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Two Parks, One Challenge

Posted by alyboo

Keep Em Flying Challenge

When Airplane Owners and Pilots Association president Craig Fuller presented a challenge to members four months ago my ears perked up; I’m not one to turn down a challenge. The challenge? Pilots need only fly as pilot in command for five hours to five airports located at least 50 miles apart—in any kind of aircraft—and take any Air Safety Institute online safety course in the next four months.

“There are many ways for AOPA members to make a difference, including this challenge,” said AOPA President Craig Fuller. “The more people who fly, and do their part to help others discover the value of general aviation, the easier it will be to ‘Keep ‘em Flying’ for generations to come.”

Any pilots willing to step up are offered an entry into a drawing for a pool of cash prizes. Ask any of my friends and they will tell you I am more than enthusiastic about sharing my new-found love of aviation. I’m pretty sure most of them actually want me to shut up already. So if AOPA is willing to pay me to keep flying and keep talking, I accept.

FIRST AIRPORT: Glacier International: KGPI

We departed Missoula and headed north. This was my first flight as pilot in command of our beloved Cessna Skylane after receiving my high performance endorsement. A big thanks to our airplane partner and bestest CFI Steve!

On the way up we had a great view of Kerr Dan, a concrete gravity-arch dam located on the Flathead River which controls the size of Flathead Lake, the largest fresh water lake west of the Mississippi. In the spring all the gates in the dam open up to control spring run off.

Passed the majestic Mission range in the Flathead Valley.

KGPI is only a few miles from my mom’s house and it was only a few days before Mother’s Day, what a great opportunity to take her up for the first time! Glacier International Park is her backyard playground. It is where she spends long sweet summer days exploring its peaks, and escaping on skis for some blustery winter solitude. We took a scenic tour over the park; it was satisfying to see her beaming as she pointed out all the peaks she has climbed.

We spotted Ryan Field, a private airstrip on the outskirts of Glacier Park.

http://theraf.org/ryan-field-pilot-info

We could see plows working to clear the road through Glacier from the air.

This picture was taken from Glacier np Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/glaciernps/7221783166/sizes/m/in/set-72157629725011599/

We got a great view of the Seeley-Swan mountain range while enroute back to the airport. You can see Hungry Horse reservoir in the background.

SECOND AIRPORT: KMSO

SSFF to KMSO 129nm 1.4 hours flight time

I have been feeling the need to repay my CFI Steve since the ink dried on my high-performance endorsement, so when he asked for a ride back to Missoula from Felts Field near Spokane, the answer was clear. He shares ownership of our 182, so I felt honored when he let me be pilot in command. I also hit 100 hours flight time in my logbook on this flight!

Our flight path took us over the craggy Cabinet Mountain range.

Approach to KSFF

Departing Felts Field

Back home!

Here is a view from the left downwind for runway 29. It is one of my all-time favorite views. Missoula is where I completed all my flight training and any time I fly back from a cross-country the familiarity of KMSO pattern eases my travel woes. I spent a lot of time hating this pattern and have ended a few flights in tears while training, but after so many hours getting to know this airport I now condiser it an old friend. Whether it is straight in for runway 11 or left downwind 29, the sight of Missoula’s landmark Mount Jumbo and Mount Sentinel, and the river that runs between them means the end of a journey and the comfort of home.

THIRD AIRPORT: Boeing Field KBFI

Some flights are inspired by good weather. I woke up, looked out the window, then called in sick. I wasn’t necessarily sick per say, but the weather was urban dictionary “sick” and I was ready to fly somewhere. Anywhere. Seattle has been on my bucket list since I heard about Boeing Field and all the lovely FBO’s willing and ready to help make your weekend a dream. Seattle is also just far enough away to make it a royal pain in the butt to drive for just the weekend, but a nice 3 hour leasurely flight in a small aircraft. We called up some friends who were really good sports about letting us crash at their house last minute, then we fueled up and pointed her west.

On final for 31L at Boeing Field

After landing, Aeroflight let us use thier courtesy car to get into the city where we enjoyed checking out the Pike market and eating fish & chips at Ivars Fish Bar.

We picked up our friends and took a scenic flight out to the San Juan Islands. This is a view of downtown Seattle from the air.

Most islands in the San Juan’s have an airstrip or airport. We opted to land at Friday Harbor.

Midfield crossing over Friday Harbor’s airport. You can just barely see another airplane has just landed at the bottom of this photo.

“Friday Harbor traffic, Skylane 7557 Sierra turning a right base for runway 16, Friday Harbor.”

Walked into town and enjoyed some oysters on the Harbor. Now that’s a $100 hamburger if I have ever seen one!

After departing Seattle we had a great aerial view of Snoqualmie Falls just outside the city.

FOURTH FLIGHT: Morgan County Airport 42U

My dad invited me down to Utah to enjoy a Utah Symphony concert in Park City featuring the band Kansas. How could I say no? A little time with family, a little Kansas, a picnic on a resort lawn? Does Morgan have an airstrip? We can all see how this story ends. I carried my wayward self on down there in my 182.

Here is a screen shot of our flight path south. Can you tell where we are?

Showers over Idaho.

Reservoir near approach to Morgan County Airport.

Snow Basin ski area, a good reporting point when navigating to Morgan.

Me and my dad with Park City in the background.

Outdoor concert venue for the Symphony. Not too shabby.

FIFTH AIRPORT: West Yellowstone WYS

On the way back from Utah we had to dodge some rainshowers and decided a stop in West Yellowstone was in order. I have heard good things about the airport, like courtesy bikes, pilot campground, nice restaurant. They were all true. If you ever have a chance to fly into West Yellowstone…DO IT! POTUS Obama landed there with his family in 2008. If WYS is good enough for airforce one, its good enough for me.

On final at WYS

The campground for pilots was impressive! Clean, spacious, private, and they even have showers!

Took a two mile ride to the town of West Yellowstone on the courtesy bikes!

Enjoyed an order of “Rocky Mounain Oysters” at the airport. I love that they had them on the menu, clearly for the tourists. It’s a Montana thing. Yes, they are bulls balls. Yes, they taste like chicken. Yes, I lost a bet.