for flying purposes). After a quick preflight, we took off into the smooth night air. The wind was calm on the ground, but once aloft a fairly strong crosswind developed.
We headed first to Tacoma-Narrows Airport (KTIW). Since KTIW is only about 15 miles from S50, I spotted it as soon as we were at pattern altitude. During the day KTIW is a tower-controlled airport, but in the evening it reverts to a non-towered airport. We kept the altitude to 1500' so as to pass below the SEATAC class B airspace. We set up for a long left base to runway 17, and turned on to a three mile final. There was a very strong crosswind at altitude, and I had to hold a significant crab all the way down. Right above the runway, however, the air was very calm. I did a touch and go and went around for another one. The second landing went as well as the first, and so we turned East and headed toward Puyallup (KPLU).
On the way to KPLU we had to get clearance to transition the McChord Air Force base class D airspace. The KPLU ATIS indicated that the winds were calm, so we entered a left pattern for runway 34. Again, there was a strong crosswind that required a crab, but once below about 25' AGL it slowed to nothing. We were a little high on final, so instead of a touch and go I elected for a full stop landing. After landing we taxied back to runway 34 and then took off and headed back home to S50.
After lifting-off from KPLU, my instructor had me put the hood on and I flew to S50 under simulated instrument conditions. I set us up on final and when the instructor pulled the hood off I was lined up with the runway dead ahead and set for another touch and go. On the next one we elected to do it without the landing light. This can be a little unnerving if you're not used to it, since you can't actually see the runway until you touch down. You have to use the runway edge lighting and your peripheral vision to judge your height above the ground. On the first try I came in a little high and elected to go around. The next try went much better and I made a smooth landing without the landing light. It's good to know that you can still put the plane safely back on the ground even if you should lose electrical power at night.
Overall it was a very fun flight. The air was very smooth and the full-moon meant for some beautiful views of the city at night. I'll have to buy a new flashlight, as mine didn't work despite changing the batteries. Fortunately my instructor had one along.
Total time: 1.1 hrs.
We headed first to Tacoma-Narrows Airport (KTIW). Since KTIW is only about 15 miles from S50, I spotted it as soon as we were at pattern altitude. During the day KTIW is a tower-controlled airport, but in the evening it reverts to a non-towered airport. We kept the altitude to 1500' so as to pass below the SEATAC class B airspace. We set up for a long left base to runway 17, and turned on to a three mile final. There was a very strong crosswind at altitude, and I had to hold a significant crab all the way down. Right above the runway, however, the air was very calm. I did a touch and go and went around for another one. The second landing went as well as the first, and so we turned East and headed toward Puyallup (KPLU).
On the way to KPLU we had to get clearance to transition the McChord Air Force base class D airspace. The KPLU ATIS indicated that the winds were calm, so we entered a left pattern for runway 34. Again, there was a strong crosswind that required a crab, but once below about 25' AGL it slowed to nothing. We were a little high on final, so instead of a touch and go I elected for a full stop landing. After landing we taxied back to runway 34 and then took off and headed back home to S50.
After lifting-off from KPLU, my instructor had me put the hood on and I flew to S50 under simulated instrument conditions. I set us up on final and when the instructor pulled the hood off I was lined up with the runway dead ahead and set for another touch and go. On the next one we elected to do it without the landing light. This can be a little unnerving if you're not used to it, since you can't actually see the runway until you touch down. You have to use the runway edge lighting and your peripheral vision to judge your height above the ground. On the first try I came in a little high and elected to go around. The next try went much better and I made a smooth landing without the landing light. It's good to know that you can still put the plane safely back on the ground even if you should lose electrical power at night.
Overall it was a very fun flight. The air was very smooth and the full-moon meant for some beautiful views of the city at night. I'll have to buy a new flashlight, as mine didn't work despite changing the batteries. Fortunately my instructor had one along.
Total time: 1.1 hrs.
Arlington Airshow
On July 12th I headed to Arlington, WA for the annual fly-in and airshow. The Arlington fly-in is one of the largest aviation events on the West coast, lasting five days and hosting a vast array of airplanes. I haven't attended the show the past three years, so I was looking forward to going this year. While much was the same, one thing I noticed was that there were definitely fewer vendors this year, and not nearly as many people flying. The last time I was there all of the available parking was taken. This year there were large sections that had only one or two airplanes. I hope this isn't a trend. I've posted many pictures of the event here.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
My Own Private Idaho
The weather forecast was for severe clear, light winds, and warm temperatures across the Pacific Northwest, so I decided to take a day trip to Cavanaugh Bay in Idaho. Cavanaugh Bay is located on Priest Lake, which is nestled in the mountains of Idaho's panhandle. The airport (S66) is a grass strip with on-airport camping, and it's across the street from a marina with a restaurant. It's a little far for the proverbial $100 hamburger, but I was alone and I like to fly.
