N3306TX's Wild West Excursion

Very nice pics you are posting... also, e.g. the approaching Spring Mtns. and following Hwy 190 look just about like postcards.
 
Great Ozzie said:
Very nice pics you are posting...
Click to expand...

Thanks Rob. That flight over the Spring Mountains and Pahrump, NV reminded me of a trip I made with one of our flightsimmers up to a weather station at about 6,000 ft in those mountains. We stopped at the local school in Pahrump to get a barometer reading from the weatherbug there as a calibrated baseline reading and then headed up into the mountains to get another reading at the station. It was a memorable trip and he has a great job...the Mohave Desert being his office! I learned more that day from him about the landscape than I ever would have learned in school.

Thanks again for the compliment on the pics.
 
Down safe at O24.

Distance: 139.2 nm
Flight Time: 00:46:46
Fuel Used: 112 lbs (18.6 gal)
Tracking: http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFlight.php?detail=flight&value=Lgv1sCDULQZucyM5tSc6MkKBEg

Nice flight from Furnace Creek to Lee Vinings at the edge of Mono Lake. It's always nice to cruise with the wind at your tail and for most of the flight, that's how this flight went. Had to make one small diversion to miss a mountaintop and while the land rose up and down below me, it was more or less an uneventful flight.

View attachment 86361
View attachment 86362

Had to make one minor diversion as the land rose and fell beneath me.
View attachment 86363

Down safe at Lee Vinings, CA. Yosemite National Park in the background. Next flight is across there.
View attachment 86364
 
Departing O24 to O68 (KMPI).

Should be a nice scenic flight through the Yosemite National Forest, but it's now raining at Lee Vining and looking west we're seeing some clouds over the mountains. But the banker insists we depart immediately. Hope he knows what he's in store for!
 
Down safe at O68 (KMPI).

Distance: 51.8 nm
Flight Time: 00:19:56
Fuel Used: 45 lbs (7.5 gal)
Tracking: http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFlight.php?detail=flight&value=rCCcq582iHZwHsM7NCfitexqES8

Departed O24 in the rain. Visibility was ok as we climbed through the mountains of Yosemite National Park. There was a couple of spots where I had to break the soft ceiling of 10,000 ft, but easily able to remain under the hard ceiling of 12,000 ft. Since the banker insisted we depart O24 immediately (against my judgement) and since this was the next to last leg, I decided to give him a ride he wouldn't forget. Once over the highest peaks, I told him to snug up his seat restraints and then we dropped down into the valleys for some spectacular views and throttle to the firewall flying.

At arrival at Mariposa, he did have a smile on his face albeit a little pale, and complained that he didn't feel so well. I guess he hadn't recuperated from the party weekend in Vegas. Soon a black limo pulled up and off he went with that briefcase handcuffed to his arm.

View attachment 86370
View attachment 86371

After crossing some high peaks above the soft ceiling, it's time to drop into the valleys.
View attachment 86372

Down into the valley.
View attachment 86366

Up out of the valley to avoid terrain.
View attachment 86367

And back down we go!
View attachment 86368

Down safe at Mariposa.
View attachment 86369
 
Last leg on the low course. Departing O68 to KSQL.

Having to re-fly flight. Duenna didn't start and I didn't notice until landed at KSQL. G'rrrrr.

Once again, departing 068 to KSQL.
 
Down safe at KSQL
Distance: 105.3 nm
Flight Time: 00:35:35
Fuel Used: 81 lbs (13.5 gal)
Tracking: http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFlight.php?detail=flight&value=H7Jp9cKbkE7HW6kubwH9NJLuL7A

Well, we've landed at San Carlos all safe and sound. The banker looks much better now and slowly gathered his things. As I was tying down the plane, he came over and started talking to me, telling me how much he really enjoyed the flights, my professionalism and safe flying. And he apologized again for his weird behavior on that flight about half way through the trip. He then went on to tell me that he suffers from AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) otherwise known as altitude sickness. The medicine we picked up for him in Bozeman was acetazolamide, which is used in the treatment of AMS. Why he never said anything prior to now baffles me, as I would have flown at lower altitudes wherever possible.

Hats off to the Spring Event planners. It was a great event into some airports I had not landed at before along with other airports that I've been to many times. A nice mix of challenges. Maybe I should try the High Course since this was so fun.

View attachment 86383
View attachment 86384

Departing Mariposa, CA area.
View attachment 86378

At cruise between Mariposa and San Carlos.
View attachment 86379

Approaching Fremont, CA and San Francisco Bay
View attachment 86380

KSQL ahead. You can see the Dumbarton Bridge (HWY 84) off the left wing and the San Mateo Bridge off the right wing over San Francisco Bay.
View attachment 86381

Final at KSQL
View attachment 86382
 
Well done, Mike. Great photographs along the way. Wonderful for those of us following your flights.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top