Scott's Flight Log

[scottr0829]

Ok, I decided to start a new flight log, but want to give my history first. Basically, the whole point of this post is to show my progression in not being scared anymore when flying - especially in the past year. The most recent flight (not counting BDL-SFO) is first:

Jan 2007 – BDL to ASE (Aspen) (through IAD/DEN out, DEN/ORD back) – United (aisle seat) – I remember smooth flights throughout the whole thing. This was the biggest plane I have taken up until then (767 or 777 from IAD-DEN and DEN-ORD) as well as the smallest commercial (ERJ) from DEN-ASE and back. A little bumpy on approach to IAD, but perfect other than that – which was great since it was winter in Denver and Aspen, but the weather was perfect!

Oct 2006 – PVD to PHX - SWA (aisle seat) – They were both very smooth flights. I was traveling with some friends who had a 10 mth old and he was PERFECT out (he slept more than half the way). On the way back, he was ok too, but our plane was delayed in PHX for 2+ hours, so it was a LONG day.

Aug 2006 – BDL to LAX (through PHL out, BNA on the way back) - SWA (aisle seat) – smooth flights. On the way out, I remember this flight because there was a cute flight attendant that was working the flight. This is the flight where the flight attendants had a bet with the pilots that they (the pilots) could not get us to the West Coast in time to have breakfast on both coasts. The flight attendants won as we landed at like 11. On the way back, I had a 10 mth old and her mom seated next to me to BNA (Nashville). She was perfectly fine until the last hour and a half of the flight. I put my headphones on and she didn’t bother me anymore ;). Stayed on the same plane in Nashville. We were held in Nashville because of an ATC hold. The SWA workers were really nice and accommodating and let us off the plane to get food, go to the bathroom, etc… This was perfect since we had a 7 AM flight out of LAX. I enjoyed a nice smoothie for lunch. The other thing I remember about this day is that I heard on the evening news that sometime later that morning, LAX had their ground radar go down and there were MASSIVE delays because they could only use one runway for take-offs and landings. Sometimes taking the early flights pays off! Also, the next day was the scare in Britain that changed carry-on security forever :(

July 2006 – BDL to LAS – (SWA there, Delta back – window seat) – Smooth flights both ways, red–eye back (will never take a red-eye again).

Jan 2006 – BDL to MCO (Orlando) – SWA (aisle down, window back) - Smooth flight down. I remember having a PERFECT view of Daytona International Speedway lit up at night on the descent. On the way back, I remember a VERY bumpy flight and clouds the whole way back because of a coastal storm – nothing really major though.

May 2001 – BDL to BWI – SWA (window seat) - I remember smooth flights both ways and being white knuckled the whole time. I also remember on the way back that a woman slept the WHOLE time and I couldn’t believe that, I mean, we WERE on a plane! :rolleyes:

April 1987 - Worcester (MA) Regional Airport (ORH I think) to Newark to Orlando - Continental - Don’t remember much, I was only 6. I THINK we were held up in Newark on the return because of Air Force One.

[scottr0829]

Want to add this one too:

Nov 2006 – This is a special flight because my buddy took me up in his plane (Cessna 150). I was asking him about how VOR’s worked one day at work and he offered to take me up and I agreed. Talk about NERVES!!! Arrived, got ready and he showed me what to look at during pre-flight inspection. Jumped in, he let me take the left seat, we started up and started taxiing. He (obviously) did all the communications with the tower, but let me do the taxiing, takeoff and in-flight navigation – showing me the proper steps the whole way (checklists, etc…). Takeoff is where it got interesting! Just as we approached Vr, my door opened :eek:! I went to go close it, and he just kept telling me to “fly the f***en plane”. However, I was preoccupied with my door, trying to reason with him that me door was open. He just kept telling me to fly the plane, so I did. After we got up to altitude and trimmed out, he told me to then close the door. After I did, he explained to me that the MOST important thing when flying a plane is to actually fly the plane. He explained, as the plane is leaving the ground, your most important job is to get to a safe altitude that is clear of surrounding terrain. Besides, I was buckled in, I wasn’t going anywhere. After he explained that, I realized what he was saying COMPLETELY made sense. Fly the plane and worry about the other things when safe. He said that he was glad it happened because many pilots go through their whole training without something like that happening, and when it does, it sometimes leads to tragic results. I experienced this my first time out. The rest of the time in the air, he was showing me the ropes of VFR (center the ball, proper turning, VOR navigation, etc…). It was a lot of fun and helped convince me I need to get my license. When we were looking for Carmel, I ended up spotting it before him, which he congratulated me on and said “Nice visual”. I knew what a VOR would look like because I went sledding near the PUT VOR when younger (uncle owned the land around it). He brought me through one landing, didn’t tell me he was doing a touch and go and scared the crap out of me when he did. Offered to let me do the landing the second time, but I declined. I learned enough for one day! :ray: (sorry Ray)

[Rebecca]

Hi, Scott. Interesting reports, both. Of course I'm zeroing in on the Cessna flight ... I like to hear details of small plane flights to keep building a mental model of flying as something "okay" so my mind stops resisting it. Sounds like a LOT (left seat and so much actual flying) for your first time up.

