Very long XC Story

[SFM]

I decide to take the plane and really go on a long XC flight, well beyond
the definitions in the FARs, with my wife for a little R&R. This would be my
longest flight to date and even surpassed what I did for my commercial long
XC a couple of months ago.

The totals were:
One way distance = 614NM
Total Time: 13.5 hours
Time in IMC: 5.5 hours
Aircraft: C172S


We left from 3CK on the Northwest side of the Chicago Class Bravo airspace
headed to Vicksburg, MS. The Friday we left was a lousy IMC day and
conditions at our fuel stop, Cape Gerardo were bad, we delayed departure by
two hours in hopes our destination would improve from below minimums as
'promised' in the forecast. We departed in IMC and it was going to be solid
for the first hour or so. We got held for release on the ground by Chi-App
for about 10 minutes but were able to get into the system. Then Chi-App
vectored us around for a while, winds were not as forecasted and we were
much slower than planned. Because conditions at the Cape and all around were
bad my alternate was Evansville, IN. Which was a whole 100NM to the NE of
the Cape. So after about 2 hours it became apparent that I would not have
enough fuel plus reserve to be able to make my alternate if I had been
unable to get into my primary airport. Looking at the charts and seeing the
weather was still really crapping with visibilities at 1/2 to 1 mile and
ceilings of around 300-400 OVC we found a new airport and diverted to
Decatur. I shot my first ILS in actual to minimums, a great confidence
builder! We refueled and went on now about 3 hours later than planned.

We reached the Cape and were supposed to have lunch but it was 3pm and the
winds still were not any better even though the weather was getting better.
I wanted to limit the night portion of the flight since I was unfamiliar
with the area I was flying to and if I had to shoot the approach the last
thing I wanted to do was a night NDB at an unfamiliar airport. I quickly
calculated new arrival times for our final leg, confirmed we could do it in
one hope, raided the vending machine and off we went. We got into Vicksburg
4 hours late, 7pm, just as the sun had set, and the total trip time was 8
air hours with 4.5 of it in IMC.

The return flight on Monday was better, some low hanging crude in Vicksburg
but I got my IFR clearance and up we went. There was some T-Storm activity
to the far west but nothing in our flight path. But I started to see some
build up in our path. 1 hour later when we were getting close to the Tenn.
border. I climbed up to 9000 to try and go over the build up but we then
needed to head east to get around stuff that was building even faster to
west. We then had to start deviating around and went eventually over Memphis
International but could not see it being in and out of IMC. It was there
that we started hitting REAL moderate turbulence (stuff bouncing around and
my wife breathing heavily, not in a nice way, into the headset mike) and I
decided higher was not working and we were entering a small area with lower
clouds. Checking the MEM ATIS they were reporting a BKN layer at 7000 so we
requested and got down to 5000 but were still IMC. I did not want to fly
into some embedded stuff so I request lower and got another 2000 and we were
in the clear, the air was much smoother too. I figured under the worst of
conditions I could at least find a place to land if it got any worse. We
continued northward and could see it really going down hill to the west but
we could see bright sunshine 30NM north, our G.S. was 130knots so I knew we
could beat it. Eventually we got into VMC and all was well. for the rest of
the trip.

The northward trip was with great winds and was a total of 5.5 hours long,
1hour of it in IMC. It was a great experience! The airport at Vicksburg,
KVKS, was really nice and they helped us out with whatever we needed. The
town was great too and we even found where on the battlefield my wife's
relatives had encamped and fought.

--
------------------------------------------------------------------
Scott F. Migaldi, K9PO
MI-150972
PP-ASEL-IA

Are you a PADI Instructor or DM? Then join the PADI
Instructor Yahoo Group at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PADI-Instructors/join
-----------------------------------
Catch the wave!
www.hamwave.com


"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we.
They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country
and our people, and neither do we." - George W. Bush

-------------------------------------

[Nathan Young]

On Tue, 26 Oct 2004 10:40:59 -0500, "SFM" > wrote:

>I decide to take the plane and really go on a long XC flight, well beyond
<snip>
>We left from 3CK on the Northwest side of the Chicago Class Bravo airspace
>headed to Vicksburg, MS. The Friday we left was a lousy IMC day and
>conditions at our fuel stop, Cape Gerardo were bad, we delayed departure by
>two hours in hopes our destination would improve from below minimums as
>'promised' in the forecast. We departed in IMC and it was going to be solid
>for the first hour or so. We got held for release on the ground by Chi-App
>for about 10 minutes but were able to get into the system.

Curious - did you get your release via FSS or 120.25? If possible, I
try to pick my clearance up in the air as approach doesn't answer
120.25 too often.

