Thursday, February 4, 2010

Pilot-in-command Robert Zeyssig (left), Master CFI Michael Phillips (right) and camera woman Christea Zeyssig (backseat) approaching runway 22 at Santa Paula airport..... (1/31/2010)

Avalon departure

This trip was my "Catalina check-out". After a delicious buffalo burger at the "Runway Cafe", we took off from runway 22 to return to Santa Paula via the shoreline route. We were forced to execute a very early turn to crosswind due to low clouds over the departure end of the runway. (1/31/2010).



What words cannot describe.... (4/09)

Takeoff in KSBP

Takeoff from runway 29 at San Luis Obispo airport after a nice lunch at the "Spirit of San Luis"(11/09).

Landing at KFFZ (Mesa Falcon Field)

3 hours and 40 minutes after departure from Santa Paula, we were cleared to land on runway 4L at Mesa's Falcon Field airport (KFFZ). The approach was a little high and because of insufficient rudder and aileron input during the flare, the quartering headwind (360@8) pushed us slightly off center line while the nose was crabbed into the wind. It wasn't the prettiest landing but it concluded a memorable cross-country and we were glad to be in Arizona awaited by Brad, Zeb and Elmar.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Takeoff at Mesa Falcon Field (KFFZ)

This is me in N66168 taking off from runway 22L at Mesa Falcon Field airport (KFFZ). To my surprise, Phoenix Approach cleared me through Class B shortly after departure without me asking for it. The return flight to Santa Paula took about 4 hours. That afternoon, a cold front was moving in from Northern California which made the last hour of the trip unforgettable.