That "Discovery" flight is still on my to do list. My husband flies and we're probably going up this weekend, another opportunity to see whether it's getting more appealing.

I hope you'll keep us informed about future GA flights ... we'll be seeing you all over the Hangar Talk forum, probably, about how you're getting your license!:D

Rebecca

[scottr0829]

Just a warning – part of my calming down includes keeping DETAILED stats to divert my attention and also because I am a very logical person. If you think I am way too OCD, too bad, this is how I cope :tongue: If you have any suggestions (too detailed/long/wordy/just right), PLEASE leave a message for future reports.

BDL – SFO through ORD
May 5, 2007
United
Pics at http://picasaweb.google.com/scottr0829/BDLSFOThroughORD (http://picasaweb.google.com/scottr0829)

BDL – ORD (scheduled 6:00 AM EDT)
B737 – Flight #257
Pushback: 5:54 AM
Takeoff Start: 6:04 AM (airborne about 30 secs later)
Touchdown: 8:09 AM
Gate Arrival: 8:16 AM
Flight Time (est based on main gear liftoff-touchdown): 2:04:38

This was a VERY smooth flight. Check out the pics below (more available on the website).

A beautiful sunrise (notice what appears to be black duct tape on the wing – Hey, I didn’t know my dad was a mechanic for United :rotflmao:):

http://lh6.google.com/image/scottr0829/RkFp9TJ3j9I/AAAAAAAAACE/EZvGDXx4QEM/s400/IMG_1498.JPG

I wish I were on one of those instead:

http://lh5.google.com/image/scottr0829/RkFqHDJ3j_I/AAAAAAAAACU/JbVTV18vHkU/s400/IMG_1500.JPG

You can see Six Flags New England just to the right of center in the photo. That is the Connecticut River you see. The roller coaster right next to the river is the Superman: Ride of Steel – best roller coaster ever!

http://lh4.google.com/image/scottr0829/RkFqrzJ3kII/AAAAAAAAADc/rJ0xMW3GRrA/s400/IMG_1509.JPG

Beautiful cloud layers below:

http://lh4.google.com/image/scottr0829/RkFqzzJ3kKI/AAAAAAAAADs/1uAGV_6KWDo/s400/IMG_1511.JPG

This pic is cool (I think) because it is in between two cloud layers:

http://lh6.google.com/image/scottr0829/RkFtiTJ3kyI/AAAAAAAAAIs/3nj46KQsXoU/s400/IMG_1527.JPG

Things of note:
We took off from Rnwy 06 at BDL
Cruising altitude was FL360
We landed Rnwy 9R-27L (not sure which way, but I THINK it was to the east, so Rnwy 9L)
I sat on the right side of the plane so I could see Niagara Falls when we passed it. When we flew past Niagara Falls, the pilot went to the right and then dipped left and said “There is a SPECTACULAR view of Niagara falls”. DARN IT – FOILED AGAIN! :fuming:
This was the longest security line I have ever been in – and it was at 4:45 AM!?!?! US Air shares a terminal with United at Bradley, so most of the people were for one of those early flights.
When boarding, I was talking with this couple that had a beautiful 5 1/2month old. I asked if it was her first time, they said no, it was her 4th!?!?! 4 times in 5 1⁄2 mths – WOW! :eek:
Arrived into Gate C31 at ORD.
I had many more cool pics of the flight and landing into ORD, but my computer messed up the download and they are no more. :fuming:ORD – SFO (scheduled to leave at 8:00 CDT, 9:00 EDT)
B777 – Flight #831 Tango (what does that mean) Heavy (I know this is used to separate traffic)
Pushback: 8:55 AM EDT
Takeoff Start: 9:09 AM EDT (airborne about a minute later)
Touchdown: 1:02 PM EDT
Gate Arrival: 1:10 PM EDT
Flight Time (est based on main gear liftoff-touchdown): 3:52:12

The flight was pretty bumpy until CA. It was cloudy and the pilot kept going from FL360-FL380 to escape the chop (heard on Channgel 9 and by watching the Map on the monitor) (Barb, that answers your question, right?). There were pockets of moderate chop, but mostly mild. I was seated on the left side of the plane so I could see the city on the approach into San Fran.

