PoA Glide-a-Thon!

not looking good for me today. 99.999999999999% chance I will be driving.
 
tonycondon said:
ok Grant/Leslie, have fun, see you at Gastons.

Kent/Kate - Still on?
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Tony, too bad spring flying is soooo variable. Even though this looks to be a lightly attended event, I thank you and Matt for working hard to put this together. I also hope that maybe you guys might try this mid-summer sometime, might have a better wx chance of getting a large turnout.

But, again, big thanks!
 
And Tony, I second Bill's thanks. You guys did a great job pulling this together. It's a shame that the weather wasn't more cooperative. Leslie and I are disappointed we won't be seeing y'all this weekend.
 
your welcome. we will try a repeat at some point, not sure when
 
..and Tristan has launched--with about 8 hours of driving time left :)
 
jesse said:
..and Tristan has launched--with about 8 hours of driving time left :)
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Jesse, does she drive up Highway 71 to get there? If so, tell her to stop by the farm...we're only one mile off 71. :)
 
Diana said:
Jesse, does she drive up Highway 71 to get there? If so, tell her to stop by the farm...we're only one mile off 71. :)
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Unfortunately she will be taking I-35 the whole way. It's faster to take 71 if you are coming from Tulsa but since she is coming from Stillwater I-35 is faster.
 
tristan got here about 4. cookie batter has been made. weather is practically VFR, some light rain showers but great vis, no ICE. Kent/Kate were hoping to be here around 8. nothing on flight aware yet...
 
Well, if Kent & Kate aren't there by plane yet, expect them by car. Currently KAMW showing
METAR KAMW 04:53Z 03/31/07
KAMW 310453Z AUTO 10009G15KT 1SM BR OVC001
14/13 A2997 RMK AO2 SLP145 T01390133

And forecasts:

TAF FORT DODGE, IA
KFOD 310247Z 310324 10011KT 1/2SM FG OVC002
TEMPO 0912 2SM -SHRA BR BKN008CB
FM1200 12013KT 3SM -SHRA BR BKN015CB
TEMPO 1215 2SM TSRA BR BKN008CB
FM1700 13016KT 5SM BR VCSH OVC018
TEMPO 2023 1SM +TSRA BKN010CB=


----------------------------------------
TAF DES MOINES, IA
KDSM 302338Z 310024 14009KT P6SM VCSH FEW035CB BKN100 OVC250
FM0400 09008KT 4SM BR SCT007 OVC015
TEMPO 0508 3SM -SHRA BR BKN007CB OVC015
FM0800 11010KT 2SM -TSRA BR BKN008CB
FM1200 12014KT 3SM -TSRA BR BKN015CB
TEMPO 1214 2SM TSRA BR BKN008CB
FM1600 14016KT 6SM HZ SCT008 OVC018
TEMPO 1922 1SM +TSRA BKN008CB=


And the area forecast:
CHIC FA 310145
SYNOPSIS AND VFR CLDS/WX
SYNOPSIS VALID UNTIL 312000
CLDS/WX VALID UNTIL 311400...OTLK VALID 311400-312000
.
SYNOPSIS...02Z STNR LOW OVR WRN IA. CDFNT SWD THRU ERN KS/ERN OK
TO S CNTRL TX MOVG LTL THRU 12Z. BY 20Z CDFNT MOVG THRU S CNTRL
IA/N CNTRL MO TO N CNTLR AR SSWWD TO TX CSTL BEND.

IA
NE HLF..CIG OVC010 LYRD 120. ISOL EMBD TSRA. CB TOP FL330. 0709
CIG OVC010 LYRD FL250. SCT 3SM SHRA. OTLK..IFR CIG TSRA.
SW HLF..AGL SCT035 BKN100 TOP 140. 0508 CIG BKN015 LYRD FL250.
SCT 3SM SHRA. 0810 SCT 3SM TSRA. CB TOP FL350. OTLK..MVFR CIG.
 
yea grant, they shot the ILS into Ames at about 1130 but went missed, then diverted to des moines where conditions were better, but deteriorating. they made the ILS into DSM, i just got home from picking them up.
 
It's a success.. Our glideathon dwindled to Tony, Tristan, Me, Kent, and Kate!

Back to watching cartoons---rainy and foggy outside.
 
tonycondon said:
yea grant, they shot the ILS into Ames at about 1130 but went missed, then diverted to des moines where conditions were better, but deteriorating. they made the ILS into DSM, i just got home from picking them up.
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Yeah, that DSM TAF was WAY off.

