Flight Trip with my Dad: KTTA - KHRJ - KTTA

On Sunday, August 7th, I took my dad for a short cross-country round trip of about 60 miles from Raleigh Exec Jetport (KTTA) in Sanford, NC to Harnett County Regional Airport (KHRJ) in Erwin, NC.

I preflighted the Allegro 2000 Light Sport Aircraft around 10 AM on a sunny and clear day with slight winds from the southwest. I started the engine after giving my dad a preflight brief and taxied to RWY 21. I tookoff at 56 mph with flaps at 15 degrees and climbed at 75 mph heading south. We saw the confluence of the Haw river and Deep river that forms the Cape Fear river. Our flight track was aligned with the Cape Fear river that flows through Lillington, NC all the way to Wilmington, NC where it drains into the Atlantic Ocean.




This was my first trip with the iPad WingX moving map application as my portable GPS backup. My father held the iPad and watched our flight progress, as I continued piloting the airplane using the primary GPS in the cockpit instrument panel. WingX for iPad is a great aviation tool. I plan on utilizing it for my flights as a backup GPS Map, for preparing flight plans and gathering NOTAM and weather information.

I cruised at an altitude of 4,500 ft in smooth air at an airspeed of 100 mph. We flew above the town of Lillington, NC and I crossed the Harnett County Regional Airport runway midway and joined the downwind for RWY 23. I descended following the takeoff by a Piper Cub and did two rounds on the pattern. I then climbed above the runway and turned north towards Sanford, NC. We flew above the Coble Water Ski and Wakeboard Camp.

I started to descend about 15 miles south of KTTA and we encountered some turbulence around 2000 ft altitude due to the summer heat. I checked the weather at the airport and the winds now favored RWY 03. I planned a long final with no flaps at about 70 mph. After the touch down, I exited the RWY at the second turnoff. I taxied to the FBO and switched off the engine near the hangar.

My first cross-country flight trip with a passenger, my father, was a great adventure for me as an FAA certified pilot. We both then drove back home.

Flight with my sister!

On July 24, 2011, I took my sister for a flight over the KTTA airport and above Lake Jordan. I also took my dad for his second trip in the light sport airplane. I performed one landing with my sister and two landings with my dad.

Flight with Amma!

On June 26, 2011, I took my mom for a flight above the KTTA airport and near Lake Jordan. It was another memorable moment for me as a pilot to be able to take my mother for a joy flight...



The weather in the morning at KTTA was cool but sunny with slight winds from NW. I also took my uncle for a flight over KTTA. I made three landings and took some photos at the FBO with my parents and my flight instructor.

Flight with my Dad!

Today is a memorable day for me as a Pilot, as I took my dad, who is visiting from India, as a passenger in the Light Sport Aircraft, Allegro 2000 LSA over the Raleigh-Exec Airport (KTTA) and flight over and near Lake Jordan.

I preflighted the airplane at 2.00 PM EST at the FBO. The winds were from 300 degrees at 7 knots. I took off from RWY 03 with flaps at 15 degrees. Applying full-power, I rotated at 56 MPH and climbed at 75 MPH crabing left into the wind. After the left crosswind, I flew above and near the Lake Jordan at 2,500 AGL. Turning towards the airport, I joined the pattern at mid-point downwind to RWY 03. After the base and final legs, I had a smooth landing with a crosswind of 7 knots from the left. There were a few airplanes doing the pattern work and a couple of planes approaching KTTA.


I took off again from RWY 03 after the landing of a DA-20 aircraft. I climbed and stayed in the pattern. My dad was enjoying the flight even though the 26 C afternoon temperature was producing some turbulence and bounce in the airplane. I extended my downwind to accomodate the Cessna airplane in the base leg for landing. After the Cessna cleared the runway, I landed the airplane with no flaps and with the left aileron into the wind. I cleared the runway and took off again for my final round, this time I extended my upwind and downwind legs and made my third landing of the day with my dad besides enjoying the flight and the view below of the Lake Jordan, Deep river, Cooling tower of the N-plant and the section of the HWY 1.

After parking the airplane, I took some pictures with my father and left the FBO with a great feeling of accomplishment.

