Went all the way from N86 to RNO......6 times. With jmtgt as safety pilot, we did 6 ILS 16R approaches and 5 sucked pond water. The one that was acceptable was on auto pilot. Next week it's John's turn in his Maule.

He invented both of them-- now he's busy re-inventing himself. They had a thing on Mad-TV the other night where they showed a clip of him narrating his movie, and morphed it into him rappin'. I laughed so hard I hurt myself.

Eric

Flew up to Columbia from the SF Bay Area on Saturday and back on Sunday. Saturday was gorgeous and lots of airplanes were out there. I had flight following and got turned a couple of times for traffic leaving the Bay Area, but nothing else happened until we were getting close to Columbia. Then, ATC advised a 45 degree turn to avoid rocket activity. Rocket activity??? What the . . . ? That would explain the vertical column of white-ish smoke I'd noticed at 12 o'clock a few minutes earlier. I'd gotten a DUATS briefing beforehand, but there are so many nonsense NOTAMs that I can't honestly say if I overlooked one. Sheesh. Better read more carefully next time. I'd hate to become the first victim of a domestic SAM--fired by a Boy Scout!

The way home yesterday was less eventful, but really pretty. We left around 5:00. A float plane took off and flew around the surface of New Melones reservoir below us. Further on, the shadows of cattle stretched long over the green grass of the foothills. All of the orchards are in full blossom. We loafed along at 1000 agl (there are radio towers around), took some pictures, and smelled the sweet air--the aerial equivalent of a Sunday drive. Gonna do more of that.

CAVU

Yesterday, I flew out of North Vegas (VGT) while on a business trip to Nellis AFB to see some sights. Took a flight instructor along so that I didn’t have to get a checkout or learn a lot about the Class B. A recent ERAU grad with 400 hours and dreams of flying the big iron, he had not flown in the NE quadrant from the valley and this was his first real adventure in the “wilderness”.

We spent the afternoon flying some of the canyons and the ridges between VGT and Colorado City, AZ (AZC) and then on to Saint George, UT (SGU). The mountains were beautiful and I wasn’t expecting to see patches of snow around AZC and between there and SGU after the 70-ish wx at VGT. Landing on the SGU “flight deck” airfield was interesting and I really wish that I had gotten some pictures of the airfield. I’ll be back some day and better prepared for the aerial photography mission. We refueled and then took off as it became legally night for the short trip back to VGT.

3.5 total hours of a/c rental and instructor time was a small price to pay for the day and it’s affect on my soul.

We who fly are indeed truly blessed.

Don

Started the day with breakfast at O57, then on to KTLR then drop off some parts at MCE then back over the Sierra's to home. Did a bit over this cloud and under that on they way back home.

Took the daughter and a friend from out of town to the cabin for the Iditarod bon fire. Had a great four days except that the wind came up so badly yesterday, we couldn't try Rainey Pass to see the fron runners come in during the day light. Waited the day to see what the wind would do, as it abated, we heated the engine and headed home. Light to moderate turbulence until the last five miles and it became something of an issue.
http://iditarod.com/

Picked up my plane from FAI after some maintenance.

Stayed in the pattern for a few minutes of post-maintenance flying and worked on my wheel landings a bit, then flew south from Fairbanks Int'l home to PAIN. Was chasing the sunset but knew I'd make it home in time to land and tie down before darkness fell.

Once I left the TRSA I neither heard or saw another plane anywhere. Overflew Nanana, then passed the Clear Space Command Air Station on my right. Still weird to see the old giant radar arrays and geodesic domes hiding the huge antenna dishes. All that work is now being done by one relatively small and innocuous-looking building a short distance away from the old installation, occupying about 1/15th of the footprint.. Amazing what happens when you replace vacuum tubes with circuit boards.

As I approached the Alaska Range I was flying into one of the most beautiful "mirror" sunsets I've seen in a long time. Felt like I was the only one around even though I was following the highway below me. Was very tempting to just turn right and follow the spine of the mountains for a while but I was burning daylight.

Picking up the AWOS at PAIN I was surprised to hear that winds were calm on the ground which is unusual for this time of year. Landed on packed snow, had no problem with my new 8.50x 6 tires. Tied down next to the government C-185, mine looked like its kid brother

A good flight if a short one.

Took a friend out scouting today looking to see if any critters may be celebrating Day Light Savings, no go, still too early. Lots of Moose but that's not what we were looking for.
Flew up Purches Creek over to Peters Creek to the back of the valley then over top to Hatchers Pass and back home.
Not a long flight, just an hour or so to enjoy what an incredible day it was.

What a beautiful Spring weekend! On Saturday, we picked up relatives at Modesto and took them down to Castle AFB (former) at Merced to see the museum. Great airplanes on display there. The blossoms are still out in the central valley. Yesterday, we went to Half Moon Bay, parked at the west end and scooted under the fence down to the beach at Seal Cove (much nicer than the beach in Princeton harbor).

