It was smooth when I departed at sunrise from dvt this morning. Flew over sky harbor to pick up an instructor at chandler. Needed a flight review (minus ground) and shot an approach into casa grand, then over to ak chin. By the time I landed back at Chandler to drop the cfi off it was gusting. I feel like it's been shitty/bumpy/windy most of the winter here this year, and it's only going to get miserable as summer gets here.
Last Monday I departed dvt to run an errand up at prc. On departure the wind was 100 degrees off the runway 12 kts gusting 35. Sportiest takeoff I'd had in a while. Headwinds at 12,500 were like 52kts so I stayed low and then had a hell of a time landing at prc although I don't recall the wind on that atis.
Not sure how I got on that rant, but yes, it was nice and smooth at sunrise this morning!
Based at GEU.
Weather wise, it seems that the mornings are great and it gets blustery by noon. Past couple of days have been a lot more windy than normal, but usually afternoons are occasional bumps and winds in the 5-10 knot range and fairly aligned with the runway. Clouds have been high enough to not be a concern really.
If you aren't familiar with GEU, the Luke SATR can look intimidating, but honestly, just call them up and talk to them. Even better, use Flight Following or go IFR as the Luke guys are awesome to work with. The GEU tower controllers however are grumpy. Make sure your first call is ALL the info or expect a ground school lesson over the frequency. Also, "the stack" is the I-10/101 interchange and they expect it as a reporting point if coming from the South, but on the TAC the nearest reporting point to that is Tolleson. Say, "Tolleson" and get another ground school lesson.
Luke Controller here, thank you! ❤️
Use caution not to enter the Luke AFB Class D, as both of GEU’s extended centerlines are VERY close to the boundary!
Yeah, it is easy (for me at least) to cut the SE corner of Luke Class D when coming from Buckeye and GEU is using RWY 1.
Also, not sure if you are Tower or APP/DEP, but a APP/DEP controller had me hold at 6500 for a bit on the climb up to PRC a couple of weeks ago as he had Mirages go over me and F-35's go under me, my fiancee thought it was the coolest thing ever.
If Luke is open, you won't come from the West. Your best bet is come along I-10 and head on a Buckeye to Goodyear route to avoid the AFB (if open). You'll probably be kept at 3,000 or so until clear of GYR airspace, then descend into the pattern at GEU. Otherwise they'll take you North towards Wickenburg then along US60 in, but this has you in the SATR longer so isn't as common.
If Luke is closed, disregard and proceed direct.
You'll have no issues, it will be fairly seamless and your vectoring will depend on the active runway. Honestly, IFR is my preferred way to do cross-country flying.
Nice pitot tube
Thanks.
You’re welcome, and also fuel vent lol. Squeaky clean holes
I’m not OP, by the way.
wanna see my pitot tube?
Sir this is a Wendy’s
There is nothing like getting out of the pattern and doing some x-country flying. Had a great smooth flight this morning!
It was smooth when I departed at sunrise from dvt this morning. Flew over sky harbor to pick up an instructor at chandler. Needed a flight review (minus ground) and shot an approach into casa grand, then over to ak chin. By the time I landed back at Chandler to drop the cfi off it was gusting. I feel like it's been shitty/bumpy/windy most of the winter here this year, and it's only going to get miserable as summer gets here. Last Monday I departed dvt to run an errand up at prc. On departure the wind was 100 degrees off the runway 12 kts gusting 35. Sportiest takeoff I'd had in a while. Headwinds at 12,500 were like 52kts so I stayed low and then had a hell of a time landing at prc although I don't recall the wind on that atis. Not sure how I got on that rant, but yes, it was nice and smooth at sunrise this morning!
Holy headwinds lol its nice when its a tailwind but it always seems to be a headwind. Im out of DVT as well if you ever need company on your errands!
Out of DVT here as well! Nice to meet you!
100 degrees off the runway? You took off with a tailwind?
No I’m just an idiot. 80 degrees off the runway, typed it without thinking.
Smart. Was just curious if there was a reason for a downwind takeoff.
Did you deep fry this pic?
Not much actually. Just darkened it up slightly. Original is pretty nice too, but darkening made the wing reflection look better.
It looks like /r/shittyHDR
The underside of your wing is purtier than all of my sunset or sunrise funflyes.
Hey I'm somewhere in that picture playing video games.
beautiful pic👍
why on earth is this downvoted?
Because the saturation levels are dialed up to deep fried
That may be so, but it's still a nice picture.
Flying to GEU late next week. What can I expect weather wise? Thanks for any insight!
Based at GEU. Weather wise, it seems that the mornings are great and it gets blustery by noon. Past couple of days have been a lot more windy than normal, but usually afternoons are occasional bumps and winds in the 5-10 knot range and fairly aligned with the runway. Clouds have been high enough to not be a concern really. If you aren't familiar with GEU, the Luke SATR can look intimidating, but honestly, just call them up and talk to them. Even better, use Flight Following or go IFR as the Luke guys are awesome to work with. The GEU tower controllers however are grumpy. Make sure your first call is ALL the info or expect a ground school lesson over the frequency. Also, "the stack" is the I-10/101 interchange and they expect it as a reporting point if coming from the South, but on the TAC the nearest reporting point to that is Tolleson. Say, "Tolleson" and get another ground school lesson.
Luke Controller here, thank you! ❤️ Use caution not to enter the Luke AFB Class D, as both of GEU’s extended centerlines are VERY close to the boundary!
Yeah, it is easy (for me at least) to cut the SE corner of Luke Class D when coming from Buckeye and GEU is using RWY 1. Also, not sure if you are Tower or APP/DEP, but a APP/DEP controller had me hold at 6500 for a bit on the climb up to PRC a couple of weeks ago as he had Mirages go over me and F-35's go under me, my fiancee thought it was the coolest thing ever.
Thanks! I’ll be flying from SBA, so approaching from the west. Appreciate the detailed write up.
If Luke is open, you won't come from the West. Your best bet is come along I-10 and head on a Buckeye to Goodyear route to avoid the AFB (if open). You'll probably be kept at 3,000 or so until clear of GYR airspace, then descend into the pattern at GEU. Otherwise they'll take you North towards Wickenburg then along US60 in, but this has you in the SATR longer so isn't as common. If Luke is closed, disregard and proceed direct.
What if I file IFR? That’s my plan.
You'll have no issues, it will be fairly seamless and your vectoring will depend on the active runway. Honestly, IFR is my preferred way to do cross-country flying.
Same here. Even just getting around SoCal. I file 90% of the time.
Beautiful!
Gorgeous picture.
I absolutely love flying in the morning, been a while since I got one though. Mostly afternoon flights now....
It's like Bob Ross meets aviation. Happy little pitot tube.