Flight Trip: Raleigh-Exec Jetport (KTTA) to Harnet County Regional Airport (KHRJ)

Flight Plan: KTTA-KHRJ-KTTA

Today was an excellent day to fly, with calm winds and bright sunshine but with a bit of haze and a surface temperature of 70 F at Sanford, NC. I preflighted the Allegro 2000 LSA and taxied to RWY 03 at the Raleig-Exec Jetport (KTTA). After the landing of a Cessna 182, I tookoff with flaps at 15 degrees and climbed to the North.

I made a right crosswind turn at 1000 ft towards my destination - Harnett County Regional Airport (KHRJ) in Erwin, NC. I climbed to 3,000 ft and cruised at 100 MPH. I followed the Cape Fear River that is formed at the confluence of the Deep River and Haw River. My flight path took straight over the 2,150 ft Communication Tower. I flew to the west and still followed the GPS Map with the Cape Fear River below. The city of Sanford, NC was to my right and after flying about 20 miles SE, I flew over the town of Lillington, NC. I started to descend about 10 miles from KHRJ and joined the downwind for RWY 05 just north of the river. I made the base and final legs at 80 MPH and landed the airplane with no flaps on the 5,000 x 75 ft runway.



Harnett County Airport in Erwin, NC is famous for the glider planes and as I taxied to the GA ramp, I saw a glider being towed by a Cessna climbing and making a right turn to the North. After a few minutes in the GA ramp, I took off from RWY 05 entering it from taxiway Delta and climbed at 75 MPH.


Making a left crosswind turn, I set my course to the KTTA situated 25 Miles to the NW. I again follwed the Cape Fear River below and could see the Nuclear Power Plant Cooling Tower and the smoke raising straight up in the calm winds. I switched to the KTTA CTAF about 15 miles south and there were a few planes in the traffic pattern and approach to RWY 03. I crossed the RWY mid-field at 2,000 ft and joined the downwind for RWY 03. I made a longer downwind and after the base and final legs, landed the light sport airplane on the RWY 03. I then cleared the active runway and taxied to the FBO.

Today's cross-county flight of 50 Miles is my first solo cross-country flight to an airport I have not been earlier with my flight instructor. It was an adventure as a recent Sport Pilot and is dedicated to the Indian Cricket Team that won the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 yesterday in Mumbai, India!

PIC Time: Solo Flight Practice in the Traffic Pattern with Gusty Winds

Today, at 10.00 AM EST, I preflighted the Allegro 2000 LSA for gaining some flight practice in takeoffs and landings in gusty winds. The temperature at the Raleigh-Exec Jetport (KTTA) was mild at 72 F with great visibility. The winds were from 040 degrees at 15 MPH gusting to 19 MPH. The traffic at the airport was moderate with a Business Jet taking off to the North followed by a Cessna 172 and a Mooney both doing the traffic pattern work.

I taxied to the RWY 03 and performed a normal takeoff with Flaps at 15 degrees. After the climb, I turned to the crosswind leg at 900 ft and flew towards the practice area near the 3M Plant in the NW. I then performed a shallow 180 degrees turn and at a height of 2400 ft crossed the RWY midpoint and joined the downwind for RWY 03. After a long downwind to decrease my altitude, I turned base behind the Mooney and performed by first landing of the day with no flaps and with a slight power to compensate for the gusty but strong headwind. I taxied to the RWY 03 and took-off with no flaps and climbed straight and turned to the crosswind and downwind legs. At abeam no.3, I reduced the power to 3500 RPM in the Rotax engine and turned base and final legs followed by the Mooney aircraft. With the aid of the strong headwind, I was able to land and exit via the first taxiway Echo within 1200 ft.

I then took off from RWY 03 after the landing of the Cessna 172 and flew towards the Lake Jordan with a view of the cooling towers of the N-Plant in Sanford, NC. I then joined the downwind for RWY 03 and turned base as the Mooney aircraft was on the final leg. I again landed at RWY 03 and exited the runway via taxiway Charlie. I then taxied the plane in strong tailwinds to the FBO.

Overall, a great practice flight that added three landings as PIC to my pilot logbook.

PIC Time: Solo Flight in the Traffic Pattern with Crosswind

The Winter 2011 is almost over and the Spring is on the way in North Carolina. Today, I made a solo flight in the Allegro 2000 LSA from KTTA (Raleigh-Exec Jetport) for being current in my PIC time and practice landings in crosswinds.

