The 2010 Flights
It's
a new year and yet another on-line logbook.
Been flying since 1999.
As always, each entry shows the duration for the flight and my total
accumulated hours in the air.
Flight 483/January 7, 2010-The first flight of 2010. I take a co-worker, Ed McCallister along for the ride. It's his first flight in a small aircraft and I think he likes it. It's a quick lunch flight around the north practice area. I let him make a few turns, then it's back to work we go. (0.4/435)
Flight 484/January 18, 2010- Mikey and I take to the skies for a Monday holiday aerial wandering adventure. We take off from Felts Field and cruise over Spokane's south hill toward the Palouse. I turn to the east and we enter the state of Idaho on a secret aerial photography mission: Yep....we're taking photos of the Gilson Family lake retreat neighborhood. We reach the south end of Coeur d'Alene Lake and I do three lazy 360 degree turns over Carey Bay while Mikey snaps the photos. That work done, I turn to the north and we follow the Coeur d'Alene River valley towards Kellogg, Idaho. Mikey spots Interstate 90 so we continue this IFR flight (I follow rivers -or- I follow roads) over the mountains toward the City of Coeur d'Alene and Spokane's Felts Field. (1.2/436.2)
Flight 485/January 21, 2010- I love taking co-workers up into the skies. Today I'm joined by Katy and Gina from the office. Gina's been up in the Rocket a couple of times, but Katy has only flown in a small aircraft once before, and it wasn't a good experience. I make sure I explain everything I do and why the plane does what it does. Things like why I bank the plane to turn, what the flaps do, the fancy pilot talk, etc. Katy is thrilled by her experience. Gina has a good time. It was a good flight. (0.5/436.7)
Flight 486/January 27, 2010- Earlier today, I joined my buddy Jim during my lunch hour as he took to the skies for a few touch and go landings at Spokane International Airport on this calm, sunny day. I zoom back to work, reconsider my life priorities, and take two hours off to repeat his adventure. Mikey is conveniently having lunch at Zips by the airport so he agrees to join me. We launch at 2:55 p.m. and cross over the city on the way to Spokane International Airport. I don't have my fight bag so I ask the GEG controllers to confirm the pattern altitude of 3,200 feet. My biggest challenge? Do not hit the air traffic control tower. It's been awhile since I've been out here and the new tower is a couple hundred feet high on the south side of the field. I do three A+ touch and go landings then we head back across town to Felts Field. A fourth good landing tops off the day. We celebrate with a cold one. (0.7/437.4)
Flight 487/February 6, 2010- When I was in the middle of my hip issues earlier in 2009, I was helped by some folks at U-District Physical Therapy. After I was cured, I said that I would take them for n airplane ride. On this Saturday, I took Aaryn and her sister Kassica on a short jaunt to the Deer Park area and back. Too many low clouds were interrupting my intended course over Coeur d'Alene Lake. I'll get them on that trip soon. (0.6/438)
Flight 488/February 12, 2010- Mikey and I go cruising over the Valley and south to Rockford on a Friday. (0.5/438.5)
February 19 & 20, 2010-This weekend I head to the Olympia area. On Friday, ex-plane partner Ted cruises me out to Hoquiam and the Washington coast. On Saturday morning we do a ring around Mt. St. Helens and over past Mt. Rainer. I got some cool pictures.
