KPWM - Yow!

derg

derg

Apparently a "terse" writer
Staff member
Flew the flight in from Cincinnati, and the weather was 2 miles in rain, 110 @ 15 knots, 500 OVC.

On the active runway, the glideslope was out of service, approach lights out of service, no VASI or PAPI and the I-DME and VORTAC were both out of service.

And a wet 6700-ish foot runway.

So it looks like a bare bones LOC 11 approach with no 'goodies' to help and only station passage of the marker beacon for reliable (and legal) distance information.

The weather was right down to minimums and just when it was time to do the old "TOGA Power flaps 11 thing", we caught the runway environment and landed! Whew!

People deplaning had no idea that I got about six grey hairs tonight!
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That's why we practice non-precision approaches to minimum's in the sim....so we can be fresh and prepared if we ever have to do it in real life. Mwwahahahahaha........
 
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People deplaning had no idea that I got about six grey hairs tonight!

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Yea, but did they noticed that Hip-Hop uniform shirt looking all drenched from you sweating the approach.
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We did something like that this winter, at DAY... same thing, LOC, glideslope OTS, no VASI, etc., but we were getting clear ice (and runback, without our knowledge) in severe turbulence. 600 OVC, mins were like 500-something. Pucker factor through the roof!
 
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so after the stress is over, do you look back and think, "damn that was fun!"

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More like "Dang, I'm going to have a rough time hitting the sack!"

I dunno, it was late, I was tired, battled weather all the way in and my 'fun meter' was about on zero before the approach started.

I really didn't think we were going to make it so before the approach started, I said "Hey, let's just go to Boston if this doesn't work out because if we've got to go missed again after a second approach, we're going to be in a world of crap if we can't get right into BOS."

Generally, I'll start out a non-precision approach to mins with the prejudgement that we're going to go on the missed approach procedure so I kept thinking silently "Ok, we're going to climb to 600 feet, and then start a right turn back to the marker to hold in lieu of tower instructions. If I float on landing we're going to have to get right on the rejected landing because the runway is super short (especially at 145 knots and 128,000 lbs)... OK, rejected landing...different than a missed... well, here comes the FAF!"
 
Hours of boredom, a few moments of stark terror, hours of boredom, repeat.
 
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Flew the flight in from Cincinnati, and the weather was 2 miles in rain, 110 @ 15 knots, 500 OVC.

On the active runway, the glideslope was out of service, approach lights out of service, no VASI or PAPI and the I-DME and VORTAC were both out of service.

And a wet 6700-ish foot runway.

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Glad to hear it turned out fine for you guys Doug, however I have a question about this. Never realized that this much vital equipment could be down at a Class C or B airport....and then, having bad weather thrown into the mix, and the airport deemed "Safe".

Is it common to have this much equipment out of service, due to maintance or malfunction, and are there time limits in place that "KXXX" has to have this equipment back in service? And if so, who is responsible in making sure this equipment is back in service in a "Timely Manner"? Airport Authority, FAA..etc?

I know that shooting a approach without this equipment is prolly 2nd nature to professional pilots, thanks to countless hours in a sim, and real life practice, but I just found your post very intresting. I love learning about stuff like this.

Guess I'll have to read up on this in the FAR/AIM book in the morning. Sucks being a new student pilot, but damn fun to learn new things!!!
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5150
 
My hometown airport!

Got my private at PWM at Maine Aviation. Your story brings back many memories of being stuck on the ground waiting and waiting for the weather to clear finally, then preflighting the plane when a fog bank rolls in and buries us... finally giving up for the day only to find that within 5 minutes from the airport it's clear blue and a million!
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Loved the Visual into 29... coming in from the ocean, following the Fore River through the harbor and right to the runway. Practice areas over Lake Sebago and Old Orchard Beach. Long Solo Cross Country to Albany over Mt. Washington! That was a blast.

Had a great time there. Sorry it wasn't so great for you. Maine definately had unique weather, but it is the most beautiful place I have ever lived.

Hope you have a less eventful trip home.

Bob
 
(* Enter: Corny Jokester *)
(and are there time limits in place that "K XXX " has to)
Is that the airport for adults only? I always wanted to go there....... No?.... Anybody..... (sound of crickets)
 
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(* Enter: Corny Jokester *)
(and are there time limits in place that "K XXX " has to)
Is that the airport for adults only? I always wanted to go there....... No?.... Anybody..... (sound of crickets)

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I'm sorry?
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Doug, that's awesome. Keep us posted on more of these things!!! It's always different hearing it from a "celeb".
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(* Enter: Corny Jokester *)
(and are there time limits in place that "K XXX " has to)
Is that the airport for adults only? I always wanted to go there....... No?.... Anybody..... (sound of crickets)

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lol, prolly happen one day.

You'll be able to fly Hooters Air into KXXX, Pamala Anderson International Airport. Anything is possible in this country!
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5150
 
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People deplaning had no idea that I got about six grey hairs tonight!
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Then you have done well grasshopper.
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It is going to be so boring when GPS gives us precision approaches to everywhere. I guess boring is good, but it is boring.

Dave
 
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<--- one of my all-time favorite avtars!!
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Oh, and.... Doug....great story, man!
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Seriously. Great stuff! Glad all ended well!!
 
I got to do a for-real missed approach a week or so ago, doing a Part 91 flight for my full-time job.

I was flying into Wausau Wisconsin, doing the VOR-A approach. Weather was reported as variable ceiling, 500 to 900 feet. Minimums for the approach were 700 AGL. A Baron ahead of me missed the approach, so I was primed for the go-around. I popped out of one of the *variable* base clouds just in time to see the approach end of the runway at my 9:00 - too close-in to make the landing so around I went. Decided to try once more, then if needed divert to Central Wisconsin which has an ILS approach. The second attempt I broke out about 1/2 mile earlier, with the runway straight ahead (but offset). Full flaps and a (relatively) normal approach and I landed. And no, I didn't drop below MDA until the field was in sight.

It was a good experience to have to go missed. I haven't had to do that since before I started the part-time charter flying last year (other than check rides). I've flown quite a few ILS's to minimums (or real close, anyway), but there is nothing like actually having to change gears for the missed approach to help keep that mindset. It's awfully easy to get to the point where you *expect* every approach to end in a landing, rather than the other way around. Bad habit to get into. Kind of like expecting to take-off every time you advance the throttles, rather than planning on an abort....
 
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People deplaning had no idea that I got about six grey hairs tonight!
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Eh, those things pretty much fly themselves, don't they? You're just a well-paid systems monitor, right?




p.s., Before you ask, that's called sarcasm, Brian.
 
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