Shelter Cove, CA PIREP

[Robert M. Gary]

Does anyone have a PIREP for Shelter Cove, CA? Is the beach,
interesting areas, etc in walking distance from the airport. Any
recomendations for that area?
-robert

[Jim Stewart]

Robert M. Gary wrote:

> Does anyone have a PIREP for Shelter Cove, CA? Is the beach,
> interesting areas, etc in walking distance from the airport. Any
> recomendations for that area?

I'm interested too. It's on the way to
Humboldt to see my daughter. I ran across
it with Google Earth and decided I have
to stop there someday.

[Dave[_5_]]

Shelter Cove is an upscale community on an isolated coastal shelf with
rugged mountains behind - quite an attractive setting, While it has a
paved, public use runway in its midst, I don't think it is a fly-in
community. I drove around it and did not see a single hangar or other
evidence of based aircraft. The ocean is only a stone's throw away. No
doubt you could explore tidepools, but I don't remember any
significant amount of beach. There was a self-serve cafe when I was
there a couple of years ago, and some sort of marina. I drove over
there by way of the long twisty road over the mountains - never got
around to flying in (though I had intended to).

David Johnson

[Bob Fry]

Shelter Cove: I've been there a few times though not in the last year
or two.

No fuel. Often fogged in, especially the summer. Motel and
restaurant and grocery store right next to the field. Beach is kinda
rocky as I recall, or otherwise undesirable cause I never ventured
there. It's a great escape by aeroplane, an easy 1 or 2 hour flight
from NorCal, but a hellish 4-6 hour drive by car. There's a golf
course there, but I don't play golf so have never noticed much about
it.

The recent history of the area is greatly shaped by the airport. A
development company more than 35 years ago had great plans for
building the area and indeed did get some homes built around the
airport. But one day the company's executive and sales staff flew in
in a DC3...when they attempted to fly out, the damn-fool pilot had
failed to remove the external elevator gust lock and they smashed into
the shoreline rocks and water. Most died, putting the kibosh for a
long, long time on any further activity.

I've heard that with the recent (well--1999-2005 or so) real-estate
price increase in California that once again developers have taken an
interest.
--
We tend to scoff at the beliefs of the ancients. But we can't
scoff at them personally, to their faces, and this is what annoys
me.
- Jack Handey

[Hamish Reid]

In article om>,
"Robert M. Gary" > wrote:

> Does anyone have a PIREP for Shelter Cove, CA? Is the beach,
> interesting areas, etc in walking distance from the airport. Any
> recomendations for that area?
> -robert

I've flown into Shelter Cove several times (from Oakland) VFR, and it's
a wonderful place for a day trip or to camp over (say) a weekend. The
runway's in good condition, and it's right next to the camping ground
and associated store (you just tie down and walk...); there's a couple
of hotels within easy walking distance, and one or two (OK-ish) cafes or
restaurants (I've always camped, so I can't recommend a hotel). Plus
there's a state park, a reconstructed lighthouse, etc., again, all
within a few minute's walk. In fact, *everything*'s within easy walking
distance :-). The beach is down the side, under some cliffs, and isn't
much of a beach at high tide, but when the tide's low, you can walk for
quite some distance (but the area is renowned for its cliffs...). Not
bad for a 90 minute flight -- when it's about 8 hours by car :-).

But watch out for the fog -- as with pretty much any airport along the
coast, the fog can roll right in without warning.... and might not roll
back out for another few days.