Ames, when we shot the approach: KAMW 310453Z AUTO 10009G15KT 1SM BR OVC001 14/13 A2997 RMK AO2 SLP145 T01390133

Something is funky with the ILS glideslope into Ames. (Tony said his boss has complained about it too.) At the FAF, on glideslope should be 2700, but we were still at 3000 (on glideslope, yes ;)). I decided to keep a close eye on it, not like you can do otherwise, but not to trust it 100%. On the way down, it fairly quickly dropped about 1 3/4 dots (over maybe 5 seconds). My descent rate had been a bit low (maybe 300fpm) so I started coming down a bit faster to catch up with it. Rather than returning to the center, the glideslope just completely dropped out suddenly. OK, we're stuck with localizer mins and if that weather report is right... Could be bad.

So, down to 1440, still in kinda broken muck, not even ground contact. We're outta here! We'd listened to DSM weather previously and they were reporting 10 miles and overcast at 6,000. Piece of cake. We called DSM approach and reported the miss, and they put us on vectors for the ILS 13.

Weather at DSM when we went missed at Ames, Information Foxtrot, KDSM 310454Z 09007KT 10SM FEW065 BKN090 OVC150 16/14 A2995. Piece of cake.

When we reached our assigned altitude of 3,000: "Des Moines information Golf now current, wind 090 at 10 knots, visibility 7, scattered at 500, overcast niner thousand." Okay, we should still make that.

Just a few minutes later... "Des Moines information Hotel now current, wind 090 at 10, visibility 2 miles, ceiling broken 500. Arrow 27M, turn left heading 150, maintain 2,600 until established, cleared ILS 13 approach." OK, yikes! Weather's coming down awful fast here, I'm still unsure if the glideslope problem was an airplane problem or an Ames problem... I'm suddenly very glad I asked for the plane to be topped off before departure even though Kate had only burned off an hour on the way to get me.

We intercept the localizer and truck along to the glideslope. It's showing 2600 at the marker, just as it should good, and down we go.

"Des Moines Information India now current, wind 090 at 9, visibility 2, Overcast 300 feet." :hairraise: "Arrow 27M, contact tower."

So, we ducked back into the bottom layer of clag at about 2500. It was VERY bumpy, unlike the rest of the flight. I had to fight it the whole way down. Bank angles of around 20 degrees due to turbulence. The glideslope looked very solid (phew!) and after a few minutes of high-pucker-factor flying, we spotted the rabbit at about 160 feet above minimums. I think I made the worst landing I've ever had in a Piper (THUMP!), taxied off the runway, and took a deep breath. When we got to the FBO and shut down and opened the door, I finally relaxed...

It was one heckuva challenge (including my first miss that required a diversion), but we made it. Let the fun begin! :goofy:
 
flyingcheesehead said:
Yeah, that DSM TAF was WAY off.

Ames, when we shot the approach: KAMW 310453Z AUTO 10009G15KT 1SM BR OVC001 14/13 A2997 RMK AO2 SLP145 T01390133

[...]
It was one heckuva challenge (including my first miss that required a diversion), but we made it. Let the fun begin! :goofy:
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Great writeup, Kent! Yeah, we wish we could be there with you, but I'm just as glad I didn't have to do that approach. Too high a pucker factor. Sounds like you did a great job, though! Definitely report that glideslope at AMW.
 
Guess I got the better WX. I went to KSMD and back today. Took off in VMC but it went quickly to IMC and then was layers and solid stuff with some hard rain bands but a smooth ride. ATC routed me around some heavy rain but nothing on the storm scope at all. Grabbed about 3 hours of actual out of the 4 that I flew. Only had to shoot the approach into 10C as SMD was VMC for a little bit when I arrives.
 
gprellwitz said:
Yeah, we wish we could be there with you, but I'm just as glad I didn't have to do that approach. Too high a pucker factor. Sounds like you did a great job, though!
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you wouldnt have had to shoot that approach. weather in the afternoon was VFR with scattered layers around 2500 AGL. The weather kent encountered started forming about 9 PM to the northeast of ames and was retreating southwestward.

He did do a great job.

We managed to get 10 POAers together for lunch today during a Tornado Watch. No small feat if you ask me. Had a blast. Once weather cleared the winds picked up gusting to nearly 40 knots so we kept the glider on the trailer in the hangar. hopefully conditions will be conducive to glider flying tomorrow.
 
flyingcheesehead said:
I agree, but... Who to? :dunno:
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I enjoyed your writeup, Kent, thanks for sharing the story. Glad I stayed in Dallas!

You should have told Des Moines Approach on the missed, if you had time and he had bandwidth, or by phone afterwards. If you want to report it now, the Fort Dodge FSS can be reached at 515-955-8114, and they'll know who to pass the report along to or can give you a number to call.

My kudos to you for the cross-check that helped you CATCH it right away! :yes: Nice flying, great procedure work.

§ 91.187 Operation under IFR in controlled airspace: Malfunction reports.
(a) The pilot in command of each aircraft operated in controlled airspace under IFR shall report as soon as practical to ATC any malfunctions of navigational, approach, or communication equipment occurring in flight.

