From: robg@Apple.COM (Rob Griffiths)
Newsgroups: rec.aviation
Subject: Mendocino trip report and query
Date: 14 Sep 92 18:43:27 GMT
Distribution: ca
Organization: Apple Computer Inc., Cupertino, CA

(Apologies if this escapes from CA ... I tried to limit the distrbution.)

I knew I was in trouble early Sunday morning.  As I walked out front
to get the paper, it just felt like one of those flying days.  A quick
stroll to the top of the hill revealed nearly unlimited visibility,
no clouds other than some high cirrus, and just a light breeze blowing.
I realized that my household chores were probably not going to get
done this day.

I returned to the house, called the airport, and reserved a Gutless (a
C-172RG, more officially known as a Cutlass).  A quick phone call to
FSS revealed ... absolutely nothing.  No NOTAMs, no flight precautions
worth noting (not even the usual "moderate turbulence below 12,000'").
Geez, they were making this much too easy on me.

I called up a couple of friends (a soon-to-be private pilot and his wife),
and asked if they were interested in an afternoon excursion up the coast.
They quickly agreed, and we headed out to the airport.

After a fairly standard preflight (the baggage door and I were having an
argument about whether it was going to close properly or not ... for a
while, it appeared the door might win!), we were airborne.  Our destination
was that ever-popular coastal community of Mendocino.  I had actually
never been there before, and my friends were interested in checking out
the town for a possible weekend getaway.

I had intended to sneak out of the Bay area with my usual 1,500' transition
of both San Carlos and San Francisco's ATAs.  However, SFO was busy,
and I got an "unable transitions, state intentions" response to my request.
No problem; we just darted over through the Oakland ARSA, and were soon 
clear of the Bay.  Our route from there was basically Point Reyes VOR to
the Mendocino VOR, then direct Little River.  I actually modified this
a bit, and hedged inland so that the valley's line of airports (Santa
Rosa, Cloverdale, etc.) would be within gliding distance of our 8,500'
cruising altitude.  The trip up was spectacular.  Visibilities were
nearly unlimited, and there was not one bit of turbulence over the
entire route.  I haven't had a trip that smooth in a couple of years.

For those of you that haven't been there, the Little River airport has
to be one of the (if not >the<) easiest airports to spot from the air.
It's cut from a large forested area, and sits above most of the surrounding
area.  We spotted it pretty easily from about 40 miles away, without 
really trying.  The pattern at Little River was somewhat interesting,
as the terrain surrounding the field varies greatly in altitude.  It 
seems that the AGL altitude changes from 1000' to 10' (well, OK, it only
>looked< like 10 feet!) continuously.  Ignoring these weird visual
cues, I managed to get us down safely on the small ;-) 5250' x 150' strip.
What's a huge runway like this doing serving a town of 412 people?

We parked the plane, and took the $4.00 (per person) shuttle into town.
There are also rental cars available, which might make sense if you want
to get out and explore the surrounding areas.  The cars are NOT at the
airport, however, so I'm not quite sure how you secure one.

Mendocino itself was wonderful, and we spent an enjoyable few hours shopping
and generally goofing off.  For those aviators that haven't yet been up
that direction, I would highly recommend the trip!

In fact, I was wondering if any of the net.community has done a weekend
trip to Mendocino?  I'm interested in recommendations for good bed &
breakfasts and/or inns either directly in Mendocino, or in the immediate
area.  Any suggestions?

Anyway, back to the flying story...the return trip was uneventful
for the most part (some slight turbulence, but not too bad).  It got
a bit exciting as we approached the edge of the TCA.  Crusing along
at 140kts (fast, for me!), we were still talking to Oakland Center.
The edge of the TCA was approaching quickly, and still no sign of a
handoff to Bay.  I queried, and was told to expect it shortly.  Well,
it was (of course) that exact moment that someone calls in wanting to
amend their IFR clearance.  Sigh.  Begin to slowly slow down; contemplate
some 360s to stay clear of the TCA.  Finally, the amendment is finished,
and Center comes back with a >very< quick "Contact Bay on 134.95."  I
do, and they give us the TCA clearance (whew!).  The flight over the city
was gorgeous, as the sun was just setting, casting a red-orange glow
over the whole scene.

A few minutes later, we're approaching Palo Alto, where it's much busier
than SFO!  We get a holding pattern over Stanford for a turn or two,
then inbound for landing.  Total Hobbs time, 2.8.  Total fun time, too
high to report :-).

The highlight of the trip?  Well, for me as a very-low-time retract
pilot, it was the fact that the gear worked each time I had to use it :-).

-rob.
-- 
Rob Griffiths    "And the future will be better tomorrow" - Dan Quayle
robg@apple.com   PP-ASEL-IA, looking for clouds .... B52s/REM/Erasure!