Hamish

[[email protected]]

On Mar 21, 5:28 pm, Bob Fry > wrote:
> Shelter Cove: I've been there a few times though not in the last year
> or two.
>
> No fuel. Often fogged in, especially the summer. Motel and
> restaurant and grocery store right next to the field. Beach is kinda
> rocky as I recall, or otherwise undesirable cause I never ventured
> there. It's a great escape by aeroplane, an easy 1 or 2 hour flight
> from NorCal, but a hellish 4-6 hour drive by car. There's a golf
> course there, but I don't play golf so have never noticed much about
> it.
>
> The recent history of the area is greatly shaped by the airport. A
> development company more than 35 years ago had great plans for
> building the area and indeed did get some homes built around the
> airport. But one day the company's executive and sales staff flew in
> in a DC3...when they attempted to fly out, the damn-fool pilot had
> failed to remove the external elevator gust lock and they smashed into
> the shoreline rocks and water. Most died, putting the kibosh for a
> long, long time on any further activity.
>
> I've heard that with the recent (well--1999-2005 or so) real-estate
> price increase in California that once again developers have taken an
> interest.
> --
> We tend to scoff at the beliefs of the ancients. But we can't
> scoff at them personally, to their faces, and this is what annoys
> me.
> - Jack Handey

The accident and loss of life are regrettable, and not humorous.

However, maybe you have something there. We could "arrange" an injury-
free crash of newsworthy proportions right at airports that have
encroachments and threatening developments. That'll put the kibosh on
the real estate investments, maybe?

Note to FAA, CIA, FBI, IRS, Secret Service, USPS, AA, AAA, AARP, and
my kid's colleges: I'm kidding.

[Robert M. Gary]

On Mar 21, 5:43 pm, Hamish Reid >
wrote:
> In article om>,
> "Robert M. Gary" > wrote:
>
> > Does anyone have a PIREP for Shelter Cove, CA? Is the beach,
> > interesting areas, etc in walking distance from the airport. Any
> > recomendations for that area?
> > -robert
>
> I've flown into Shelter Cove several times (from Oakland) VFR, and it's
> a wonderful place for a day trip or to camp over (say) a weekend. The
> runway's in good condition, and it's right next to the camping ground
> and associated store (you just tie down and walk...); there's a couple
> of hotels within easy walking distance, and one or two (OK-ish) cafes or
> restaurants (I've always camped, so I can't recommend a hotel). Plus
> there's a state park, a reconstructed lighthouse, etc., again, all
> within a few minute's walk. In fact, *everything*'s within easy walking
> distance :-). The beach is down the side, under some cliffs, and isn't
> much of a beach at high tide, but when the tide's low, you can walk for
> quite some distance (but the area is renowned for its cliffs...). Not
> bad for a 90 minute flight -- when it's about 8 hours by car :-).
>
> But watch out for the fog -- as with pretty much any airport along the
> coast, the fog can roll right in without warning.... and might not roll
> back out for another few days.
>
> Hamish

That's one reason I would never give up the IFR rating. I've had the
fog roll in many times in Monterey, Half Moon Bay, etc. Being able to
get out is great.

-Robert

[Hamish Reid]

In article . com>,
"Robert M. Gary" > wrote:

> On Mar 21, 5:43 pm, Hamish Reid >
> wrote:
> > In article om>,
> > "Robert M. Gary" > wrote:
> >
> > > Does anyone have a PIREP for Shelter Cove, CA? Is the beach,
> > > interesting areas, etc in walking distance from the airport. Any
> > > recomendations for that area?
> > > -robert
[...]
> >
> > But watch out for the fog -- as with pretty much any airport along the
> > coast, the fog can roll right in without warning.... and might not roll
> > back out for another few days.

>
> That's one reason I would never give up the IFR rating. I've had the
> fog roll in many times in Monterey, Half Moon Bay, etc. Being able to
> get out is great.

Well, I have an instrument rating as well, but there's no published
approach to Shelter Cove, unfortunately. And if you try to get out under
the stratus (as opposed to through ground-level fog), radio and radar
reception in the shadow of the Coast Range are real issues there if you
want to legally go IFR *through* the stratus to somewhere else...