Pics:
That is a LARGE wing with the snow-capped Rockies in the background:

http://lh6.google.com/image/scottr0829/RkFq8TJ3kNI/AAAAAAAAAEE/hfllSjzmNng/s400/IMG_1566.JPG

I believe that is San Jose airport just over the wing:

http://lh5.google.com/image/scottr0829/RkFrLDJ3kRI/AAAAAAAAAEk/jeMeN_-GeLQ/s400/IMG_1570.JPG

This B747 was to follow us on landing. It looked VERY close – much closer than the pics indicate:

http://lh5.google.com/image/scottr0829/RkFrxDJ3kYI/AAAAAAAAAFc/FPA-OjNy-FQ/s400/IMG_1577.JPG

Water approach:

http://lh6.google.com/image/scottr0829/RkFsITJ3kcI/AAAAAAAAAF8/daKMgUqRMcA/s400/IMG_1581.JPG

http://lh5.google.com/image/scottr0829/RkFsODJ3kdI/AAAAAAAAAGE/XkMrHBZ_vbM/s400/IMG_1582.JPG

LAND HO!:

http://lh5.google.com/image/scottr0829/RkFsUDJ3keI/AAAAAAAAAGM/H-QfcusPpKw/s400/IMG_1583.JPG

SFO!:

http://lh6.google.com/image/scottr0829/RkFsaTJ3kfI/AAAAAAAAAGU/EflUjk0LMsY/s400/IMG_1584.JPG

Notes:
Took off runway 9L.
Landed runway 28R (I think).
Ended up coming into the international terminal since that flight was scheduled to continue to Japan (although that plane was not). We had to walk quite a ways to get to the Domestic United baggage claim area.
I am glad I knew about the approach over the water. When taking this approach, you don’t see land until the last moment, so if you fly into SFO and it seems like you are landing in the water, you really are not!This is the coolest part of the whole trip (technology is great!):

Sunrise at Bradley near Hartford, CT (east coast):

http://lh4.google.com/image/scottr0829/RkFpzzJ3j7I/AAAAAAAAAB0/jEO8Ma2CIGI/s400/IMG_1496.JPG

Sunset over the Pacific (my first time EVER seeing the Pacific and this sunset was beautiful!):

http://lh4.google.com/image/scottr0829/RkFtZzJ3kvI/AAAAAAAAAIU/p5p0whA_cIE/s400/IMG_1600.JPG

The Giants game was cool too. I was seated 4 rows behind the Giants batters box!

Again, please give me feedback on this so I can see what you guys like/don’t like about this report.

[Barb-SAN]

Scott...That's a GREAT trip report! Of course, I'm OCD enough to thrive on all those details too. ;) The photos and commentary make a great complement to the computer flight tracking I did on the tracking board, to give a LOT of information about your flight. Hopefully this will help folks tracking their flights ahead of time to understand a bit more about what their flight might be like. I'm so glad that you got some pics of the SFO water approach, as that has been discussed here before, but we haven't had any photos posted.

In answer to your question, "B777 – Flight #831 Tango (what does that mean)" , Well, "Tango" is aviation-speak for the letter "T", and I remember when I was tracking your flight that I needed to use the flight number "831T".

Thanks again for taking the time to post such a complete report, with photos! :thumbsup:

[scottr0829]

Hey Barb - thanks for the positive feedback! It seems that this Flight Log feature of TF hasn't really been picked up (no recent updates besides mine) so do you think it would be better to post just single flight reports on the regular thread (or both maybe?)? Also, I knew that the Tango meant 'T' but I wasn't sure why we had a T at the end of my flight number :confused: The only thing I could come up with doesn't really make sense to me when I think about it but maybe it does to you guys - maybe since that flight number was the one to conitnue to Japan, they needed to change the number for the Domestic portion of the flight?!?

Rebecca - thanks for the feedback also. I will keep a detailed BLOG of my flight training when I do start doing it, but it is on pause right now as I have a new priority in my life - I am getting a puppy the first weekend in June. Lab-shephard mix that looks like a black lab. I am SOOO excited and won't be able to start the training for another year (new puppy, busy summer this year, etc...)

Thanks again for the feedback everyone! Look for another report this weekend/early next week on my return flight! :)

[Barb-SAN]

Hey Barb - thanks for the positive feedback! It seems that this Flight Log feature of TF hasn't really been picked up (no recent updates besides mine) so do you think it would be better to post just single flight reports on the regular thread (or both maybe?)?

