ScottK
Pre-takeoff checklist
I'm currently in the process of building x-c time towards the instrument rating. With my last flight, I'm a little over half way to the 50 hrs. As I fly these x-c trips, I realize the wisdom in requiring the extra time. Getting in and out of new airports and using atc and flight following are necessary skills and I'm learning a lot about all of it.
Since I got my ticket, I've had the opportunity to fly with the president of our flight club quite a bit. He is an experienced pilot (recently became a CFI) and has helped me immensely in all facets of my education (learning the 530W, charging the battery after leaving the master on, and so on). It's been a huge help having someone to turn to with questions. That's one of the things that has surprised me so far. I've not run into the attitudes that I have in other ventures. Pilots love to talk flying and are more than willing to share or help when asked. It's made it very enjoyable to be a part of the GA family.
My most recent flight was a short trip from KLBE-N35-KFIG-KLBE. As part of my x-c time, I've been trying to go to airports I haven't seen yet. These two were both new to me.
N35 (Punxsutawney) is a quiet little airport with a 3000 x 50 paved strip and a 2000 x 100 grass strip (See attached pic). I opted for the paved strip as my short field landings are a bit rusty. I will admit that seeing a 50' wide strip threw my perspective off a little. I think I've only landed on one other runway smaller. The landing was ok if a bit long. We taxied back to look around, but there was nobody or nothing moving. So off we went to Clearfield.
This area of PA is beautiful from the air although it is a bit intimidating looking at the solid canopy of trees north of I-80 (left side of photo below). I kept thinking about where I would put it down if I had to. I'm definitely going to have to expand my trips this direction though, especially when the fall colors arrive. Seeing a solid canopy of all the colors must be amazing.
Clearfield was a nice size airport for the area. It has a nice 4500 x 75 paved runway (see photo) with a nice little building for a quick pit stop. Again, the view from the air is amazing. We only stayed for a minute because everything closed at 5pm. It seems that is common for a lot of the smaller airports, especially when there is no flight school to keep people on the property.
We climbed out and headed for 4500 msl. We wanted to try out the AP on the way back. It had been acting up for a couple other club members. We set the AP to track the 530W home and it flew straight as an arrow. I think I hand flew the first and last 10 minutes. The 30 minutes in between were looking and learning time. We did a little 530 work and I got a few tips on the plane's com system. The clouds had climbed from 4300 bk to 6000 sct on the way up so as you can tell from the attached photo, it was a beautiful day to fly. Smooth air and great visibility.
I am having a blast seeing these new airports and meeting the people I happen to run into. I'm in a great area of the country for flying. I'm lucky enough to have a nice variety of airports to learn from, all the way from little strips like Punxy to Class B Pittsburgh. This part of my flying experience is why I got my license in the first place.
I'm hoping to start my instrument training in the late fall. I wanted to save the required funds before I start. I know from experience in my PP training, that long breaks aren't good. Once I start, I want to be able to go the whole way through.
Have fun out there and be safe!
Since I got my ticket, I've had the opportunity to fly with the president of our flight club quite a bit. He is an experienced pilot (recently became a CFI) and has helped me immensely in all facets of my education (learning the 530W, charging the battery after leaving the master on, and so on). It's been a huge help having someone to turn to with questions. That's one of the things that has surprised me so far. I've not run into the attitudes that I have in other ventures. Pilots love to talk flying and are more than willing to share or help when asked. It's made it very enjoyable to be a part of the GA family.
My most recent flight was a short trip from KLBE-N35-KFIG-KLBE. As part of my x-c time, I've been trying to go to airports I haven't seen yet. These two were both new to me.
N35 (Punxsutawney) is a quiet little airport with a 3000 x 50 paved strip and a 2000 x 100 grass strip (See attached pic). I opted for the paved strip as my short field landings are a bit rusty. I will admit that seeing a 50' wide strip threw my perspective off a little. I think I've only landed on one other runway smaller. The landing was ok if a bit long. We taxied back to look around, but there was nobody or nothing moving. So off we went to Clearfield.
This area of PA is beautiful from the air although it is a bit intimidating looking at the solid canopy of trees north of I-80 (left side of photo below). I kept thinking about where I would put it down if I had to. I'm definitely going to have to expand my trips this direction though, especially when the fall colors arrive. Seeing a solid canopy of all the colors must be amazing.
Clearfield was a nice size airport for the area. It has a nice 4500 x 75 paved runway (see photo) with a nice little building for a quick pit stop. Again, the view from the air is amazing. We only stayed for a minute because everything closed at 5pm. It seems that is common for a lot of the smaller airports, especially when there is no flight school to keep people on the property.
We climbed out and headed for 4500 msl. We wanted to try out the AP on the way back. It had been acting up for a couple other club members. We set the AP to track the 530W home and it flew straight as an arrow. I think I hand flew the first and last 10 minutes. The 30 minutes in between were looking and learning time. We did a little 530 work and I got a few tips on the plane's com system. The clouds had climbed from 4300 bk to 6000 sct on the way up so as you can tell from the attached photo, it was a beautiful day to fly. Smooth air and great visibility.
I am having a blast seeing these new airports and meeting the people I happen to run into. I'm in a great area of the country for flying. I'm lucky enough to have a nice variety of airports to learn from, all the way from little strips like Punxy to Class B Pittsburgh. This part of my flying experience is why I got my license in the first place.
I'm hoping to start my instrument training in the late fall. I wanted to save the required funds before I start. I know from experience in my PP training, that long breaks aren't good. Once I start, I want to be able to go the whole way through.
Have fun out there and be safe!
" At least I hope you did. CFIT is a risk in less than perfect weather, but it's not the most common cause of fatalities.