-Nathan (based @ 3ck)

[SFM]

I usually call Chi-App at 1.847.289.1326 as 120.25 does not always work but
this time I got them on 120.25 which is why he held me for release on the
departure end of 08 for about 10 minutes. Once airborne I called departure
on 120.55 and it was the same guy. I now suspect that the reason they are
hard to reach on the ground is not related to poor reception but to being
just plain busy.

Scott

--
------------------------------------------------------------------
Scott F. Migaldi, K9PO
MI-150972
PP-ASEL-IA

Are you a PADI Instructor or DM? Then join the PADI
Instructor Yahoo Group at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PADI-Instructors/join
-----------------------------------
Catch the wave!
www.hamwave.com


"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we.
They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country
and our people, and neither do we." - George W. Bush

-------------------------------------
"Nathan Young" > wrote in message
...
> On Tue, 26 Oct 2004 10:40:59 -0500, "SFM" > wrote:
>
> >I decide to take the plane and really go on a long XC flight, well beyond
> <snip>
> >We left from 3CK on the Northwest side of the Chicago Class Bravo
airspace
> >headed to Vicksburg, MS. The Friday we left was a lousy IMC day and
> >conditions at our fuel stop, Cape Gerardo were bad, we delayed departure
by
> >two hours in hopes our destination would improve from below minimums as
> >'promised' in the forecast. We departed in IMC and it was going to be
solid
> >for the first hour or so. We got held for release on the ground by
Chi-App
> >for about 10 minutes but were able to get into the system.
>
> Curious - did you get your release via FSS or 120.25? If possible, I
> try to pick my clearance up in the air as approach doesn't answer
> 120.25 too often.
>
> -Nathan (based @ 3ck)

[Jay Honeck]

> The town was great too and we even found where on the
> battlefield my wife's
> relatives had encamped and fought.

We've talked about going to Vicksburg to visit the battlefield memorials
there.

Can you talk about them a bit more? We drove through there 20 years ago,
and I remember quite a few monuments, but we didn't really have time to poke
around much...
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[SFM]

Sure Jay.

The battle field is filled with markers from the states that sent units
there. Iowa had quit a few people there and consequently a lot of markers
there are from Iowa. My wife ancestors are from Iowa so we searched for the
35th Infantry regiments markers and were not disappointed. We found where
the 35th encamped (marked), put their picket lines (again marked) and lastly
where snipers were located (also marked). This meant we walked away really
feeling we were following in their footsteps and helped us to imagine them
at this location during that time. The Illinois memorial is very large and
contains the names of all those form Illinois that were killed during the
siege. Many of the other memorial only list numbers. Several of the memorial
and markers have their own stories too. For instance the Wisconsin memorial
is topped with a bald eagle named Old Abe. Old Abe has a very interesting
story that is still being written today as it is he who is pictured on the
101st Airborne Divisions 'Screaming Eagles' unit patch.

In addition to the markers there are also a lot of color coded signs
detailing what happened at each location. Blue for the North and Red for the
south. On these markers there is placed a description of the events that
happened in that general vicinity. These help visualize what occurred, which
at sometime can be hard due to the changes in the topography from a siege
that took place 140 years ago. There are now many more trees than were there
originally. In fact, many of trees that were there were removed by the
armies to help set up the various fortification that were needed. Those
markers I also mentioned do outline the directions the troops took during
attacks so that you can actually follow in their footsteps and see the folly
of some of the actions.

There is also one marker near the 'Surrender Oak'. It was here that
Confederate General Pemberton met with Gen Grant to discuss the terms of
surrender on 3 July 1863, the next day was when the actual surrender took
place. A drive through the park or a combination drive and hike will allow
you see all the most famous parts of the siege and will be a good several
hours long. We ended up spending most of Saturday and half of Sunday
visiting and looking up various pieces of info.


--
------------------------------------------------------------------
Scott F. Migaldi, K9PO
MI-150972
PP-ASEL-IA

Are you a PADI Instructor or DM? Then join the PADI
Instructor Yahoo Group at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PADI-Instructors/join
-----------------------------------
Catch the wave!
www.hamwave.com


"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we.
They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country
and our people, and neither do we." - George W. Bush

-------------------------------------
"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:yLPfd.258195$wV.206582@attbi_s54...
> > The town was great too and we even found where on the
> > battlefield my wife's
> > relatives had encamped and fought.
>
> We've talked about going to Vicksburg to visit the battlefield memorials
> there.
>
> Can you talk about them a bit more? We drove through there 20 years ago,
> and I remember quite a few monuments, but we didn't really have time to
poke
> around much...
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"
>
>

[Gig Giacona]

Civil War my Butt.... It was the War of Northern Agression.