It wasn't backcountry flying (you can get lost on the tarmack at Castle, a former SAC base), but we did see two beautiful 170s on display at Modesto in the antique aircraft lineup on Saturday.

CAVU

sounds like fun. THat are of Calf is very nice this time of year.

I made it down to bullhead city and then to havasu. Nice weekend.

Dane

Flew from KCOS to KPUB this afternoon. Nice flatland flight....flew over Pueblo Resivor a few times. Had some good x-wind practice touch and go's @ KPUB. All in all a good flight....flatland flight but good....

On 3/16/2007 went to Madras S33 via Columbia River Gorge from Troutdale. Did touch and goes at Cascade Locks, Hood River, and The Dalles. I got new 8:50s put on. Stayed over night at my vacation home by the lake in the picture. Got some work done there. Flew back home the next day. Did a little VFR on top. That's only the 2nd time I've done that. It would suck if I had to put it down for some reason. Cheers...Rob

Friday my wife and I flew from Nampa, ID to Butte, MT for a surprise party. I called ahead to see what fuel prices were and found out that they charge a ramp fee and a overnight fee, they wave the ramp fee if fuel is bought but not the overnight fee. The ropes they have to tie down with are the braided plastic type so I was nervous about my plane all night. When we arrived the next moring the plane was fueled and my ticket was ready so that was nice.

Saturday we flew to Idaho Falls so see some family. Then Sunday we flew back to Nampa. Headwind all the way, it took 3 hours.

It was a good weekend... 8 hours total and calculated fuel burn at 3.83 gph.

Jon

Despite the wx forecast we had a flyin. Missed the Brainerd boys but there is always next time.
Pictures of sundays event.

http://www.supercub.org/phpbb2/viewtopi ... 2&start=30

Jon, I carry my own tiedowns so I don't have to depend on what is (or isn't) alreay there. I carry a set of "bikebinders", nylon tiedown straps about 10 feet long with built-in slidey buckle things. Cheap, light, and strong.


Eric

Last evening I flew from Great Falls over the divide to Lincoln, MT, landing at Lincoln for a walk around then returning to Great Falls. Saw a few head of elk grazing on the hill while on final for Rwy 22. Couldn't tell if any were still carrying their antlers. Shot some video, but none of the elk as I was pre-occupied with landing. Man we are sure light on snow in the mountains in this part of the state.

Yesterday was the first respite we've had from several days of un-relenting wind.

Joe.

After getting back to Talkeetna after our flight back from Reno last night, I flew back home this afternoon. Despite arriving at PATK at around 10am this morning I didn't get into the air until after 3pm due to a comedy of delays. First, the valve on the propane tank for my engine pre-heater was partially frozen, resulting in only luke warm air. By the time I got that thawed out and the engine warmed up it was lunch time, so I walked back into town and met Jenni for lunch at Mountain High Pizza Pie. After walking back I found that my battery was dead. Shaen Tarter, an acquaintance of mine who had flown into Talkeetna from Anchorage for lunch today happened to be there and helped me hand prop the plane. I taxied for fuel and then had to jump the plane again before taking off.

Check out my blog for photos!

BTW sorry I didn't have time to visit with any of the Reno folks, it was an in and out trip for a wedding!

Went to Flagstaff March 15, dropped off MLB and one young son, continued on to Wisky Ranch on finally to Cottonwood where MLB and OYS were impatiently waiting. Moteled in the Downtown Fleabag for three nights and had a look around and on Friday, met with business associates at Deer Valley for lunch and continued to check out the area by airplane Saturday and Sunday. Landed at Rimrock and checked out a house with a hanger which I thought was cool but MLB despised it. Long ride home with the headwinds on Sunday. Ended up buying a lot just off the runway at Wisky Ranch (6AZ2).

Went to a one way strip, with an approach over the lake - pushed towards the mtn with a gusty tail wind. The dust was flying where some yahoos were doing doughnuts on the flat where the stip is, and the spreading dust made a great windsock. Not a wedding night sock, but it was scooting. After a fly-by, and a go-around for the yahoos to clear the field, another set up had me landing at the end of the 1st 1/3 of the gravel strip. The remaining truckload of onlookers were acting kinda sheepish as I taxied by their doughnut tracks all over the place. No worries, though, we can all use this place. I guess probably more trucks than planes use this remote strip anyway.

Gravelly Valley, on the North part of the S.F. sectional, adjacent Lake Pillsbury, ~ 25 mi. south of Round Valley. Check it out.

Enjoy the edge of Spring, Berk

scout wrote:Despite the wx forecast we had a flyin. Missed the Brainerd boys but there is always next time.
Pictures of sundays event.

http://www.supercub.org/phpbb2/viewtopi ... 2&start=30

You guys know how to have fun up in that country.
Sweet photos. Thanks for the link.
Enjoy, Berk