It's been done different ways. I've posted my flight photos on the tracking board after my flight has been tracked, to keep all the information on one thread. I don't think there is any one way that it must be done. You could also post one picture in the gallery, and note that it is one of a series from a flight report, and include the link to your report. And, you could put links both on the tracking thread, and in a flight report to direct people to your own flight log. You could also provide the link for the tracking information thread on your flight log, so you could find that information again months later. Many choices....:D

I don't know why the "t" was added to your flight number. I do know that when I tried to track it without the "t", it came up as "flight not found". Then I had to go look at airport activitiy, and see what flight was leaving at that time...and that's where I found the number with the "t" added.

[scottr0829]

Another long one, here we go:

SFO - BDL through ORD
May 12, 2007
United
Pics at http://picasaweb.google.com/scottr0829
Barb's Tracking (starting at post #13) available at: http://www.takingflight.us/forums/showthread.php?t=7118

SFO – ORD (scheduled 10:48 AM PDT)
B757 – Flight #830
Pushback: 10:47 AM PDT
Takeoff Start: 11:10 AM PDT (airborne about 45 secs later)
Touchdown: 4:56 PM CDT
Gate Arrival: 5:05 PM CDT
Flight Time (est based on main gear liftoff-touchdown): 3:34:19

This was a VERY smooth flight. Check out the pics below (more available on the website).

There’s the big, BEAUTIFUL bird:

http://lh5.google.com/image/scottr0829/RkfIFjJ3k2I/AAAAAAAAAKM/r3FHNsPEAlE/s400/IMG_1937.JPG

A look down the wing on the ramp:

http://lh4.google.com/image/scottr0829/RkfINTJ3k4I/AAAAAAAAAKc/tZ6jm0iJQlY/s400/IMG_1939.JPG

Taxiing has started:

http://lh6.google.com/image/scottr0829/RkfIRzJ3k5I/AAAAAAAAAKk/8zLWk9VeLRU/s400/IMG_1940.JPG

Cool pic of us in line (I think we were #7) and a plane on the right on short final (you can see the landing lights):

http://lh4.google.com/image/scottr0829/RkfIZTJ3k7I/AAAAAAAAAK0/g7-YHjS-n2I/s400/IMG_1942.JPG

San Fran with the Bay Bridge and the downtown financial district:

http://lh3.google.com/image/scottr0829/RkfIdDJ3k8I/AAAAAAAAAK8/fh3_TKVz-yQ/s400/IMG_1943.JPG

Notes:
I was more nervous about this flight than I have been for any flight in a long time. Not sure what it was
The plane was at Gate 90
We took off from Rnwy 28L
We started our descent at about 4:13 PM CDT
Landed on Rnwy 9R
Arrived at Gate B8
I was able to meet the captain before he got on and he was EXTREMELY nice and seemed like a great guy. He helped calm me and explained the flight should be pretty smooth, but he would keep us updated. Channel 9 would be on so I could listen too. He also let the flight attendants know that I was a bit anxious and they specifically made sure I knew to let them know if I needed anything or had any questions. The Captain said he would even call down to Mother if he had to get an answer for me. GREAT guy! Also, the agent at the counter was a great guy and set up the meeting with the Captain. He also hooked me up with a sweet seat in Economy Plus.
Again, the Captain and FO kept us extremely informed and one of the things they informed us of was that, because of the winds, all takeoffs and landings were on the same set of runways (28L and 28R), so we would have to wait in line for our turn (normally they use different sets of runways). We were about #7 in line and it was neat to listen to ATC for the takeoff and landing clearances and seeing it happen a few seconds later.
I noticed on approach and final to OHare Rnwy 9R that there are A LOT of golf courses in the area. Nice!
On taxing to the gate at OHare, we were riding the butt of the B737 that landed in front of us.
An interesting note – I didn’t notice a flagman telling the pilot when to stop, but I did see the wheel block there. Not sure if we had one of if the pilot guesstimated when he would hit the block and slowly run into it.
Listening to ATC, they were (more than I have heard before), worried about the speeds of the planes at cruising altitude. They kept asking us and other planes about our speeds and if we could rise or speed up. We kept going from Mach .79 to .76.
As you can see from Barb’s tracking, there was a big storm to the south of us. That explains what I was hearing on ATC about aircraft requesting vectors (directions to us land-dwellers) around the storm. That was probably the reason for ATC requesting so many speed and altitude change requests (I assume).
I downloaded The Office from this past week on iTunes on Friday and watched it on the plane. HILARIOUS episode! I was literally laughing out loud and I think the older couple in my row was afraidORD – BDL (scheduled to leave at 5:50 PM CDT)
B757 – Flight #1234 (cool flight number)
Pushback: 6:16 PM CDT
Takeoff Start: 6:35 PDT (airborne about 45 secs later)
Touchdown: 9:11 PM EDT
Gate Arrival: 9:16 PM EDT
Flight Time (est based on main gear liftoff-touchdown): 1:35:01

This flight was very smooth as well. Not many sights to see, so not many pics. Very uneventful.

