Greg is a Platinum CSIP - Cirrus Standardized Instructor Pilot - which means that he is factory trained and regularly audited by Cirrus to … read more
Fantastic IFR XC
How about these airports for your long IFR cross country: Catalina (Avalon), Palm Springs, and Santa Monica! That’s exactly what I got to do yesterday, on a picture-perfect spring day. With a 50kt tailwind, we made it from South County (E16) to KAVX in just 1h 30m. The aircraft- 2009 Cirrus SR22-G3 Perspective- performed flawlessly. The photo is KAVX as seen on the right downwind leg RWY 22 (we broke off the VOR/DME approach early to fly the pattern, per the UNICOM instructions). After a quick break (and disappointed that the grill had closed 30 minutes prior to our arrival) we set out for Palm Springs.
With a 45kt tailwind and approaching the high terrain surrounding KPSP, we knew that there would be turbulence and possibly updrafts/downdrafts/wave on the leeward side. All were confirmed! My student was amazed at the strange nose down attitude required to stay level during a 2000fpm updraft. Just as that was happening we were instructed to decend 5000 feet – again pointing the nose down more than usual and not decending at all. Very eye opening experience for the student and just prior to flying an unfamiliar approach to an unfamiliar airport.
After refueling at Palm Springs (and inspecting the crew lounge and swimming pool!) the winds were howling on the ground too- which made for an interesting climbout. We crossed the Los Angeles basin and did a night landing at Santa Monica.
I think the IFR student got his money’s worth that day. (I flew home commercially out of LAX since he needed the airplane at SMO for the weekend.)
Child Directing Air Traffic at JFK
Funny article about some controller’s kid clearing planes for departure at JFK. So the Dad let his kid say a few things. No lapse in safety but I can see why the FAA needs to make an example out of the guy and can him… That’s really too bad…
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/child_directing_air_traffic_at_jfk_N60YzKqhndUh60iSFrxCjL
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/child_directing_air_traffic_at_jfk_N60YzKqhndUh60iSFrxCjL
Planning for SoCal
It’s always good to start watching the weather a few days before the day you’d like to fly. In this case, today is Tuesday and I’d like to take a trip to Santa Monica and Santa Barbara on Sunday. Right now the weekend is looking grey and rainy. Of course this forecast can change daily, and even if it’s rainy I could still make the trip – assuming no other show-stoppers like ice below 8000.
I’ll watch the forecast evolve every day and make a preliminary decision on Friday or Saturday, with a final go/no-go decision at 7am Sunday morning. As I learned early in my training: if you absolutely “have to” be somewhere, drive. Luckily this week’s trip is optional and easily rescheduled.