Nice flight in the Comanche today

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Paughco
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Nice flight in the Comanche today

Post by Paughco »

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.

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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
Last edited by Paughco on 04 Dec 2017, 15:55, edited 2 times in total.
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LZ-WIL
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Re: Nice flight in the Comanche today

Post by LZ-WIL »

Hi,

Fascinating experience! :)
(The image is not shown)

Cheerz,
Will
Bonanza, Skylane, Skyhawk, Cherokee, Cub, Texan, Mustang, Warhawk, Spitfire, Flying Fortress

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Paughco
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Joined: 30 Nov 2014, 12:27

Re: Nice flight in the Comanche today

Post by Paughco »

LZ-WIL wrote:Hi,

Fascinating experience! :)
(The image is not shown)

Cheerz,
Will
Think I got the picture fixed.


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LZ-WIL
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Re: Nice flight in the Comanche today

Post by LZ-WIL »

Nice one! Environment and weather look very realistic. :mrgreen:

Cheerz,
Will
Bonanza, Skylane, Skyhawk, Cherokee, Cub, Texan, Mustang, Warhawk, Spitfire, Flying Fortress

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Scott - A2A
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Re: Nice flight in the Comanche today

Post by Scott - A2A »

Paughco,

You are a true blue flight simmer. Which means you use your imagination to fill in those things missing from the full life experience. We would do this way back when flight sim scenery was just a bunch of white lines on the screen. My memory isn't of those lines but of mountains. Imagination is where it's all at, and it's wonderful to be part of a development group that can trigger that from the other side. Thanks for your post, and keep dreaming.

Scott.
A2A Simulations Inc.

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AKar
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Re: Nice flight in the Comanche today

Post by AKar »

Nice story, thanks for taking the effort. :)

It is a big part of the sim flying to me to have 'a mission' for the flight. Even if I was, say, just learning to fly a chopper or beta testing some product, I still need to have a little bit of a background story for myself. Perhaps I'm just flying a special charter for some special group in some forsaken place. It doesn't need to be more than that. I enjoyed flying A2A Comanche from California to Alaska some time back: a big part of the story was to look up all the places along the route that on the map seem somewhat unlikely. Why there is a settlement here, what they do for living? What's the history of this town?

It is great to read stories from other folks, who also include just a bit more than flying alone.

-Esa

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Paughco
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Re: Nice flight in the Comanche today

Post by Paughco »

This was another nice flight in the Comanche today. Flew myself and a lady passenger from Furnace Creek (L06) to Sandy Eggo (KSAN), via the PDZ VOR. Nice flight. The Comanche is great! Climbed right up to 6,500 feet.

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Got her trimmed out and leaned to "close enough" by ear, then set the autopilot and engaged altitude hold.

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Flight following. Flew past some cool stuff, including some sort of tracking station (U007) about 20 miles east of Edwards AFB, then over Southern California Logistics (KVCV).

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We changed course to 154 degM at the PDZ VOR, leaving lala land in our wake. Past San Clemente on our starboard wing. Gradual descent, gradual pushing in the mixture as we came down. Nav lights on. Red spot on the instruments for "atmosphere."

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Called KSAN for VFR landing, got right hand downwind for RWY 27.

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The key to landing this bird is to get her slowed down on the final approach. Then gently apply back pressure as she floats just off the runway. Ignore ATC telling you to turn next taxiway, as you haven't landed yet. Ah. There it is. This was not a carrier landing. Better than a mere "arrival."

We got her parked and tied down. I saved the flight as "Comanche on another adventure." Got her tied down. No need for the engine heater. We got a ride to the Cosmopolitan Hotel and Restaurant. Nice. Checked out Old Town. Got back to my room and watched this on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2D3k0sJ8HM.

Seeya
ATB
Last edited by Paughco on 05 Mar 2018, 12:41, edited 2 times in total.
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LZ-WIL
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Re: Nice flight in the Comanche today

Post by LZ-WIL »

Hi,

I like your flight notes and the details you describe. Did you make any snapshots on this last one, I am sure not only me but the community would like to see some. :wink:
I see your most recent flight path took you across several MOAs and restricted areas. My questions is, do you consider their operating hours when making your flight plan? :roll:

Cheerz,
Will
Bonanza, Skylane, Skyhawk, Cherokee, Cub, Texan, Mustang, Warhawk, Spitfire, Flying Fortress

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Paughco
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Posts: 2095
Joined: 30 Nov 2014, 12:27

Re: Nice flight in the Comanche today

Post by Paughco »

LZ-WIL wrote:Hi,

I like your flight notes and the details you describe. Did you make any snapshots on this last one, I am sure not only me but the community would like to see some. :wink:
I see your most recent flight path took you across several MOAs and restricted areas. My questions is, do you consider their operating hours when making your flight plan? :roll:

Cheerz,
Will
Will: Thank you for your nice comment. I added some photos.

I gotta 'fess, flight planning was done with LittleNavMap. I didn't refer to SkyVector for routing around MOAs and such. Guess it was sort of an "ATC Lite" flight! Hey, I took 13.5 hours instruction in Cessna 140s and 150s at Half Moon Bay Airport back in the 1965 time frame, and I don't remember one single radio call. I'll go take a look at a SkyVector routing for my flight from L06 to KSAN:

Little Nav Map, set for navaid (VOR and ADF) flight plan: L06 > PDZ > KSAN This was a fun flight, and I did see some cool stuff along the way!

SkyVector: L06 > CLARR > V394 > DAG > V587 > DAWNA > V21 > PDZ > V186 > HAILE This flight would have added a whole hour! I would have been still flying, with a strange woman, no less :shock: by the time my wife got home from a dance performance at "On The Boards" in Seattle! 

Oh, the shame of it all! Guess I'll have to fly it all over again! Or maybe send my virtual PPL into the virtual FAA! Maybe I've been spending too much time with those multiplayer hooligans! Hey, you might want to check that out. All it takes is a T-6 and a little craziness!

Also, I took another look at Little Nav Map flight plan options. I got just about the same result as SkyVector when I selected the low altitude (Victor airways) flight planning option. I might use that for the flight(s) back to KAWO from KSAN.

Seeya
ATB
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LZ-WIL
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Posts: 1370
Joined: 23 Jun 2015, 13:59
Location: LBSF

Re: Nice flight in the Comanche today

Post by LZ-WIL »

Hi Paughco,

Thanks for adding those nice shots to your latest trip! I understand your approach on route making now, that Little Navmap looks nice, I may try it.
I currently use Skyvector and Aviation weather for flight planning. :wink:

Cheerz,
Will
Bonanza, Skylane, Skyhawk, Cherokee, Cub, Texan, Mustang, Warhawk, Spitfire, Flying Fortress

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