The SandCastleSon's Bday was last month. Today Grandpa is giving him his present: his first actual flight lesson. He's flown with me his entire life but I'm not a CFI. Today he received his own logbook and will log his first hour with an actual instructor. I wish I were there to see it.
Stay tuned for pictures.
Update: [from the comments] The SandCastle Son has his impressions posted up at his blog here.
Showing posts with label Flying. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Flying. Show all posts
17 June 2011
03 June 2011
Security Theater...
First off, please understand I absolutely *loathe* what airline travel has become. Our general feeling is if we can't fly ourself, we're not going. Unfortunately the DayJob(tm) has a policy against me flying myself on company business. I can usually evade airline travel requests with a simple "I don't have a passport". Unfortunately that excuse failed with a request to visit a California customer. I strenuously objected "Yea they might technically be one of the 57 states, they are in reality a foreign country and I don't have a passport, let alone a visa. Heck I even doubt my shots are up to date for a visit." The weren't buying it and unfortunately I am (Tix that is)...
Outbound leg: 20 minutes in the 'theater queue and finally at the front of the line. TSA'droid finishes with her previous priority pax and tells me to hold "I don't have a line to send you to". I politely inquire about line "n" which seems to have a reasonably short line. "Oh no... that line is too long too."
A millesecond later the 'droid next to her becons. He scans my details and promptly sends me on to the very same line "n" I previously inquired about. The lips vigorously struggle to contain the tongue as it struggles to erupt and point in the first 'droids general direction. Happily it seems to be the one line where the virtual voyeurs are on break. So no "harmless" (mostly) irradiation.
Meeting over and my exit visa came through to leave the PRC (Peoples Republic of California). Rental car refueled and returned (another story in itself). Across the street, up the escalators to enter the security zone; Shoes off, laptops (plural) in separate bins, along with shoes, glasses, coinage, etc.
Suddenly an alarm is called. A couple minutes later even the TSA 'droids manning the gate are grousing about the drill. "We already had a real event this morning, why do we need a drill now?" Everyone is frozen in position and there is no commotion to suggest the event is real. But the exit doors are closed and locked; the only thing moving here is the line and it's growing! 15 minutes later the all clear is called. No sweat for me, I'd allowed for a long commute in from over the hill and traffic was lighter than expected. Whatever//// just a couple fewer pages of Weston Ochse's "Empire of Salt" consumed before boarding (and it's really getting good).
Meanwhile I'd recognized one of the TSA 'droids manning my checkpoint. Last time through the same checkpoint he noted the (subdued) NRA logo on my bag and we got to talking about guns. I reminded him of the conversation and he too remembered. The ensuing gunnie talk helps to pass the time.
BTW, I was happy to see the "irradiate me now" machines were closed and blocked off; Only the metalDetectors.std were in use.
The freedom flight pushed back at the scheduled time, and between me and the guy on the aisle we managed to ward off a middle seater. Not fighting over the armrest dramatically improves the quality of the flight.
So fifteen minutes of delay for everyone, for absolutely no return. My only takeaway from this exercise is that the 'droids hearing the initial SOS call is 100% functional today. You're welcome for the 15 minutes of my life I'll never get back.
Gawd I hate what airline travel has become...
Outbound leg: 20 minutes in the 'theater queue and finally at the front of the line. TSA'droid finishes with her previous priority pax and tells me to hold "I don't have a line to send you to". I politely inquire about line "n" which seems to have a reasonably short line. "Oh no... that line is too long too."
A millesecond later the 'droid next to her becons. He scans my details and promptly sends me on to the very same line "n" I previously inquired about. The lips vigorously struggle to contain the tongue as it struggles to erupt and point in the first 'droids general direction. Happily it seems to be the one line where the virtual voyeurs are on break. So no "harmless" (mostly) irradiation.
Meeting over and my exit visa came through to leave the PRC (Peoples Republic of California). Rental car refueled and returned (another story in itself). Across the street, up the escalators to enter the security zone; Shoes off, laptops (plural) in separate bins, along with shoes, glasses, coinage, etc.
Suddenly an alarm is called. A couple minutes later even the TSA 'droids manning the gate are grousing about the drill. "We already had a real event this morning, why do we need a drill now?" Everyone is frozen in position and there is no commotion to suggest the event is real. But the exit doors are closed and locked; the only thing moving here is the line and it's growing! 15 minutes later the all clear is called. No sweat for me, I'd allowed for a long commute in from over the hill and traffic was lighter than expected. Whatever//// just a couple fewer pages of Weston Ochse's "Empire of Salt" consumed before boarding (and it's really getting good).
Meanwhile I'd recognized one of the TSA 'droids manning my checkpoint. Last time through the same checkpoint he noted the (subdued) NRA logo on my bag and we got to talking about guns. I reminded him of the conversation and he too remembered. The ensuing gunnie talk helps to pass the time.
