Coast to Coast!!

[mrjibbs]

Last week i was very fortunate to get an opportunity of a lifetime!

 

I was sent with my chief instructor out to North Carolina to pick up a newly aquired 22. We flew it 2,572 miles back to Oregon. I must say that was by far the coolest, most beneficial training i could have ever asked for! I cant count the numerous experiences i had that will stick with me for the rest of my life as a pilot. Flying through some busy Bravo's (DFW for one), Charlies and the like, power management to get the most out of every gallon, not having to join patterns and just doing commercial approches to the helipads time and time again, landing next to an active Appachee and talking to the pilot about how cool his bird was and laughing at the 22 sitting next to it, flying through the Sierra Nevada's with some heavy turbulence and a DA of 5400 and landing with the winds gusting to 35kts, 2 days right seat, 2 days left seat, and of course some serious navigation. The GPS was only East Coast VFR so once we hit mid texas, we had to input the Lat & Longs for every stop after that and carefully plan fuel stops always having that backup plan just in case. I mean it was just an invaulable experience all around. My butt and legs are sure battered from sitting in that position for so many consecutive hours, but the pain is a small price to pay for such an awesome adventure! I feel pretty lucky to have done such a flight while still in training, but i think doing that trip taught me alot more from a real world view then flying patterns and doing confindes for 40 hours could have done. I was able to knock out all of my comm requirements and i am sitting at 180 now so all i have left is proficency training and checkrides!!

Edited April 21, 2008 by mrjibbs

[Goldy]

Being an R 22, I don't know whether to be jealous or really happy I wasnt there !!

 

Sounds like a great trip though, I'd love to do it in a 44.

 

Goldy

[ChprPlt]

Sounds like a great trip. Just curious where in NC did you pick it up?

[mrjibbs]

in Concord, from a private owner.

[Copterpilot213]

That's awesome, I did something similar. I flew an R22 from Phx, AZ to Las Vegas NV. It was a fantastic experience and as you said it's much different than staying in the "comfort zone" of the area that you learned to fly in. I recommend it to any student that is in the position to do something like this!

 

One key thing though: Arrange a massage for afterwards!

[AngelFire_91]

Last week i was very fortunate to get an opportunity of a lifetime!

Flying through some busy Bravo's (DFW for one), Charlies and the like,

 

Sounds like a great time, I've ferryed some fixed wing aircraft before and it's a blast. I can't imagine the soreness from doing it in a R22 though. I'm courious to know what your route was? NC to OR doesn't really seem like you should be going through TX.

[captkirkyota]

Sounds like a great time, I've ferryed some fixed wing aircraft before and it's a blast. I can't imagine the soreness from doing it in a R22 though. I'm courious to know what your route was? NC to OR doesn't really seem like you should be going through TX.

Oh yes it does, better weather this time of year, lower terrain altitudes and a lot of highway to follow.

[mrjibbs]

We took a route to the south cause of or weight and amount of fuel we could carry. We had to aim for the lowest pass through the Sierra Nevada's so we didnt have to do use extra fuel to climb and fight the winds. It was the most economic route giving our weight. Plus it gave me more hours so i was cool with it, although my hammy's are still tight and sore a week later!