But did you make it to the Casinos?


"SFM" > wrote in message
...
> Sure Jay.
>
> The battle field is filled with markers from the states that sent units
> there. Iowa had quit a few people there and consequently a lot of markers
> there are from Iowa. My wife ancestors are from Iowa so we searched for
> the
> 35th Infantry regiments markers and were not disappointed. We found where
> the 35th encamped (marked), put their picket lines (again marked) and
> lastly
> where snipers were located (also marked). This meant we walked away really
> feeling we were following in their footsteps and helped us to imagine them
> at this location during that time. The Illinois memorial is very large and
> contains the names of all those form Illinois that were killed during the
> siege. Many of the other memorial only list numbers. Several of the
> memorial
> and markers have their own stories too. For instance the Wisconsin
> memorial
> is topped with a bald eagle named Old Abe. Old Abe has a very interesting
> story that is still being written today as it is he who is pictured on the
> 101st Airborne Divisions 'Screaming Eagles' unit patch.
>
> In addition to the markers there are also a lot of color coded signs
> detailing what happened at each location. Blue for the North and Red for
> the
> south. On these markers there is placed a description of the events that
> happened in that general vicinity. These help visualize what occurred,
> which
> at sometime can be hard due to the changes in the topography from a siege
> that took place 140 years ago. There are now many more trees than were
> there
> originally. In fact, many of trees that were there were removed by the
> armies to help set up the various fortification that were needed. Those
> markers I also mentioned do outline the directions the troops took during
> attacks so that you can actually follow in their footsteps and see the
> folly
> of some of the actions.
>
> There is also one marker near the 'Surrender Oak'. It was here that
> Confederate General Pemberton met with Gen Grant to discuss the terms of
> surrender on 3 July 1863, the next day was when the actual surrender took
> place. A drive through the park or a combination drive and hike will allow
> you see all the most famous parts of the siege and will be a good several
> hours long. We ended up spending most of Saturday and half of Sunday
> visiting and looking up various pieces of info.
>
>
> --
> ------------------------------------------------------------------
> Scott F. Migaldi, K9PO
> MI-150972
> PP-ASEL-IA
>
> Are you a PADI Instructor or DM? Then join the PADI
> Instructor Yahoo Group at
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PADI-Instructors/join
> -----------------------------------
> Catch the wave!
> www.hamwave.com
>
>
> "Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we.
> They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country
> and our people, and neither do we." - George W. Bush
>
> -------------------------------------
> "Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
> news:yLPfd.258195$wV.206582@attbi_s54...
>> > The town was great too and we even found where on the
>> > battlefield my wife's
>> > relatives had encamped and fought.
>>
>> We've talked about going to Vicksburg to visit the battlefield memorials
>> there.
>>
>> Can you talk about them a bit more? We drove through there 20 years
>> ago,
>> and I remember quite a few monuments, but we didn't really have time to
> poke
>> around much...
>> --
>> Jay Honeck
>> Iowa City, IA
>> Pathfinder N56993
>> www.AlexisParkInn.com
>> "Your Aviation Destination"
>>
>>
>
>

[SFM]

"Gig Giacona" > wrote in message
...
> Civil War my Butt.... It was the War of Northern Agression.

My ancestors were from Kentucky and Maryland so I hear ya' but since Jay is
a yankee I was typing so's he could understand ;-)
>
> But did you make it to the Casinos?

Nope, hate that stuff


--
------------------------------------------------------------------
Scott F. Migaldi, K9PO
MI-150972
PP-ASEL-IA

Are you a PADI Instructor or DM? Then join the PADI
Instructor Yahoo Group at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PADI-Instructors/join
-----------------------------------
Catch the wave!
www.hamwave.com


"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we.
They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country
and our people, and neither do we." - George W. Bush

