Went up sort of spur of the moment today. I had a business meeting on the airport side of town that ended a good 2.5 hours before time to pick up Dakota from pre-school...so I did what any reasonable sp.com senior member would do, I went flying! :D
GVL was reporting 600BKN, 1500OVC V1 3/4 in mist, temp 24 dewpoint 22. Nice, solid IMC for a practice approach.
Our alternate (PDK) has an ILS 20 minutes away and was reporting 900SCT, so we had an easy out if we needed it.
I took one of my buddies that teaches there with me just to observe and because at this point I have no business launching into such low conditions by myself.
Took off and climbed RWY heading, whited out at about 800AGL and stayed whited out until breaking out on final at about 600AGL.
We flew a simple triangle north of the airport to take us back around to the IAF for LOC 4 at GVL. ATC gave us a hold at FKV for 15 min at 6000. We had to do an extra lap once cleared for the approach to burn off some extra altitude.
Inbound at the NDB, I forgot to start my timer (doh!). When we got to MDA and were looking for the airport, Nathan asked me how I'd know where the missed approach point was if the GPS went out right now. Good question, remember to start the stupid timer.
I also went visual a little too early. Once I could see the ground, I started looking for the airport, even recognizing some towers and buildings through the mist. Bad idea, stay on the localizer, stay inside the airplane UNTIL you get to the MAP, then look up for the runway.
At the MAP we barely made out the RWY through the mist and executed a flawless landing.
It was a really good experience.
Posted by johnpeace at August 24, 2005 08:39 AM