Nice flight in the Comanche today
Posted: 03 Dec 2017, 21:47
I decided to fly N5665P, my Comanche 250, from Bozeman, Montana (KBZN) to Boundary County Airport in Bonner's Ferry, Idaho (65S). I had recently purchased ORBX scenery for both of these airports, so I had to try 'em out. I met a nice young lady named Heidi at JR's Lounge and Casino. She told me that she needed a ride out of town, so I invited her along. Took off out of Bozeman at 1400 2 Dec 17 and climbed up to 10,500 feet. Got her up there, leveled off, trimmed, leaned to roughness then in just a bit, set the autopilot, etc. We were above the clouds in the bright sunshine. It was very cold; the heater knob was pulled out almost all the way. The flight plan called for a 191 mile leg up to the FCA VOR, then out the 274 radial to Bonner's Ferry. Right about the time we passed Lincoln Airport, we hit clouds. No way to climb above them. I have a virtual IFR ticket, so I continued on, using the autopilot and the GPS. The airplane gradually started to slow down. The trim up light and beep indicated that maybe we were picking up some virtual ice. Oh, boy. I began a descent and contacted Glacier Park International (KGPI on Sky Vector, KFCA in FSX and P3D) and requested landing instructions. They gave us a straight in approach to Rwy 2. By that time we were flying along in between the mountains and the clouds. I intercepted the ILS and drove on in. The landing was uneventful.
We got a ride into Kalispell. Heidi asked if we could go to the Cattlemen's Bar and Casino. Why not? The steaks and the beer were good. Turns out Heidi knows the owner, so she said goodbye to me and went home with him. I got a room at the Super 8.
Next morning it didn't look like a good day for flying. You couldn't see the hills, let alone the mountains! I walked around the town and checked out the scenic sights. Finally I got a ride out to the airport in the afternoon. N5665P was waiting. Glad that I had taken the time to get the engine heater plugged in, as it was still pretty cold. All good during the preflight. I'm careful with the flaps, but the rollers on the left flap seem to be getting a bit worn. Hmm. Four shots of prime and she fired right up (after I yelled "CLEAR" out the little window in my best John Wayne impression). I had used Little Navmap to create a flight plan that took me through the mountain canyons and passes between Kalispell, MT and Bonner's Ferry, ID. Took off at 1400, and flew the route. Worked like a champ. No autopilot here! Tight turns! Waypoints! The clouds and mountains got pretty close together a couple times.
I had to keep an eye on the MP and hit the carb heat when it started to drop. Flew through rain. Flew through snow. Finally flew over Troy Airport (57S) and knew we were on the home stretch. ATIS for 65S said the overcast was at 3,300 ft, wind was calm. No sweat. I went through the landing checklist, keeping between the clouds and the terrain. "65 Sierra traffic, 65 Poppa on final runway 2, 65 Sierra." Approach went fine. Reasonable energy control was maintained. HEY! There are DEER on the runway! Just as the mains touched, this big critter starting running right in front of the airplane! We were gonna go right through that critter just like a Cuisinart! I kicked left rudder and steered around him. Damn deer! Got her slowed down and found a parking spot.
Survived another one.
Seeya
ATB
We got a ride into Kalispell. Heidi asked if we could go to the Cattlemen's Bar and Casino. Why not? The steaks and the beer were good. Turns out Heidi knows the owner, so she said goodbye to me and went home with him. I got a room at the Super 8.
Next morning it didn't look like a good day for flying. You couldn't see the hills, let alone the mountains! I walked around the town and checked out the scenic sights. Finally I got a ride out to the airport in the afternoon. N5665P was waiting. Glad that I had taken the time to get the engine heater plugged in, as it was still pretty cold. All good during the preflight. I'm careful with the flaps, but the rollers on the left flap seem to be getting a bit worn. Hmm. Four shots of prime and she fired right up (after I yelled "CLEAR" out the little window in my best John Wayne impression). I had used Little Navmap to create a flight plan that took me through the mountain canyons and passes between Kalispell, MT and Bonner's Ferry, ID. Took off at 1400, and flew the route. Worked like a champ. No autopilot here! Tight turns! Waypoints! The clouds and mountains got pretty close together a couple times.
I had to keep an eye on the MP and hit the carb heat when it started to drop. Flew through rain. Flew through snow. Finally flew over Troy Airport (57S) and knew we were on the home stretch. ATIS for 65S said the overcast was at 3,300 ft, wind was calm. No sweat. I went through the landing checklist, keeping between the clouds and the terrain. "65 Sierra traffic, 65 Poppa on final runway 2, 65 Sierra." Approach went fine. Reasonable energy control was maintained. HEY! There are DEER on the runway! Just as the mains touched, this big critter starting running right in front of the airplane! We were gonna go right through that critter just like a Cuisinart! I kicked left rudder and steered around him. Damn deer! Got her slowed down and found a parking spot.
Survived another one.
Seeya
ATB