-------------------------------------
>
>
> "SFM" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Sure Jay.
> >
> > The battle field is filled with markers from the states that sent units
> > there. Iowa had quit a few people there and consequently a lot of
markers
> > there are from Iowa. My wife ancestors are from Iowa so we searched for
> > the
> > 35th Infantry regiments markers and were not disappointed. We found
where
> > the 35th encamped (marked), put their picket lines (again marked) and
> > lastly
> > where snipers were located (also marked). This meant we walked away
really
> > feeling we were following in their footsteps and helped us to imagine
them
> > at this location during that time. The Illinois memorial is very large
and
> > contains the names of all those form Illinois that were killed during
the
> > siege. Many of the other memorial only list numbers. Several of the
> > memorial
> > and markers have their own stories too. For instance the Wisconsin
> > memorial
> > is topped with a bald eagle named Old Abe. Old Abe has a very
interesting
> > story that is still being written today as it is he who is pictured on
the
> > 101st Airborne Divisions 'Screaming Eagles' unit patch.
> >
> > In addition to the markers there are also a lot of color coded signs
> > detailing what happened at each location. Blue for the North and Red for
> > the
> > south. On these markers there is placed a description of the events that
> > happened in that general vicinity. These help visualize what occurred,
> > which
> > at sometime can be hard due to the changes in the topography from a
siege
> > that took place 140 years ago. There are now many more trees than were
> > there
> > originally. In fact, many of trees that were there were removed by the
> > armies to help set up the various fortification that were needed. Those
> > markers I also mentioned do outline the directions the troops took
during
> > attacks so that you can actually follow in their footsteps and see the
> > folly
> > of some of the actions.
> >
> > There is also one marker near the 'Surrender Oak'. It was here that
> > Confederate General Pemberton met with Gen Grant to discuss the terms of
> > surrender on 3 July 1863, the next day was when the actual surrender
took
> > place. A drive through the park or a combination drive and hike will
allow
> > you see all the most famous parts of the siege and will be a good
several
> > hours long. We ended up spending most of Saturday and half of Sunday
> > visiting and looking up various pieces of info.
> >
> >
> > --
> > ------------------------------------------------------------------
> > Scott F. Migaldi, K9PO
> > MI-150972
> > PP-ASEL-IA
> >
> > Are you a PADI Instructor or DM? Then join the PADI
> > Instructor Yahoo Group at
> > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PADI-Instructors/join
> > -----------------------------------
> > Catch the wave!
> > www.hamwave.com
> >
> >
> > "Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we.
> > They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country
> > and our people, and neither do we." - George W. Bush
> >
> > -------------------------------------
> > "Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
> > news:yLPfd.258195$wV.206582@attbi_s54...
> >> > The town was great too and we even found where on the
> >> > battlefield my wife's
> >> > relatives had encamped and fought.
> >>
> >> We've talked about going to Vicksburg to visit the battlefield
memorials
> >> there.
> >>
> >> Can you talk about them a bit more? We drove through there 20 years
> >> ago,
> >> and I remember quite a few monuments, but we didn't really have time to
> > poke
> >> around much...
> >> --
> >> Jay Honeck
> >> Iowa City, IA
> >> Pathfinder N56993
> >> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> >> "Your Aviation Destination"
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
>
>

[Jay Honeck]

>> Civil War my Butt.... It was the War of Northern Agression.
>
> My ancestors were from Kentucky and Maryland so I hear ya' but since Jay
> is
> a yankee I was typing so's he could understand ;-)

To a northerner, the Civil War is ancient history, in the same category as
Troy and the Roman Empire. It just has no relevancy to us.

In Vicksburg and Biloxi (our destination on that trip, some 20 years ago),
it was like the war had just ended a couple of years ago. That was a very
strange thing for Mary and me.

>> But did you make it to the Casinos?

Vicksburg was starkly impoverished looking when we visited in the 1980s.
It's sad to think that they've been forced down the "Road of Economic
Desperation" that seems to inevitably lead to casinos nowadays.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Jay Honeck]

> Sure Jay.

Thanks for the travelogue, Scott. We're hoping to get down there next
summer to visit friends -- and the battlefield will definitely be a "must
see" for us.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Gig Giacona]

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:sBcgd.331435$D%.185590@attbi_s51...
>>> Civil War my Butt.... It was the War of Northern Agression.
>>
>> My ancestors were from Kentucky and Maryland so I hear ya' but since Jay
>> is
>> a yankee I was typing so's he could understand ;-)
>
> To a northerner, the Civil War is ancient history, in the same category as
> Troy and the Roman Empire. It just has no relevancy to us.
>
> In Vicksburg and Biloxi (our destination on that trip, some 20 years ago),
> it was like the war had just ended a couple of years ago. That was a very
> strange thing for Mary and me.

You just didn't spend enough time down here. If you did you would find a
number of people who aren't sure it is over yet.


>
>>> But did you make it to the Casinos?
>
> Vicksburg was starkly impoverished looking when we visited in the 1980s.
> It's sad to think that they've been forced down the "Road of Economic
> Desperation" that seems to inevitably lead to casinos nowadays.
> --

Most of the Mississippi River Valley looks like that in the South. There are
a few exceptions but not many. Driving through, Vicksburg actually looks
better now since the casinos have come to town.


> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"
>