Flightblog

Lesson 23: Solo XC to Honolulu

Here's the flight I've been working toward over the last couple of months. This is my first solo XC flight! For the purpose of gaining the required aeronautical experience for the private pilot license, 'cross country flight' is defined as a flight with a landing at an airport farther than 50nm from the original point of departure. The way the airports are distributed around Maui makes it sort of difficult for the student pilot to fly a 'cross country' flight here.

Hana airport is only 26 miles away, so even though it is very much 'cross country' in the true sense, it technically doesn't qualify. That means you have to fly to another island. You'd think they'd (the FAA) let us fly our 'cross country' flights to Molokai or Lanai to limit our exposure to potentially risky single engine over open water operations, but not. Molokai airport is only 40nm away so it's not a 'cross country' flight (even though it IS a cross country flight) and Lanai is similarly disqualified at 30nm.

So where do you go?

Upolu point on the Big Island seems like a logical choice. Fly to Hana and then turn SE to cross the channel. Nope, too bad...only 49.6nm.

So, as a result of the way the regs are read and the lack of any special consideration for Maui student pilots, your first solo XC is either to Honolulu (the next closest airport) or Kona. The thing about flying to Kona is the Alanuehaha Channel crossing. You fly across the channel at 3000', over 40 minutes of shark infested open water, in between a 10000' mountain to the Northwest (Haleakala) and 14000' Mauna Kea to the southeast...with 15-25kt wind blowing from the northeast. Ever hear of the 'venturi effect'?

I don't like flying that channel crossing. The weather changes rapidly, it's windy and the seas are rough...it's nasty.

Honolulu Intl. becomes the logical solo XC destination, out of necessity.

It's not really that big a deal. I got to fly over there for my written, so entering the airspace and talking to the controllers wasn't totally foreign. Once you're in the Bravo they are pretty good about giving you directions to fly, anyone can follow directions.

The morning of my flight was beautiful. There was a light scattered layer at 3000 with plenty of sunshine and great visibility. Winds were only about 10kts on Maui, 10kts at altitude and lighter at Honolulu. A perfect flying day.

I planned a route that would take me along Molokai's south shore on the way over. To Nakalele point on the far northwestern tip of Maui where I turn west to intercept the MKK 237° radial to the Molokai VORTAC then track that same radial outbound toward Koko Head and pick up radar vectors from Honolulu Approach about halfway across the channel. Offshore arrival would keep me well offshore at about 1500' inbound.

On the way back, I would take the Freeway 4 departure out of Honolulu, where you follow the H1 toward Koko Head, behind Waikiki and then just sort fly off the east side toward Maui. Simple and straightforward.

I took off about 9:15am and headed across the water toward Nakalele. 5 minutes out from OGG I called up FSS and activated my flight plan with time off amended. Got back with Maui Departure and let them know I'd like flight following to Honolulu via S. Shore Molokai.

It's really amazing the services available to aviators in the United States. We are a very privileged people. During my little training flights around Hawaii I am able to get weather information from a FAA Flight Service Station, receive radar vectors and traffic separation services from a FAA en route ATC center and then am guided safely into and out of the airport by approach/departure controllers. It's a large and complex infrastructure that is in place to manage the safety of aviation in our nation's skies. It is such a privileged feeling to be in a position to use those services to safely complete my flights. I would encourage all of the non-flyers reading this to join me for a flight (after I get my license) to come along and see for yourselves how structured and regulated General Aviation operations really are.

Fletch was about 5 minutes ahead of me on the way over to Molokai, flying with a student pilot from the mainland, here on vacation. I got to hear them on the radio to Molokai tower on the way over. He told me later that the student was impressed that student pilots here conduct solo flights in such windy conditions, over open water and to a Class B airport. That sort of made me feel well trained.

Passing the airport on the right, I was centered perfectly on my radial to the Molokai VORTAC, with a good 15° of wind correction. Climbed to 2500 to clear the mountain by a good 1000' and as I flew over I lined up with the beach at Koko Head in the distance, getting ready to talk to the busy Honolulu Approach controllers.

About 10 minutes after crossing the Molokai shoreline, Center advised I could switch to Honolulu Approach on 118.3. I switched to ATIS and got current weather for Honolulu and then switched to Approach and listened. There were a few airliners descending and a few light planes (including one hilariously hard to understand Japanese pilot) inbound behind me.

'Honolulu Approach, Cessna 7332Lima with you'

'Cessna 32Lima. Cleared into Bravo. East Arrival maintain 2000'

What did he say? All I got was 'cleared Bravo' and '2000'. They talk so fast!

'Cleared at 2000' for 32Lima'

I descended to 2000' and waited for the controller to give me radar vectors, staying well south of the busy airspace closer to the airport.

Several minutes later the controller is barking in my headset.

'32Lima turn left heading 250. I said East Arrival! You have to pay attention!'

Uh oh...what had I done?

'Left to 250 for 32Lima'

That was sort of unexpected...Later I read through the (old, expired version of the) airport guide published by the state DOT and found the procedure for 'east arrival'. Fletch and my Chief Pilot had never heard of such a procedure and looked in the new airport guide...no mention of it there either. Chief got all upset and called the FSDO, who advised that it's in the Pacific Chart Supplement (which nobody has ever even shown me).

