Harris Ranch, May 2006

You know, it seems since becoming a certified flight instructor, my personal experiences flying have become more of a critique of other pilot's skills then enjoyable flying.  Something I think I have to get over.

In early May, I took my wife, Sue, on a flight lesson.  We were going to go do landing practice at KCPU (San Andreas, Calaveras County) but found, while en-route, the winds were just too high for a pre-solo'd student.  This airport is a great little airport with beautiful Sierra foot-hills all around.  It is a challenge for the newly initiated student or private pilot, but well worth the visit to enhance one's skills at landing

Instead, we went to 3O1 - Gustine, where the winds were up and down the runway followed by a short trip to KMCE - Merced (which by the way has the nicest pilot rest-room I have ever seen) then to 3O8 - Harris Ranch for dinner.  Sue did a wonderful job landing at each airport (I landed at Harris Ranch considering it only has a 30 foot wide runway).

When flying from Merced to Harris Ranch, about 10 miles out, I listened to an AWOS report at a nearby airport to get an idea of what the winds were doing in the area.  I announced my position, altitude and intentions and was surprised when another inbound aircraft 5 miles behind me asked what the traffic pattern was at Harris along with the runways.  I let him know the details and landed with no incident.  Upon the other pilot's landing, I asked him if he carried an AFD (Airport Facility Directory) with him on flights, his answer was 'no, I use my GPS for that kind of information'.  Interesting I thought since most GPS's don't give you the traffic pattern at airports. 

Lesson #1:  Carry some sort of AFD with you at ALL times!

Lesson #2:  Don't trust a portable GPS unit!

We had a wonderful dinner, then proceeded back out to the plane.  We both noticed that there was a warrior pretty badly beaten up parked near the runway at Harris Ranch.  After some investigation, I found that there have been a number of accidents at this airport.  Not landing accidents, but take-off accidents.  Pilots aren't using their aircraft's published short-field takeoff procedures when leaving a small runway like Harris Ranch and crashing on takeoff. 

Lesson #3:  Review your aircraft's procedures and follow checklists when departing an airport - take NOTHING for granted!

I instructed my wife on her first short-field takeoff, she was nervous to say the least but no longer hungry.  She did a marvelous job and was amazed how fast an aircraft can lift off if done correctly.

On our trip back to Livermore, we monitored Oakland Center and heard a very interesting call.  A pilot in a Bonanza was reporting an engine failure condition north of Merced Macready airport.  Here was the exchange - try and figure out what was wrong.

  • Pilot:  Oakland Center, Bonanza xxx reporting engine failure
  • ATC:  Bonanza xxx, are you declaring an emergency?
  • Pilot:  Oakland Center, yes - Engine failure
  • ATC:  Bonanza xxx, how many souls on board
  • Pilot:  Oakland Center, just myself
  • ATC:  Bonanza xxx, would you like vectoring to the nearest airport?
  • Pilot:  Oakland Center, please, one with aviation fuel

This should be your first hint

  • ATC:  Bonanza xxx, Merced Macready is 10 miles away at your one oclock, please turn xxx
  • ATC:  Bonanza xxx, how many gallons of fuel to you have on board
  • Pilot:  Oakland Center, about 5 gallons
  • Pilot:  Oakland Center, it looks like the engine is running better now after my turn

This should be your second hint

  • Cirrus Pilot:  Oakland Center, Cirrus xxx is near Merced Macready and will be heading towards Bonanza 30 to monitor their progess
  • ATC:  Thank you Cirrus xxx.
  • Pilot:  Oakland Center, Bonanza xxx has Merced in sight and will be entering the downwind for runway xxx
  • ATC:  Bonanza xxx, please don't waste your fuel entering the downwind, weather at Merced is winds variable, please land straight in runway 12 if possible.
  • Pilot:  Roger Oakland Center
  • Cirrus Pilot:  Oakland Center, Cirrus xxx has the Bonanza in sight on the ground
  • ATC:  Cirrus xxx, thank you.

Guess what the problem was with the Bonanza and pat yourself on the back.

Lesson #4:  MANAGE YOUR FUEL!

The rest of the flight was un-eventful.

This page was last modified on 12/03/2006