April 18 GA Flyout to Salmon Arm

The following is a description of the April 18 fyout by GA Ace Reporter Mike Roth.

The GA Fly out was planned for Saturday April 18 . The four participants were Ted Almas, Bob Lukas, Earl Nind & Mike Roth. The original routing for the group was CZBB to Salmon Arm via the Fraser Canyon and Kamloops, then on to Penticton, follow the #3 hwy to Hope and return to CZBB. Two aircraft were booked, GPGG and FPAK.

On Saturday at 8:00 AM the four amigos arrived at the Club. The aircraft were fueled and checked, paperwork completed and flight plans filed for a 9:25 AM departure. It was agreed that Ted and Mike would take GPGG with Ted flying the first leg to Salmon Arm and Mike would fly to Penticton then to CZBB. Bob and Earl would take FPAK. Bob would fly the leg to Salmon Arm and Earl would fly to Penticton then to CZBB. We agreed to fly within 4-5 miles of each other, and monitor each other on 122.75, also it felt more like a group when we were together. The aircraft were loaded and we took off on RWY 07 at 940 AM. There were a couple of landings between us that the tower fitted in, so when we got over the Nikel interchange the tower asked us if we would like to orbit until PAK caught up. We agreed and wthen happily proceeded together towards all points east. Once in the air Flight Services were advised of the take off time.

The flight to Chilliwack was smooth with some haze. The closer we got to Hope we noticed clouds. We climbed to 5500 ft, the clouds kept to the peaks of the mountains and the valley was clear. We climbed to 7500 ft and followed the Fraser Canyon. The Canyon was clear with a ceiling of 10000 ft scattered. The sun tried to filter through at every break. The air was smooth so it was an enjoyable flight. We kept in constant contact about turbulence and had each other in sight at all times. We made position reports and received weather reports. The Flight Services people were very accommodating I give them a salute.

At Ashcroft it was agreed that we have a break and land at Cache Creek. The winds socks showed different wind direction at either end of the runway. As second fly over showed the sock favoured RWY 15. FPAK landed first and then GPGG landed. We had a break at Cache Creek, there is a portable toilet and a pop machine at the airport, we could call for fuel if needed, but no other comforts. Ted continued to fly the leg to Salmon Arm with Mike as Co-Pilot. Earl and Bob switched with Earl flying the leg to Salmon Arm. The flight toward Kamloops was smooth. We considered landing at Kamloops, but monitoring Kamloops found that they were backing traffic and holding aircraft in position due to a Westjet 737 coming on a 10 mile final. So we kept out of there way and kept to the north of the airfield. We continued onto Salmon Arm and landed with a 5 - 10 kt wind on RWY 15. ( A note to file Mike: needs remedial training on how to read wind socks)

While at Salmon Arm the aircraft were fueled up. Ted's good friend Bob Robertson at the airport kindly arranged a ride into town where we had lunch at the Home Restaurant, (same operators as the one in Hope) and then he picked us up at the restaurant at took us back to the airport. A great chap indeed. Back at the airport we got to view some Challenger aircraft that Bob had built. Ted has some great photos of the group and the aircraft.

We switched aircraft and Co-Pilots. Bob flew GPGG with Ted, Mike flew FPAK with Earl to Penticton. We took off and climbed to 5500 ft, when we approached Oyama we contacted Kelowna tower and received permission to fly down Lake Okanogan to Penticton. The flight was smooth, the overcast was about 8000 ft., and we got some sight seeing and photos. Penticton was notified around Peachland, and they gave us clearance for RWY 34. ATC at Penticton was very accommodating and guided us to a parking spot.

Earl moved to GPGG as PIC with Ted, Bob moved to FPAK as Co-Pilot with Mike. The group had a short conference and it was decided to change the route from Penticton along #3 hwy to Hope, andinstead fly to Summerland and then climb to 8500 ft and follow the Kettle Valley to Princeton and then over the top to Hope, then down the valley to CZBB. We left Penticton at 5:00 PM. Over Summerland we called in to change the flight plan. There were some updrafts and down drafts around Princeton for 15 minutes or so, then smooth air. The flight to Hope and CZBB was smooth. There was a the usual haze again in the valley. We landed at CZBB at 6:30 PM and closed the flight plans. It was a great flight. with excellent company

Mike


Photos From The Trip

Bob and Mike doing the flight plan prior to departure from CZBB.

Mike, Bob, Ted and Earl in Cache Creek.

Ted, Bob, Mike and Earl in front of Challenger at Salmon Arm.

Ted, Bob, Mike and Earl in front of another Challenger at Salmon Arm.

I wonder if Bob's getting the itch to buy one of these?

Bob going through the check list.

Ted and Earl on the way back home to CZBB.