[January 17th 08:00pm PST] Westcoast fly-in: KVNY to KOKB

[Cyrus]

Hi Brett. After all my fussing about the time, I feel bad for not making it last night. I hadn't been on PE in almost two weeks (after only a few sessions since joining before that), and I really needed to get back in the saddle (so that's what I did once the kids were in bed!). I might try to make it tonight, but after my slightly-troublesome-but-still-rewarding "no GPS" VFR desert run last night, I've lost a little confidence. Honestly, not sure if I feel ready for moving around in the LA Bravo right now. But perhaps I'll turn my GPS back on for tonight and join you all. I'll have to see how time goes.

Thanks for posting the route. If I do join, I'll probably do the same. Are you planning to request your taxi at KVNY right around 8pm PST, or is that the time you start hop in the cold and dark craft?

Anyway, hope you have fun! (and try not to buzz the in-laws too loudly )

[Cyrus]

One more question: what craft are you going to fly ? i.e. approx what speed ?

[djrisc]

Cyrus,
No problem at all! Schedules are always tough with this kind of thing, so I'm not worried about it. I'll be flying these every week anyway, so this way if others join in, then it just makes it more fun.

I plan on starting in a cold/dark aircraft at 8pm PST in KVNY. I will be flying in a Cessna Skyhawk 172, so what's the cruising on that like 117kts or so?

lol @ buzzing the inlaws. I should pop open the world editor and add their house before the flight tonight.

Hope to see you there!

Brett

[Cyrus]

Cool. I think I'm in! (if I can stay up that late). If so, I'll probably be in a Cessna 182RG (so I'll be the one passing you by about 5 kts! lol ).

So I guess you're aiming for an 810/815pm-ish takeoff....?

I'll probably file the same route as you. Should be fun.

...oh, and you sure you wouldn't rather pilot a fully stocked F-16 instead for the in-law fly over? akkk akkk akkkk!

[djrisc]

8:10/8:15 sounds about right. (It all depends how many times I screw up the IFR clearance. lol jk)

I'll redline the 172 to try and keep up. lol (If you see a streaking fireball to the ground that's most likely me.)

I think I'm one of the few people that actually like my in-laws, so no F-16 needed. However, if I ever do need one my brother inlaw is a F-22 pilot. lol

Brett

[Cyrus]

I'll redline the 172 to try and keep up. lol

We should try and time it so that I hear "line up and wait" when you hear "next for takeoff"

Also, I've never tried pilot-to-pilot comms. I guess that's 123.45 ? Not even sure of the protocol required for P2P. Is it similar grammar/language to ATC, or more relaxed? Hopefully we can stay in touch with SoCal ATC while we occasionally compare scenery and progress...? (might have to dust off the "BOTH" Comm stack button).

And just so you know, I'm quite prepared to munch on a little turbulence wake of yours... but be nice! Oh, and I would never ask your Top Gun brother-in-law to take out your lovely sounding mother-in-law, so we'd better just let that go.

[Cyrus]

btw, how many people joined the planning session, i.e. how many others are expected this evening?

[djrisc]

A total of 0, lol. I figured it would start off slow though. I'll just keep doing this each week and I'm sure it will pick up as time goes on.

I'll probably wait around until I see other planes on the ramp, so I'm sure the timing won't be hard.

I've never done the pilot to pilot coms either. I'll have to look in to that, probably easier on VFR flights.

Brett

[Mark Hargrove]

Brett,

I just realized that you settled on Thursdays for the west coast fly-ins. That's the only night of the week I can't make it! I'll try to join for future planning sessions, though -- that's almost as much fun as flying the route for me.

-M.

[djrisc]

Ack!
Sorry Mark, it's so tough to coordinate something like this. If the response is poor for a few weeks I'll consider moving it. I just want to keep it constant for awhile and see how it goes.

You are more than welcome at the planning sessions. I actually sickly enjoy the planning as well. It's like some odd form of puzzle solving, which I enjoy.

Brett