Advice on approach into 46CA?

[yajna]

I'm doing the FSEconomy thing now and there are a lot of attractive jobs flying Task-Saturated Penguins in and out of 46CA (Rancho Vallecito). My first attempt was a pretty sad affair with 2 or 3 missed approaches ending in a near-crash landing on RWY 28. With a 450' hill directly in the path of the RWY 28 final, and 4000' mountains from the other direction, it's a tricky field. Seems like one approach to landing on 28 would be to fly out east in the valley over Agua Caliente and then do a final leg at an angle, say HDG 250, and then straighten out once past the hill.

Any more expert pilots care to give some pointers on how they approach this field?

[overload]

"My first attempt was a pretty sad affair with 2 or 3 missed approaches ending in a near-crash landing on RWY 28"

Could be why the Skyvector linked page has the comments "RWY 28 USED FOR TAKEOFF AND RWY 10 FOR LNDG ONLY"

https://skyvector.com/airport/46CA/Ranc ... to-Airport

I think the terrain profile is friendlier landing on 10,

Eugene

[Keith Smith]

Believe it or not, you need to be landing on rwy 10 and taking off on runway 28 (check the notes for the airport). That's why we love that place so much!

here's a quick out and back with the MU2: https://www.twitch.tv/ksmith_pe/v/41638844

[yajna]

Doh! I saw the airport note and interpreted it as "28 is ok for landing or takeoff, 10 is ok only for landing". (Can you spot the software engineer in the room??) Thanks for the video link Keith, I'll give it a close watch!

[overload]

Why is it landing on 10 and departing 28, terrain-wise the opposite looks easier?
Is there a marked slope?
Eugene

[Keith Smith]

We still have no idea why the runway usage information is published as it is. It makes for a fun airport, though.

[yajna]

Watching Keith's video, and trying it myself, I'm convinced that BOTH directions are completely insane unless you really enjoy 1500fpm final approaches.

[Keith Smith]

Keep in mind, that was flown with an MU2 at 115-120kts, so the descent rate is going to be higher even for a normal 3 deg glideslope compared to a 172 doing 60kts on final. If flown within the pattern, it can be flown as a short approach, hugging the terrain as you do. But yes, it's fairly insane.

[Justin Lerner]

I have a fond memory of rendering my flaps inop by accidentally deploying above Vfe, and then having the joy of figuring out a no-flaps landing in a Cessna. Took me a couple tries because I just couldn't get stabilized, but on the final attempt I got it down safely and on centerline. If I had to pick one word to describe that event it would be "sporty."

[Peter Grey]

Ahh yes good ol 46CA. No reason for it to be the way it is that we've ever figured out.

Here is my technique (in a slightly larger airplane)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSZwXHn ... =PeterGrey