Bonanza's to Oshkosh Training Camp - March 6-8 in Phoenix

It had been a couple of years, but the call of Oshkosh got the better of us in earlier in 2015 and Mark and I signed up. Beechtalkers, Bonanza drivers and blog readers alike know what this means... A requirement of participation in the Bonanza's to Oshkosh formation flight, is completing a formation flying clinic earlier the same year.

This year, we reviewed options and flew southwest to Phoenix on March 6th for the 3 day event.
Maybe you remember the Formation Clinic posts I wrote in 2013 and 2013?
2012
Friday 1
Saturday 1
Saturday 2
Saturday 3
Safety Class
Sunday 
2013
Friday 
Saturday 1
Saturday 2
Sunday

After the snowiest February on record, I held my breath as I  checked daily, the forecast for flying out of Colorado. We asked and the universe provided. As Friday dawned, the sky was clear and starry. A full moon set over the Flatirons about 6:30 AM as I drove toward Longmont's Vance Brand Airport. It was 21 degrees cold.

At hangar #68 pre-heating was well underway. Mark had recently acquired a new tool: Switchbox. This new fandangled powerstrip is remotely controlled via a smartphone app, and allowed Mark to plug in an engine heater and turn it on from home, the night before the flight. About an hour before we arrived at the airport, off went the engine heater and on went the cabin heater. I can't even begin to tell you how happy that made me when I arrived! Toasty warm inside and out made for a pleasant pre-flight inspection and low drama luggage loading. We were on our way and still warm at 7 AM, just as the sun peaked over the horizon.

Up, up and away. The early morning sun bathed N303B as we made our way south along the foothills, over Boulder and down towards Castle Rock. Already on oxygen, we then headed southwest behind Pike's Peak and toward Taos, climbing to about 10,500'. 

The air was smooth and pretty soon we were enjoying a morning beverage service. Hot coffee... Sparkling Rocky Mountains... Just one finger on the yoke as we hurried toward Arizona, at times noting a 200 mph ground speed.

A short 3 hours later, we taxied onto the ramp at Saint Johns Industrial Park Airport, AZ. Fuel stop! Us and 5 experimental aircraft lined up for fueling. They too were off on an air adventure... A fly in not too far away. I took the opportunity to shove some of my old dollar bills at the vending machines. Having forgotten our in-flight snacks, Mark and I were becoming ravenous. Who says old and chewy rice crispy treats are bad for you?! We washed the sticky rice down with peanut butter Snickers and called it good enough.

The flight to Deer Valley Airport in Phoenix seemed like it would be a walk in the park. It was barely 11 AM and we knew an hour from now, we'd be enjoying the camaraderie of old friends and new, lunch in a restaurant with a runway view and the warmth of an 85 degree Arizona day. I let my enthusiasm get away on me and in a short time, fell behind in my preparedness.

Fifty miles out I called for flight following. Phoenix' airspace was crowded. At least 6 different airports around the periphery and that Class B airspace through the middle of the area. Help with traffic to watch out for, was useful. What I didn't think about soon enough, was communicating with ATC long before I wanted to land at Deer Valley. So at 12 miles out, when I tried to get a word in edge-ways on the radio and failed, panic arose. We were 9 miles out before there was 5 seconds of quiet on the radio in which I could begin communication - And yes, the controller had some advice for me about that! 

Was it just me or did 80% of the pilots checking in seem to have Asian accents so strong I couldn't understand them!? Multiple runways with left and right traffic patterns, LOTS of other traffic landing and departing, a Bonanza flight of 3 practicing and helicopters "on the go".  Did I mention panic? I was definitely not used to all of this. My home airport of Longmont is uncontrolled. So are most of the surrounding airports. This here cacophony was highlighting my lack of experience and practice and not in a "good to know" kinda way!

Safely on the ground 10 minutes later, I was tired and hungry and very glad to be switching roles to "photographer" for the duration of the clinic. Yep, I fly to AZ and back... Mark flies formation. I take pics. 

The 2015 B2Osh Formation Flying Clinic had begun!

