Challenging High Workload route

[Ryan B]

I ended up wanting to do something a little more challenging that my usual IFR point A to B routes.... and most of the time I fly on A/P.

So today I decided KSNA to AVX then on to LGB. Controller thought it be best to fly to AVX first then I could pick up one in the air back to LGB.

So I went with SNA SLI V21 SXC AVX. On this leg I hand flew in my F1 king air - amazing plane and really quick. For practice I did the VOR/DME B full procedure. My first mistake (which brings up my questions!), was to not slow down enough for the outbound portion. I overflew SXC at about 200 kias.... ended up basically flying a figure 8 intercepting the 352R outbound and then PT inbound... I did slow outbound to 180 which is still really fast (CAT E?), and eventually slowed to 120 for final. So, can someone verify I MUST fly over SXC before going outbound because it is the IAF right? I can't turn early and just join the radial outbound because of my speed? Pretend V21 bent really sharply from the 022R off SXC to the 352R - if this really was an airway I could start my turn early but since SXC is part of the IAF I have to overfly?

Anyway I was inbound and then got a freq change over RIGLI - setting up the landing checklist (for practice) and announcing my intentions of a missed over the field I was back on my way to hold at SXC. I found this part pretty challenging: quickly setting climb power, running the checklist, getting to the hold (I used parallel), and reporting clear of AVX on ctaf, then (finally) telling socal I'm on the pub missed. Then I ask for IFR to LGB, I get it, the routing (which is basically what I expected: SXC V21 SLI Direct.... by this time I'm on A/P to reduce workload. Sometimes A/P feels like a cheat but the way the tiny clickspots work in XP or FSX I feel its necessary. I envy all you guys with hardware using tactile feedback! So I ask for the VOR Ry 30 at LGB with the numbers, full procedure. This time I slowed down to 180 to cross SLI, then outbound again for a parallel entry HILPT, while descending out of 4000 to 1500. Nearing the VOR I forgot about the 275 course change lol! Thankfully I had NAV2 RMI set to SLI and I just followed that for the 275R. Running the checklists again and checking in with tower I'm cleared to land.

Whew total workout! Anyway if you're bored with the same ole same ole try a route and IFR pickup to another destination for a full procedure after a published missed and holding!! In a high performance aircraft of course! Hand flying really adds to the challenge as well.

[Keith Smith]

Yes indeed. Try this sequence:
SNA-FUL, vectors for the VOR-A, go missed, hold as published, then pick up IFR to LGB and shoot the VOR RWY 30 full approach, radar missed, then the LOC BC RWY 1L back at SNA. That's one of the first sequences I shot when putting the FlyThisSim TouchTrainer through its paces when were evaluating it for a commercial venture. Whether you handfly or use the AP you're going to be working hard. There's not a lot of downtime in that sequence.

[Ryan B]

Oooh, I will! What do you think about my buried question? Do I have to overfly SXC for that approach?

[boevad]

I realize that this SID is outside of PE's coverage area, but check out the Medford, OR (KMFR) Brute Six DP. It incorporates tracking an NDB outbound, incepting and then flying a DME arc to various intersections...it's very involved, especially when you don't utilize the autopilot.

Out of curiosity, and for a new challenge, what other DP's, approaches, holds, or combination thereof have you guys found that really challenges your IFR skills.

Dave

[hoser70]

Yes indeed. Try this sequence:

[Ryan B]

Well I did it Keith.... but once I busted alt more than 100 ft.... FAIL! haha (But it was all hand flown weeeee)

Also during VFR maneuvers I had the Duke up to 261 kts over the ground and 49 kts with the stall horn blaring....

Finished the night off with some ties in SNA for patterns between two king airs, and lastly an overhead to make things exciting!

[Keith Smith]

Oooh, I will! What do you think about my buried question? Do I have to overfly SXC for that approach?

I'm not sure on that one. We normally vector people SE of SXC then turn them back towards SXC specifically to avoid them having to do the turn. There's not terrain issue, though and since there isn't a note saying that the approach can't be flown from V21 SW bound, I would overfly SXC then start the turn. Your turn prediction might having you turn SO early that you end up exceeding the max radius of the procedure turn itself.