My Aviation & IT Experiences, although not so much of the IT!

Everytime we fly up or down the Oregon coast we are always amazed at the scenery, it always seems to look different than the time before but it always looks fantastic. This was no different on our return to Florence from the San Juan Islands. Once under the marine layer hanging over the Coastal Range we were out into bright sunshine and heading south admiring the sights. Bank of sea fog stretching into the distance. Tillamook Bay. Down the coast next to Tillamook Bay, looking at Cape Meares. Cape Meares. Cape Meares Wildlife Refuge (from 2,000ft). Yaquina Head. Newport, with dredger doing its stuff at the inlet. Cape Perpetua. Heceta Head.

Sunday 18th saw a small Antique Aircraft Club fly-in at Nehalem Bay (Manzanita) in aid of charity. We had made plans to fly to the San Juan Islands in Washington State and decided, as Nehalem is on the way, to fly up with some friends to see what was happening and to support the event. Scud running along the Oregon Coast. Low cloud (1,200ft) and a stiff headwind (24 knots) up the Oregon Coast were negotiated and after a quick fuel stop at Tillamook, 15 miles to the south of the destination, we arrived at the airport. Due to the weather the turn out was not as hoped but everyone seemed in good spirit with plenty of food on supply. After a few hours of talking and looking at aeroplanes we said our goodbyes to our friends and continued our journey, this ...

Mountains are unpredictable beasts and I've lost count the number of times we have thought of visiting one only to be deterred by the weather and it's now the time of year when, if you enjoy a comfortable time, there aren't many suitable days to do such a trip. Not to be completely discouraged we planned a trip just over into Washington State to have a look at the famous Mount St Helens, which is notorious for it's eruption back in 1980. It used to be a mountain but is now officially a National Volcanic Monument. The journey from Florence would take nearly two hours, so we planned on overnighting up near Portland, some 60 miles to the southwest and then attempt a flight to it early in the morning....if the weather permitted. We chose to camp the night at Stark's ...

Just returned from a few nights away and returned to Florence down along the coast. The wind was blowing the sea fog south along the shoreline at 16 knots and it was getting caught up on the capes which stick out into the Ocean. It seems that Heceta Head protects Florence from the worst of the fog, and today it was only tavelling as far as the Siuslaw River and not quite reaching the airport. The seaside town of Waldport, to the north of Florence. Fog being driven inland after being blown up against Cape Perpetua. The fog gets a bit thinner just past Cape Perpetua. Heceta Head and the lighthouse completely covered. Florence gets some protection from this area forcing the fog slightly out to sea. Florence Airport is usually the last Oregon Coast airport to get fogged in.....usually!!

The plan was that an early launch from Florence Airport would hopefully mean a pleasent, turbulance free flight across the Coastal Range to Oakridge State Airport, nestling in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains to the southeast of Eugene. The river valleys were covered in early morning fog but the sky was clear, temperatures would be rising pretty quickly in the Willamette Valley making for a windy and bumpy return flight to the coast later on in the morning. Climbing out of Florence over the fog covered Siuslaw River. The fog continued many miles into the Coastal Range. Coastal Range mountains. The visibility was ok but there was significant haze from the low sun. Mount Hood, up towards Portland, could just about be seen in the haze but the snow covered Sister Mountains were clear and they dominated the view ahead of us and ...

11th July 2009 We were awoken early (6:00am) by the sound of a Yak or Nanchang flying fast and low along the runway while firing it's mock machine gun!! I suppose the pilot found it funny, as we did, but I wouldn't be suprised if he was unpopular with some of the others who had camped that night. At the same time several hot air balloons had been assembled and these took advantage of the still air to get an early morning flight in. If we had not have been woken by the Yak we would have by the balloon burners as their departure point was some 60ft from our tent! Hot air balloons being inflated ready for their early morning flight. As usual we had a great night sleep and we were looking forward to another day of doing nothing but looking ...

Thursday 1st October, 2009 An impromptu flight to Siletz Bay State Airport (S45) and the Salishan Spa & Golf Resort accompanied by the 'usual suspects' (Carole and Richard) in the Aeronca Champ and Brian 'The Fireman' with ourselves in Tango Charlie. A beautifully clear day with a light south westerly breeze and a thin layer of cumulous cloud sitting at 5,000ft over the coastal range. The Aeronca took off first and opted for the low scenic route along the shoreline, we followed and opted for a higher, 5,500ft route to explore the cloud over the mountains. I was keen on giving Brian a view of the clouds that you can only see while flying, he is thinking about learning to fly himself and by giving him a sample of what he was missing MAY help him make that definate decision. Go ...

