Dallas Fort Worth Texas by Air

Pilots Log
6/3/2009 (Wednesday -7:00 pm – 9:00 pm)

Flight: KFWS-KADS-KFTW-KFWS 0016 Zulu TimeThis flight was planned out a few weeks ago. On Wednesday afternoon, I, Orion and Ford Hausser, CFI (Certified Flight Instructor) handling communications for me with ATC (Air Traffic Control – Regional Departure, because Dallas Fort Worth is one of the worlds busiest Airports in the world) went on a cross country adventure that traveled over the Dallas Fort Worth Metro-plex. The total time was 1.6 Hours of total travel time. I flew as Pilot in command of the Cessna 172SP (2007)G1000 Aircraft, 160 Horsepowered O-300 Lycoming Fuel Injected Engine, carrying one passenger. Preflight planning and Preflight the aircraft from KFWS Spinks airport occurred around 7:00pm.

We obtained the standard weather AWOS (Weather) Information from Spinks Automated information System. Completed the weight and balance and began computing the weather conditions and density air pressure. The winds were from 330 @ 20kts gusting to 25kts. Which is a bit high however not too much of a cross wind component. I have handle up to 15 knot cross wind component pretty successfully. No matter how large or small the airplane is and generally the feel of the approach and roll will give you a strong indication of the maneuver you will have to use, rudders and yoke.

On the Run up phase (Final Check for systems operation of aircraft) we set the Nav computers and GPS Systems to plot a route from KFWS (Spinks) across KGKY (Arlington) across KRBD (Redbird Executive) finally to touchdown at KADS (Addison, Texas) throughout the flight we would cross parallel Dallas Fort Worth International and Love Field, Dallas, Texas viewing downtown Dallas from about 2500 AGL. The original plan was altered because we were not cleared through Bravo Airspace ( A very congested airspace over DFW) at this point which would had allowed us to cross directly to Addison from Arlington.

We powered up (Full Power) and asked for east bound departure from 35L which the winds had been blowing from the North and would require a northerly departure.

Cleared for Take Off was given by Spinks Tower as we took off, we looked to ensure that we were still in line with 35L and obtained 1200’ AGL (Above Ground Level) and made right turnout, then we asked for frequency change from Spinks Tower to Regional Approach/Departure on 135.975 and asked for Flight following. They asked us to SQUAWK 4256 and maintain 2500’ AGL and stay on course heading 040 to KGYK (Call signs) Arlington then we would be vectored (Directions) to Red Bird since we were not approved for Class BRAVO Airspace. We maintained course heading making minor adjustments and then finally we were given clearance to make northly course 350 headings over RedBird (Executive Airport) between Love and DFW. As we maintained our heading clouds were partly and gray with beautiful sunset and spectacular view of Downtown Dallas. Which Ford promptly took pictures. And one of me flying the aircraft.

I would occasionally check on Orion to see how he was doing and he said that he was doing fine. He had flown with me doing some touch and goes and feeling fine, I think he had adjusted. When I first started training in August 2008 I took him up and we were doing some stalls, power on and power off stalls and turn around a point and S Turns and climbs and descents it was too much for him to handle and his stomach gave it up. It occurred to me that those maneuvers are not passenger type rides you want to take people on. None of that was to intentional to make him ill it just happened and I learned an important lesson, no matter how comfortable you think you are, remember they may not be use to it (passengers).

We finally made a touchdown at Addison Airport which we were being followed by a Falcon Aircraft, (Jet) which was cruising 200Kts, our top speed 120kts descending, so I had to descend at a safe speed, lower flaps 10 degrees below 110kts and proceed to land in the white arch at below 85kts, while having another plane behind me. That was interesting. No problems and we exited at Delta (Runway marking) and proceeded for a taxi back procedure which would set us up for a call to tower on frequency squawk 4526 for our next leg of the trip from Addison to Meacham Field, Fort Worth, Texas. We received the codes and did a read back on that and was cleared to hold short line and hold short of the displaced threshold for clear for takeoff. After a Piper small engine aircraft made a landing.

Cleared to Takeoff was given and off we were again, I enjoyed the flight this time we had requested Flight following to Meacham Airport Fort Worth. As we departed we were vectored out north of DFW around Lake Lewisville and followed the B shelf airspace curve avoiding not entering the airspace. We flew directly over the lake and it was a very large lake. It did give me a different point of view of flying over a body of water. Especially with me being pilot in command and responsible for safe passage over water. I thought about what to do if a plane was forced to ditch. I suspected prop the doors and flare as you would in landing.

Anyways we made the stand descent and called Right base as requested and then landed on a beautiful touchdown. Again another smooth approach to land. We did a TaxiBack cross over back to 35 for left turnout and headed back to SPINKS. On the way back we flipped over to SPINKS Tower and had to do some maneuvering off of traffic coming off SPINKS. Then I made my incoming call to tower to SPINKS notifying them of my Full Stop. Finally we made another touchdown and got a little close but I steepened my turn to final and corrected the tight position. Lowered flaps to 20 degrees and made final touch down at 8:59 PM. And made contact with control which notified us to monitor the ground. We did that and taxied back to SPINKS Parking.

That was the best ride I had ever had. All my training had paid off and it was smooth and uneventful. I may again do it again.