- Joined
- Oct 30, 2003
- Messages
- 18,363
- Location
- Santa Maria, California
- Aircraft
- Givens Predator
- Total Flight Time
- 2600+ in rotorcraft
I just returned from a lovely flight to nowhere.
Today is the last day for me to fly solo before I head off for Bensen Days so I really wanted to fly. I didn’t fly yesterday because of 20kt winds gusting to 30kts.
The ceiling was below 1,500 feet until afternoon and then the wind started to come up.
I was going to fly to Santa Ynez until Lockheed Martin said the VFR was not recommended because of mountain obscuration. I asked them about heading north to SBP and it looked good that way. I would be returning at 20:30 Z and it still looked good. The winds were forecast at 300 degrees 15kts gusting to 20kts.
I called that I was ready for a straight out departure to the North West. I would be number two behind the Brazillia. When I was cleared for takeoff ATC gave me a gratuitous wind check of 270 degrees, 20kts gusting to 28kts.
I flew the runway at 30kts ground speed climbing steeply. The wind seemed steady and I was almost 1,000 feet by the end of the runway. There was a Stationair behind me also on a straight out departure and ATC asked me to make a slight left. I reported the Stationair in sight at my 3:00 high.
The flight to the beach wasn’t that bumpy but I was showing 23kts of ground speed at 50kts indicated airspeed. The air was cold and moist and I dropped down to 500 feet as I headed up the beach. I reported,”Oceano area traffic, Experimental gyroplane 142 Mike Golf 5 miles to the south, transitioning to the north along the coastline at 500 feet and 20kts." The wind seemed to be getting stronger. I reported every mile and my speed varied between 20kts and 24kts at 50kts indicated airspeed. I was pointed 45 degrees left of my flight path.
Along the way up the beach a radio controlled delta wing aircraft flew very close.
Eventually I reached the Pismo Pier and called that I was changing frequency. I checked the ATIS at SBA and winds were at 300 degrees at 18kts gusting to 32kts. I decided to head north east over Grover Beach toward the mountains.
I advanced the throttle and climbed quickly as I skirted the edge of the heavily populated area. I backed off the throttle to 2,400 rpm as I approached the hills and continued to climb. I followed the ridgeline for a half hour heading south and east. I soon found myself at 5,500 feet. The hills kept getting higher so I advanced the throttle to 2,500 rpm and leaned her out for 2,550 rpm. I continued to climb.
SMX was 12 nautical miles due east as I climbed through 6,500 feet. I had been flying for an hour and a half so it was time to head home. Two miles later I was at 7,100 feet. My world had expanded as the mountains disappeared into the mist and the ocean looked cold and distant. I savored the enormity of the experience.
“Santa Maria Tower, experimental gyroplane 142 Mike Golf, 10 miles to the east descending through 7,000 feet, inbound to land with Oscar.”
“Experimental 142 Mike Golf report 2 miles,” was the reply.
There was a long pause and then, “how high will that thing go? You usually are a lot lower!”
“Experimental 142 Mike Golf, I am not sure.”
After laughter, “Roger that!”
I pulled the power back to idle, pulled carburetor heat and began descending at a little over 1,100 feet per minute with 26kts of ground speed at 55kts indicated airspeed. We seemed still in the air and I began to wonder if I would reach pattern altitude before I reached the airspace. I realized that at 26kts ground speed it would take me 12 minutes to travel the 5 miles to the class Delta airspace. As slow as I fly they like to have me at 800 feet so I had room to spare. It still seemed to take a very long time to get down. The engine was quite and my ears popped several times. It all seemed surreal.
When I reported 2 miles I was cleared to land and given another wind check, 270 degrees at 22kts gusting to 36kts. The first landing was uneventful until I started rolling backward. I added power and the second landing was nice too.
The flight to nowhere lasted a little over two hours. I am still high from it.
I love flying!
Thank you, Vance
Today is the last day for me to fly solo before I head off for Bensen Days so I really wanted to fly. I didn’t fly yesterday because of 20kt winds gusting to 30kts.
The ceiling was below 1,500 feet until afternoon and then the wind started to come up.
I was going to fly to Santa Ynez until Lockheed Martin said the VFR was not recommended because of mountain obscuration. I asked them about heading north to SBP and it looked good that way. I would be returning at 20:30 Z and it still looked good. The winds were forecast at 300 degrees 15kts gusting to 20kts.
I called that I was ready for a straight out departure to the North West. I would be number two behind the Brazillia. When I was cleared for takeoff ATC gave me a gratuitous wind check of 270 degrees, 20kts gusting to 28kts.
I flew the runway at 30kts ground speed climbing steeply. The wind seemed steady and I was almost 1,000 feet by the end of the runway. There was a Stationair behind me also on a straight out departure and ATC asked me to make a slight left. I reported the Stationair in sight at my 3:00 high.
The flight to the beach wasn’t that bumpy but I was showing 23kts of ground speed at 50kts indicated airspeed. The air was cold and moist and I dropped down to 500 feet as I headed up the beach. I reported,”Oceano area traffic, Experimental gyroplane 142 Mike Golf 5 miles to the south, transitioning to the north along the coastline at 500 feet and 20kts." The wind seemed to be getting stronger. I reported every mile and my speed varied between 20kts and 24kts at 50kts indicated airspeed. I was pointed 45 degrees left of my flight path.
Along the way up the beach a radio controlled delta wing aircraft flew very close.
Eventually I reached the Pismo Pier and called that I was changing frequency. I checked the ATIS at SBA and winds were at 300 degrees at 18kts gusting to 32kts. I decided to head north east over Grover Beach toward the mountains.
I advanced the throttle and climbed quickly as I skirted the edge of the heavily populated area. I backed off the throttle to 2,400 rpm as I approached the hills and continued to climb. I followed the ridgeline for a half hour heading south and east. I soon found myself at 5,500 feet. The hills kept getting higher so I advanced the throttle to 2,500 rpm and leaned her out for 2,550 rpm. I continued to climb.
SMX was 12 nautical miles due east as I climbed through 6,500 feet. I had been flying for an hour and a half so it was time to head home. Two miles later I was at 7,100 feet. My world had expanded as the mountains disappeared into the mist and the ocean looked cold and distant. I savored the enormity of the experience.
“Santa Maria Tower, experimental gyroplane 142 Mike Golf, 10 miles to the east descending through 7,000 feet, inbound to land with Oscar.”
“Experimental 142 Mike Golf report 2 miles,” was the reply.
There was a long pause and then, “how high will that thing go? You usually are a lot lower!”
“Experimental 142 Mike Golf, I am not sure.”
After laughter, “Roger that!”
I pulled the power back to idle, pulled carburetor heat and began descending at a little over 1,100 feet per minute with 26kts of ground speed at 55kts indicated airspeed. We seemed still in the air and I began to wonder if I would reach pattern altitude before I reached the airspace. I realized that at 26kts ground speed it would take me 12 minutes to travel the 5 miles to the class Delta airspace. As slow as I fly they like to have me at 800 feet so I had room to spare. It still seemed to take a very long time to get down. The engine was quite and my ears popped several times. It all seemed surreal.
When I reported 2 miles I was cleared to land and given another wind check, 270 degrees at 22kts gusting to 36kts. The first landing was uneventful until I started rolling backward. I added power and the second landing was nice too.
The flight to nowhere lasted a little over two hours. I am still high from it.
I love flying!
Thank you, Vance
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