Yesterday I had the privilege to fly to Oklahoma, Kansas' best friend. The planned route was from our home base to Ponca City, Ok to Bartlesville, OK and then back. It was an overcast day, but the lowest clouds were forecast to be 15000 during time of flight. It was a crisp winter day to fly, and quite beautiful!
Taking off from Newton we had great climb performance due to the cold air (because the air is more dense in winter, the airplane preforms better). The first leg to Ponca City was uneventful. We landed and got out and stretched. The personnel at the FBO were very friendly. Because we got there early in the morning (about 9:30) the famous Mexican restaurant that is right at the airport was closed. But I vow to return to try it sometime! Taking off from Ponca City we banked over the oil refinery that is East of the airport and started our leg to Bartlesville.
The sun was hidden by the clouds but there was exceptional visibility. Looking to the south east I could actually see the skyline of Tulsa, some 50 nautical miles away. Landing at Bartlesville, I did a touch and go and then headed back to Newton. Flying back I flew over an enormous wind farm. Investing in wind energy? Not a bad idea right now.
Over all it was a great feeling to be back in the sky where I belong!
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Cloud Making
No, this isn't a post about the Chinese and how they can make the clouds disappear, although granted, that would be rather nice right now. No, this is just a post about why it has been cloudy the last couple of days. Looking at the ground, its hard to believe that the white fluffy stuff laying on the ground is actually water that has frozen. Yes indeed! And water means moisture. Kansas winter air is known for its extreme dryness. While it means the skin turns to a desert, it makes good flying conditions. It generally means there isn't a lot of moisture in the air to make clouds or any sort of a weather system (unless it blows in from a-way north or a-way south).
But recently, the month of January decided to do a little experiment and raise the temperature above freezing for a couple of days. "Eh... what could happen?" it thought. Well, the white fluffy stuff said "I've had enough! I'm returning to my natural state!" and little puddles (well large in some areas) started to form on the ground. But we all know how water feels when dry air is around. I mean, why swim when you can fly? Yes, those water molecules started to fly. Now we have moisture in the air.
Air cools 2 degrees C/1000 ft. Air's dew point is the temperature at which, when the air is cooled, the air will condense and ultimately form clouds (or fog if you are on the ground.) So, if the temperature is 3C and the dew point is -4C, then when the air is cooled to -4C it will form clouds. Based on what we know, that would mean the clouds would form at 4000 feet AGL.
Today, the clouds are at 2,000 ft. While the moisture is having fun flying, I am not. Since I'm not current on instrument I can't fly. Maybe I should hire the Chinese to make it rain?
But recently, the month of January decided to do a little experiment and raise the temperature above freezing for a couple of days. "Eh... what could happen?" it thought. Well, the white fluffy stuff said "I've had enough! I'm returning to my natural state!" and little puddles (well large in some areas) started to form on the ground. But we all know how water feels when dry air is around. I mean, why swim when you can fly? Yes, those water molecules started to fly. Now we have moisture in the air.
Air cools 2 degrees C/1000 ft. Air's dew point is the temperature at which, when the air is cooled, the air will condense and ultimately form clouds (or fog if you are on the ground.) So, if the temperature is 3C and the dew point is -4C, then when the air is cooled to -4C it will form clouds. Based on what we know, that would mean the clouds would form at 4000 feet AGL.
Today, the clouds are at 2,000 ft. While the moisture is having fun flying, I am not. Since I'm not current on instrument I can't fly. Maybe I should hire the Chinese to make it rain?
Friday, January 7, 2011
Another Semester
Another semester is about to begin and I have made it my New Year's resolution to post more on this blog! The end of last semester was a combination of a busy schedule and a lazy college student, which meant that as the end of the semester approached... both of those things got exponentially worse.
Right now I am about half way through the flying portion of commercial flight. I have about 15 hours or so left of cross country hours that need to be flown. As per end of semester finals I took my FAA commercial written exam so I have that under my belt. I am incredibly anxious to get flying again!
There is one more giant task ahead of me before the semester starts, however. This is the looooooong (notice the emphasis on long) 22 hour drive back to Kansas after enjoying a wonderful Christmas break. It will not be done alone, but rest assured I will need both rest and to be alone when I get back.
Till then!
Right now I am about half way through the flying portion of commercial flight. I have about 15 hours or so left of cross country hours that need to be flown. As per end of semester finals I took my FAA commercial written exam so I have that under my belt. I am incredibly anxious to get flying again!
There is one more giant task ahead of me before the semester starts, however. This is the looooooong (notice the emphasis on long) 22 hour drive back to Kansas after enjoying a wonderful Christmas break. It will not be done alone, but rest assured I will need both rest and to be alone when I get back.
Till then!
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