(b) In each report required by paragraph (a) of this section, the pilot in command shall include the—

(1) Aircraft identification;

(2) Equipment affected;

(3) Degree to which the capability of the pilot to operate under IFR in the ATC system is impaired; and

(4) Nature and extent of assistance desired from ATC.
 
photo highlights so far

1) Jesse playing Super Mario Brothers on my Wall, using projector
2) Group chatting
3) Edge of the weather that moved through today. Clear to the south but about 10 minutes after this picture the wind was whipping over 35 knots
 

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tonycondon said:
Like I said, the weather Friday Afternoon was VFR. Of course there were those stray thunderstorms and Tornado Watch today but we would've found you a hangar :D
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Yeah, but I was going to fly in Saturday morning. In any case, the weather from Dallas to KSTJ on Friday was nasty... watched it on radar all day, while watching the power flicker on and off from the thunderstorms and drenching rain overhead.
 
surely can't argue with that Troy. See you at Gastons.
 
So the weather gods hate us...

KDSM 010520Z 010606 23015G25KT P6SM -DZ SCT010 OVC020
TEMPO 0609 5SM -SHRA BR OVC010
FM0900 23017G27KT 5SM BR OVC010
TEMPO 0913 4SM -SHRA BKN008
FM1500 27023G30KT 5SM BR OVC008
TEMPO 1518 4SM -SHRA BKN006
FM2100 27023G30KT P6SM SCT010 BKN100
FM0100 25010KT P6SM SKC

clearing up just in time for...sunset on the weekend. I guess I'll get more LaTeX done!
 
tonycondon said:
So the weather gods hate us...

KDSM 010520Z 010606 23015G25KT P6SM -DZ SCT010 OVC020
TEMPO 0609 5SM -SHRA BR OVC010
FM0900 23017G27KT 5SM BR OVC010
TEMPO 0913 4SM -SHRA BKN008
FM1500 27023G30KT 5SM BR OVC008
TEMPO 1518 4SM -SHRA BKN006
FM2100 27023G30KT P6SM SCT010 BKN100
FM0100 25010KT P6SM SKC

clearing up just in time for...sunset on the weekend. I guess I'll get more LaTeX done!
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They sure do. Did you not sacrifice a chicken to them last week?

BTW it is a gorgeous morning here. Calm winds blue skies. Not sure how long it will last but it is fine now.
 
Tony,

Sorry I missed it and sorry the weather is crappy. Start planning the next Glide-A-Thon ASAP. You're bound to get good weather next time!

I got to fly through it yesterday coming home. We made a stop in Tupelo, MS and my weather brief went something like this:

Me: "...we'll be IFR direct below 10,000'."
Briefer: "No you won't."
short discussion on the weather moving through much faster than forecast...
Me: "What route will get me through this weather."
Briefer: "Direct is as good as any, but only if you can get your Bonanza above FL400. You may not get home until tomorrow."

We filed direct at 3,000' (below the clouds) so we could see what was ahead and zoomed out on the XM NEXRAD, then worked with Memphis Center to find a spot to go through. It looked to us like direct west then home would work out OK, and the controller was great to work with. She said she was only working three airplanes, everyone else was sitting it out.

We had heavy rain but light turbulance until we got to the back side, then up to 8,000' and above most of the clouds. If Memphis Center had told me I had to go at 4,000' or above (in the clouds) I would have sat it out too. Between being able to see outside the airplane and having XM weather available, it wasn't too difficult a flight. And the family didn't complain so it must not have been very rough.
 
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The phrase "paralyzed in fear" comes to mind...:rofl:

Some times it's good to stay below, particularly in this part of the country.

btw, the odds of me making the next PoAGaT go up inversely proportional to the tornado count...

gibbons said:
... And the family didn't complain so it must not have been very rough.
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Well I'm sorry the weather was a bust, but I'm glad I didn't miss the soaring fun. Came back from Florida today and was thinking of you guys as we flew by (well nearly, I was probably no closer than 100 miles at the closest point. My flight was pretty uneventful and included a circling approach at FCM because the TRACON wouldn't let me use the GPS approach to the correct runway. Seems like a safety issue to me (forcing pilots to fly circling approaches with the wx right at circling mins ceiling wise and less than 2 mi vis).