Flight 489/February 28, 2010- Jim Leighty and I zoom to Pullman on a partly cloudy Sunday morning. The clouds are hanging out at about 4,500 feet forcing us to fly low....along with everybody else. We were originally going as far as Lewiston, but I shorten the trip for weather and a desire to see some of the Olympic gold medal hockey game. (1.5/440)
Flight 490/March 6, 2010-I still owed a nice ride to the physical therapy team so we hit the skies again on a sunny Saturday morning. This time it's Aaryn and Nicole from U-District Physical Therapy. I take them on a nice leisurly ride over north Idaho and the Palouse. When we pass the casino, I spot some smoke down by Steptoe Butte so we're off to do some aerial investigation. Some farmer is buening weeds next to the highway. Nicole gets a short flying lesson on the way back to Spokane. (1.6/441.6)
Flight 491/March 20, 2010-This is the big one I've been planning for during the last 10 years. I'm flying over to the west side of the state. Destination: Boeing Field in Downtown Seattle. Jim Leighty is in the right seat as we slip off runway 21 at 8:30 a.m. into smooth, clear skies. I climb up to 6,500 feet until Moses Lake, then slide up to 8,500 to get across the rocks. The plan is to follow Interstate 90 over Snoqualmie Pass and keep an airport or freeway pavement under us at all times. Mt. Rainer, Mt. Adams and the Stuart Range are the tallest landmarks in view as the mountains fill the windscreen. We spot power lines and the ski resorts as we cruise over the pass with Seattle and Puget Sound just minutes away. This is a busy place with tricky airspace boundaries so I studied the flight well in advance. To my surprise, we're cleared into Seattle's Class Bravo Airspace as I descend toward the big city, but I'm already dropping in altitude according to my plan. I get below 6,000 by North Bend. Under 3 grand by Lake Sammamish, and at 1,100 at Mercer Island. The skyscrapers of downtown are to the right and Sea-Tac airport to the left as I cross Beacon Hill and turn into runway 13 Left at Boeing Field. A perfect touchdown and I make the first taxiway. A quick call to ground control and I take a left to Galvin Flying Service for parking. Total time from Spokane-about 2.6 hours. Jim and I wander around, take some snapshots, then we score the free courtesy car for a whirlwind trip to the Seattle waterfront. We grab some fish and chips at Ivars and zip back down the freeway to the lane. After I have the line guys bubble in a few extra gallons, we lift off at 1:22 p.m. I follow the Mercer Island departure to avoid the Renton airport traffic then turn east at the north tip of Mercer Island and start my climb over the mountains. The wind has come up at the little plane is having a tough time gaining altitude in the downdrafts. I maintain about 80 mph and it varies between a 1,000 foot per minute climb to a minus 100 foot per minute climb. For a brief period, I have my doubts as to our chances of making the hill without turning back to gain more altitude. Then the wind changes and I make a couple thousand feet and cross the pass at 6,500. After that, the tailwinds kick in and we start gaining some territory. Our top ground speed is 155 mph between the pass and Ellensburg. One minor glitch: I get a little confused on radio frequencies and lose contact with Seattle Center for a few minutes. They are thrilled when we re-establish contact. It's a rather uneventful run over the desert back to Spokane, but a speedy one. We land in Spokane one hour and 58 minutes after liftoff from Seattle-and that's after spending the first 30 minutes trying to climb out of Puget Sound! We celebrate with a cool adult beverage in the hanger and I cross another goal off my to fly list. With taxi and runup time it's a little under 5 hours for the trip. (4.8/446.4)
Flight 492/March 23, 2010-Just me on a slightly bumpy lunch hour. Wandered north of the airport over Green Bluff. (0.7/447.1)
Flight 493/May 14, 2010- The plane has been in the shop for 45 days and is finally ready to fly. New spark plugs, top overhaul on one cylinder (which included a new exhaust valve, piston, and rings), new nosewheel tube & tire, and new fuel valve. But, best of all: new upholstery! Yep, out with the 1964 foam, vinyl, and fabric and in with the new stuff...that looks just like 1964! After some tweaking to check an oil leak, I run the plane up and down the runway too see if the leak was gone. Another inspection by the mechanic and it's good to go. Becuase I've been out of the cockpit for a month, I take my instructor Tommy up for a "bad habits review" flight. We cruise over the north practice area, then wander into north Idaho. With my instructor on board, I make a perfect landing-come in high and use flaps to hit the numbers. He likes that. Tommy only finds a few other things to advise me on. (1.1/448.2)
