Seggy
Well-Known Member
Did my first 'solo' cross country flight today. What a great learning experience.
I actually flew the route from BLM to WWD on Friday but on Friday the instructor and myself continued onto SBY. Today it was just me trying to get into WWD. On the way down my radio communications went well except the fact that I could not get ANYONE to open up my VFR flightplan, I am assuming that they were busy, which I am sure they were. Anyway I picked up flight following and stayed with them.
As I grew closer and closer to WWD I noticed A LOT of airplane on the Approach Control requesting to get in there. I would say 5 planes within 3 minutes announced airport in-sight request frequency change, this was about 3 minutes before I called for the frequency change. I decided my best bet to try to get in would be to stay to the east of the airport and observe. I observed for a few, and knew I had to be very careful getting in.
It seems to me people like to talk and not LISTEN when transmitting on the CTAF. People were stepping on each other, others were yelling and it did not give me a good feel about the airport or the situation.
I decided to try to follow the proper procedure and go on the 45 to the downwind. Others weren't following this though. I announce my intentions and listen. I am on the 45 and some guy in a twin jumps cuts me off. As I am trying to avoid him another guy is on a 45 degree angle AWAY from the downwind at TPA and I have to avoid him with some steep turns. All in all at this point I said to myself that this is a 'cluster•' and to get the hell out of there. As I was climbing I would say there were at least 10 aircraft in the vicinity of the airport with everyone talking and it didn't seem like anyone listening.
Went to my alternate ACY, which I was happy I was able to get into the Class C and out of without to much of a problem. Coming in was the first, I am sure not the last time I heard Tower say, " 9LP fly a tight pattern and keep speeds up you have a CRJ behind you." I guess I did ok with that as he was RIGHT behind me I saw once I left the active. Fueled up, there was a Maxim Party at the Borgota this weekend so a lot of BizJets were there on the ramp.
On the way back forgot to get Clearance Delivery on the way out but the Tower was forgiving on that and told me to switch over
. I do appreciate the patience the Controllers had in McGuire Approach, Atlantic City Approach and especially in the ACY Tower in dealing with me, they certainly were busy today. Anyway, on the way back up it was bumpy but had flight following the whole way.
Looking back and talking to the Chief CFI at my school I think I made the right decision NOT staying with my Primary Airport I had in mind. Like I said before, IT WAS CRAZY around there. NO ONE WAS LISTENING AND EVERYONE WAS TALKING. WWD is an airport located close to the beach and a lot of weekend flyers wanted to make a trip down there. The chief said if that happens again you could always gain altitude and circle at 3 or 4 thousand and see if it dies down, if not then you can always go to your alternate.
When I get to become a CFI I will be able to use some of the things I saw and learned today. I will tell them NOT go to an airport like WWD on one of their first cross countries on a nice weekend day, try to go during the week, or go to a controlled airport for one of your first ones. Furthermore it is one thing to talk but make sure you listen to whats going on around you, and the most important thing just fly the plane. Be aware of your situational surroundings and do what you feel comfortable with.
I actually flew the route from BLM to WWD on Friday but on Friday the instructor and myself continued onto SBY. Today it was just me trying to get into WWD. On the way down my radio communications went well except the fact that I could not get ANYONE to open up my VFR flightplan, I am assuming that they were busy, which I am sure they were. Anyway I picked up flight following and stayed with them.
As I grew closer and closer to WWD I noticed A LOT of airplane on the Approach Control requesting to get in there. I would say 5 planes within 3 minutes announced airport in-sight request frequency change, this was about 3 minutes before I called for the frequency change. I decided my best bet to try to get in would be to stay to the east of the airport and observe. I observed for a few, and knew I had to be very careful getting in.
It seems to me people like to talk and not LISTEN when transmitting on the CTAF. People were stepping on each other, others were yelling and it did not give me a good feel about the airport or the situation.
I decided to try to follow the proper procedure and go on the 45 to the downwind. Others weren't following this though. I announce my intentions and listen. I am on the 45 and some guy in a twin jumps cuts me off. As I am trying to avoid him another guy is on a 45 degree angle AWAY from the downwind at TPA and I have to avoid him with some steep turns. All in all at this point I said to myself that this is a 'cluster•' and to get the hell out of there. As I was climbing I would say there were at least 10 aircraft in the vicinity of the airport with everyone talking and it didn't seem like anyone listening.
Went to my alternate ACY, which I was happy I was able to get into the Class C and out of without to much of a problem. Coming in was the first, I am sure not the last time I heard Tower say, " 9LP fly a tight pattern and keep speeds up you have a CRJ behind you." I guess I did ok with that as he was RIGHT behind me I saw once I left the active. Fueled up, there was a Maxim Party at the Borgota this weekend so a lot of BizJets were there on the ramp.
On the way back forgot to get Clearance Delivery on the way out but the Tower was forgiving on that and told me to switch over
Looking back and talking to the Chief CFI at my school I think I made the right decision NOT staying with my Primary Airport I had in mind. Like I said before, IT WAS CRAZY around there. NO ONE WAS LISTENING AND EVERYONE WAS TALKING. WWD is an airport located close to the beach and a lot of weekend flyers wanted to make a trip down there. The chief said if that happens again you could always gain altitude and circle at 3 or 4 thousand and see if it dies down, if not then you can always go to your alternate.
When I get to become a CFI I will be able to use some of the things I saw and learned today. I will tell them NOT go to an airport like WWD on one of their first cross countries on a nice weekend day, try to go during the week, or go to a controlled airport for one of your first ones. Furthermore it is one thing to talk but make sure you listen to whats going on around you, and the most important thing just fly the plane. Be aware of your situational surroundings and do what you feel comfortable with.