Hamish

[Robert M. Gary]

On Mar 22, 7:09 am, Hamish Reid >
wrote:
> In article . com>,
> "Robert M. Gary" > wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Mar 21, 5:43 pm, Hamish Reid >
> > wrote:
> > > In article om>,
> > > "Robert M. Gary" > wrote:
>
> > > > Does anyone have a PIREP for Shelter Cove, CA? Is the beach,
> > > > interesting areas, etc in walking distance from the airport. Any
> > > > recomendations for that area?
> > > > -robert
> [...]
>
> > > But watch out for the fog -- as with pretty much any airport along the
> > > coast, the fog can roll right in without warning.... and might not roll
> > > back out for another few days.
>
> > That's one reason I would never give up the IFR rating. I've had the
> > fog roll in many times in Monterey, Half Moon Bay, etc. Being able to
> > get out is great.
>
> Well, I have an instrument rating as well, but there's no published
> approach to Shelter Cove, unfortunately. And if you try to get out under
> the stratus (as opposed to through ground-level fog), radio and radar
> reception in the shadow of the Coast Range are real issues there if you
> want to legally go IFR *through* the stratus to somewhere else...
>
> Hamish- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

No, its no problem getting out. Radar and radio reception is not a
requirement to be IFR. You simply call the FSS and they will relay a
clearance to you from ATC. Your clearance will be valid upon enter
class E airspace (no need for clearance in class G). So I would
typically file to a nearby VOR (or all the way home). They will
provide you a clearance void time, clearance limit,etc, and you
launch. Its not difficult. Once you are on top and in radio range you
can simply cancel the IFR.

-Robert, CFII

[ZikZak]

> No, its no problem getting out. Radar and radio reception is not a
> requirement to be IFR. You simply call the FSS and they will relay a
> clearance to you from ATC. Your clearance will be valid upon enter
> class E airspace (no need for clearance in class G). So I would
> typically file to a nearby VOR (or all the way home). They will
> provide you a clearance void time, clearance limit,etc, and you
> launch. Its not difficult. Once you are on top and in radio range you
> can simply cancel the IFR.
>
> -Robert, CFII

About 4 miles offshore of Shelter Cove, there's a large area of class
G airspace extending upwards to 14,500, so if it's just fog, you might
not even need a clearance.

I live in Humboldt, and visit the Cove every once in a while. On a
clear day, it's absolutely gorgeous. Most everything is closed on
weekdays, but on weekends there are several places to get some pretty
good fish and chips. The beach is rocky, but very nice to walk along,
and you can usually see seals, sea lions, and the occasional whale.
the Cove is also one end of the King Range trail, a scenic coastal
route for hikers and campers. A nice fly-in destination.

[G. Sylvester]

I was a freshly minted IFR pilot when I flew in there under beautiful
VFR. When we were leaving, we could see very clearly that on downwind
and away from the cliffs, but not right over the airport, was a very
thin stratus around 500 feet and only maybe 200 feet thick. Since it
was still Class G, I took off and climbed through it in a matter of
maybe 20 seconds. I wouldn't plan on this scenario though. I'm sure
the fog could extend into Class E.

Gerald

[G. Sylvester]

G. Sylvester wrote:
> I was a freshly minted IFR pilot when I flew in there under beautiful
> VFR. When we were leaving, we could see very clearly that on downwind
> and away from the cliffs, but not right over the airport, was a very
> thin stratus around 500 feet and only maybe 200 feet thick. Since it
> was still Class G, I took off and climbed through it in a matter of
> maybe 20 seconds. I wouldn't plan on this scenario though. I'm sure
> the fog could extend into Class E.
>
> Gerald


That might sound beyond insane for those not familiar with the area.
The airport has VERY little traffic (we saw one airplane t/o in 4 hours)
and it has no IAP so there is very very unlikely any traffic coming in.
With the very thin stratus and communicating on CTAF, the chance of
anyone out there is absolutely nil. If the conditions were just so, no
chance I was talking off without an IFR clearance.