Flight 494/May 21, 2010- Trying to put a few hours on the new cylinder with flights of an hour or so. Mikey joins me for a Coeur d'Alene Lake loop. (1.1/449.3)
Flight 495/June 5, 2010- We've had crappy weather for days on end. It was forecasted to be a nice day so Shawn and I were headed to the lake, but with the nice sunrise, I called him and talked him into flying first. We were going to cruise down the lake but the cloud cover there wouldn't allow for a lot of altitude, so over Freeman, I turned right and we headed for Davenport. We got radar service and flew through Spokane International Airport's flight pattern and directly over Fairchild Air Force Base. I'm sure they were watching us, but no missiles whizzed by the windshield. We cruised over the family farm and Shawn took a few snaps. Over the city, into the runway, and off to the lake. (1.2/450.5)
Flight 496/June 19, 2010- There's an airport in northeast Washington that I've flow over, but never landed at. It's Colville (63S), about 60 miles north of Spokane. Today is the day. Mikey joins me for an early liftoff. I will say that I haven't been flying enough and that even a small deviation from the norm can cascade into a possible major error. The run up area for 21R is full so I stop on the taxiway. I get my radar service code, set it up, change frequencies then call the tower and say I'm ready to go. I start to taxi then.....wait....what am I doing? I didn't do the run up! Doh! I smack myself in the forehead, cancel my takeoff clearance, do a 180 back into a run up slot and complete the checklist. Grrrrrrr! Mikey, who probably has more right-seat time than anyone says that he wonders what I was doing, but didn't speak up. I advised him that it's perfectly OK to question any stupid pilot tricks that he notices at any time-no harm, no foul, no ego bruising. After completing the run up and, after beating myself into a pulp, we take off and have a beautiful smooth flight up to Colville. I triple check all of the airport info and do a proper approach to runway 19. After checking out the pilot lounge (nice) and signing the guest book, I do a walk around, full checklist, AND run up. I announce my intentions on the airport frequency, push in the throttle, and rumble down the 2,700 foot runway. We lift off in about 1,500 feet and start our climb out just in time to see a medical helicopter cross in front of us right at the departure end of the runway. I had caught him out of the corner of my eye and turned away from his path, then announced on the radio that I had the helicopter in my sight. After a few moments, the chopper driver acknowledged that he had me in sight. Mikey and I have an uneventful flight back to Spokane(1.7/452.2)
Flight 497/June 22, 2010- I need to check out our ferry boat repair job at Grand Coulee Dam. There's no better way to get there than by air. I handle all my duties in the office then head for the field. I'm in the air at 11:05 and in Electric City 45 minutes later-saving a 2 1/2 hour drive. The ride at 4,000 feet was a little bumpy just under the cloud deck, but not uncomfortable. I grab the Port of Grant County courtesy car (Thanks, guys) and drive the 10 minutes to the dry dock. I get an extensive tour of the boat project by the Washington State Ferries engineer that is overseeing the work. After a late lunch break and some photos of the water cascading over the dam, I head for home. On the return flight, I'm able to squeeze up to 5,500 feet and the ride is much smoother. A nice drop into runway 3 right and I button up the plane just as quitting time arrives. (1.9/454.1)
Flight 498/July 14, 2010- Co-worker Terie Wright joins me for a lunch run up to Deer Park and back. (0.7/454.8)
Flight 499/July 20, 2010- The plane needs an oil change and I have a coupon! Before work, I run the Rocket out to Spokane Airways. It's a short 15 minute flight to Spokane International Airport. To save time, I accept a slight tailwind landing on runway 25 and park the plane at the fixit shop. A co-worker has agreed to pick me up and I'm in the office by 7:30 a.m. It's done by lunch so back to International I go. I settle up, do a pre-flight and saddle-up.....then the fun starts. I do not get out here enough. The airliners are using runway 7/25. Runway 3/21 has construction at the west threshold. I get my taxi instructions and merrily roll to the runway...or so I thought. Yep..the controller said go to the runway 3 intersection with taxiway golf. I replied back with the same instructions, but my pea brain was thinking 7. I can just imagine the tower conversation when I arrived on the 3/21 runway turned toward 7/25 thinking that I was going to use it. I must admit, the controller did not say what I thought he was thinking. My brain light finally came on when he told me to do a 360 on the 3/21 runway to line me up in the right direction and I was cleared for takeoff back to Felts. I believe that I felt the virtual kick in the butt from the controller as I rolled down the runway. Thanks for being so polite, guys. Memo to self: Come out here more often and pay attention! Of course, to keep the punishment alive, I made a grade D- landing at my home airport. Sheesh! (0.9/455.7)