It was warm and lovely in Phoenix. Flowers and picturesque cacti adorned the airport, smiling, familiar faces greeted us. And we were just in time for lunch. :-)

Then the Friday afternoon flight was discussed. Everyone broke into pairs or triples and the briefing began.

Guess what? The first thing I learned at the Bonanza's to Oshkosh training camp was that Deer Valley Airport was the busiest general aviation airport in the country. Hmmm... Probably just as well I didn't know that ahead of time actually. The second thing I learned was yes, there are a ton of Asian pilots in the sky here... Because there is a Chinese flight training school and a South Korean flight training school at Deer Valley. To top it off, Deer Valley is where Air Traffic Controllers come to train too!!!  All of a sudden not feeling so bad about my wee panic. Sounds justified to me!

I digress. We came here to fly formation and that's exactly what happened.

Flight One: The air was hot and bumpy but it was fun, fun, fun!

I flew with George.

Off one wing we had Sean, an experienced commercial pilot, but new to formation flying. Mark was his safety pilot. They really did a great job!

My job was simple. Enjoy the flight, get to know the pilots, capture their skill and aircraft as and when possible, while not distracting from the learning - Why we are really here. I soaked up every minute of it. Again grateful for the chance to fly with experienced pilots and appreciative of the knowledge transfer that often comes in an osmosis kind of way.

George had my admiration and of course, appreciation. My first formation flight of a weekend can be the hardest... Putting to rest all the anxiety that comes with defying everything you were taught in order to get a private pilot license is not as easy as it sounds.  Not only does George have the skills and calm demeanor, but his airplane has great picture taking windows - Bonus!

We finished the Friday afternoon flight with this landing:

Dallice's footnote: I don't turn around in my seat to take pictures at touchdown. I'm rather attached to my spine and had big plans for it this weekend. These photos were taken just prior to George touching down and I think are a really good illustration of 2 Bonanzas landing in formation within a second of each other.

We taxied off the runway to the ramp and George gave the signal to shut down engines together. Beautiful. Just as it was briefed.

The weekend was off to a good start and I was excited to be surrounded by such good pilots, intelligent thinkers and fastidious planners. My happy place. :-)

Drone Fun for Business and Pleasure

You have the pleasure of witnessing, via blog, the inaugural flight of Henry... The quadcopter that joined my family recently!

Henry had been a twinkle in my eye for quite some time. Perhaps since the day a fellow Boulder CO Realtor introduced me to his quadcopter child, back in mid 2014.

As you might remember, I love real estate, love flying and love photography. The plan to buy a quadcopter and use it for aerial photography while simultaneously embracing my inner 14 year old boy, was an exciting one.

Mark gave me a mini drone for Christmas and quadcopter flight lessons began. At about 4-5" in diameter, it was almost harmless fun. We laughed out loud as it flew mostly out of control across my living room. Before the "crash kit" even arrived, we had (really, I had) managed to destroy 2 sets of propellers by way of collisions with the ceiling, walls, furniture and myself! The good news was that the dog still had his eyes and the cat was holding his own with a stoic face from behind the furniture.

Practice makes perfect though and 5 days later, it was indeed possible for both Mark and I to crash land that device, without breaking something. Just in time for the inevitable arrival of Henry. Yes, I had bitten the bullet and purchased a Phantom Vision II - who we are affectionately calling Henry.

Henry is CAPABLE. His role with Silver Fern Homes will be part-time photographer and with his 14 megapixel camera he will provide me with gorgeous aerial photos and short videos, providing a brand new perspective. Perhaps most importantly, offering my sellers a service that is not super easy to find and buyers, a way to see the big picture... Location, orientation, neighborhood layout, views.

On his first day out of the box, Henry, Mark and I had some learning to do. There was a bit of set-up and a few batteries to install.  Then, painfully, we had to wait for nicer weather. Apparently my living room is not big enough for Henry so we headed to the open space of a local school for his inaugural flight.

What a fantastic Sunday afternoon! We had a lot of fun learning and playing. So much so that I almost didn't notice my freezing fingers.

Henry has a fairly short attention span. He only lasts 30 minutes or so before needing a nap.  So Mark and I were happily flying him back toward the car, fully aware that he was down to 1 of his 4 battery lights when Henry suddenly rises up and flies off, by himself!

