txnightster
Pre-takeoff checklist
Gentleman, in an attempt to add something to the group here is a short trip report from my adventures this past week. My nature is to keep the report to a minimum. So, feel free to ask questions or make suggestions. I'm an 85hr pilot so this was a big learning experience.
Part 1.
Aircraft: N152PS 2011 Pipersport
Depart: 4:30 PM 4/26/12 from KADS. Weather conditions are clear with winds 190@12G20.
Destination: Natchez, MS KHEZ Arrival: 6:45 PM
Notes: My wife and I took off at gross weight. Our tanks were almost full of fuel and packed to the gills with luggage. Received flight following and picked up a nice tailwind as we cruised along at 5,500. We turned up the XM radio and settled in for a nice flight with indicated ground speed of 130kts. Beautiful flight over three different states. Found KHEZ with no problem and landed at this huge airport in the middle of nowhere. My in-laws picked us up at the airport and we spent the night eating catfish and enjoying their vacation home.
Depart: 10:30 AM 4/27/12 from KHEZ. My mother in law had never seen her hometown from the air. Unfortunately it was bumpy and we only flew for 35 minutes. She was able to see her house from the air and hopefully she wasn't too airsick
Depart: 11:45 AM 4/27/12 from KHEZ. Left about two hours late due to broken clouds at 1800AGL. Winds 200@13G17
Destination: Destin, FL KDTS Arrival: 2:25 PM
Notes: Set out for our flight understanding that it would be bumpy because we would stay below the clouds. After 125 Miles the clouds because scattered and we were able to climb on top and maintain VFR. We stayed to the south of the Desoto MOA and enjoyed beach views from Mobile to Destin. The traffic in the Destin area is a little hectic but I felt prepared having learned to fly out of KADS. Taxied up to Destin Jet and we were off to the beach.
Depart: 11:00 AM 4/30/12 from KDTS. Weather clear and winds calm.
Destination: Nowhere
Notes: I took a friend from the area on a 1 1/2 hr coastline flight. While it was a little hot we did see some neat things and enjoyed our flight over the white sandy beaches.
Part 2.
Depart: 7:00AM 5/2/12 from KDTS. Weather conditions are clear with winds 170@11G19
Scheduled Destination: Natchez, MS KHEZ
Actual destination: Raymond MS KJVW Arrival: 9:00AM
Notes: Took off right at 7:00AM to try to beat some clouds rolling into the area. All was going good until we got about 30 miles SE of Natchez. The clouds were becoming tighter and the base was noticeably lower. At this point I was checking the weather at surrounding areas and didn't feel comfortable traveling any further. I begin to look for an airport to take a break and check the weather. Unfortunately the airports in the Jackson MS were my best bet. I chose KJVW and received some vectoring from ATC to make sure I wasn't too turned around.
I can not say enough good things about the staff at KJVW. They were extremely accommodating and asked for nothing in return. The airport manager and staff will be receiving a few gift cards in the next week. We were very impressed and feel the need to do something for these kind people.
My wife had important meetings the next day so I was forced to take their courtesy car to Jackson Int'l to let her fly home that afternoon.
That afternoon KJVW received 1.8 inches of rain in two hours. Needless to say I wasn't going anywhere fast. I bummed a ride from a mechanic back into town and checked myself into a hotel.
The next day the clouds were still low and broken. Still no chance of leaving. The airport was actually closed for a jet RC plane get together. I had a great time walking the flight line looking at these very expensive jets. Seeing a remote control plane fly at 250 mph is pretty dang impressive. They were a nice group of people and I was surprised at how many of them fly GA as well.
I was finally able to leave KJVW at 1:00PM The clouds were broken at 3,000 and the wind was very light.
Depart: 1:00PM 5/3/12 from KJVW
Destination: KADS
Notes: I planned my route of flight to stick close to I-20. There are lots of airports along the way and the day before had reinforced the importance of having options.
I stayed below the clouds until the Shreveport area when I was finally able to escape the bumps. The anticipation of getting back to my airport and hearing voices I recognized on the radio was something I didn't expect. Touched down in Addison at 4:30PM.
Total clock time on the plane was 12.9 hrs. Total mileage was near 1,200 miles. The lessons I learned are many, especially concerning trip planning and understanding the weather around you. My instructors deserve a huge amount of praise for preparing me for this type of flying. Maybe ignorance is bliss but I never felt intimidated or unable to perform this trip.
Bill D.
Part 1.
Aircraft: N152PS 2011 Pipersport
Depart: 4:30 PM 4/26/12 from KADS. Weather conditions are clear with winds 190@12G20.
Destination: Natchez, MS KHEZ Arrival: 6:45 PM
Notes: My wife and I took off at gross weight. Our tanks were almost full of fuel and packed to the gills with luggage. Received flight following and picked up a nice tailwind as we cruised along at 5,500. We turned up the XM radio and settled in for a nice flight with indicated ground speed of 130kts. Beautiful flight over three different states. Found KHEZ with no problem and landed at this huge airport in the middle of nowhere. My in-laws picked us up at the airport and we spent the night eating catfish and enjoying their vacation home.
Depart: 10:30 AM 4/27/12 from KHEZ. My mother in law had never seen her hometown from the air. Unfortunately it was bumpy and we only flew for 35 minutes. She was able to see her house from the air and hopefully she wasn't too airsick
Depart: 11:45 AM 4/27/12 from KHEZ. Left about two hours late due to broken clouds at 1800AGL. Winds 200@13G17
Destination: Destin, FL KDTS Arrival: 2:25 PM
Notes: Set out for our flight understanding that it would be bumpy because we would stay below the clouds. After 125 Miles the clouds because scattered and we were able to climb on top and maintain VFR. We stayed to the south of the Desoto MOA and enjoyed beach views from Mobile to Destin. The traffic in the Destin area is a little hectic but I felt prepared having learned to fly out of KADS. Taxied up to Destin Jet and we were off to the beach.
Depart: 11:00 AM 4/30/12 from KDTS. Weather clear and winds calm.
Destination: Nowhere
Notes: I took a friend from the area on a 1 1/2 hr coastline flight. While it was a little hot we did see some neat things and enjoyed our flight over the white sandy beaches.
Part 2.
Depart: 7:00AM 5/2/12 from KDTS. Weather conditions are clear with winds 170@11G19
Scheduled Destination: Natchez, MS KHEZ
Actual destination: Raymond MS KJVW Arrival: 9:00AM
Notes: Took off right at 7:00AM to try to beat some clouds rolling into the area. All was going good until we got about 30 miles SE of Natchez. The clouds were becoming tighter and the base was noticeably lower. At this point I was checking the weather at surrounding areas and didn't feel comfortable traveling any further. I begin to look for an airport to take a break and check the weather. Unfortunately the airports in the Jackson MS were my best bet. I chose KJVW and received some vectoring from ATC to make sure I wasn't too turned around.
I can not say enough good things about the staff at KJVW. They were extremely accommodating and asked for nothing in return. The airport manager and staff will be receiving a few gift cards in the next week. We were very impressed and feel the need to do something for these kind people.
My wife had important meetings the next day so I was forced to take their courtesy car to Jackson Int'l to let her fly home that afternoon.
That afternoon KJVW received 1.8 inches of rain in two hours. Needless to say I wasn't going anywhere fast. I bummed a ride from a mechanic back into town and checked myself into a hotel.
The next day the clouds were still low and broken. Still no chance of leaving. The airport was actually closed for a jet RC plane get together. I had a great time walking the flight line looking at these very expensive jets. Seeing a remote control plane fly at 250 mph is pretty dang impressive. They were a nice group of people and I was surprised at how many of them fly GA as well.
I was finally able to leave KJVW at 1:00PM The clouds were broken at 3,000 and the wind was very light.
Depart: 1:00PM 5/3/12 from KJVW
Destination: KADS
Notes: I planned my route of flight to stick close to I-20. There are lots of airports along the way and the day before had reinforced the importance of having options.
I stayed below the clouds until the Shreveport area when I was finally able to escape the bumps. The anticipation of getting back to my airport and hearing voices I recognized on the radio was something I didn't expect. Touched down in Addison at 4:30PM.
Total clock time on the plane was 12.9 hrs. Total mileage was near 1,200 miles. The lessons I learned are many, especially concerning trip planning and understanding the weather around you. My instructors deserve a huge amount of praise for preparing me for this type of flying. Maybe ignorance is bliss but I never felt intimidated or unable to perform this trip.
Bill D.