/August 16, 2010- I
met up with a former co-worker, Kay Riplinger (see Flight 405) and she
mentions that her boyfriend has an interest in flying. Of
course, I offer to take him on a ride. After some
mis-communication I meet up with Mark Wolden on a Saturday morning on a
perfect day for flying. He has taken some ground instruction
and flown numerous right seat missions in the family aircraft in Alaska
so he's very familiar with aviation. I pump 20 gallons into
the Rocket and we lift off at about 8:30 a.m. Since he lives
in Coeur d'Alene, I cruise over and we fly the length of the lake and
back. As we pass over the city, he takes a few aerial
snapshots of his oil change shop on US 95, then I climb high and cross
over the COE airport at 5,500 feet. I continue north then we circle his
recreation property on Hoodoo Mountain for a photo op. Around
Mt. Spokane and back toward home. I call approach and set up
for a left base entry to runway 3 Left. A super smooth
landing and we're back. This is a nice way to end my 500th
flight as a private pilot. Yay! (1.6/457.3)
Flight 501/August 27, 2010- Me, all by myself, on a Friday morning for a short run to the north practice area. It was a little breezy and bumpy but I made a decent landing. (0.5/457.8)
Flight 502/September 12, 2010- It's an adventure over the mountains. Destination: Missoula, Montana. My frequent cohort in crime, Jim Leighty joins me for this Sunday excursion. The weather is great with 100+ mile visibility and some light winds. We scream up to 9,500 feet, (yes...it takes a while) and follow Interstate 90 over north Idaho with all the little people driving over Fourth of July Pass and Lookout Pass below. We keep an eye on our location since I've never made this flight before. There's a bit of a tailwind that pushed us along. We snake along the freeway and the river below and finally reach the Missoula area. The valley opens up and I spot the airport, tune into the weather and contact the tower. They give me a left downwind approach to runway 29 and I make a nice approach, pull out 40 degrees of flaps and slide onto the runway. We chit chat with the tower guy and get directions to the US Forest Service Smokejumper Visitor Center. For some reason, the guy didn't sound right. We find it and I slip into a spot by the sign that says, "transient aircraft parking" and Jimmy dials up the visitor center phone to find out how we get in. Oh...OK...sure. Um, Al, guess what? They're closed. But! She's working today on the inventory and she'll come and get us. A couple minutes later "Courtney" comes through the gate and walks over to the plane. She says that this is a little strange. Nobody has ever landed here, parked here, and come to the visitor center. In fact, we're the first.....ever. The only other non-forest service planes that have ever parked on this ramp was the plane carrying the Secretary of the Interior and....Air Force One. Aren't we special! Jim and I tour the center, take some snapshots, and Courtney takes one of us with Oscar, the smokejumper mannequin. After we buy a couple of souvenir t-shirts, Courtney escorts us back to our plane and we taxi over to Minuteman Aviation and check the fuel. We have enough gas, so after a quick break we hop into the Rocket and we are off to Spokane. The ride gets a little bumpy with a headwind but we make it back to Felts in about 90 minutes. My landing in Missoula was perfect so, just so I don't get cocky, I perform a controlled crash on runway 21 right to end the day. We then put the plane back into the hanger for its needed recovery. (3.8/461.6)
Flight 503/September 22, 2010- A quick lunch run to the south practice area down to Fairfield and back. My passenger is Terie Wright from work. Perfectly smooth day. (0.7/462.3)