I was freaking out... The controls in my hands were ineffective and I watched Henry, 100 feet in the air, moving back over the school field and getting further and further away.

Suddenly I realize what is happening. The low battery warning that was being yelled from the app on my phone, was also telling Henry to return to where he first launched. Mark and I had calibrated his GPS about 75 feet out in the field and that is where Henry landed himself on autopilot. Very reassuring when you think about it - and after your mild stroke abates.

Colorado... Home Sweet Home

I had the most wonderful time at Christmas. There was flying, cookies, family gatherings, walking in the snow, a decorated tree, new friends, great wine, a singing-dancing show and my new favorite pre-Christmas service at the Unity Center with Rev. Dawna.

Mark and I had the pleasure of a comfy suite with a view over the golf course... Mornings were spent sleeping in and geeking out... Coffee was fresh brewed and hot... And Packer greeted us with his schnauzer puppy love in ample supply, every single day.

Five days just flew by and before I knew it, I was on the home stretch. Cedar City to Longmont.

I'm luckiest girl in the world; My sweet boyfriend flew me slowly and carefully around Bryce Canyon National Park for a photography fix before landing at Cal Black Airport for our last fuel stop.  :-)

Then I flew, Cal Black to Longmont, direct over the Rockies at 13,500 feet, with an oxygen cannula in my nose!

It was an almost perfect day for flying. Wispy clouds hung off high peaks as we flew close by Montrose, Aspen, Eagle and Granby airports. The finger pulse-oximeter told me my heart rate didn't go above 80... But I didn't believe it. When I overheard a commercial aircraft announcing their intentions to take off, there was mild anxiety. No ATC?  When one of the pilots (already in the air) asked if anyone could help him open his IFR flight plan, I swear my heart was racing. Of course Mark reassured me that they had us on radar and wouldn't suddenly emerge from the clouds in front of us... But a couple did seem to come too close for my comfort, none-the-less.

Just over two hours later, Long's Peak poking through the clouds welcomed us back to the Front Range and we slowed up N303B for her bumpy descent from 12,500' to pattern altitude, 6,000' at Longmont Airport.

Home. Safe. Tired.
Nothing a glass of wine and a hot bath couldn't cure!

Tahoe Scenic Flight

It had been 20 years since I last saw Lake Tahoe. I barely remembered it, but that was all about to change. Lew Gage and Mark had chatted about flying together and it was decided we could kill several birds with one stone. (I really dislike that saying!)

Leaving Reno at 10-ish, Mark flew while I enjoyed the scenic view that can only come with being in a small plane circling overhead.  It was beautifully peaceful and oh so calm down there. The flight was calm too... A nice change.

  

This is how the "other half" live. Their homes perched along the shore, their boats docked privately on the lake. Ahhh...   No, I'm not jealous. After all, I'm in N303B cruising Lake Tahoe, headed for lunch with friends.

We landed and talked airplanes...

We had lunch and took off again. The next (last) thing on our busy schedules this morning, was re-fueling the Bonanza at Carson City on the way back to Reno Stead Airport.

I flew the legs into and out of Carson City while Mark kept his eyes out the window. The airspace around here is complicated and well trafficked. I love my co-pilot!

Approaching Reno Stead the winds favored landing to the south on Runway 14 (see it at 11 o'clock tracking down to 5 o'clock on the pic below). Given that our hanger was on the west side of the airport (9 o'clock), we were going to have a "bit of a drive" after landing. Quite rightly, Mark suggested I land long to reduce the 10 mph commute.

Flying downwind for runway 14, I knew it was plenty long enough. What I didn't quite factor in so well, was the runway was 150 wide, making it look shorter than it was... Until I was flaring. Holy crap! I can barely see the edges of the runway. 

So, the landing was not bad, but I would say I was only a quarter of the way down it and the next 10 minutes were spent taxiing. I'm not complaining. It still counts for me to log the time!  The question is... Do I owe Mark some new tires?!  Those little wheels were not intended for long distance driving.

Ahh... good for a giggle though.