kwmoore
04-02-2008, 03:11 PM
Weather here has not been all that flying friendly for the past couple of months. Temps have been cooler than average (where's that global warming when we really need it, anyway?),with low freezing levels when it's cloudy. When not cloudy or stormy, conditions have been nonetheless chilly, windy and turbulent, flyable but not all that much fun.
I did get out for some practice Monday evening after work. The plane was performing great although the pilot didn't necessarily bring his "A game," :rolleyes: couldn't seem to get smooth landings like usual, probably flaring a little high. :o
Nonetheless the return to PAO offered up one of those "great to be flying a Peterson" moments. On descent into PAO from 4000 feet, top of the green arc, about 10 miles southeast, ATC called out, "Skylane 2PL, traffic 1 to 2 o'clock, a Citabria also inbound to Palo Alto, you're overtaking by 40-45 knots."
"2PL looking." :)
Of course the GTX330's TIS had him plotted, but I finally got a visual at my 3:00 position as I was handed off to PAO tower. "Palo Alto tower, Skylane 812PL 5 miles southeast out of 1600 with Juliet, Citabria in sight."
"Skylane 2PL, can you maneuver to follow the Citabria?"
"Affirmative, I'll slow it down." Still 130 KIAS at that point.
"Skylane 2PL, maneuver to follow the Citabria on final, S turns approved, cleared to land number 2."
In short order I had it slowed down to a leisurely 60 knots and schmoozed down final into about a 10 kt headwind. I saw the Citabria ahead touchdown and surprisingly use all 2440 feet of PAO's rwy 31, turning off at the end while I was still ~half-mile final.
Had to rise to the challenge. ;) I came over the threshold at ~45 kt, even ballooned slightly in the flair (definitely only my B game today :rolleyes:), and still easily made the 1st turnoff at about 800 feet. As I turned off the runway our friend the Citabria was still at least 200 yards farther down, taxiing back, hadn't even reached the 2nd turnoff!
From tower: "Skylane 2PL, nice flying, on the parallel contact ground, taxi to parking...Oh, you've got the canards!"
"Yeah, you can fly really slowly with these things."
Another smile to myself. The Citabria was observing radio silence. :D
Overtaking by 40-45 kt in the approach, then increasing separation on final, then landing so slowly I used < 1/3 the runway compared to...a Citabria! :eek: Gotta love the 260se!
I did get out for some practice Monday evening after work. The plane was performing great although the pilot didn't necessarily bring his "A game," :rolleyes: couldn't seem to get smooth landings like usual, probably flaring a little high. :o
Nonetheless the return to PAO offered up one of those "great to be flying a Peterson" moments. On descent into PAO from 4000 feet, top of the green arc, about 10 miles southeast, ATC called out, "Skylane 2PL, traffic 1 to 2 o'clock, a Citabria also inbound to Palo Alto, you're overtaking by 40-45 knots."
"2PL looking." :)
Of course the GTX330's TIS had him plotted, but I finally got a visual at my 3:00 position as I was handed off to PAO tower. "Palo Alto tower, Skylane 812PL 5 miles southeast out of 1600 with Juliet, Citabria in sight."
"Skylane 2PL, can you maneuver to follow the Citabria?"
"Affirmative, I'll slow it down." Still 130 KIAS at that point.
"Skylane 2PL, maneuver to follow the Citabria on final, S turns approved, cleared to land number 2."
In short order I had it slowed down to a leisurely 60 knots and schmoozed down final into about a 10 kt headwind. I saw the Citabria ahead touchdown and surprisingly use all 2440 feet of PAO's rwy 31, turning off at the end while I was still ~half-mile final.
Had to rise to the challenge. ;) I came over the threshold at ~45 kt, even ballooned slightly in the flair (definitely only my B game today :rolleyes:), and still easily made the 1st turnoff at about 800 feet. As I turned off the runway our friend the Citabria was still at least 200 yards farther down, taxiing back, hadn't even reached the 2nd turnoff!
From tower: "Skylane 2PL, nice flying, on the parallel contact ground, taxi to parking...Oh, you've got the canards!"
"Yeah, you can fly really slowly with these things."
Another smile to myself. The Citabria was observing radio silence. :D
Overtaking by 40-45 kt in the approach, then increasing separation on final, then landing so slowly I used < 1/3 the runway compared to...a Citabria! :eek: Gotta love the 260se!