Flight 504/October 11, 2010- The plane has an oil change and a new battery under the hood. Let's go flying! Last Saturday we went to the WSU football game with Sheryl and Byron Henry. Today, Byron joins me for a Wenatchee lunch run. We lift off at about 9:30 a.m. on a beautiful Monday morning. Skies are clear and winds are light....so far. I climb up to 6,500 feet and bump into a 15 knot headwind. That's OK. We're not in a hurry. We pass Reardan, Davenport, Wilbur, Wilson Creek, and Ephrata, then it gets interesting. I tune into the Wenatchee weather and it's reporting 13 knots with 17 knot gusts. The wind is coming down runway 30, so it should be OK. We start getting bumps as we pass over the hills between Ephrata and the Columbia River and there's a few choice ones. Byron keeps his cool and sense of humor, but most importantly....his breakfast. With all the chop, I call in for a landing and don't hear any traffic in the pattern. I don't even get a response from the Unicom. Against all "good pilot" protocol, I decide to go for a straight-in approach to runway 30. There's no need to have my passenger beat up longer than needed. No traffic in the pattern as we descend over Rock Island Dam and the aluminum plant. I slide into a smooth landing on runway 30. We turn off on taxiway "Charlie" and wander over to park at the Wings of Wenatchee FBO. Wait! The name has been changed! It's now the "Wenatchee Jet Center!" Will they allow a lowly Cessna piston-engine, propeller plane to park here? Seems to be OK. There's not a jet in sight. We tie the plane down for the wind, cruise into the building, use the facilities, and wait for our lunch host: Rodney Arena, moderately famous Wenatchee business mogul, Boeing sub-contractor, WSU football fan, and all-around nice guy. Our mission...con Rodney into buying us lunch! He pulls up in his monster Ford diesel pickup, and we motor down to "Willies Sports Bar" in East Wenatchee. We haven't seen Rodney for a couple of years so we plop down in the pub and catch up. Rodney and I sip Diet Pepsi but Byron has a Kokanee with his club sandwich and hot wings. After about 90 minutes we wrap up and Rodney hauls us back to the airport. Rodney checks out the Rocket (he has about 10 hours as a student in a Cessna from a zillion years ago), then Byron and I load up and head for the runway. We lift off runway 30 for a right downwind departure. I'm able to climb enough to turn east at the dam to clear the hills. It's a choppy ride back to Spokane at 5,500 feet but we have about a 10 knot tailwind pushing us along. After a little more that an hour, we reach our home base. The winds are gusting up to 17 knots (much higher than forecast), but I'm able make a smooth landing on runway 21 right. We tuck the Rocket into her hanger and call it a day.(3.0/465.3)
Flight 505/November 5, 2010- I need a flight. Mikey joins me for a cruise up to Deer Park and back. After the flight, he helps me give the "Rocket" her before winter bath. (0.6/465.9)
Flight 506/November 11, 2010- It's a holiday so I celebrate with a short touch and go flight. I do two crappy landings then escape up to the practice area before the landing police stop the insanity. Upon my return, I once again prove the adage that "a great landing is one where you can use the plane again." I need to fly more! (0.7/466.6)
Flight 507/December 4, 2010- My pilot buddy Jim joins me on a very cold Saturday afternoon. He cons me into going to Deer Park for some touch and go landings. I fool him by getting lost within sight of my home airport. I do two "smack and go's" at Deer Park, Jim takes 30 pictures, and I perform a flawless greaser landing back at Felts. I make it home by Apple Cup kick-off. (0.8/467.4)
Flight 508/December 17, 2010- Mikey joins me for a Friday morning flight into the north practice area. it's all part of the plan to keep the plane exercised during the winter months. (0.5/467.9)
Flight 509/December 26, 2010- On the winter Sunday after Christmas, the ceiling rise up to 6,700 feet. Hey...that's really up there. I had made arrangements to show the plane to a prospective partner. Earlier, I didn't think there would be a chance to get in the air, but it looks good to me! As part of a good walk around, I show Mike Francis the ins and outs of N3082U and how we work our partnership. We pile in and fire her up at about 11:45 a.m. After some squirrely winds on takeoff, I head for the north practice area, get up to 4,000 feet and let Mike fly from the right seat. It's something he's never done before, so he has a good lesson. He flies for about 20 minutes or so, then I take over. I putrz around for awhile, then head back to the barn. Those same squirrelly winds are around on final but I manage to pull off a flawless, full-stall, landing. Amazing...since I rarely pull off a flawless, full-stall, landing. Mike seems interested in the plane. (0.9/468.8) Now...on to 2011!
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Command Logbook (2009 Flights)
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Command Logbook (2008 Flights)
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