Anyway maybe I can make the next attempt. You shoulda had the glide a thon in Florida, we had great weather all the time I was there.
 
lancefisher said:
My flight was pretty uneventful and included a circling approach at FCM because the TRACON wouldn't let me use the GPS approach to the correct runway. Seems like a safety issue to me (forcing pilots to fly circling approaches with the wx right at circling mins ceiling wise and less than 2 mi vis).
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What's up with that Lance? Did the GPS approach conflict with an approach at another airport? I can't think of many reasons not to use the approach that favors the landing runway. I'm not a big fan of circling approaches, especially at minimums.
 
lancefisher said:
Well I'm sorry the weather was a bust, but I'm glad I didn't miss the soaring fun. Came back from Florida today and was thinking of you guys as we flew by (well nearly, I was probably no closer than 100 miles at the closest point. My flight was pretty uneventful and included a circling approach at FCM because the TRACON wouldn't let me use the GPS approach to the correct runway. Seems like a safety issue to me (forcing pilots to fly circling approaches with the wx right at circling mins ceiling wise and less than 2 mi vis).


Anyway maybe I can make the next attempt. You shoulda had the glide a thon in Florida, we had great weather all the time I was there.
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did they have an issue with traffic into MSP? Id say that would make me grumpy too!
 
tonycondon said:
did they have an issue with traffic into MSP? Id say that would make me grumpy too!
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I don't know the specifics but I do know that the MSP Tracon rarely allows this approach to be used because the IF lies just inside the inner ring of the MSP class B.
 
lancefisher said:
I don't know the specifics but I do know that the MSP Tracon rarely allows this approach to be used because the IF lies just inside the inner ring of the MSP class B.
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seems like a NASA form should be in order.
 
Thanks everyone for a very fun weekend! Before I even got into the Arrow in Green Bay on Friday, I knew chances were slim for flying gliders over the weekend... However, the idea of traveling somewhere and hanging out with a bunch of cool people made me agree with Kent: "Hey, let's go anyway!" I was glad the weather was flyable IFR so that we could have this fun trip.

It was nice to hang out with fellow PoA-ers. The trip was educational for me, both the IFR flying and learning about gliders. Plus I enjoyed flying in the Arrow. :yes:

We had some pretty cool views on the way back. Check out our pictures from northeast Iowa yesterday. B) We didn't get to see these views for long, though! Behind that cold front with a ridiculously strong tailwind, we were doing 170-180 knots groundspeed and even hit 188 at one point in level flight. Zoom zoom!

Tony & Matt, thanks again and I hope to be back soon.
 

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skyflyer8 said:
Thanks everyone for a very fun weekend! Before I even got into the Arrow in Green Bay on Friday, I knew chances were slim for flying gliders over the weekend... However, the idea of traveling somewhere and hanging out with a bunch of cool people made me agree with Kent: "Hey, let's go anyway!" I was glad the weather was flyable IFR so that we could have this fun trip.

It was nice to hang out with fellow PoA-ers. The trip was educational for me, both the IFR flying and learning about gliders. Plus I enjoyed flying in the Arrow. :yes:

We had some pretty cool views on the way back. Check out our pictures from northeast Iowa yesterday. B) We didn't get to see these views for long, though! Behind that cold front with a ridiculously strong tailwind, we were doing 170-180 knots groundspeed and even hit 188 at one point in level flight. Zoom zoom!

Tony & Matt, thanks again and I hope to be back soon.
Click to expand...
That shot of the sunset coming through the clouds is great! Sorry we missed the get-together. We'll see you at Wings Fly-B-Q, though!
 
skyflyer8 said:
Thanks everyone for a very fun weekend! Before I even got into the Arrow in Green Bay on Friday, I knew chances were slim for flying gliders over the weekend... However, the idea of traveling somewhere and hanging out with a bunch of cool people made me agree with Kent: "Hey, let's go anyway!" I was glad the weather was flyable IFR so that we could have this fun trip.

It was nice to hang out with fellow PoA-ers. The trip was educational for me, both the IFR flying and learning about gliders. Plus I enjoyed flying in the Arrow. :yes:

We had some pretty cool views on the way back. Check out our pictures from northeast Iowa yesterday. B) We didn't get to see these views for long, though! Behind that cold front with a ridiculously strong tailwind, we were doing 170-180 knots groundspeed and even hit 188 at one point in level flight. Zoom zoom!

Tony & Matt, thanks again and I hope to be back soon.
Click to expand...


AWESOME pics, Kate!!!

It was great to meet a few new PoA'ers. Sad we didn't get any glider time, but it was still good to sit around and chew the fat with everyone.

Glad ya'll had a good flight back. Was there Bowling and Food to be had in DBQ?? ;)
 
oh wow that shot of the sunset from below is amazing Kate. Good to finally meet you too, come on back!
 
CJones said:
Glad ya'll had a good flight back. Was there Bowling and Food to be had in DBQ?? ;)
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Food yes, bowling no because it was getting late and/or Kent was afraid of me winning. :goofy:

One of my former coworkers at the maintenance shop in DBQ picked us up and took us into town. Nice of him to do that on short notice. I called before we left Ames... but ya know, when your Arrow's doing 180 knots GS, you get places in a hurry!
 
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