Gerald

[Robert M. Gary]

On Mar 22, 11:24 pm, "G. Sylvester" >
wrote:
> G. Sylvester wrote:
> > I was a freshly minted IFR pilot when I flew in there under beautiful
> > VFR. When we were leaving, we could see very clearly that on downwind
> > and away from the cliffs, but not right over the airport, was a very
> > thin stratus around 500 feet and only maybe 200 feet thick. Since it
> > was still Class G, I took off and climbed through it in a matter of
> > maybe 20 seconds. I wouldn't plan on this scenario though. I'm sure
> > the fog could extend into Class E.
>
> > Gerald
>
> That might sound beyond insane for those not familiar with the area.
> The airport has VERY little traffic (we saw one airplane t/o in 4 hours)
> and it has no IAP so there is very very unlikely any traffic coming in.
> With the very thin stratus and communicating on CTAF, the chance of
> anyone out there is absolutely nil. If the conditions were just so, no
> chance I was talking off without an IFR clearance.
>
> Gerald

I've been known to make my own IFR arrivals into airports such as
this. You know that over the ocean you aren't going to hit anything so
you start an IFR decent, if you don't see anything at your safe
altitude (1000 feet, 500 feet, whatever) you just go missed over the
ocean. In fact, all my IFR arrivals in Mexico are that way, go out
over the ocean, and start down.

-Robert

[ZikZak]

On Mar 23, 10:52 am, "Robert M. Gary" > wrote:

>
> I've been known to make my own IFR arrivals into airports such as
> this. You know that over the ocean you aren't going to hit anything so
> you start an IFR decent, if you don't see anything at your safe
> altitude (1000 feet, 500 feet, whatever) you just go missed over the
> ocean. In fact, all my IFR arrivals in Mexico are that way, go out
> over the ocean, and start down.
>
> -Robert

I don't know anything about Mexican regulations, but doing this at
Shelter Cove (or anywhere in the US) would be a violation of FAR
91.175(a).

[Robert M. Gary]

On Mar 23, 11:49 am, "ZikZak" > wrote:
> On Mar 23, 10:52 am, "Robert M. Gary" > wrote:
>
>
>
> > I've been known to make my own IFR arrivals into airports such as
> > this. You know that over the ocean you aren't going to hit anything so
> > you start an IFR decent, if you don't see anything at your safe
> > altitude (1000 feet, 500 feet, whatever) you just go missed over the
> > ocean. In fact, all my IFR arrivals in Mexico are that way, go out
> > over the ocean, and start down.
>
> > -Robert
>
> I don't know anything about Mexican regulations, but doing this at
> Shelter Cove (or anywhere in the US) would be a violation of FAR
> 91.175(a).

No its not because you aren't IFR when you land (unless you are crazy
enough to try to land w/o breaking out in the clear below).

-Robert, CFII

[ZikZak]

On Mar 23, 12:57 pm, "Robert M. Gary" > wrote:
> On Mar 23, 11:49 am, "ZikZak" > wrote:
> > I don't know anything about Mexican regulations, but doing this at
> > Shelter Cove (or anywhere in the US) would be a violation of FAR
> > 91.175(a).
>
> No its not because you aren't IFR when you land (unless you are crazy
> enough to try to land w/o breaking out in the clear below).
>
> -Robert, CFII

I believe you'll find that 91.175 refers to "instrument let-down to an
airport," not "landing under IFR."

[Robert M. Gary]

On Mar 23, 2:00 pm, "ZikZak" > wrote:
> On Mar 23, 12:57 pm, "Robert M. Gary" > wrote:
>
> > On Mar 23, 11:49 am, "ZikZak" > wrote:
> > > I don't know anything about Mexican regulations, but doing this at
> > > Shelter Cove (or anywhere in the US) would be a violation of FAR
> > > 91.175(a).
>
> > No its not because you aren't IFR when you land (unless you are crazy
> > enough to try to land w/o breaking out in the clear below).
>
> > -Robert, CFII
>
> I believe you'll find that 91.175 refers to "instrument let-down to an
> airport," not "landing under IFR."

That's just talking about decending below minimum cruise altitude
(1000 feet in this case). You can always decend into VFR (1 mile clear
of clouds) at cruise mins and then land VFR.

-Robert