What's to do at KLPC?

[Marty Ross]

A friend of mine and myself have finally made our long talked about plans of
flying somewhere together. I guess partly because of the recent article
about it in AOPA Pilot magazine, I suggested we fly to Lompoc airport (an
hour's jaunt in our slow Grumman rental trainer from our home base of Santa
Monica).

Anyone been there lately? Aside from golfing or looking at Vandenberg
launches (there are none scheduled for our planned day), what's to do there?
Any PIREPS, recommendations or "heads up" about the entry from the
southeast?

[R.Hubbell]

On Fri, 23 Jan 2004 15:05:11 -0800 "Marty Ross" > wrote:

> A friend of mine and myself have finally made our long talked about plans of
> flying somewhere together. I guess partly because of the recent article
> about it in AOPA Pilot magazine, I suggested we fly to Lompoc airport (an
> hour's jaunt in our slow Grumman rental trainer from our home base of Santa
> Monica).
>
> Anyone been there lately? Aside from golfing or looking at Vandenberg
> launches (there are none scheduled for our planned day), what's to do there?


What did you want to do? Lompoc is a sleepy town. Not that much goes on.
You could pop in to Santa Ynez and head over the casino.


> Any PIREPS, recommendations or "heads up" about the entry from the
> southeast?


It's no big deal, of course fog can be an issue.


R. Hubbell

>
>
>

[atis118]

Might I suggets Kern Valley (L05). If your Grumman can cruise at
10,500 it is a gorgeous flight. The airport is at the northern tip of
Lake Isabella. The restaurant on the airport is fantastic! If you're
lucky there is still snow on the mountain peaks.
Should be able to make it there from SMO in about an hour.
Try to do the straight in to Rwy 35, Rwy 17 can be a tight squeeze if
you are unfamiliar.



"Marty Ross" > wrote in message >...
> A friend of mine and myself have finally made our long talked about plans of
> flying somewhere together. I guess partly because of the recent article
> about it in AOPA Pilot magazine, I suggested we fly to Lompoc airport (an
> hour's jaunt in our slow Grumman rental trainer from our home base of Santa
> Monica).
>
> Anyone been there lately? Aside from golfing or looking at Vandenberg
> launches (there are none scheduled for our planned day), what's to do there?
> Any PIREPS, recommendations or "heads up" about the entry from the
> southeast?

[Marty Ross]

Kern Valley sounds more fun, actually. I'll see if my partner's into the
idea. I've actually practiced that one in my simulator several times and
the approach over the lake looks lovely.

The AOPA flight planner suggests I approach L05 from the southwest (e.g.
AMONT), but I'd like to see the other side as well (e.g. via Mojave and
Rosamond) - perhaps on the way back. Yea, the Grumman will get up that high
on a standard day, but it's not too peppy up there. From first glance at
the sectional, it looks that that altitude would buy me plenty of clearance,
though...

Thanks for the idea!!
"atis118" > wrote in message
om...
> Might I suggets Kern Valley (L05). If your Grumman can cruise at
> 10,500 it is a gorgeous flight. The airport is at the northern tip of
> Lake Isabella. The restaurant on the airport is fantastic! If you're
> lucky there is still snow on the mountain peaks.
> Should be able to make it there from SMO in about an hour.
> Try to do the straight in to Rwy 35, Rwy 17 can be a tight squeeze if
> you are unfamiliar.
>
>
>
> "Marty Ross" > wrote in message
>...
> > A friend of mine and myself have finally made our long talked about
plans of
> > flying somewhere together. I guess partly because of the recent article
> > about it in AOPA Pilot magazine, I suggested we fly to Lompoc airport
(an
> > hour's jaunt in our slow Grumman rental trainer from our home base of
Santa
> > Monica).
> >
> > Anyone been there lately? Aside from golfing or looking at Vandenberg
> > launches (there are none scheduled for our planned day), what's to do
there?
> > Any PIREPS, recommendations or "heads up" about the entry from the
> > southeast?