tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-746913746496498085.post5945997239909352571..comments2023-04-13T06:36:35.500-07:00Comments on The Flying Shrink: Summer Adentures in a "New" ArrowThe Flying Shrinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10069494838128382961noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-746913746496498085.post-55415971089883322312014-08-26T03:44:44.041-07:002014-08-26T03:44:44.041-07:00I have been in the habit of cancelling in the air ...I have been in the habit of cancelling in the air most of the time. This has been easy to do because I have not really needed to fly many approaches at my destinations. In fact, the only time I have cancelled on the ground by phone was on my IFR cross country when we flew an approach to get back into the home field. I'm actually a little worried that I'll forget to cancel by phone one of these days because I have gotten so used to cancelling in the air or landing at towered fields.Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11846593737518887287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-746913746496498085.post-14027597544370808272014-08-25T22:30:28.748-07:002014-08-25T22:30:28.748-07:00Oh, it's absolutely at the top of the "as...Oh, it's absolutely at the top of the "as soon as time and money allow" to-do list!Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11130510691724323456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-746913746496498085.post-57378717383420705232014-08-25T13:39:49.443-07:002014-08-25T13:39:49.443-07:00Thanks, Chris.
I was thinking about you as I br...Thanks, Chris. <br /><br />I was thinking about you as I breezed along through the northern part of PA knowing that you've been through many of those places as well. N30 still has great views and the restaurant is open on the field. We didn't partake because of our logistics, and we were there at a fairly odd time so no one was in there but the staff. Still gets great reviews, though. I always feel a bit guilty about not eating something at these little strips because I know it has to be a tough business. <br /><br />I like your lesson about figuring out how to line up with the runway as soon as possible. Since I was on an instrument approach that brought me in that way, it was hard to break off too soon. I did get satellite images as well so I had some idea of what I was looking for and hoping to avoid surprises. I'd say I was pretty much prepared on that score and you're right - it helps a lot. <br /><br />Since I am instrument rated, I have figured I needed to file because "well, I can!" It took some time for me to get that on VMC days I really could depart VFR and pick up a clearance en route or even transect airspace in a way that suits my needs best and no one bats an eye about it, and in fact it makes my life easier as I don't have to sit on the ground and wait. <br /><br />One other lesson I learned was to cancel in the air if I can. Ok, I almost always do when that's practical (e.g., if I have to go around I can fly a normal pattern instead of a missed approach). That was true the day flying to Cherry Ridge, but I was so focused on finding the airport that I forgot. I called flight service to cancel, and sat on the phone for 10 minutes until someone came on who could take my cancellation. In the meantime, FSS called the field to see if I landed and I was chided by the guy to cancel my flight plan. It was blistering hot and I was sweating on the ramp, so it took some energy to just say "I've been on hold almost 10 minutes trying to do just that." The Flying Shrinkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10069494838128382961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-746913746496498085.post-39515249585968774312014-08-25T12:01:34.456-07:002014-08-25T12:01:34.456-07:00Thanks, Steve - I wish I had time to write more. ...Thanks, Steve - I wish I had time to write more. The IR is certainly worth the time and money, and I recommend you get 'er done! ;-) The Flying Shrinkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10069494838128382961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-746913746496498085.post-90892327507766614072014-08-23T11:01:49.063-07:002014-08-23T11:01:49.063-07:00Great write up and, to echo Steve, you really have...Great write up and, to echo Steve, you really have accumulated some great experience. You roamed some familiar territory for me in this trip. Is the restaurant at Cherry Ridge still open? I have not been in there in years, but the last time, the food was quite good and it was hard to beat the view of the runway. It seems like the winds were always a little goofy whenever we went in there owing to the terrain. I've also been into Queen City once and thought it was a fine facility. At the time, there was a lot of pressure on the airport to close or shrink - I hope they're surviving OK over there.<br /><br />Certainly, some of your lessons learned resonate for me, too. For leaving non-towered fields, I have almost always departed VFR and asked for clearance in the air. Knowing the expected clearance in advance certainly helps manage the workload of programming a lengthy clearance in the air (particularly important for me because I don't have an autopilot). And when it comes to unfamiliar fields, I am fond of reviewing satellite photos in advance to get the lay of the land and identify landmarks. Like your experience with Cherry Ridge, I seem to have a knack for approaching perpendicular to single strip airports. When practical, I like to change my trajectory so as to line up on a runway some distance out to better locate the airport.<br /><br />Glad the family is enjoying the rides. We're finding that, after ten years of VFR only flight, my wife is completely unnerved by going through those white puffy things that we spent so many years avoiding.<br /><br />Good stuff..thanks for sharing.Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11846593737518887287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-746913746496498085.post-13962660031675840742014-08-13T10:51:03.170-07:002014-08-13T10:51:03.170-07:00You've certainly racked up a ton of great expe...You've certainly racked up a ton of great experience over the past few flights/trips you've blogged about! Glad the IR is still proving its worth and you guys had a nice family trip. Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11130510691724323456noreply@blogger.com