Feeling a little apprehensive

Rykymus

Rykymus

Line Up and Wait
Joined
Dec 24, 2014
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647
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Allen, TX
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Rykymus
So, we moved to Fairview TX a month ago, and I flew my plane from my old home drome in central CA to TKI. It was a pretty easy trip, really.

Now I've been here a month, and I'm feeling a bit apprehensive about going up, despite 600 hrs PPL, 100 of it with IR. (But only 10 hrs IMC) I've flown through Bravo airspace a dozen times in the past, even landed at San Diego International a few times. I'm very comfortable on the radio.

What I've come to realize, is that I was quite familiar with the areas I regularly flew in CA, (I grew up there, after all) but I am completely unfamiliar with the area I now live in. (Heck, I'm still getting lost on the ground on a daily basis.)

So, I need a plan. My first thought was to seek out a local CFII, and at the very least sit down and talk with him/her about the area. But to be honest, it seems like a waste of time and money, and I'd rather 'discover' and 'learn' on my own.

My current plan is to start with pattern work at my new home airport. (TKI) After that, I figure I'll pick a few airports that could be used as alternates if TKI is closed when I'm coming home, and fly some trips to each of them, shoot all their approaches (VFR without the hood), stuff like that. Then, if necessary, I might seek out a CFII to shoot some approaches in the area under the hood. (If I can't get any approaches on my own in IMC.)

I did an IPC just before we moved, just to be covered, so I'm not worried about currency. (Yet)

So, any locals to the DFW airspace (specifically the northeast part) that can share some tips and/or warnings to someone new to the area?
 
Join on with the North Texas Aviators Facebook page.... Lots of good folk there that can help you. Provide me with your contact info and email address and I'll send an invite your way.

Also, we could link up and both hangar fly with a sectional spread out on the table and then fly for real to help you get oriented to what is where in relation to KTKI. I work at a cheaper rate than a CFI. Just feed me good food and drink and take me flying and I'm a happy guy.
 
:yeahthat: I was gonna suggest go up with a fellow pilot to help show you the ropes. There ya go, can't beat Mike's offer.
 
One of the best training flights I had early on practicing the skills you learn was when the instructor worked his way through different parts of the local territory teaching me the various VFR landmarks to get home.

That's served me well ever since, making it easier to find my way to KDTO and be in the spot that Tower likes us to be when are coming from that particular sector.
 
That's cause you're used to CA which has mountains and an ocean to help you navigate and TX is flat and only has flatness to help you get lost.

Good luck.
 
If Mike's not around, hit me up. I need some flying friends while Ruby is down.
 
You'll find lots of helpful folks in the DFW area. Mike knows the north side better than I, but I'm on the south side if you want to get to know this area. Welcome to DFW!
 
Should be well worth your while,to take up the offers from fellow pilots familiar with the area.
 
I'll ride with you... I started training at TKI. If you go North or East from there you'll never worry about the Bravo. If you stay 5 miles North of 380 you can get "across the top" of the metro mess really easily and then head down.

Since you're IFR just ask for FF and out of TKI you'll be cleared through the Bravo more often than not. It was a common training run for us from KFWS (Spinks) to TKI on flight following "over the top" (not VFR "on top").

If you want a CFI I can send over a recommendation. Dick Stephens is a really nice guy that's been operating over there for a LONG time.
 
Regional Approach has been easy to work with with lately.

This past Saturday, I took some first timers to KRBD for breakfast. Already had Flight Following set up by DTO Ground. But when we checked on with Regional, we were asked if we wanted over KDFW or south then east.

Of course I chose over the big airport since it’s a more interesting route for new passengers.

Was given Bravo clearance, assigned an altitude and vectored not only over DFW, but within a few miles of 13R at KDAL before being turned south for 17 at KRBD.

Some folk say they aren’t confident flying around Bravo space. I say once you are comfortable with your flying and commuting, it ain’t that difficult.
 
ActiveAir said:
That's cause you're used to CA which has mountains and an ocean to help you navigate and TX is flat and only has flatness to help you get lost.

Good luck.
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I have a friend who is retired from the FAA and had so many types on his pilot certificate that they wouldn't fit on one page. He learned to fly in Oklahoma. I met him when he moved to central Florida. He claims that anybody who leanrs to fly in Florida should have "Can't navigate" stamped on their certificate because, in his words "You climb a little and you're going to see one ocean or the other." Since I've never landed outside Florida I have no idea...
 
jsstevens said:
I have a friend who is retired from the FAA and had so many types on his pilot certificate that they wouldn't fit on one page. He learned to fly in Oklahoma. I met him when he moved to central Florida. He claims that anybody who leanrs to fly in Florida should have "Can't navigate" stamped on their certificate because, in his words "You climb a little and you're going to see one ocean or the other." Since I've never landed outside Florida I have no idea...
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If it's clear you can see both coasts. I've seen them from flying into Gainesville and Orlando Int a few times, but we were at a higher altitude. Going down the east coast of FL at higher altitudes you may see the Gulf coast.
 
I don't think flying a few hours with an experienced instructor would be a bad idea, but flying with an experienced local pilot is probably almost as good. And there are a bunch in your area on here. There's also a club at TKI that I'm sure someone knows the name of that you might look into.

If you sign up for the FAA event notifications, every few months they have a tour of FW Center, and I found those controllers to be very helpful and eager to answer questions. So that might be something to watch out for.
 
There's nothing abnormal about feeling a bit apprehensive about flying in an area that you haven't been to before. I've got nearly 3,000 hours and flown all over the continent, including Gulf of Mexico crossings (the long way - Louisiana to Cancun/Cozumel). In spite of that, I definitely felt apprehensive about the St. Croix trips I did last month. I'm going back next week, and feeling a lot better about those trips.

The offers of flying with some local pilots to help you get comfortable are ones that you should take up.
 
AggieMike88 said:
This past Saturday, I took some first timers to KRBD for breakfast.
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Must have just missed you. I DROVE there to meet a co-worker of Susan's who is a new pilot and I safety piloted for him on a short XC.
 
JCranford said:
Must have just missed you. I DROVE there to meet a co-worker of Susan's who is a new pilot and I safety piloted for him on a short XC.
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We arrived about 9:30am.
 
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