Longbows & Arrows

One of the neat things about flying at Gateway is the variety of aircraft flying in and out. At any given time in the pattern you'll find: C-17's delivering Israeli Longbows to Boeing for refurbishment, C-130's, Justice Department/Homeland Security MD-83's deporting illegal aliens and transporting Federal prisoners, Air Force and NASA T-38's, Navy T-45's, F/A-18's, AV-8B Harriers, US Airways aircraft doing touch and go's, KC-135 tankers, plus passenger planes such as Embraer ERJ145's & Brasilias, 737's, chartered 757's & A320s, Dash 8's and more...and that's just fixed wing aircraft! It really is neat to be on final, parallel to a C-130.

It's been pretty busy the last few weeks. Changing from Part 142 training to Part 61 training has required some significant work. In addition to a considerable amount of required time building, a new aircraft has come in to the mix. Part 61 training at my flight school requires initial single, then a multi add-on. The check ride for commercial single engine will be in a Piper Arrow, which I had exactly zero hours in.

During the past week, I've had to learn procedures and V speeds for an entirely new aircraft and then re-learn the differing procedures for all of the commercial maneuvers. Nothing has really been difficult, just time consuming. As a matter of fact, the Piper Arrow (PA28R-200) is pretty fun to fly. I especially enjoy power off 180's. With best glide at about -1500'/min, the landing point comes pretty darn fast. The school has two Arrows in the fleet and both have very different personalities. One has a 2 blade McCauley prop and the other, a 3 blade Hartzell prop. The one with the Hartzell prop sinks like a rock. Aim straight for the numbers! The other day, I did 8 power off 180's and hit my point 6 out of 8 times and made the runway for all 8. Hopefully on check ride day, it will come just as easily. Need more practice. Other than the nose heaviness in power off 180's, it's a very forgiving, easy to fly aircraft and cruises along nicely at about 140 knots.

Besides learning the Arrow, time building has been on the forefront. San Diego Montgomery Field won out for the long solo cross-country. The people at Gibbs Aviation were very nice and lent me a courtesy vehicle so I could grab lunch at Point Loma Seafood Market.

Sunday, I did a night trip to Tucson International. A high pressure system centered over central Arizona was making gusty Southeasterly winds in Tucson, but they were forecast to be right up the runway. Winds aloft were wicked, it took 1.5 hours to get to Tucson with ground speed never exceeding 80 knots. On approach, there was a 20 knot direct headwind, gusting to 26. I came in fast and landed smooth. After dinner, the winds had picked up to 32, gusting to 40. If I were flying a Cessna, it would have been time for a quick call to the Hampton Inn. The Cessnas on the ramp were rocking all over the place, but the low wing aircraft were all pretty stable. Winds at Gateway were reported to be 030 at 8, no big deal at all. I taxied out, accelerated to 90 knots indicated and held on tight. The first half of the ride home featured a 35 degree crab angle and some moderate turbulence. After that, it was smooth and enjoyable all the way back to Gateway.

Tuesday a maintenance cancellation provided a perfect opportunity to fly to Palm Springs, but that's a story all of it's own.