Stepped in KRAP

M

morleyz

Pre-takeoff checklist
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Aug 31, 2023
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Chicago
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Display name:
Jeff
I'm not sure if this is a legit lessons learned or not, but I definitely learned a lesson.

Approaching KRAP from the east, about 4 miles south of field heading roughly due west. Winds are favoring 32, although they're light and I could have probably taken 23 just fine. It's pretty busy, there are 2-3 regionals coming in as well as 2-3 GA aircraft. I make my radio call at 12 out because it was quiet for a minute and I'm thinking adding another GA aircraft might need a little extra time. I planned and assumed from the ASOS that I'd either get a direct to left base for 23 or a direct to right base for 32 based on my position on where everyone else is (I'm now basically directly south east of the field). Tower throws a curve at me and says report midfield right downwind for 32. In retrospect, this was obviously to make me take longer so I could mix in better, but I was surprised. I immediately turned on a 320 heading to parallel the runway and 180 into a midfield right downwind.

This was my first visit to KRAP and I read all the warnings. Don't get mixed up with Ellsworth. Don't land at Ellsworth. Don't bust their airspace. Easy, KRAP has 2 runways. Ellsworth has 1 runway and it's 14 million miles long. Nobody could confuse those.

Back to my flying 320 towards my midfield right downwind, I have a couple of miles left to go before executing my 180 when I hear "MORON (that's my call sign in this post), looks like you're lined up for Ellsworth. Left turn 270 for your right downwind"

I turn 270 and I'm mortified to see KRAP right in front of me and I'd gone nearly to the departure end of 32. Not sure what it is about Ellsworth, but it just shines right there in the distance.

So I guess that's two lessons learned. 1) Don't be surprised when the controller gives you something you weren't expecting, but also 2) Make sure you're approaching the airport you think you're landing at. :oops:

I'm surprised by how busy the commercial traffic is at KRAP. I'm now eternally embarrassed that they all had to listen to me fumble the ball.
 
Good advice! We landed at KRAP a couple years ago on the way to Yellowstone. Great vis and we saw Ellsworth l-o-n-g b4 KRAP showed up.

Question is, did you get the 'flew thru KRAP' t-shirts? . We did! ;-)

Jim
 
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I did RAP a few years ago on our way out to the Navion convention in Cody. Neat place.
 
If you have a G5 HSI or similar, this is where that bearing pointer comes in nicely.
 
Clip4 said:
If you have a G5 HSI or similar, this is where that bearing pointer comes in nicely.
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Funny you mention this. Had I been thinking about it this way, I would have looked down at my G5 HSI and noticed the GPS pointer that was still programmed to my flight plan swinging around to the west and southwest. I had transitioned to completely visual at this point and frankly was just mistaken about which airport I was visually flying to. Thanks for the reminder that I have backup data in the panel.
 
Jim Rosenow said:
Good advice! We landed at KRAP a couple years ago on the way to Yellowstone. Great vis and we saw Ellsworth l-o-n-g b4 KRAP showed up.

Question is, did you get the 'flew thru KRAP' t-shirts? . We did! ;-)

Jim
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I didn't. I was going to on my way out, but the line staff annoyed me by not having fuel my plane over the 3 days they had it and leaving it out back even though their roster had my requested departure time. I took some pens though. LOL
 
I realize that the following will be called out as a "crutch"... but it's a crutch I often shamelessly use and benefit from:
 
wayneda40 said:
I realize that the following will be called out as a "crutch"... but it's a crutch I often shamelessly use and benefit from:
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I'll have to check that out. I'm not a huge fan of pushing buttons in the cockpit when I'm low and approaching a busy airport, but with some practice I could see how this would be very helpful.
 
First ride I ever had in a small plane - a friend in the college flying club took me (and 2 others) up in the club 172, out of RAP. Could only dream of having the money to join the club and get trained, back then. All I could (barely) afford was r/c models. At that time, RAP didn't have a control tower. Just imagine - 'big iron' passenger jets making calls on a CTAF!
 
KRAP is south of the interstate, KRCA is north of the interstate. Its hard to see the interstate, its down in the ditch separating the two airports.
 
I like the feature on Foreflight that allows you to select the entry into each runway and will show the diagram on the map. Of course this requires enough time to input it into the EFB.
 
Jim Rosenow said:
Good advice! We landed at KRAP a couple years ago on the way to Yellowstone. Great vis and we saw Ellsworth l-o-n-g b4 KRAP showed up.

Question is, did you get the 'flew thru KRAP' t-shirts? . We did! ;-)

Jim
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The merch is the best KRAP around :)
BillTIZ said:
KRAP is south of the interstate, KRCA is north of the interstate. Its hard to see the interstate, its down in the ditch separating the two airports.
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If you follow the interstate from the east it is easier but from the west it's a challenge especially with the city and terrain.

Rapid City is one of those airports that if you have an instrument rating it's just best to back-up the approach even if you're on the visual or VFR. It unfortunately happens from time-to-time where either a 172 size airplane lands at Ellsworth, or Delta lands there.
 
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