Mark Hansen wrote:
Do you mind if I ask why you decided to make your turn at 400' when
initially departing KSAC? I was told that, barring any other restrictions,
you should not begin a turn until within 300' of TPA when VFR, and above
circling mins when IFR.

Our clearance was: Cleared to KMHR via heading 090, radar vectors.
Climb and maintain 2000, expect 3000 5 minutes after departure...

KSAC doesn't have an obstacle DP so therefore meets the "diverse
departure" criteria (you won't hit anything if you start a climb at a
minimum of 35 ft. from the departure end of the runway, climb 200 ft/nm,
and climb to 400 ft). Lincoln, OTOH, does have an obstacle DP due to
the terrain to the East (Climbing turn to the MYV VOR then climb on
course). So...all that to say that as I was departing KSAC, I was
remembering my CFII saying you wouldn't start a turn until 400 ft. The
brain fart on my part was not realizing the noise abatement stuff for
runway 20 at KSAC. Had I waited until 600 ft., I would have been above
the circling minimums.

And by the way, if it was just a brain fart, I'll tell you what happened
when I was asked to do a DME arc and holding during part of my IFR
check-out
at the new club ;-\ ... it may make you feel better about yours.

Well, even if it doesn't make me feel better, I think that since you
offered, do tell :-)

Now, after you get a chance to relax and revel in your success, I want to
talk about staying current ;-)

Relax? What's that again? Hehe, sure, anytime you want to hookup for
currency stuff, drop me an e-mail. I figure to fly our plane a couple
more times before it goes in for some maintenance then for the annual.
I'll have more than normal safety piloting availability during the last
three weeks of March since that's when we've lined up all the work.


--
Jack Allison
PP-ASEL-Instrument Airplane
Arrow N2104T

"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the Earth
with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there
you will always long to return"
- Leonardo Da Vinci

(Remove the obvious from address to reply via e-mail)