woodstock
Final Approach
This one was only 40 or so miles, so it doesn't count as a cross country, but it was fun nonetheless.
The ADIZ rules changed slightly, which makes it a little easier to do but easier to bust IMHO. Before, when coming back home from the west, you had a clear boundary - the ridge - to know that you were heading for the ADIZ and plenty of time to make your call. Now, the ADIZ still covers Leesburg but is a lot closer to it - and they gave it a carveout where you don't have to call Potomac, just squawk correctly.
The carveout ends a little south of Leesburg and there is a corner piece that I could easily see someone cutting into, without knowing about it, when coming from the south. I don't think there are clear distinguishing marks to look out for. Long and short, when leaving Leesburg and heading south the safest thing to do is head straight west for a bit before turning south (easy) but then coming up from the south you need to make darn sure you are due west of Leesburg before heading in. THAT is where I could see people cutting the corner accidentally and anecdotally I've heard 3 people already have.
Anyway, I flew to Culpeper and landed, tied down, wandered into the FBO for a pit stop and then headed back out. And darn it, I meant to take a photo but didn't. It was a great day for flying and I was surprised how many planes were in and out of Culpeper - it was almost as busy as Leesburg!
Yesterday marks the first time I've ever had to push a plane back into place myself (and pull) and ouch my lower back hurts today. I tried to make my legs do most of the work when pulling but I still got a good back stretch out of it.
The ADIZ rules changed slightly, which makes it a little easier to do but easier to bust IMHO. Before, when coming back home from the west, you had a clear boundary - the ridge - to know that you were heading for the ADIZ and plenty of time to make your call. Now, the ADIZ still covers Leesburg but is a lot closer to it - and they gave it a carveout where you don't have to call Potomac, just squawk correctly.
The carveout ends a little south of Leesburg and there is a corner piece that I could easily see someone cutting into, without knowing about it, when coming from the south. I don't think there are clear distinguishing marks to look out for. Long and short, when leaving Leesburg and heading south the safest thing to do is head straight west for a bit before turning south (easy) but then coming up from the south you need to make darn sure you are due west of Leesburg before heading in. THAT is where I could see people cutting the corner accidentally and anecdotally I've heard 3 people already have.
Anyway, I flew to Culpeper and landed, tied down, wandered into the FBO for a pit stop and then headed back out. And darn it, I meant to take a photo but didn't. It was a great day for flying and I was surprised how many planes were in and out of Culpeper - it was almost as busy as Leesburg!
Yesterday marks the first time I've ever had to push a plane back into place myself (and pull) and ouch my lower back hurts today. I tried to make my legs do most of the work when pulling but I still got a good back stretch out of it.
