One of the great things about using ForeFlight, is the recap at the end of the year. I enjoy looking back at the flights I’ve made and where I have gone. It’s also a time to reflect on my flights and how I’ve advanced my knowledge and proficiency.
As a hobbyist pilot, it’s great to see all of my flights illustrated on the map. Looking at this image invokes the good and bad feelings of particular flights. Of particular fondness is the flight to Ingalls Field (KHSP)…
The image above isn’t mine, I was too busy flying the plane to take any pictures. As great as this image is, it doesn’t do this field justice. If you really want to get a feel for landing at this airport, check out the video below. This airport sits at just under 3,800′, making it one of the (2nd maybe) highest elevation GA airports east of the Mississippi!
With the scenic views and mountain top runway, this is a challenge on a calm day. On the day I visited, Nov. 13th, 2024 there was only an 8kt wind slightly off the runway being broadcast over AWOS. Well, as it turned out, that wasn’t entirely accurate.
I overflew the field to make a 45° entry to left downwind (aka. teardrop entry) so I could survey the field and see the windsock. The wind was more than “slightly” off the runway, it was almost a direct cross. However, it’s only 8kts, so not that bad at all. Well, I don’t know how true that was either. After landing, it sure felt like 15+ gusts blowing across the mountain top.
This was a challenging landing and approach. The mountain wave turbulence was something I understood, but had not experienced during an approach before. A standard part of my approach briefing is “Going around is always an option.” and I repeated this to myself as +/-100′ changes in altitude were causing my head to smack into the roof of the cabin.
The last 1/4 mile of the approach was a little more normal, however, with the direct crosswind, I was struggling to keep it on centerline. This is when I realized there were gusts and not a steady 8kts. I was constantly fighting what seemed like overcorrections. When I planted the mains on the runway, I went hard over on the yoke and cruised to the end of the runway. I had landed long and missed the turnoff in the center of the runway.
I wasn’t staying long, so I chocked the front wheel and put the parking brake on. After visiting the temporary (read: Mobile office building.) terminal, I took a walk around the field and took in the views. This isn’t the Rocky Mountains, however, with the harrowing approach and landing, the views were GREAT! Also, they have campsites on the field! There will definitely be a return trip to camp overnight here when he weather gets warmer!
I hope your flying adventures through 2024 have been equally adventurous! There have been plenty of lessons learned and lots of great experiences. After all, that’s why we fly!
Until next time…
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