Toby
Cleared for Takeoff
In my quest to try every possible route over, under, around, and through NYC, I tried one tonight that I didn't like. I was going directly east from KABE to KHWV, over JFK. I asked for and got 5500. The controller asked me if I was sure I wanted that. That certainly sounded ominous! He said, "You can have it, but be very, very careful because of the traffic coming into Newark." Was he ever right. There was a line of jets going north to south at nearly my altitude. I probably shouldn't say this, but I could almost see into the windows of one.
The previous controller had told me he wouldn't give me clearance unless I stayed at exactly 5500, not one foot above or one foot below. I was having a problem with my altimeter being 200 - 300 feet off (that's another whole story), which added an interesting dimension to the problem. I don't think I exhaled until I was past Manhattan.
The view was spectacularly clear, and of course I forgot to charge the battery in my camera today, so I have no pictures.
I will not be taking the west/east route again. East/west was not so bad this morning at 6500. There was traffic, but not as much as at 5 p.m. It was still pretty stressful. I really wanted 4500, but had to go higher because of clouds. I think, all in all, it's easier to go west to JFK, make a left and go to Colt's Neck.
The previous controller had told me he wouldn't give me clearance unless I stayed at exactly 5500, not one foot above or one foot below. I was having a problem with my altimeter being 200 - 300 feet off (that's another whole story), which added an interesting dimension to the problem. I don't think I exhaled until I was past Manhattan.
The view was spectacularly clear, and of course I forgot to charge the battery in my camera today, so I have no pictures.
I will not be taking the west/east route again. East/west was not so bad this morning at 6500. There was traffic, but not as much as at 5 p.m. It was still pretty stressful. I really wanted 4500, but had to go higher because of clouds. I think, all in all, it's easier to go west to JFK, make a left and go to Colt's Neck.