Could Our Flight Home Be More Perfect?

We had a nice weekend. We decided to go to Disneyland, since we hadn't been there without kids in over 10 years. The crowds were very light, probably because it was the weekend after Labor Day.

Sunday, we headed to Long Beach and enjoyed Sunday Brunch at the Queen Mary. It's a decent brunch, a little overpriced. My wife and I are both into ships and ocean liners and have a special place in our hearts for the Queen Mary. The things that have been done to her in recent years are a pretty undignified. We really enjoy having brunch in the Grand Salon.
Being in a room on an ocean liner that has seen the likes of Sir Winston Churchill, Clark Gable, Bob Hope, Edward-Duke of Windsor and so many more is something special.

After Sunday brunch, we headed back to John Wayne for the trip back to Phoenix. The weather brief identified some stationary thunderstorms 80 miles west of Phoenix. I decided to reroute via San Diego and Yuma. The weather en route was all VFR and I hoped to get in a little sight seeing in San Diego, so I filed VFR.

SNA was really busy, so it took us the better part of a half hour to get a departure clearance and take off. Once airborne, the view was spectacular. We headed out just south of Newport Harbor.



Then we headed Southeast staying about 3 miles off shore past San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente, San Onofre nuclear generating station and Camp Pendelton. ATC assigned the 9,500 I filed for. The view from 9,500 was amazing.

I contact SoCal and ask about the possibility of a little VFR tour of San Diego. She asked how low and where we would like to go. I replied "as low as we can go" and she asked, "How about 2,500 feet?" Duh...that would be just fine...more than just fine. Anyway, started descending just south of Carlsbad and stayed over the water until La Jolla, then went direct to the Mission Bay VOR. From there, we went over Mission Bay and Sea World to Lindbergh Field, where we crossed mid-field. Then we went south over San Diego Harbor and followed it south to just past the National City Naval Shipyards, where we turned Eastbound and began our climb back to 9,500 towards Yuma.

My wife took some excellent photos, here are a few to enjoy.


Sea World


Lindbergh Field (KSAN) Mid-Field 2,500' MSL


Star of India


USS Ronald Reagan (CVN76) & USS Nimitz (CVN68)


Ronald Reagan


Coronado Bridge

Point Loma

Downtown San Diego (Lindbergh at the top)

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Well, that's out trip to Southern California. I'd post photos of Yuma, but you would be more bored than your probably already are.

Total Hobbs Time: 7.9 hours PIC Cross-Country. Nice.

New things learned this trip:

1. When flying an IFR flight plan, be prepared for major changes en-route.
2. There are many holes in the National Airport Security System. (more on that later)
3. My wife really does enjoy flying with me :)
4. Having an instrument rating adds flexibility and confidence.
5. Ask and sometimes ye shall receive. Thanks SoCal!

This trip was a blast. I'll be working on my commercial single and multi engine for the rest of this month and October, with plenty more cross country flying ahead. I'm looking forward to it.