Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Leg 17 Boise to Seattle, Washington State

Well this is the final leg.

This leg will be a little different - I'll be making lots of short hops and dropping into small airfields seat-of-the-pants style!


Crossed into Washington from Oregon.. this river divides the two states.. We're on the Washington side now, descending and heading for our VFR nav point - the small island ahead - before turning north for the airfield.




and landed at Columbia Crest Winery!

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Leg 16 - Jackson Hole to Boise Idaho


Pre-dawn departure from Jackson Hole


Climbing out over the Teton Mountains


Sunrise behind me as the flight progresses west.



Interesting rise in the otherwise flat plains


Hitting some heavy showers


Having to scud run down into a valley to stay visual






ILS approach into Boise


Short final

Monday, April 20, 2009

Leg 15 - Rapid City to Jackson Hole, Wyoming


Departing Rapid Ciy


Westward bound at 10,000 feet. At this point I am unaware of the flaw in my flight plan.
But, on closer inspection, they do look like mountains in the distance...


OK so the flaw in plan has become apparent. I'm at a little over 10,000 feet and the terrain around me is higher. In fact here I am weaving between the peaks looking for a way out.



Got to love this one. Just a clearing a ridge before a large drop off; I'm barely above ground level and the altimeter is reading 11,208 feet. It's a tad chilly up here and I'm forced above the 10,000 no-oxygen limit out of necessity.


And over the side (phew) with the terrain dropping away. Note the GPS; the planned track is shown (current segment in magenta); I've diverted as shown to the south. Destination Jackson Hole can bee seen at the far left of the GPS display.


Overhead my new diversion waypoint, Dubois. Now to find a way up the valley and the next set of ridges.


That's a very isolated looking church down there...


High ground again, with the Teton Ranges in the distance.


And over the last ridge, about to rejoin the original navigation track.


Approach into Jackson Hole.


Jackson Hole.

Monday, April 13, 2009

Leg 14 - Fargo to Rapid City, SD
















Here we are Leaving Fargo.



Rapid City Circuit Pattern



Turning Final at Rapid City


And a later scenic trip to Mount Rushmore