The airport - KTEB
Just back from a trip to NYC, Teterboro. FBO fees at Meridian were very reasonable, 2 nights parking waived with 15gal fuel. Additional nights were $57/night and fuel was $6.59/gal. Tower was super busy and I waited at least a half hour to takeoff, then Tower asked me to back taxi to the start of the runway. I probably should have went with runway 6 or left more space at runway 1 at Kilo so I could taxi on the taxiway to Lima. Not sure what happened but the delay gave beautiful sun views of the city.
The start
Here it goes, requested VFR along the Hudson, originally read the SATR and planned southbound at 1100’ to the VZ then circle in under local operations at 700-900’ to circle the Statue of Liberty. Wasn’t really sure how low I could fly given spacing requirements, I assumed 500’ was the minimum above ground, but the statue is 305’ tall so unsure what the views would have been. There was a LOT of helicopter traffic at all altitudes. I originally thought I would have to fly Northeast to Alpine Tower but ATC cleared me into the Bravo via the GWB at 2000’ southbound to the VZ, with several traffic alerts along the way (mostly to the helicopters as there was no chance I could see any traffic those things seem very hard to spot!). At the VZ, 180 degree to northbound at 1500’. Then at the GWB proceed westward home.
Flying back home
Due to cloud decks I filed IFR in flight and got some IMC time. Since icing may have been a concern I kept an eye on the wings, and ATC later reported icing at lower altitudes so I went higher. Tops were around 6200’ or so, flying at 8000’ was in the clear. Then descended through cloud layers to shoot at approach at KAGC. Flying IMC is new to me, I did have a recent IPC, but it was scary as it is new to me. Due to delays all around departing and flying at higher altitudes, I ended up having to find another airport as my original planned fuel stop was closed at 5 or 6pm, so I changed my destination and was happy to be on the ground for a break, to fuel up, etc. I only needed 26gal but I rather have too much than not enough, given potential for IFR/IMC conditions and at night.
The next leg
From AGC to UGN, I checked weather reports and most METARs and TAFs were 2000-3000’ ceilings that were improving. Not ideal as I didn’t want to fly IMC, there was a bright moon so I could have went above the cloud layer again if needed. I found that along the route in Indiana that the weather reporting was not that accurate, cloud deck came down to about 1700’, I was not happy about that, but it improved and the rest of the flight was fine.
The Chicago Leg
ATC requests 1900’ over the lakeshore, slightly annoying as I rather have more altitude in case of an issue. The Bravo starts at 3000’. The nice Chicago winds picked up airspeed to 150-160kts GS. There’s nothing better than seeing your comfortable airport and landing 23 at UGN. Home at last, almost 20 hours on the plane this trip, no bugs to clean off, park and head home.
The Photos
GWB from TEB southbound 2000’
Central Park southbound 2000’
The VZ 2000’, made a 180 after the bridge
Northbound 1500’
Just back from a trip to NYC, Teterboro. FBO fees at Meridian were very reasonable, 2 nights parking waived with 15gal fuel. Additional nights were $57/night and fuel was $6.59/gal. Tower was super busy and I waited at least a half hour to takeoff, then Tower asked me to back taxi to the start of the runway. I probably should have went with runway 6 or left more space at runway 1 at Kilo so I could taxi on the taxiway to Lima. Not sure what happened but the delay gave beautiful sun views of the city.
The start
Here it goes, requested VFR along the Hudson, originally read the SATR and planned southbound at 1100’ to the VZ then circle in under local operations at 700-900’ to circle the Statue of Liberty. Wasn’t really sure how low I could fly given spacing requirements, I assumed 500’ was the minimum above ground, but the statue is 305’ tall so unsure what the views would have been. There was a LOT of helicopter traffic at all altitudes. I originally thought I would have to fly Northeast to Alpine Tower but ATC cleared me into the Bravo via the GWB at 2000’ southbound to the VZ, with several traffic alerts along the way (mostly to the helicopters as there was no chance I could see any traffic those things seem very hard to spot!). At the VZ, 180 degree to northbound at 1500’. Then at the GWB proceed westward home.
Flying back home
Due to cloud decks I filed IFR in flight and got some IMC time. Since icing may have been a concern I kept an eye on the wings, and ATC later reported icing at lower altitudes so I went higher. Tops were around 6200’ or so, flying at 8000’ was in the clear. Then descended through cloud layers to shoot at approach at KAGC. Flying IMC is new to me, I did have a recent IPC, but it was scary as it is new to me. Due to delays all around departing and flying at higher altitudes, I ended up having to find another airport as my original planned fuel stop was closed at 5 or 6pm, so I changed my destination and was happy to be on the ground for a break, to fuel up, etc. I only needed 26gal but I rather have too much than not enough, given potential for IFR/IMC conditions and at night.
The next leg
From AGC to UGN, I checked weather reports and most METARs and TAFs were 2000-3000’ ceilings that were improving. Not ideal as I didn’t want to fly IMC, there was a bright moon so I could have went above the cloud layer again if needed. I found that along the route in Indiana that the weather reporting was not that accurate, cloud deck came down to about 1700’, I was not happy about that, but it improved and the rest of the flight was fine.
The Chicago Leg
ATC requests 1900’ over the lakeshore, slightly annoying as I rather have more altitude in case of an issue. The Bravo starts at 3000’. The nice Chicago winds picked up airspeed to 150-160kts GS. There’s nothing better than seeing your comfortable airport and landing 23 at UGN. Home at last, almost 20 hours on the plane this trip, no bugs to clean off, park and head home.
The Photos
GWB from TEB southbound 2000’
Central Park southbound 2000’
The VZ 2000’, made a 180 after the bridge
Northbound 1500’
