jumbo jet
“My” airport. Note where it says “RY 20 HAS 55 FT TREES 50 FT FM THLD ON CNTRLN.” Translation: Runway 20 (landing from the north) has 55-foot-high trees 50 feet from the runway threshold, centered on the runway. Which is correct. Except that the trees are more like 5 feet from the end of the runway.
I practiced landings yesterday and encountered that very issue, having to land from the north due to the wind. It meant that I was able to fly a left-hand traffic pattern, which is preferable since I can see more easily the direction that I’m turning, but landing was interesting. And not only because of the trees–there was a low ceiling and we had a 6 knot (~8 mph) quartering headwind (combination headwind and crosswind) gusting to 15 knots. The challenge in that kind of situation, or indeed any landing in general, but more so when the winds are dicey, is to fly the airplane by feel, referring to the instruments as little as possible. And on my fourth landing of the day (we did five, just circling around in the pattern), I got it. Came down over the trees perfectly, power off, just gliding with full flaps, dead on the centerline, wing dipped a little into the wind, flared out at just the right time and heard the stall horn come on just as we touched down. Gosh that was satisfying, even if I did get a little lucky.
The fifth and last landing was more interesting. We caught an updraft coming off the trees just as we were crossing the runway threshold a hundred feet or so above. Power was off, flaps full down and the nose was angled down so I was expecting us to sink like a stone once we got over the trees–but we didn’t… Until a couple hundred feet farther down the runway. Then, *whooomp* down we came until we were in ground effect and flaring out all of a sudden. We were past the cones (orange cones placed at a certain point alongside the runway with the understanding that if we’re not on the ground by the time we reach them, we do an immediate go-around) but the instructor was in the airplane so I landed anyway. And braked. More landings on Tuesday! Hoping for smoother air then…
That’s pretty intense, M!
Wow…that is so cool…That’s gotta be a great feel to land the plane. I know how satisfying it felt to successfully land in MS Flight Simulator :o)
I talked to a guy from Boeing at our career fair. He met me the next day and he talked to me about things I’d need to do to make it past the first resume stack. He said he’d put in a good word for me if I told him what position I applied for (this is all in pursuit of internships for next summer). I was telling mom and dad that if I did get to work for Boeing, then all three of their boys would be involved in aviation. You’re flying, Paul’s doing top secret work, and I’d be doing design work. I doubt I’ll get an internship, but I’ll try nonetheless. Caterpillar wants me back in Decatur, but I’m talking to the coordinator and will hopefully be able to work in Clayton.
Are you going to the wedding on Saturday? Rachel’s coming down and we’re going to hang out with her family before the wedding and then get to see our family at the wedding. Lots of family…too many weddings.
Perhapsibly… But not as intense as trying to find your way through Heathrow!
I’ll admit, that would be really cool if you got a position with Boeing. Do they have any local divisions/plants or would you have to move up to Everett, WA? I’m glad you called Aaron, too (read your post). I hope he was helpful and gave you some good pointers.
Yep, I’ll be there. See you in a few hours!