Alphabet Challenge Leg 24 K49X - NV11
Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2015 8:07 pm
Pilots,
Ok, to be honest, I think this airport isn't the best choice of fields for the alphabet challenge as it's not really realistic. I mean, everybody knows I'm game for an airspace violation, but we are definitely stepping it up a notch with this one...
http://peaware.pilotedge.net/citypair.c ... 9X&to=NV11
Nothing says good times like flying into and through a continuously operating Restricted area that is laced with unexploded ordnance, fake airfields, and other general unpleasantness.
Ok, ok, R4808N doesn't specifically get the "things that blow up" disclaimer but close enough for government work.
Situation:
Better file VFR for this one boys. Or better yet DON'T file at all (Alas you must in order to meet the newly formalized rules)
Just for fun, I asked LA Center to confirm the status of the Restricted area in question R-4808N and they reported back what is listed on the chart, unsurprisingly. Real world, we aren't going to NV11. Ever. Ok ok in theory you can call the controlling agency freq. and beg, but that isn't modeled/monitored in PE so save yourself some groveling and start scheming how you are going to get there...like I said, if it's IMC forget it as you aren't getting a flight plan approved through R4808N. More fun today was a SIGMET for severe/moderate turbulence. I did my part for the cause by filing a PIREP for moderate turbulence but it was probably just bad airmanship. So hard to tell.
In retrospect I should have filed at 8500 so I could practice getting clearance through a B, but I decided to just avoid KLAS Bravo at 12500. Getting through KLAS B seems to be piece of cake vs LAX B though, so give it a shot if you want.
Lessons Learned: Desert Rock Camouflage: Ok since we're basically Area 51 hunting on this one, I made it a point to cancel flight following well in advance. Then to remain at altitude and commence a low approach into Desert Rock (NV65) just outside the R4808N to give the appearance of landing there. In the low approach to NV65 I started squawking O-F-F and turned directly north. You won't see the relatively huge dirt strip as you head north because it is screened by a moderately big hill (teeny mountain). As you near it get to pattern altitude and set up for left base (if landing north). The field is visible instantly once you cross the ridge. I had strong 90 degree crosswinds today and I wonder what that ridge would do in real life with winds whipping up and over it. Or maybe it would shield the field. It seemed to do the latter as I didn't put much if any crosswind technique into it to land in a swirling cloud of beta blown sand.
Google maps shows that "somebody" has built a nice paved strip just east of the sand strip (01-19) . No idea what goes on there. Your guess is as good as mine.
Todd
Ok, to be honest, I think this airport isn't the best choice of fields for the alphabet challenge as it's not really realistic. I mean, everybody knows I'm game for an airspace violation, but we are definitely stepping it up a notch with this one...
http://peaware.pilotedge.net/citypair.c ... 9X&to=NV11
Nothing says good times like flying into and through a continuously operating Restricted area that is laced with unexploded ordnance, fake airfields, and other general unpleasantness.
- Boom!
- Restricted.JPG (182.66 KiB) Viewed 10017 times
Situation:
Better file VFR for this one boys. Or better yet DON'T file at all (Alas you must in order to meet the newly formalized rules)
Just for fun, I asked LA Center to confirm the status of the Restricted area in question R-4808N and they reported back what is listed on the chart, unsurprisingly. Real world, we aren't going to NV11. Ever. Ok ok in theory you can call the controlling agency freq. and beg, but that isn't modeled/monitored in PE so save yourself some groveling and start scheming how you are going to get there...like I said, if it's IMC forget it as you aren't getting a flight plan approved through R4808N. More fun today was a SIGMET for severe/moderate turbulence. I did my part for the cause by filing a PIREP for moderate turbulence but it was probably just bad airmanship. So hard to tell.In retrospect I should have filed at 8500 so I could practice getting clearance through a B, but I decided to just avoid KLAS Bravo at 12500. Getting through KLAS B seems to be piece of cake vs LAX B though, so give it a shot if you want.
Lessons Learned: Desert Rock Camouflage: Ok since we're basically Area 51 hunting on this one, I made it a point to cancel flight following well in advance. Then to remain at altitude and commence a low approach into Desert Rock (NV65) just outside the R4808N to give the appearance of landing there. In the low approach to NV65 I started squawking O-F-F and turned directly north. You won't see the relatively huge dirt strip as you head north because it is screened by a moderately big hill (teeny mountain). As you near it get to pattern altitude and set up for left base (if landing north). The field is visible instantly once you cross the ridge. I had strong 90 degree crosswinds today and I wonder what that ridge would do in real life with winds whipping up and over it. Or maybe it would shield the field. It seemed to do the latter as I didn't put much if any crosswind technique into it to land in a swirling cloud of beta blown sand.
Google maps shows that "somebody" has built a nice paved strip just east of the sand strip (01-19) . No idea what goes on there. Your guess is as good as mine.
Todd