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It was sweltering on the ground during the preflight, and I was happy to get in the air and up to altitude. At 7500 ft. it was a nice 60 deg.
I followed I90 East through Snoqualmie pass, and it was smooth as glass. Passing over Bandera State airport I noticed several gliders parked on the field and there was a lot of radio chatter from the glider pilots. 
I'll have to get a glider rating some day. It looks like a lot of fun, and as I discovered on this trip, a pretty popular sport in Washington. After crossing the cascades I flew over the big windfarm near Ellensberg. There are hundreds of windmills on a ridge here that take advantage of the winds blowing out across the palouse. 
After that I crossed the Columbia River and headed out over the flatlands of Eastern Washington. Density altitudes were pretty high, so I decided to forgo fuel on the flight to S66 in order to keep things as light as possible on the return departure. As I passed South of Ephrata (KEPH)airport I heard more gliders talking on the radio, and then still more passing Deer Park (KDEW).
I turned North at Priest Lake (67S) and headed up the valley to Cavanaugh Bay. The normal way to land at S66 is to fly a right-hand pattern over the lake for runway 15 on the way in, and then head back out the way you came in on runway 34.
The runway is hidden by trees, and you can't actually see it until turning final. The winds were calm so this procedure worked well. Runway 15 is an uphill landing, so you have to make sure to keep the yoke way back before touchdown. I'm not sure if 66S qualifies as a soft landing strip since, despite being covered in grass, it is packed HARD and it's a fairly rough rollout.
There were about four other airplanes at the tiedowns, each with a tent pitched by it. I parked and walked down the strip to the marina to get lunch.
The lake is beautiful, and the BBQ was going, so I sat outside on the deck and ordered a diet Pepsi and a prime rib sandwich. There were a few people there, and a couple of boats pulled in while I was there as well. The food was good and after I finished eating I went back to the plane and got her ready for the flight back.
The first leg would be a short hop to Deer Park to refuel. Since I only had about 15 gallons in the tanks, 62H leaped off the runway quickly despite the fact that density altitude was over 4000'.
There was a lot of glider activity at Deer Park, but they use runway 4/22, while regular GA traffic uses 16/34. I crossed midfield and set up for a left downwind on runway 34. The runway is 6400' long, so you've got a lot of room! I put her down and pumped about 25 gallons into her. Deer Park is sort of in the middle of nowhere, but I think there is an aerial firefighting outfit that bases out of there. On one end of the field was a PBY Catalina air attack plane. I believe this is the only one still in use for this role in the US, though she looks like she's seen better days.
On the other end of the airport was a big Canadair CL-215 "scooper." There were a crew of guys sitting around, and I think they were prepping her to go to California to help fight the fires there.
After taking a few pictures I hopped back in to 62H and headed back home. The late afternoon air was smooth and cool at 8500'. I headed back through the pass, and since the winds were so light I dropped down to about 4000' to get a better look at the mountains. Unfortunately at 4000' the heat was up to 80 deg. so I opened the window to let more air in. Eventually I spotted Seattle in the distance,
and I wrapped up the flight with a great landing on runway 34 at S50.
Overall a fun day and some great flying. I've posted a lot more pictures from the trip here.
Total time: 6.3 hours.
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It was sweltering on the ground during the preflight, and I was happy to get in the air and up to altitude. At 7500 ft. it was a nice 60 deg.
I followed I90 East through Snoqualmie pass, and it was smooth as glass. Passing over Bandera State airport I noticed several gliders parked on the field and there was a lot of radio chatter from the glider pilots. 
I'll have to get a glider rating some day. It looks like a lot of fun, and as I discovered on this trip, a pretty popular sport in Washington. After crossing the cascades I flew over the big windfarm near Ellensberg. There are hundreds of windmills on a ridge here that take advantage of the winds blowing out across the palouse. 
After that I crossed the Columbia River and headed out over the flatlands of Eastern Washington. Density altitudes were pretty high, so I decided to forgo fuel on the flight to S66 in order to keep things as light as possible on the return departure. As I passed South of Ephrata (KEPH)airport I heard more gliders talking on the radio, and then still more passing Deer Park (KDEW).I turned North at Priest Lake (67S) and headed up the valley to Cavanaugh Bay. The normal way to land at S66 is to fly a right-hand pattern over the lake for runway 15 on the way in, and then head back out the way you came in on runway 34.