BTW, I was happy to see the "irradiate me now" machines were closed and blocked off; Only the metalDetectors.std were in use.
The freedom flight pushed back at the scheduled time, and between me and the guy on the aisle we managed to ward off a middle seater. Not fighting over the armrest dramatically improves the quality of the flight.
So fifteen minutes of delay for everyone, for absolutely no return. My only takeaway from this exercise is that the 'droids hearing the initial SOS call is 100% functional today. You're welcome for the 15 minutes of my life I'll never get back.
Gawd I hate what airline travel has become...
05 March 2010
Recorders set to roll!
Surfing the channels tonight... Oh Nellie! TCM has put together a winner:
Airplane! is on now, followed by Zero Hour!.
I think most are familiar with the parody classic Airplane! even though it's 30 years old. However few are familiar with Zero Hour! The fact that both titles include an exclaimtion point is a clue.
That's because it's the same story, originally told as a serious drama and then in parody.
It's amusing to watch a movie you've never seen and still be able to quote most of the dialog.
Sorry this is too late for most this go round (Airplane! is on now) and Zero Hour! will be on in about 25 minutes. But watch for it next time or drop it into the 'queue.
Airplane! is on now, followed by Zero Hour!.I think most are familiar with the parody classic Airplane! even though it's 30 years old. However few are familiar with Zero Hour! The fact that both titles include an exclaimtion point is a clue.
That's because it's the same story, originally told as a serious drama and then in parody.
It's amusing to watch a movie you've never seen and still be able to quote most of the dialog.
Sorry this is too late for most this go round (Airplane! is on now) and Zero Hour! will be on in about 25 minutes. But watch for it next time or drop it into the 'queue.
14 February 2010
Valentines Day
The SCQueen said she wanted to go flying on Valentine's day. One of the most picturesque airports with an attached restaurant is Sedona. Here is a panorama as we approached from the SouthEast. Humphrey's Peak, the highest point in Arizona sticks up above the plateau (click on image to embiggen). The airport is the light line left of center and below the plateau rim.
There are worse ways to spend a February day in the desert ;-)
Three Stearmans arrived as we were putting the plane away.
PS... Happy Birthday Arizona! The 48th state turns 98 today.
There are worse ways to spend a February day in the desert ;-)
Three Stearmans arrived as we were putting the plane away.
PS... Happy Birthday Arizona! The 48th state turns 98 today.
15 July 2009
STS-127 launch
I never get tired of watching our rockets launch for orbit. Today was the 6th attempt to launch and this time was the charm. Several attempts last month were aborted on count of hydrogen leaks. The last 3 attempts were scrubbed for weather (thunderstorms within 20miles), Today the storms held off for the launch window.
I had a meeting scheduled during the scheduled launch time, but instead did what any self respecting nerd would - Took my laptop into the meeting, fired up WiFi and got video feed from NASA TV and watched the launch from my corner of the room.
I had a meeting scheduled during the scheduled launch time, but instead did what any self respecting nerd would - Took my laptop into the meeting, fired up WiFi and got video feed from NASA TV and watched the launch from my corner of the room.
21 March 2009
Well that's sad...
Pilot heads to his '07 crash site, crashes
This is sad. Sparky Imeson didn't just write the book on mountain flying. He wrote several and ran the website as well.
Yet another reminder that it doesn't matter how much experience you have, how many log books you've filled, there is no such thing as immunity to accidents.
"Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board are beginning to investigate Tuesday's crash that killed Sparky Imeson of Helena."
This is sad. Sparky Imeson didn't just write the book on mountain flying. He wrote several and ran the website as well.
Yet another reminder that it doesn't matter how much experience you have, how many log books you've filled, there is no such thing as immunity to accidents.
29 November 2008
How Rude!
Following a couple days of rainy weather here in the desert, we had a bright sunny day. 70F and little or no wind.
I told the boy to get his shoes on. The SCQueen asked where we were going. "To wash the airplane" I announced. She agreed the boy needed to go along and help. With a warm sun but cool air temps, it was a very nice day to give it a bath.
Following the wash it's customary to take it for a flight, also known as "the dry cycle". I decided to head down to a nearby airport with the $2.95/gallon AvGas. However nearing the airport we were advised the runway was closed due to a gear up landing.
How Rude!
We flew by on downwind and sure enough the runway was fouled with emergency vehicles and a stuck airplane. Someone had forgotten one of the critical factors in aviation.
There a several schools of thought on how to ensure the critical tasks are completed prior to touchdown:
The GUMPS check is a common one (Gas on fullest, Undercarriage down, Mixture rich, Prop forward). Some add the S but I don't know what it's supposed to stand for. Perhaps Speed. Conjured acronyms don't work for me. Also, when I was taught GUMP, it always seemed the tasks needed to be done at different times.
