kwmoore
07-13-2008, 10:38 PM
Flew an Angel Flight to Lompoc (KLPC) today and was anticipating having to do an approach. Even 20 minutes out, Vandenburg AFB was still IFR with 700 OC and LPC AWOS was "ceiling missing," so I went to load an approach. There are two current published approaches, RNAV GPS 25 and VOR DME A, but the current GNS430w database did not have RNAV GPS 25. What gives here? Fortunately the field was VFR, but were it 700 OC I would not have been able to get in with the higher minimums of the VOR DME approach.
The patient I picked up there and transported to Oakland was being treated for a "giant cell tumor in bone" cancer. During our conversation enroute it emerged that she was enrolled in a clinical trial for one of Amgen's (the biotech company I work for) therapeutic antibody candidates, "denosumab." Fortunately it is working well for her and her prospects are good. From what she said, this was her last hope so it was gratifying that I/we could help on two counts! :)
This turned out to be one of those rare flights where virtually everything went right. I felt on top of my game, all ATC instructions were crisp and easily executed, three greaser landings; the latter especially satisfying after several outings with firm touchdowns. IFR enroute both ways due to smoke and poor visibilities aloft; I was able to fly VFR-on-top for the return with about 10 miles vis. Slant visibility to the ground was perhaps 13-15 miles. That sounds like a lot but by CA standards it's really cruddy. For a while we were in between smoke layers at 8500 feet VFR on top.
There was a Piper Cub fly-in at LPC this weekend. As I arrived, several planes were lining up to fuel and also to depart, thankfully so as it would have been impossible to park had they not left! Immediately after I shut down two fellows approached me, one asked, "What kind of plane is this?" Before I could respond the other smiled and replied, "That's a Katmai, I've been waiting to see one of those!" I spent some extra time answering their questions, of which there were quite a few!
4.0 hr, using 42 gallons, LOP. Not bad, especially with >$6/gallon now at PAO.
Back at PAO I cleaned off the bugs from 2PL with a smile on my face; really satisfying day.
The patient I picked up there and transported to Oakland was being treated for a "giant cell tumor in bone" cancer. During our conversation enroute it emerged that she was enrolled in a clinical trial for one of Amgen's (the biotech company I work for) therapeutic antibody candidates, "denosumab." Fortunately it is working well for her and her prospects are good. From what she said, this was her last hope so it was gratifying that I/we could help on two counts! :)
This turned out to be one of those rare flights where virtually everything went right. I felt on top of my game, all ATC instructions were crisp and easily executed, three greaser landings; the latter especially satisfying after several outings with firm touchdowns. IFR enroute both ways due to smoke and poor visibilities aloft; I was able to fly VFR-on-top for the return with about 10 miles vis. Slant visibility to the ground was perhaps 13-15 miles. That sounds like a lot but by CA standards it's really cruddy. For a while we were in between smoke layers at 8500 feet VFR on top.
There was a Piper Cub fly-in at LPC this weekend. As I arrived, several planes were lining up to fuel and also to depart, thankfully so as it would have been impossible to park had they not left! Immediately after I shut down two fellows approached me, one asked, "What kind of plane is this?" Before I could respond the other smiled and replied, "That's a Katmai, I've been waiting to see one of those!" I spent some extra time answering their questions, of which there were quite a few!
4.0 hr, using 42 gallons, LOP. Not bad, especially with >$6/gallon now at PAO.
Back at PAO I cleaned off the bugs from 2PL with a smile on my face; really satisfying day.