Pilot Section
Before continuing East on my journey I wanted to take a bit of time to do some VFR (Visual Flight Rules) Flying around Michigan. I had seen on the map a place called Beaver Island in the Northern part of Lake Michigan which had an airstrip and I thought would be a nice, remote place to visit. My purpose was firstly to enjoy the ease of unrestricted US airspace and visit somewhere off the beaten track, but secondly to fly my aircraft and learn more about it’s handling characteristics, which it is harder to do when flying IFR under continuous ATC control.
Sunday morning dawned without a cloud in the sky, perfect for VFR flight. I shared a crew bus from the Hotel to the airport with a grumpy regional jet aircrew who seemed to be having a bad morning.
Collected N238JG from Rapid Air and with a minimum of formality took off VFR to the North. I had planned a route up over Travers City to Beaver Island and once clear of Grand Rapids I contacted Minneapolis Centre for Flight Following service. Once again, amazed at the ease and efficiency of flying in USA!
Beaver Island was exactly what I had expected. A 4300ft tarmac runway in immaculate condition – right in the middle of nowhere! The little airport hut (also in immaculate condition) was staffed by a lady who recommended me to walk half a mile down the road for breakfast, and I am glad I did. The breakfast was both huge and excellent, and it seemed the whole population of Beaver Island was inside the Paradise Bay Café.
After breakfast I took off again and circled Beaver Island before heading South reversing my route 1 Hour 25 Minutes back to Grand Rapids, where I arrived at 1226. Rapid Air again refuelled N238JG while I checked the weather using their internet facilities and filed my IFR Flight Plan to Niagara. I was ready for departure by 1315.
I had planned my route to Niagara to take me South over Michigan and round the South of Lake Erie, primarily because the aircraft was not yet cleared for export and I wanted to remain inside US airspace and have any diversion options (if required) to be US airfields. As soon as I was airborne the helpful US ATC controllers were offereing me “Direct Niagara” so I had to explain the reason for my plans over the radio – after which they efficiently processed me along my planned route.
The weather was quite stunning and not long after passing Cleveland Ohio at 9000ft I could clearly see the North East corner of Lake Erie and the river leading North to Niagara. I asked ATC if I could cut the corner and was duly cleared direct to Niagara from the DKK VOR, with a visual approach to runway 6 at Niagara. The approach taking me over the river with the falls clearly visible to my left.
Again, without an advance reservation I taxied N238JG to Tech Aviation to get the usual FBO welcome. A reservation was made and a taxi waiting to take me there within 10 minutes of shutting N238JG down.
There was still plenty of time left in the day, so after checking into the Hotel I grabbed my camera and passport and walked across the bridge over the gorge to the Canadian side of Niagara to take some photos and buy some Niagara souvenirs to take home.
Pilot Section
Here are the details of today’s IFR flight KGRR to KIAG for other pilots and people interested in the details:
Departure Airport: Grand Rapids (KGRR)
Departue & Handling: The aircraft was left at Rapid Air. I purchased Fuel from them, used their internet service to check weather and Notams and their phone to file flight plan and get a standard brief on WXBRIEF. Rapid Air only charged for the fuel. Another great US FBO!
Avgas Price: Rapid Air Price US$4.60 / US Gallon paid by Visa.
Detailed Route: KGRR RWY 8L - LAN – JXN – HIRED – VWV – SKY – DJB – JFN – ERI – DKK – LANGS – VISUAL APPCH RWY 6 KIAG
En Route Altitude: 9000ft
Flight Time: 2 Hours 50 Minutes
Cruise Performance:
|
Baro Pressure
|
Altitude
|
Power %
|
Manifold Pressure
|
Outside Air Temp
|
Indicated Air Speed
|
Fuel Flow
|
Ground Speed
|
|
1032
|
9000
|
67%
|
21.6
|
5oC
|
150
|
13.2
|
148
|
Note: The above figures were achieved using the standard Cirrus / UND method of mixture leaning. I intend on later legs to use the COPA “Big Pull” method of leaning and measure any differences in performance.
Arrival Airport: Niagara Falls International Airport (KIAG)
Arrival & Handling: Tech Aviation, 9900 Porter Road, Niagara Falls Int Airport, NY 14304
Tel: 716-298-9307
Fax: 716-298-9312
Kids Section
Did you Know : The border between USA and Canada runs right down the middle of the Niagara Falls.
Whacky Stuff: 16 people have tried going over Niagara Falls in barrels of which 11 have survived. The strunt, is now illegal. The first to try it and survive was a 46 year old school teacher called Annie Edson Taylor in 1901.
Fun Fact: The Niagara Falls are the second largest falls in the world. The largest are the Victoria Falls in Southern Africa. The highest falls in the world are the Angel Falls in Venezuela 3,212ft (979m) high.
Quiz:
Answer to yesterday’s Quiz: Gerald Ford, most famous citizen of Grand Rapids Michigan, was President of the United States from 1974 to 1977 and Vice President from 1973 to 1974. He died in December 2006 age 92, and is buried in Grand Rapids.
Today’s Quiz: How High is the Niagara Falls? (How far down does the water drop?) (Answer tomorrow)
Hallin Marine (