The weather was mild (63 F) at the airport with broken clouds from 6,000 ft and good visibility . But, the winds were varying from 160 degrees at 8 MPH with some gusts.

iATIS App

The traffic in the airport was heavy, with three planes doing the traffic pattern along with a couple of incoming flights. I was number three for takeoff from RWY 21 and departed with flaps at 15 degrees. I rotated at 55 MPH and climbed at 65 MPH. I crabed the airplane into the wind to keep aligned with the runway. I followed the Piper Cherokee on the downwind and made my first landing with an approach speed of 70 MPH and carrying a little power. I turned off the RWY from taxiway Charlie and lined up for my second takeoff behind a Cessna 172.

I again tookoff from RWY 21 but this time without any flaps and climbed to the pattern altitude of 1200 ft. The Cessna was doing a long traffic pattern and so I made my base leg longer and entered the downwind from midpoint of the RWY. I entered the base leg at 800 ft AGL and final approach at 75 MPH. After holding the heading in the varying crosswind, I landed the light sport airplane at RWY 21 and taxied the plane to the FBO.

Practice Flight in Strong Crosswinds with gusts!

Today was my first flight in the Allegro 2000 LSA after coming back to the Raleigh area. The weather was clear and sunny with 48 degrees but with strong winds from 260 degrees to 290 degrees and gusts. I converted my solo flight schedule to a dual practice flight with my flight instructor, Jim Schmidt. I preflighted the airplane and taxied to RWY 21.

METAR for KTTA

I performed a crosswind takeoff with right aileron into the wind from taxiway Charlie for RWY 21 with no flaps. I climbed with a crab into the wind and did a left traffic pattern for RWY 21. I entered the base and final legs with higher than normal power and at a speed of 70-75 mph.

I kept the airplane aligned with the RWY 21 but the variable wind and gusts made me struggle to keep the light sport airplane straight during the flare. Jim just touched the controls but did nothing and said 'still your airplane'. I touched-down with right aileron for the crosswind but was pushed up by the gusts. I added a little power and after a short flare landed the airplane. An ugly landing but a good practice flight and landing on a strong crosswind with my flight instructor besides...

Flight Training: Takeoffs & Landings, Instrument Reference (IR) Maneuvers

My flight lesson scheduled on 1/1/11 was cancelled due to icing in the wings of the DA-20 aircraft. Today, I had my second flight training class with Instructor Dick Oman. The weather at 10.00 AM PST was sunny but very cold (-2 C) with winds from 050 at 3 knots. I preflighted the aircraft and taxied to the RWY 35 for a normal take with T/O flaps. After the takeoff radio communication, I applied full-thrust with fuel rich and rotated at 55 knots. I climbed straight at 75 knots and turned left cross-wind towards the town of Newberg in the NW of Aurora State Airport (KUAO).

Dick asked me to performe some maneuvers holding altitude, airspeed and heading. At 3,500 ft, he asked me to perform slips to descend with right aileron (and left rudder) and with left aileron (and right rudder). Dick asked me to put on the hood and perform instrument reference (IR) maneuvers - climbing to 4,000 ft while turning for an assigned heading and then descending to 3,500 ft turning to another assigned heading and level flight straight ahead. He then took the flight controls and put the airplane in unusual attitudes and asked me to recover using IR only with the hood on.

After removing the hood with Dick piloting the airplane, I took a HD Video of the spectacular view of the Cascade Mountain range to the East - the majestic snow-covered Mt. Hood looming large just 50 miles away, Mt. Jefferson to the South, Mt. Adams to the North, Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Rainier in the distant North.



I then took control of the airplane and followed the Newberg VOR. Dick then asked me to turn towards the airport for landing practice. I entered the downwind for RWY 35 at 45 degrees mid-point, left base leg and performed my first landing with L/D flaps at 78 knots. My base leg speed was a little high and I floated before landing on the runway. I then tookoff from the remaining runway with T/O flaps for another traffic pattern and landing practice. I landed the airplane but again with excess speed (with L/D flaps) after a float with the long low-wings of DA-20 C1 Eclipse.

I taxied the airplane to the FBO. Dick gave me a post-flight briefing. Overall, a very productive flight maneuvers lesson with a beautiful view of the peaks of the Cascade Mountain Range and the Willamette River below.