IFR Adventures
My last two logbook entries depict flights with quality, IFR flying. Both flights involved the completion of three instrument approaches in actual conditions. One involved an honest to God holding pattern requested by ATC while the other involved my first approach to a military installation - Lackland AFB (Kelly Field Annex).
Now THAT was an experience!
You see, Lackland AFB is home to an 11,550 foot long by 300 foot wide runway. The runway bears the scars of many C-5A Galaxy landings. Shortly after emerging from a slightly bumpy broken layer of clouds at 3,000 feet I was advised by Kelly Tower that I was “Cleared for the Low Approach.”
Landing on the runway, of course, was not authorized. Landing, as a civilian pilot with no affiliation with the military, would need to involve flames, smoke or some other serious malady to avoid being greeted by military police none to happy about having to respond to an unauthorized gnat landing in their playground.
Seriously folks, the runway, as I swooped over it at the Decision Height altitude, was ginormous.
I captured some video of my last approach - the ILS 12R at KSAT - while following vectors to intercept the localizer. With the needles centered I was asked by ATC for best forward speed due to an ExpressJet that was, comparatively, screaming through the clouds behind me wanting the same runway.
I offered and ATC gladly accepted, a sidestep for the parallel runway and did the manuever - as requested - after crossing the middle marker.
I was thrilled to end the flight with one of those “butterfly with sore feet” landings.
All in all, two recent flights with solid IFR work, incredible sights and an absolute ton of fun!
Don Jones said,
October 31, 2007 @ 11:55 am
My wife and I were flying to KADS for a weekend visit with my son, his wife, and the grandsons on OU/Texas weekend. The class B was full of aircraft coming to Dallas to watch the game. The problem; forecast was for BKN045 P6SM and what greeted us was OVC004 2SM BR. I hit the cloud bank over Burnett (7K feet) and did not see land again until I saw the “jack-rabbit” for ADS’ rwy 15. The biggest lessons learned; 1) stay current; this weather just dropped in on the Dallas area very quickly. IFR certified pilots were in the air but several shared with ATC that it had been a while since they had flown hard IFR and they needed help (and they got it). 2) The 1-2-3 rule in the FAR for identifying an alternate is good but a better rule is always identify an alternate. The “big” guys do and that weekend was a great example of why we all should.
See you in the air. Enjoyed the videos.
Don