Let'sgoflying!
Touchdown! Greaser!
I wanted to tell you about my trip to Angel Fire yesterday (Sunday) Left into cool, clear and a million skies for the 370nm ride about 6:30am. Through a hundred miles of west Texas then past Carlsbad Caverns as the sun rose, between Roswell (could see glinting acres of parked airliners) and Ruidosa (and snow-capped Sierra Blanca peak beyond), finally into the higher ground of northern NM - Las Vegas which was all snow covered. Then the final 40 miles or so into the mountains. Smooth ride all the way. One guy in the pattern at LVS otherwise no traffic. Lots of cattle on cold open range in the flats. Occasional oil wells and one drilling rig. As I entered the valley at 10K started to get some turbulence as usual. Past the ski hills and started down to pattern altitude of 9400'msl. Great, they had done a good job of clearing the snow - when I called they said they were working on the 18" from the previous week, but they had it almost all bare and dry. Chalked near the hangar and arranged with Rob to fuel and turn on the preheat later in the day. Up to the slopes for a full day in the sun, watching airliners zoom through the tops of the huge pine trees, contrails pretty against the blue, blue sky. Something about the clear, thin cool air of NM that is purifying and restive for me. Everyone is very friendly and so polite there, no seething throngs - much different than other places I've been.
Back down to the airport, JPI says temps are all 75F before start; yes! and I climb out to the north. A bit of west wind now so I stay in the updraft of the east slope til 1000'agl then head back out the valley and home for supper by 8.
hmm cant use manage attach's button.
Back down to the airport, JPI says temps are all 75F before start; yes! and I climb out to the north. A bit of west wind now so I stay in the updraft of the east slope til 1000'agl then head back out the valley and home for supper by 8.
hmm cant use manage attach's button.
