California – The Road to Monterey

MM · December 28, 2015

California – The Road to Monterey

Today's journey takes us from the ski slopes of Lake Tahoe to the rugged beauty of the Monterey Peninsula. We depart from South Lake Tahoe (KTVL) for a short flight to the small mountain field at Alpine County (M45). Then proceeding along the Sierra highlands, we enjoy the mountain beauty before a descent to Calaveras County (KCPU), the site of Mark Twain's "Jumping Frog." A jog to the southeast takes us to the hillside airport (E45) at the Pine Mountain Lake resort/retirement community. We then circle over the artificial reservoirs and lakes to gaze at Don Pedro Dam (DPDam) and Exchequer Dam (EXDam) before circling to land on the preferred Rwy 26 at Mariposa-Yosemite (KMPI nowadays, O68 in FSX).

We transit across the highly productive, and highly irrigated, San Joaquin Valley, landing at Merced Municipal (KMCE). Then we take a look at Northern California's glider center at Hollister (3O7). A quick stop at busy Watsonville Municipal (KWVI) leads to our final destination at Monterey Regional (KMRY).

All of the fields have hard surfaces and the final two have some lighting. The Cessna 182 Skylane, Piper Comanche, Beech Bonanza, and Vans RV7 would all be good choices for this tour. Or you might like a light twin such as a Beech Baron, Cessna 310 or 337 or a Piper Seneca. Fly what you like.

The FSX / Plan-G flight Plan is here.

Recommended scenery:
Orbx FTX Northern California (NCA) Regional Scenery

Optional Orbx Payware Airports (not necessary):
Orbx Lake Tahoe (KTVL)
Orbx Monterey Regional (KMRY)

Date and time: Saturday 2nd January 2016, 1900 UTC
Where: AVSIM RTWR Teamspeak - Casual Flights Channel

Teamspeak Server Address: ts.teamavsim.com
Multiplayer: FSX Multiplayer (IP will be provided on Teamspeak)

If you want to help others enjoy the multiplayer experience, don't forget to enter your aircraft details on the multiplayer spreadsheet! (linked here)

Note to Ron: Please Set Server Local Time to 13:00 PST

Flight Plan submitted for Stew Hobson.

Ron Attwood · December 29, 2015

13:00PST, that's 1pm right? I can do that, it's easy. :smile:

spokes2112 · December 29, 2015

For your flight planning / map folding needs - SkyVector

A little music for ya.... https://youtu.be/Mvs8U0oxnlI

StewartH · December 29, 2015

That takes me back a ways. I didn't go to this gig, but it was world famous for the artists who were there.

StewartH · December 30, 2015

Nice addition to the scenic route, Mike.

MM · December 30, 2015

Stew, with the two options available, we can choose whether to end the trip with the "scenic circle" over the Monterey Peninsula...or proceed direct to the airport.

StewartH · December 31, 2015

I would go for the scenic route myself, just to take in the raceway and the golf courses, then turn for home over my house.

Ron Attwood · January 3, 2016

Roman bringing the LDR Mallard in for a perfect landing at er...No idea where we were!

spokes2112 · January 3, 2016

WOW! Thanks Ron! It's great that you caught, what I believe, was the best one of the day. I believe that was at KCPU (Calaveras Co).

Not the best shots.. Spent more time off "Otto" and actually flying the plane. The Mallard required more attention than usual during all phases, therefore less "shutter-bugging". Thanks Stew & Mike for the "brilliant" flight.

Stew's Crew at KTVL (Lake Tahoe) - (from left to right) Bert in the Legacy; Mike, & Jeff in Comanche's; Josh in a Cherokee; myself in the Mallard; Rolf in a RV-7; and finally Stew in Beech a A36. The WX is NOT good here but from forecasts as we head west it will
get much better.

Staying low under the clouds to get a view, a view to miss running into Mother Earth.

Another group shot at our first destination, M45 (Alpine County). Adding to Stew's crew - Ron to the far left in a A36, Nick dead center in the red/white Comanche & Jock to the far right in a B58.

It's clearing up but still nice to stay low and peek out the window occasionally to observe the "goodies".

Josh coming in at KCPU (Calaveras Co-Maury Rasmussen Field Airport).

Over the top of a nice looking O22 (Columbia Airport) tucked away just west of the Columbia State Historic Park.

The Exchequer Dam of Lake McClure leading to the Merced River, out the right window.

The huge (305 ft. tall) earthen San Luis/B.F. Sisk Dam separating San Louis Resevoir & O'Neill Forebay.

Mike coming into rwy 24 @ KCVH (Hollister Municipal Airport), greasing it.

Jeff doing the same with just a little "floater" at the end, nice!

Jeff sneaking over the top on the way to Watsonville.

Ron coming into rwy 20 at KWVI (Watsonville Municipal Airport). This airport had a weird anomaly at the crossing runways where a huge pause (1-2 seconds) would occur along with some textures taking their sweet time loading on a view change.

Coming over the Moss Landing Power Plant.

Cough, Cough Cough... 1st,, this isn't the Monterey International Pop Festival and 2nd,, it definitely isn't mid-June, 1967....
Or is it? :Ying Yang:

Laguna Seca, Lap 1 - Looking at turns 1 and 2, the "Andretti Hairpin".

Lap 2 - The infamous turns 8 & 8A - "The Corkscrew"

Tagging along with Mike as he leads me to the golfing mecca at Pebble Beach.

The infamous 16th hole at Cypress Point..

Took a turn prior to the approach at KMRY to see the sunset.

We ARE all here albeit parked all over,,, it's a busy place.

Shutting down in time for dinner and "refreshments" at the "Golden Tee".. A great flight!