t0r0nad0
Pattern Altitude
Hey Everyone,
I just got back from a week-long vacation to Hawaii, and I was able to commit a flagrant act of aviation while I was there!
The fiancee and I spent several days on the Big Island, and on Saturday, June 12, I went up with Mike Lauro from Tropicbird Flight Service out of Kona International. We took off on runway 17 and made a left downwind departure to fly north along the coast. We flew past Harrison Ford's island getaway house, the Waikoloa Beach area where we were staying, the Fairmont Orchid hotel, and the Mauna Kea resort. We flew up over the north point of the island, right over the airport there, then flew along the cliffs on the northeast side.
Ceilings were about 1500ft., so we stayed right at 1000ft. for most of the flight. When we got up to the cliffs, I had Mike take the controls so I could enjoy the view. We turned around to head back and he brought us down to about 600ft. to see the cliffs better. When I took over again I went back up to 1000ft. for the flight back to Kona, where I made a pretty decent landing.
We were in a Cessna 182, N5692J, which is a former CAP bird. It was only my second time flying a 182 from the left seat, and I have to say, I really like that bird. I'm not a light person, so to get more than one other person in the plane with me, I think that this is the type of plane for me to look at owning someday. BTW - if anyone is heading out there, the 182 was $255/hr wet dual.
Heather sat in the back seat and took some pictures and video - enjoy!
Our chariot awaits.
Getting the plane all set up.
My fiancee and photographer/videographer extroardinaire, Heather.
Climbing out.
Reportedly, this is Harrison Ford's Big Island getaway. I didn't see the Millennium Falcon parked outside, so I'm not sure if it's really his place or not.
The Hilton Bay Club, where we were staying.
The Fairmont Orchid, one of the places we went swimming/snorkeling.
The Mauna Kea resort.
Some great rainbow viewing, given the rainy overcast weather. Don't worry, we maintained 500 ft. below clouds and > 5mi visibility the entire time.
The north coast.
Here are some of the views of the cliffs and the valleys that we saw.
Heather getting a shot of herself with the cliffs in the background.
A picture of my better side.
A better shot of Mauna Key on the return flight.
Me next to the plane after the flight.
Me and my beloved after a great flight.
Here's the video:
I just got back from a week-long vacation to Hawaii, and I was able to commit a flagrant act of aviation while I was there!
The fiancee and I spent several days on the Big Island, and on Saturday, June 12, I went up with Mike Lauro from Tropicbird Flight Service out of Kona International. We took off on runway 17 and made a left downwind departure to fly north along the coast. We flew past Harrison Ford's island getaway house, the Waikoloa Beach area where we were staying, the Fairmont Orchid hotel, and the Mauna Kea resort. We flew up over the north point of the island, right over the airport there, then flew along the cliffs on the northeast side.
Ceilings were about 1500ft., so we stayed right at 1000ft. for most of the flight. When we got up to the cliffs, I had Mike take the controls so I could enjoy the view. We turned around to head back and he brought us down to about 600ft. to see the cliffs better. When I took over again I went back up to 1000ft. for the flight back to Kona, where I made a pretty decent landing.
We were in a Cessna 182, N5692J, which is a former CAP bird. It was only my second time flying a 182 from the left seat, and I have to say, I really like that bird. I'm not a light person, so to get more than one other person in the plane with me, I think that this is the type of plane for me to look at owning someday. BTW - if anyone is heading out there, the 182 was $255/hr wet dual.
Heather sat in the back seat and took some pictures and video - enjoy!
Our chariot awaits.
Getting the plane all set up.
My fiancee and photographer/videographer extroardinaire, Heather.
Climbing out.
Reportedly, this is Harrison Ford's Big Island getaway. I didn't see the Millennium Falcon parked outside, so I'm not sure if it's really his place or not.
The Hilton Bay Club, where we were staying.
The Fairmont Orchid, one of the places we went swimming/snorkeling.
The Mauna Kea resort.
Some great rainbow viewing, given the rainy overcast weather. Don't worry, we maintained 500 ft. below clouds and > 5mi visibility the entire time.
The north coast.
Here are some of the views of the cliffs and the valleys that we saw.
Heather getting a shot of herself with the cliffs in the background.
A picture of my better side.
A better shot of Mauna Key on the return flight.
Me next to the plane after the flight.
Me and my beloved after a great flight.
Here's the video:
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