A few pictures taken a few weeks ago as we flew over the Cascades early in the morning, returning home. You can't tell by looking at the pictures but we had a 50 knot tailwind pushing us along at the time. Green Peter Lake (bottom left corner), Mount Jefferson (top right corner), Mount Hood (top left corner) Three Sisters and Mount Bachelor, looking southwards Mount Jefferson

10th July 2009 I have heard that the Arlington EAA fly-in is the third largest airshow in the USA, it certainly is a highlight in the PNW aviation calender but the 3rd largest show in the USA? we would see as this would be our next camping trip. Richard was joining us in his Aeronca on the flight up to Arlington and a number of other Florence based pilots said that they would see us up there as they either could not fly or would be up there already due to other commitments. Typically the morning started cloudy and showery and the departure and journey across the coastal range was made in light drizzle, however weather in the valley and to the northeast looked promising. Our first stop was for breakfast at the Starduster Cafe at Independence Airport (7S5) and by the time ...

First thing today at Florence the weather was....yes, you got it...foggy! We had arranged with Richard to fly the short distance down the coast to Lakeside (9S3) to have a look at the lakes and to get something to eat, our departure was slightly delayed due to the visibility but it did give us a chance to do 'stuff' around the hangar before the off. By 11:00am the skies were blue and the fog had receded to the ocean and the wind had started to blow as it usually does when it is hot in the valley (100+ degrees today in Eugene!). Once airborne we turned south and headed down the coastline at 1,500ft. The fog bank stretched to the north and west as far as the eye could see but it looked more promising to the south where the fog wasn't ...

Grants Pass Airport (3S8) sits at an altitude of 1,126ft so our 50+ mile journey from Crater Lake consisted of a gentle descent until we reached the high ground, including Walker Mountain, to the east of the airport. The descent took us across the north of the Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport so I kept an ear out on their frequency just in case departing traffic was heading our way, it was still early and there was very little going on. One thing we did learn from the Medford ATIS was that there was a forest fire to the south with a TRA in place restricting flights into the area, this answered the question we had about the brown layer visible to the west, it was smoke from the fire being blown northwards. As usual when we were ten miles out from 3S8 ...

The flight from Crescent Lake to Sunriver took us over a different type of landscape to that of the flight from McKenzie Bridge. The terrain is relatively level and trees are more thinly planted. A large lake (Davis Lake) and two large reservoirs (Crane Prairie Reservoir and Wicklup Reservoir) dominate the view and as these are accessible by more major roads provide outdoor activities for holiday makers. Davis Lake with the Three Sisters and Mount Bachelor in the background. Between Davis lake and Wicklup Reservoir a large lava field can be seen. Apparently the lava was produced from an eruption back in 2790 BC and this blocked the flow of water from Odell Lake which in turned formed Davis Lake (isn't the internet great!). Some of the lava that helped create Davis Lake. The very southern tip of Wicklup Reservoir and northern tip of ...

Wednesday 1st July, 2009 After departing McKenzie Bridge we climbed out down the valley heading west, this was neccessary as we needed to gain enough height to clear the higher terrain to the east and south. After approximately 4 miles I made a 180 degree turn and climbed back over the top of the airport heading east. Three large peaks (Macduff Mountain, O'Leary Mountain and Horsepasture Mountain) sit to the south of McKenzie Bridge and together they form a formidable 5,000ft+ barrier which you have to go around or over when departing to the south. I chose to navigate around them to the east over slightly lower terrain and avoid a lengthier climb. The Three Sister Mountains and Mount Bachelor towered over us to the east and once out of the McKenzie Pass the air became a lot smoother. This route took ...

Tuesday 30th June, 2009 Our next destination for a camping trip was McKenzie Bridge (00S), a small grass airfield 43 miles to the east of Eugene in the foothills of the Sisters Mountains. This is another of the Oregon Department of Aviation's Warning Airports, here is what they have to say about the place..... McKenzie Bridge State Airport is about 43 miles east of Eugene in the Cascade foothills and lies just south of Hwy 126. The airport offers easy access to the McKenzie River, and there are two nearby U.S. Forest Service campgrounds. Fly-in camping is allowed on the airport. The tie down area is near the east end on the north side, and there is a pit toilet nearby. There are two Forest Service helipads on the north side near mid-field. The ground here is very rough and uneven and ...