Justin’s Pilot Reports (PIREP)

The weather the past few weeks has been incredible. As a result, I’ve had quite a few VFR flights to take advantage of the situation. I noticed I had almost filled a page on my logbook with VFR flights and decided it was time to do some instrument approaches.

The local profile I use is KSAT-T89-KSSF-KSAT - this gets me three instrument approaches with about an hour’s flight time. In Castroville I do the NDB approach, at Stinson the VOR approach and I return to San Antonio Intl by flying down the glideslope of the ILS.

This is an excerpt of Local IFR flight.
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Some of you may be aware that a few weeks ago I attempted to update the firmware on my Garmin GPSMAP 296 handheld GPS with disastrous results. I was running the 2.94 “beta” firmware and after the update the unit would not stay powered on.

I sent the unit to Garmin next-day air on December 17th, 2004. I was told they’d send it back to me by next day in return. It arrived at Garmin on December 20th.

The unit arrived back home today. To Garmin’s credit, the unit was fixed and back in the mail on Tuesday 12/17 sent to me via second-day air (DHL). The Christmas rush resulted in a delay.

This is an excerpt of Garmin GPSMAP 296 back home.
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My father Jack and cousin Joey joined me today to catch the new IMAX film, Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag. This film tells the story of a pilot following in the footsteps of his grandfather who was a decorated World War II pilot (who flew the incredible F-4U Corsair).

The movie was incredible! The air-to-air cinematography was breathtaking. I wish the film had last two hours instead of 47 minutes!

I highly recommend this film if it is showing in your area. If not, catch it when it comes out on DVD. I certainly will!

This is an excerpt of Fighter Pilot : Operation Red Flag.
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MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Just pulled the latest METAR for San Antonio International Airport:

BrrrrrrRRRrrr!

Been quite some time since I’ve seen 0 degrees Celcius in a METAR. I know, I know, I’m a spoiled South Texas pilot!!

I’m currently planning a IFR cross-country trip to Sonora Municipal Airport (KSOA) for Monday, December 27th, 2004. This after hearing from several pilots that you just can’t beat landing at the airport, walking across the runway and through a gate to eat at the ADJACENT Sutton County Steakhouse!

This is an excerpt of Merry Christmas!.
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The sky was so blue. The clouds absent. The westerly breeze beckoned. It was time to fly!

Shannon joined me for a flight to Kerrville, Texas. We’ve visited Kerrville several times, usually to hike at what was once called Kerrville Schreiner State Park but this would be our first visit by air.

After preflighting Skyhawk 810SA, we were cleared for takeoff on Runway 30 Right. The first 300-500 feet of the runway seemed quite bumpy but with just the two of us we were off the ground in no time. Another Cessna was taking off on the parallel runway and it was cool to see him climbing alongside us.

This is an excerpt of Very VFR flight to Kerrville, Texas.
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Night flying is a unique experience that never ceases to dazzle me. This evening I flew two coworkers of mine over San Antonio. We rented the 2003 Cessna Skyhawk SP from Wright Flyers and launched into the night sky shortly after 6:30PM.

The latest METAR (aviation weather report) sited:
Winds 080 @ 3, 10 mile visibility, a broken cloud layer at 9,000 and 25,000 feet with an altimeter of 30.29

Even at a full 8000 feet above the city, the clouds more than a mile above the surface reflected the orange glow of the city lights.

This is an excerpt of A night flight, a First Flight.
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