A USAF trained pilot related they were taught to check aircraft configuration at every turn in the pattern and again on short final. IOW, Entering the pattern: Gear down three green, Flaps 10. Turning base, Gear down three green, flaps 20. Turning final, Gear down three green flaps 30. Short final confirm gear down full flaps. Great, but what happens on a straight in approach?
I was taught by an airline pilot to fly a speed schedule. The arrival process starts back at the top of descent from cruise with a power reduction schedule which is designed to get the plane to flap speed and pattern altitude 6 miles from the airport. There we drop in 15deg flaps which slows the plane to gear speed. As the plane slows to gear speed now about 4 miles from the field the gear comes out. I don't let go of the gear handle until we have 3 green. As we enter the pattern we drop to 20deg flaps. Turning final, recheck three green and drop full flaps.
Find a method that works for you and your plane. (If you have another method, feel free to chime in via the comments)
Some say, there are those that have and those that will. They say the same thing about taildraggers and groundloops. I don't subscribe to such fatalism. My goal is to prove the adage wrong and go to my grave having done neither.
Still it was a beautiful day for a nice flight with the boy. On the way back he asked if we could fly over the SandCastle. Since the airport owning the airspace over the SandCastle wasn't busy they were happy to oblige. He found his school and the house. Completing the first turn we noticed the SCQueen waving out front. We waved back with the wings. Finishing the second turn we headed back to home field.
There may be better moments in life, but this one will be tough to top.
Update: Here's the boy's drawing of the event. Obviously this is a bird's eye view as we flew over the airport at about 1000 ft AGL (Above Ground Level).
So we have a twin engine aircraft disabled on the runway. The large vehicle in the upper left is a fire truck with a firehose at the ready. The smaller vehicle is a police cruiser.
(Interesting... when editing an existing post, it apparently pulls down the original until reposted. I did not expect that. Stay tuned for update 2 tomorrow when the preliminary report is posted. The plan was to do one update covering both, but apparently blogger doesn't work that way).
Update 2: FAA Preliminary Accident Report:
I told the boy to get his shoes on. The SCQueen asked where we were going. "To wash the airplane" I announced. She agreed the boy needed to go along and help. With a warm sun but cool air temps, it was a very nice day to give it a bath.
Following the wash it's customary to take it for a flight, also known as "the dry cycle". I decided to head down to a nearby airport with the $2.95/gallon AvGas. However nearing the airport we were advised the runway was closed due to a gear up landing.
How Rude!
We flew by on downwind and sure enough the runway was fouled with emergency vehicles and a stuck airplane. Someone had forgotten one of the critical factors in aviation.
There a several schools of thought on how to ensure the critical tasks are completed prior to touchdown:
The GUMPS check is a common one (Gas on fullest, Undercarriage down, Mixture rich, Prop forward). Some add the S but I don't know what it's supposed to stand for. Perhaps Speed. Conjured acronyms don't work for me. Also, when I was taught GUMP, it always seemed the tasks needed to be done at different times.
A USAF trained pilot related they were taught to check aircraft configuration at every turn in the pattern and again on short final. IOW, Entering the pattern: Gear down three green, Flaps 10. Turning base, Gear down three green, flaps 20. Turning final, Gear down three green flaps 30. Short final confirm gear down full flaps. Great, but what happens on a straight in approach?
I was taught by an airline pilot to fly a speed schedule. The arrival process starts back at the top of descent from cruise with a power reduction schedule which is designed to get the plane to flap speed and pattern altitude 6 miles from the airport. There we drop in 15deg flaps which slows the plane to gear speed. As the plane slows to gear speed now about 4 miles from the field the gear comes out. I don't let go of the gear handle until we have 3 green. As we enter the pattern we drop to 20deg flaps. Turning final, recheck three green and drop full flaps.
Find a method that works for you and your plane. (If you have another method, feel free to chime in via the comments)
Some say, there are those that have and those that will. They say the same thing about taildraggers and groundloops. I don't subscribe to such fatalism. My goal is to prove the adage wrong and go to my grave having done neither.
Still it was a beautiful day for a nice flight with the boy. On the way back he asked if we could fly over the SandCastle. Since the airport owning the airspace over the SandCastle wasn't busy they were happy to oblige. He found his school and the house. Completing the first turn we noticed the SCQueen waving out front. We waved back with the wings. Finishing the second turn we headed back to home field.
There may be better moments in life, but this one will be tough to top.
Update: Here's the boy's drawing of the event. Obviously this is a bird's eye view as we flew over the airport at about 1000 ft AGL (Above Ground Level).
So we have a twin engine aircraft disabled on the runway. The large vehicle in the upper left is a fire truck with a firehose at the ready. The smaller vehicle is a police cruiser.
