- Joined
- Oct 30, 2003
- Messages
- 18,391
- Location
- Santa Maria, California
- Aircraft
- Givens Predator
- Total Flight Time
- 2600+ in rotorcraft
When I finally made it to the airport the wind was at 18kts so I headed back home to wait for Ed to get off work at 5:00. We checked ATIS at 5:55 and wind was at 15kts.
We dropped the top on M and headed for the airport in almost balmy weather listening to Patsy Cline.
I had already done the pre-flight so we were in the air by 6:30. I asked for a straight out departure to the North West. We lifted off and climbed into the sunset.
We were managing 42 mile per hour ground speed at 52 miles per hour indicated airspeed.
There was a piper coming in from Oceano and we had some challenge finding him. Ed saw him first. They never saw us.
It was elegant floating across the Santa Maria Valley at 40 miles per hour and 500 feet. I had the power well back and only set it once. The orange sunset overtook our world.
I wandered up the beach for a while in the warm night air. The sun had officially set and it was getting dark fast so we headed back toward SMX. I called in at Guadalupe and the ATIS had not been changed.
We were running along at 74 miles per hour ground speed and the setting sun made our world look very different.
I called in left down wind, mid field for touch and go. I was within a few days of not being current on my night landings and it seemed like a good time to practice in the failing light.
My monocular vision causes me to depend more on light gradients to perceive distance. It was a little intimidating at first but every landing worked out well. As the ground disappeared below us I learned new things to line up my turns. The city lights came on and it was breathtaking. None of the night pictures worked out. The stars began to twinkle and the magic of the night was memorable.
7:30 passed and I made 8 nighttime landings. Much of the airport was very dark.
We came in for a full stop landing, filled up and headed for the hanger.
It was another very special adventure with my sweetheart and my friends from the forum.
Thank you, Vance
We dropped the top on M and headed for the airport in almost balmy weather listening to Patsy Cline.
I had already done the pre-flight so we were in the air by 6:30. I asked for a straight out departure to the North West. We lifted off and climbed into the sunset.
We were managing 42 mile per hour ground speed at 52 miles per hour indicated airspeed.
There was a piper coming in from Oceano and we had some challenge finding him. Ed saw him first. They never saw us.
It was elegant floating across the Santa Maria Valley at 40 miles per hour and 500 feet. I had the power well back and only set it once. The orange sunset overtook our world.
I wandered up the beach for a while in the warm night air. The sun had officially set and it was getting dark fast so we headed back toward SMX. I called in at Guadalupe and the ATIS had not been changed.
We were running along at 74 miles per hour ground speed and the setting sun made our world look very different.
I called in left down wind, mid field for touch and go. I was within a few days of not being current on my night landings and it seemed like a good time to practice in the failing light.
My monocular vision causes me to depend more on light gradients to perceive distance. It was a little intimidating at first but every landing worked out well. As the ground disappeared below us I learned new things to line up my turns. The city lights came on and it was breathtaking. None of the night pictures worked out. The stars began to twinkle and the magic of the night was memorable.
7:30 passed and I made 8 nighttime landings. Much of the airport was very dark.
We came in for a full stop landing, filled up and headed for the hanger.
It was another very special adventure with my sweetheart and my friends from the forum.
Thank you, Vance
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