Aviation is great, it's like programming in that just when you think you have a grip on what knowledge is required for you to complete the task at hand...something happens that allows you to see how much you don't know. It's very humbling.

My offense was not great and the controller was pleasant with me the rest of my flight. He cleared me to RWY 4L and vectored me to a right base for 4L and all was good.

I had a great landing on 4L and taxied over to parking at Anderson Aviation. Called up the fuel truck and went to find a bathroom and a phone. Hey, cool! I'm in Honolulu and I flew myself here!

What did I do? Nothing really. Went to the bathroom...drank some water...filed my flight plan for the flight home...got 6 gallons of fuel.

Then I left. I took a few minutes to set up all my frequencies and get my departure clearance. Fortunately, I knew exactly what a 'Freeway 4' departure is, and was able to fly that route without being snapped at by anyone. Ground let me taxi behind a Fed Ex Caravan and handed me off to tower at the hold short line. I did my runup at the hold short line behind the caravan (nobody behind me) and waited. A Cessna landed then we all got to go. The Caravan was barely off the runway before tower cleared me to take off.

Cleared for the Freeway 4 departure, I climbed to 1000' after takeoff and flew east up the H1 freeway toward Koko Head. Nasty turbulence from the wind coming over the mountains and the heat of the city shook the plane as I slowly made my way upwind, out of the city. As beautiful as Hawaii is from the air, it's really something that should be shared with others. It's somehow just weird taking it all in by yourself, like eating ice cream alone. Waikiki and the Ala Wai canal passed under my right wingtip and I just flew the plane through the bumps, keeping it right side up and pointed down the freeway. Soon I was abeam Koko Head and flying off the end of the island, homeward bound.

Oddly, I never heard Honolulu Departure hand me off to center. Then I realized I could hear other planes talking to departure, but couldn't hear departure talking back to them. Ah, too low to get them on the radio. After 5 minutes or so and well clear of the Bravo airspace I dialed up center and resumed flight following across the channel, climbing to 2000'.

The trip home was a little smoother, as I flew along the north shore of Molokai. It was just beautiful. As I got close to the Molokai airport, Center handed me off to the airport (I guess the airport guys were bored and wanted to talk to someone). The airport controller advised me of traffic at my 3 o'clock and 5 miles that I saw take off from the Molokai Airport, dive off the cliff and land at Kalaupapa, it's entire flight happened in less than 10 minutes and 1000' below me. No factor.

Just past Kalaupapa, Center handed me off to Maui Approach. I knew I wouldn't show on their radar or get them on the radio, with Molokai in between me and them, but switched anyway. In the quiet I climbed to 3000' and flew past the sea cliffs, heading for Elephant Rock just off of Cape Halawa. This is one of my favorite routes, it's just beautiful. The cliffs soar some 2500' out of the sea into the sky, covered with jungle and streaming waterfalls. Clouds veil the upper slopes of the mountain above the cliffs and it really looks like something out of the movies...spectacular. It's so neat to be right there beside it, with front row seats, in the airplane.

Cape Halawa and I have radio contact with Maui Approach, few more minutes and they'll have me on radar. Nakalele Point and I'm cleared for a left downwind to RWY 2, must be slow if they can clear me from this far out. After a few hours, it's great to be home, flying over the neighborhoods of Kahului. There's the mall. There's the tennis courts. There's Borders. On my downwind Tower advised me of traffic and cleared me to land #2 behind the Caravan on short final. I spotted him over the mill and made my turn to base, reducing power and slowing to 85KIAS.

At 80KIAS I dropped 10° of flaps and continued to slow. RPMs at about 1800, carb heat on, slow to 70KIAS. Turning final I was established in a nice, stabilized approach descent, aligned with the runway centerline and noting the crab angle into the crosswind. Not too bad a crosswind today. Over the numbers reduce power to idle and slowly ease into ground effect. About 4' off the ground start easing back the yoke and hold it, hold it. Keep the upwind wing low and use that rudder to stay on the centerline. As the airplane slowed to impossible speed (how can I still be flying!?) the right wheel touched down with a squeak, smoothly, followed by the left wheel. Nose up, rolling down the runway, using the rudder to steer while I still have airspeed, elevator all the way back...riding a wheelie down the centerline. Awesome landing (if I may congratulate myself)!

And one more important task is out of the way. Back at the hangar we talked about the flight and dissected all of the little weird parts: being unfamiliar with arrival procedures, radio contact, where Maui Approach can see you. I learned something new, there's a book, the Chart Supplement, it has detailed info about the Hawaii sectional and airports, more complete than the little book the State Airport Dept. publishes. I'll add one of those to my flight bag next time I fly, gotta be prepared for the checkride.

So, that leaves my night XC with Fletch, my long (150nm+) solo XC and a few checkride prep flights before I'm ready for the practical test! Looks like our upcoming trip to Colorado and New Mexico is going to get in eh way of eh scheduling, but I think I'll be able to complete private pilot training and get my certificate shortly after we get home.

Almost there....

PIC: 2.6

Posted by johnpeace at March 9, 2004 08:59 AM