The runway is hidden by trees, and you can't actually see it until turning final. The winds were calm so this procedure worked well. Runway 15 is an uphill landing, so you have to make sure to keep the yoke way back before touchdown. I'm not sure if 66S qualifies as a soft landing strip since, despite being covered in grass, it is packed HARD and it's a fairly rough rollout.There were about four other airplanes at the tiedowns, each with a tent pitched by it. I parked and walked down the strip to the marina to get lunch.
The lake is beautiful, and the BBQ was going, so I sat outside on the deck and ordered a diet Pepsi and a prime rib sandwich. There were a few people there, and a couple of boats pulled in while I was there as well. The food was good and after I finished eating I went back to the plane and got her ready for the flight back.The first leg would be a short hop to Deer Park to refuel. Since I only had about 15 gallons in the tanks, 62H leaped off the runway quickly despite the fact that density altitude was over 4000'.
There was a lot of glider activity at Deer Park, but they use runway 4/22, while regular GA traffic uses 16/34. I crossed midfield and set up for a left downwind on runway 34. The runway is 6400' long, so you've got a lot of room! I put her down and pumped about 25 gallons into her. Deer Park is sort of in the middle of nowhere, but I think there is an aerial firefighting outfit that bases out of there. On one end of the field was a PBY Catalina air attack plane. I believe this is the only one still in use for this role in the US, though she looks like she's seen better days.
On the other end of the airport was a big Canadair CL-215 "scooper." There were a crew of guys sitting around, and I think they were prepping her to go to California to help fight the fires there.After taking a few pictures I hopped back in to 62H and headed back home. The late afternoon air was smooth and cool at 8500'. I headed back through the pass, and since the winds were so light I dropped down to about 4000' to get a better look at the mountains. Unfortunately at 4000' the heat was up to 80 deg. so I opened the window to let more air in. Eventually I spotted Seattle in the distance,
and I wrapped up the flight with a great landing on runway 34 at S50.Overall a fun day and some great flying. I've posted a lot more pictures from the trip here.
Total time: 6.3 hours.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Father's Day Flight
On Father's Day I loaded up the family in 95H and headed out to Ocean Shores (W04) for lunch and some kite flying. This was my five-year-old daughter's first time in a small plane and, aside from the pressure changes causing her ears some discomfort, she really enjoyed the trip. My 14-year-old boy also had fun. Up until know he's never really showed any interest in flying at all, but he thought this trip was cool.
Unfortunately things weren't as wonderful for my wife. She suffers from severe motion sickness, and about halfway to W04 we had to descend to 1500' to get under the marine layer and it got bumpy. By the time we touched down she was ready to take a bus home. After lunch at the Shilo Inn she started feeling better, and she picked up some dramamine at the pharmacy in Ocean Shores.
After lunch we went to the beach to fly a kite and watch all the other kites. It seems there was a kite festival going on, and the sky was filled with them. I think some of them were bigger than 95H!
By the time we left at 3:00 PM, the sky had started to clear. A couple of miles out from W04 we were able to climb to 3500' and stayed at that altitude until passing Tacoma Narrows. The dramamine helped a lot. Not only did my wife not get sick, but she slept half the flight! Touchdown was without incident.
Total time: 2.2 hours.
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Unfortunately things weren't as wonderful for my wife. She suffers from severe motion sickness, and about halfway to W04 we had to descend to 1500' to get under the marine layer and it got bumpy. By the time we touched down she was ready to take a bus home. After lunch at the Shilo Inn she started feeling better, and she picked up some dramamine at the pharmacy in Ocean Shores.
After lunch we went to the beach to fly a kite and watch all the other kites. It seems there was a kite festival going on, and the sky was filled with them. I think some of them were bigger than 95H!
By the time we left at 3:00 PM, the sky had started to clear. A couple of miles out from W04 we were able to climb to 3500' and stayed at that altitude until passing Tacoma Narrows. The dramamine helped a lot. Not only did my wife not get sick, but she slept half the flight! Touchdown was without incident.
Total time: 2.2 hours.
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Saturday, June 14, 2008
Wash Day
I went to the airport this morning for the Spring airplane wash and barbecue. About 15 club members attended and we washed all four airplanes, cleaned up the hangar, and repainted the parking guidelines. We finished off the day with some awesome smoked brisket that Bryan, the club treasurer, made. It was delicious. Pictures will be posted soon.
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