Pics:
Sunset pics:

http://lh3.google.com/image/scottr0829/RkfIgDJ3k9I/AAAAAAAAALE/n71vRwIkfsQ/s400/IMG_1945.JPG
http://lh6.google.com/image/scottr0829/RkfIizJ3k-I/AAAAAAAAALM/u92Px-yz604/s400/IMG_1946.JPG

Cities starting to light up below us:

http://lh4.google.com/image/scottr0829/RkfImTJ3k_I/AAAAAAAAALU/MSUxEscbtnU/s400/IMG_1947.JPG
http://lh5.google.com/image/scottr0829/RkfIpjJ3lAI/AAAAAAAAALc/h723fKoTvzQ/s400/IMG_1948.JPG

Springfield or Agawam MA. Sorry about the glare – the lights were on in the cabin. My camera died after this picture:

http://lh6.google.com/image/scottr0829/RkfItzJ3lBI/AAAAAAAAALk/ff1INevwdX4/s400/IMG_1950.JPG

Notes:
Plane was at gate 20.
Took off runway 4L.
Landed runway 24.
Arrived Gate 23.
No pilot feedback except the usual ‘Thanks for flying’ and no Channel 9.
Through Barb’s tracking pics, you can see we went though some storms in NY. It was smooth through them, but because of the landing lights lighting the area up, it looked like snow/ice pellets in the cloud. It was pretty cool!Overall – A LONG day of travel, but very smooth!

Next up – 5/22/07 from BDL-LAS and 5/27/07 from LAS-BDL. These will be on SWA so I can’t wait – they are always much more fun that United!

[UGOBill]

Scott, these are fabulous reports. Thanks to your sense of detail, you get to feel you're there. That's a lot of work...thanks for doing it.

I just flew into SFO last week and can attest to that "Is there a runway here somewhere?" feeling.

Thanks again, Bill

[aerobat]

Scott,

Apologies for belatedly tagging along on your rides. What a fine series of reports, and the pix are wonderful, inspiring and motivating! :thumbsup: Obviously you have busted right on through and kept rolling. :) Congratulations! :tiphat:

Your mentioning 'Tango' makes me think it's time to put up one of my songs again :lol:--actually this'll be the first time for this one, I believe. I will post it in Hangar Talk, since it's really a GA topic--or more properly a GA interface with ATC...of a special sort.:love:

As for the door popping open, yes, well...I hate to say "happens all the time" but it has happened to me on instructional flights more times than I can remember. It has happened on takeoff, happened at 1000' AGL, happened after the yank of a snap roll at 5000' AGL, and many places in between. The doors on the little Cessnas seem to have minds of their own. But the fix is easy: stay cool, get to a safe altitude to slow down to 80 or so, level off, open window, slam door by reaching out window toward one's 7-8 o'clock (or 4-5 o'clock if it's my door which it is occasionally :blush:) and that's that. It will never open very far in flight, and if one stays calm and focuses on the flying, it is not a safety hazard, just a minor nuisance.

Barb

[Lynda]

Scott.

The reports are really good and I just love the photographs:)

[Barb-SAN]

Thanks for posting all that Scott. I too really like looking at the photos! :)

[Passenger Mark]

Scott!

What a great report... and the photos just bring it to life!

Thank you for sharing!!!!

[scottr0829]

Thanks everyone! I will have a report from my BDL-LAS and back trip on Memorial Day weekend with some great pics! That report is taking a bit longer to get to because a vast majority of my waking time is devoted to my new addition: :hyped:

http://lh5.google.com/image/scottr0829/RmYYlzqHfpI/AAAAAAAAAN8/w4qEKElBydQ/s288/IMG_2120.JPG
http://picasaweb.google.com/shttp://lh5.google.com/image/scottr0829/RmYYlzqHfpI/AAAAAAAAAN8/w4qEKElBydQ/s144/IMG_2120.JPG

[aerobat]

awwww...

what a cutie! :)

[cshollingsworth]

Your report is GREAT! I agree, the pictures do bring it to life! Great job by you!!! Brought back memories of my flight to San Francisco a few years back! So glad you had success!!! :sunshine: