Today was a cold rainy morning from the aftermath of Tropical Depression “Lane”. (formerly known as Hurricane “Lane”). My instructor signed the R44 SFAR and helicopter PIC endorsement and set me free at Kalaeloa airport. Next will be Class “B” endorsement and Molokai solo x-Country, then a check ride.

S**T HOT! Congratulations! How long of a rope did they tie to you?

Kurt

G44 wrote:S**T HOT! Congratulations! How long of a rope did they tie to you?

Kurt

First solo limited to traffic pattern at Kalaeloa today. This week hopefully, my instructor will allow me to operate direct out of Honolulu Class Bravo airspace. What was funny is the tower extended my upwind after takeoff towards Pearl Harbor, the instructor (sitting next to the CT) was probably thinking “Where is he departing to”? The tower then directed me to turn crosswind and continue with a standard size pattern.

Thank you for watching Kurt! I was a Rock Star for (30) minutes!

Congress on the solo! The xc to molokai should be a blast!

jlacharite wrote:Congress on the solo! The xc to molokai should be a blast!

I would stop by and pick you up but, not sure if the FSDO would be happy about that until my PPL!

The water is really bad right now from runoff lots of health advisories. I known weekends are good for you to inflate the life-raft. Hopefully, we can get her done....

8GCBC wrote:

jlacharite wrote:Congress on the solo! The xc to molokai should be a blast!

I would stop by and pick you up but, not sure if the FSDO would be happy about that until my PPL!

The water is really bad right now from runoff lots of health advisories. I known weekends are good for you to inflate the life-raft. Hopefully, we can get her done....

The water in pearl harbor looked horrible. I wouldn't advise swimming anytime soon.

Right on Ted!

gbflyer wrote:Right on Ted!

Mahalo Justin! Glacier Bay and SE Alaska are definitely in the plan. In a 44 I can land at the lodge! We don’t need no stinking airports, my amigos. Say Aloha to the family from me.

I saw that little white Robinson doing laps at Kalaeloa today around noon. Was that you once again? Rough day, I got my ass beat up in the pattern quite a bit.... headwind was strong enough to have the 140 up in just under 200'

jlacharite wrote:I saw that little white Robinson doing laps at Kalaeloa today around noon. Was that you once again? Rough day, I got my ass beat up in the pattern quite a bit.... headwind was strong enough to have the 140 up in just under 200'

Not me...

There were two R22s with other students today at PHJR from my school. I’m working nights right now. Luckily the weather is drying out and the night flying is good to go.

Good you are out flying! Nice days so far but, the moderate trades are definitely back.

We have another little weather issue again. Hurricane “Miriam” and Hurricane “Norman” are cruising this way. Hopefully, they will miss us. Miriam is about 950NM East of us...

Oh great.... I'll be disassembled and in a hangar by the time it gets here at least

First night flight in a helo out of Honolulu, International! Very stressful at first but, then I started to relax and fortunately became one with the helo and the environment. It ending up being one of the most memorable flights. Total nirvana. I satisfied (8) of (10) night landings under 61.109

(2) Except as provided in § 61.110 of this part, 3 hours of night flight training in a helicopter that includes -

(i) One cross-country flight of over 50 nautical miles total distance; and

(ii) 10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport.

My first “Long distance” X-C flight in a helicopter dual.

Scheduled 2018.09.05@07:00HST: PHNL.PHLU.PHMK.PHNL

Training for 61.109(4)(ii):

(ii) One solo cross country flight of 100 nautical miles total distance, with landings at three points, and one segment of the flight being a straight-line distance of more than 25 nautical miles between the takeoff and landing locations; and

1.8 hours dual X-C this morning PHNL.PHLU.PHMK

Departed Honolulu International @ 0700 to Kalaupapa. The Tradewinds were blowing all night and the Molokai Channel had massive white caps. There was an AIRMET for turbulence and mountain obscurity. The R44 flew perfectly in the winds. Helos (and fishing boats) are really the best way to explore the backcountry of Molokai.

Kalapaupa is always a fun airport to challenge yourself with. The crosswinds there can get pretty intense, and in days with high surf, waves will break over the ends of the runways. Had a guy at Kalaeloa tell me about flying a light twin through a wave during climb out on the departure end of the runway.

jlacharite wrote:Kalapaupa is always a fun airport to challenge yourself with. The crosswinds there can get pretty intense, and in days with high surf, waves will break over the ends of the runways. Had a guy at Kalaeloa tell me about flying a light twin through a wave during climb out on the departure end of the runway.

Have flown and sailed there many times. The lighthouse is the first ATON when sailing from the West Coast! Waves blanket RWY (5) during winter surf, been there!

Used to help with the lighthouse. Carried tools and parts in my PA-23-250, Aztec. We would climb up the internal stairway and exit outside on the maintenance ledge at 100’ AGL. The wind is much stronger up there! Really scary! The Sheriff gave us his old Datsun pickup to carry tools up the hill and drive into town. It’s been awhile however.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moloka%27i_Light

I would fly some of the residents to Honolulu to go shopping. Was friends with a patient there named Makia Malo, who recently passed away with Leprosy (non contagious).

The guy I purchased my Piper Aztec from, Clyde Kawasaki (PIC) crashed into the ocean on downwind and unfortunately lost a passenger, the rest survived.

Sad to hear about the caravan from Makani Kai, thats the first ive heard of that incident. Kalaupapa was always a good XC trip since it was pretty much right at the 50nm mark. I finally got around to uploading some footage from my last flight there last month. Not much to see there unfortunately, the park ranger there said we were not allowed to leave the grass around the plane, so we read the signs and left rather quick. Seemed strange that we couldnt go out and see the area a little bit, but oh well...

jlacharite wrote:Sad to hear about the caravan from Makani Kai, thats the first ive heard of that incident. Kalaupapa was always a good XC trip since it was pretty much right at the 50nm mark. I finally got around to uploading some footage from my last flight there last month. Not much to see there unfortunately, the park ranger there said we were not allowed to leave the grass around the plane, so we read the signs and left rather quick. Seemed strange that we couldnt go out and see the area a little bit, but oh well...

Very cool video! Thank you, it brings back memories of the place. Unfortunately, visitors at the airport need to be invited or sign up for a guided tour to enter the colony. I was friends with the Park Rangers and the patients many years ago so entry was not restricted.

When are you departing for the California tour? The HSF will be huge but, be ready for wind! And since you have been flying in Hawaii be prepared for high density altitude out West.

Aloha!

What? 1200' isn't high density altitude? [emoji6] I leave for Massachusetts on sep. 27th and get to California on October 5th. Reassembly will take however long itll take, then I'm just making it up as I go

jlacharite wrote:What? 1200' isn't high density altitude? [emoji6] I leave for Massachusetts on sep. 27th and get to California on October 5th. Reassembly will take however long itll take, then I'm just making it up as I go

9000’ foot runways at sea level really test my skills on performance! But, seriously I have seen weather in the Sierra Nevada Mountains that is extremely destructive coupled with deceptive DA. Also, light snow could start in October usually > 5000’ MSL.

Hoping to get my check ride soon here in PHNL. Then heading to West Coast but, haven’t an itinerary and all travel dates are generally not known yet. I would like to see the HSF again. And I need to stop in Oregon. So we will probably cross paths.

You have my telephone number and email. As mentioned there is hangar space, tools and a car in Torrance, California late October if you need it.

Have a safe and fun trip! Take your time it’s all about the journey, in my opinion, not the mileage.

Aloha!