(Interesting... when editing an existing post, it apparently pulls down the original until reposted. I did not expect that. Stay tuned for update 2 tomorrow when the preliminary report is posted. The plan was to do one update covering both, but apparently blogger doesn't work that way).
Update 2: FAA Preliminary Accident Report:
********************************************************************************
** Report created 12/1/2008 Record 1 **
********************************************************************************
IDENTIFICATION
Regis#: 12VB Make/Model: BE95 Description: 95 Travel Air
Date: 11/29/2008 Time: 2035
Event Type: Incident Highest Injury: None Mid Air: N Missing: N
Damage: Minor
LOCATION
City: CASA GRANDE State: AZ Country: US
DESCRIPTION
AIRCRAFT LANDED GEAR UP, CASA GRANDE, AZ
INJURY DATA Total Fatal: 0
# Crew: 1 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Pass: 1 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Grnd: Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
03 August 2008
"Do whatever you want....
...You're the only one stupid enough to be flying today!"
Sometimes an ATC clearance comes back so fast that it communicates exactly that thought. Today was one of those days:
Me: ABC Tower, Nxxxxx seven North landing November.
ABC Tower: Nxxxxx cleared to land runway two two right.
The weather wasn't bad, just hot, 110F on the window thermometer.
Last time I heard such a clearance was about 15 years ago. A friend and I were heading to the SF Bay Area to visit our respective parental units. I was the pilot flying and he (a CFI) was running the radios. Unfortunately there was a cold front between point A and Point B and we were flying a 150 HP single on an IFR clearance at 12,000. Needless to say, there just isn't any reserve performance available at that altitude. Somewhere over the Mojave desert we hit a down draft (probably wave). I slowed to Vy, our best climb rate, but the VSI was still showed 1500 fpm down and the altimeter was showing 11,800. I asked my partner to get us a block altitude 10-12 thousand.
Again the block clearance came back so fast as to reflect the title of this post. I pushed the nose over to accelerate and escape the downdraft. We bottomed out at 10,300 then hit the updraft which pegged the VSI at +2000 fpm sendng us right back up to 12,000 feet.
Sometimes an ATC clearance comes back so fast that it communicates exactly that thought. Today was one of those days:
Me: ABC Tower, Nxxxxx seven North landing November.
ABC Tower: Nxxxxx cleared to land runway two two right.
The weather wasn't bad, just hot, 110F on the window thermometer.
Last time I heard such a clearance was about 15 years ago. A friend and I were heading to the SF Bay Area to visit our respective parental units. I was the pilot flying and he (a CFI) was running the radios. Unfortunately there was a cold front between point A and Point B and we were flying a 150 HP single on an IFR clearance at 12,000. Needless to say, there just isn't any reserve performance available at that altitude. Somewhere over the Mojave desert we hit a down draft (probably wave). I slowed to Vy, our best climb rate, but the VSI was still showed 1500 fpm down and the altimeter was showing 11,800. I asked my partner to get us a block altitude 10-12 thousand.
Again the block clearance came back so fast as to reflect the title of this post. I pushed the nose over to accelerate and escape the downdraft. We bottomed out at 10,300 then hit the updraft which pegged the VSI at +2000 fpm sendng us right back up to 12,000 feet.
16 July 2008
SoCal approach, You're the greatest!
LAX from 9500 ft:We recently had occasion to fly from San Luis Obispo (SBP) to San Diego (MYF). The direct course line is out over the Pacific Ocean and just barely clips the west side of the LA Class B airspace. But it's far enough from shore to make the family a little uncomfortable. I know there are ways to transition the LA Class B, but I'm unfamiliar with those. I asked another pilot and a CFI, but not having the TAC chart, it all ended up with a lot of hand waving.
Filing IFR is my usual plan for dealing with the LA airpspace, but SBP is in a RADAR hole and IFR delays can be... long.
AOPA's flight planner showed deviating to the East only added about 5 minutes flying time. I figured that was a better bet than an airspace bust.
Departing SBP we contacted Santa Barbara approach for flight following. About 20 NW of Van Nuys, we were cruising at 9500 ft. SoCal controller asked about our plan for transitioning the LA airspace. I honestly fessed up "I'm unfamiliar so we are going around the East end over Ontario...." and quickly added "But if you have a better idea, I'm all ears!".
"Stand by, I'm working on it.."
He came back a few minutes later with "Can you navigate direct VNY, Direct SLI?" The simplicity of the question stunned me for a second. Is that all? Is this a trick question?
I replied with a hearty "Yes Sir!"
He explained "The next controller is going to clear you for the C@$%&&# (garbled) transition. Smile and nod. It's just what I told you." (He actually said that).
"Thank you Sir!" Woo Hoo!
Sure enough, a frequency change and the next controller came back with "Nxxxx cleared into class B via the Coliseum transition, maintain 9500." Yee Haw... we're cutting straight over the top of LA.
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