Flight to 89D (Kelley's Island)

[Morne]

Decided to run up to Kelley's Island today with the family. It was a nice day but a bit of a crosswind at the home drone.

Once we got above the clouds things smoothed out and my wife was much happier:

Ever try to keep a headset on a two year old? Thankfully it was a short flight:

My son with his sister's stuffed animal and my hat:

Who knew you could go hunting on Kelley's Island?

A road runs right next to the approach end of runway 9:

The family by the bird, you can see the shore in the background:

Cedar Point in the distance:

I got cleared through Cleveland's class bravo on the way out but not on the way back.

This was also the first time I had all 4 seats full on my plane.

Coming back the crosswind was pretty stiff (90-degrees to the runway, 15 knots). I had a nearby airport I could divert to with runways better aligned with the wind but all was well. I did a better landing in that crosswind than up at the island where the wind was within 10 degrees of the runway!

 

[jxdrl]

What's there to do there? I've only been to Put-in-Bay and their activities are not too conducive for flying home later in the day.

 

[jsstevens]

I love the picture of your son-hand behind head, kicked back chill in'. That's a relaxed flyer.

John

 

[steingar]

I'm told Kelley's has a nice little laid back town, but I am also told transportation to said town is hard to come by. My former chair used to fly out there with bicycles in the back of his Skylane. Put-in-Bay (3W2) has golf carts and a bus, though isn't as laid back as Kelley's.

 

[azure]

Sounds like a nice day trip, I might head down there sometime with my bicycle. What is the runway like? Skyvector's airport info says "RWY 09/27 PAVEMENT POOR -- WEATHERED WITH CRACKS".

 

[saracelica]

Kelley's island has more homes and places to walk around in "wilderness" went camping there several years ago. It was nice. Rented some bicycles to go around the area. Saw one house burn totally to the ground. No fire crews on the island and the people were supposedly back on the mainland (Catawaba Island?) for weekly groceries.

 

[Skylane81E]

Need to hop over there some time.

 

[steingar]

I have heard North Bass Island is only sparsely inhabited and mostly available for camping. Now that sounds like a good trip.

 

[Morne]

Sounds like a nice day trip, I might head down there sometime with my bicycle. What is the runway like? Skyvector's airport info says "RWY 09/27 PAVEMENT POOR -- WEATHERED WITH CRACKS".

Don't let that dissuade you. It is not as bad as they make it sound.

Bicycles are a good idea. Nothing is within an easy walk from the airport, as we found out. The winery is about a mile away but that is not conducive to flying home.

And yes, there is a landing fee. Bring exact change ($5) because the terminal is unattended. You fill out a little envelope with your tail number and such, stuff the five bucks in it and drop it in a lockbox.

 

[dell30rb]

And yes, there is a landing fee. Bring exact change ($5) because the terminal is unattended. You fill out a little envelope with your tail number and such, stuff the five bucks in it and drop it in a lockbox.

That's the way to go. I'm guessing that works out well for them. Last place I went that had a $5 landing fee with a drop box I left em $15. Nice grass strip and the owner took the time to call me back and give me a report on the runway conditions. I'd rather pay a small landing fee than get raped at the pump. Feels like i'm paying less for some reason..

 

[Skylane81E]

I have heard North Bass Island is only sparsely inhabited and mostly available for camping. Now that sounds like a good trip.

Two dozen residents...

 

[Morne]

I love the picture of your son-hand behind head, kicked back chill in'. That's a relaxed flyer.

John

That was his first flight in a small plane.

In fact, this was the first flight for my wife and kids in my plane EVER.

 

[steingar]

Two dozen residents...

Like I said, sparsely inhabited.

 

[azure]

I made it there myself yesterday afternoon. It was a beautiful day to fly and the destination was worth it. I took my bicycle and rode the state route along the west shore past the West Bay Inn. I've attached a few pictures. I wish I could have spent more time there and will definitely be back.

The 4th picture is Perry's Monument at Put-in Bay, in the distance. The last is a shot of 89D as I circled climbing to altitude on departure.

Thanks for the day trip idea, Morne!

 

[azure]

A p.s.: not only isn't the runway in poor condition, it's actually in fairly good condition. I talked to a longtime resident (who drove up in a golf cart as I was preparing to leave to ask me if I was with Flying Magazine -- those who know who I bought my airplane from will get that one) about the status of the airport and the runway. He didn't know why the A/FD gives the pavement condition as poor and thought it was old information since the runway was repaved a few years back. His major gripe was over airport politics and difficulties in getting 18/36 redone and reopened, which he says has been closed for at least 10 years.

My only reservation about 9/27 would be that it slopes downhill on the east end toward the shore, but there is enough of a clear zone west of the airport that I wouldn't be too concerned if I had to depart on 27 as I should be wheels up by the time I pass the terminal building. But the wind should usually favor 9 during the summer thanks to the lake breeze.

 

[AdamZ]

Great photos and great trip!

 

[kimberlyanne546]

Cute photos!