In the spirit of some longer ranged flights, I flew another today. Took the incredible Skyward Sim Sovereign C680 from KBUR to KOKC. Why would anyone want to fly to Oklahoma haha - I'm not sure. I spent a few months there in 2007 when I started my initial learning for Air Traffic Control at the MMAC. That's where all the controllers go to start. I also came back in 2009 I think for my initial radar qualification. The first time I went it was stressful - this was my career, afterall - I wanted to make it. A lot of people "washed out." The second trip was much more relaxed as I was already partially certified in DLH. Anyway I have a lot of memories there. During the first trip my lovely wife (we were only just married) stayed with me for a month or so. I also have some other relatives in that area and it was fun to visit. Finally what made the 100+ degree heat bearable? The lovely sight of B-52's doing touch and go's while I drove to and from work. Oh gosh I'm getting old!

Anyway enjoy the flight. I finally a way to have the pics clickable if you want to view the full size!

Ready to startup at one of the Burbank FBOs (adding to the story - one of my other friends used to work at Burbank tower)

Taxi out to runway 8 (they made the new terminal its scheduled to open in a few months I think)

Burbank is a very active airport with tons of commercial jets, corporate aircraft, and smaller craft along with plenty of helicopters

Hmmm, not sure what kind of operation ATC was performing here haha - I think I could see the whites of their eyes!

The routing was KBUR SLAPP2 HEC EED J8 FTI ROLLS CAMET3 KOKC - initial heading off runway 8 is a climbing right turn to 210 - and boy does this thing climb!!

Yet another stunning livery by TimHH

Per the STAR, a brief level off at FL190 - high desert in front of us (Edwards EFB etc)

In fact there is a LOT of desert hehe

Reviewing our enroute sigmets as we approach Needles - we may require a deviation ahead for storms...

These pax look a little...dry... perhaps they need some "Effing" water HAHA

The scenery is much more interesting over Flagstaff, AZ

Coming up on Gallup, NM - the city lies on historic Route 66!

Here's a screenshot of my Navigraph EFB software... they do a really nice job. I used to think that I don't need any of this, but it's been super helpful for Situational Awareness. I tend to prefer VFR sectionals as an overlay while enroute, so I can spot interesting locations

Alas, as we approach Oklahoma, it's not that interesting HAHA!

The storms were not a factor, they were forming near Amarillo, TX and to the south, well clear of us. But KOKC did require an instrument approach with some OVC clouds

I shot the RNAV 17L with some pretty moody skies

A little more sunny right on short final though... oops I'm a little high and fast like usual

I also got a gust near touchdown - correcting! Scenery by iniBuilds

There is quite a lot of activity at OKC though - even though I joked above. The ANG, plenty of air carrier activity, plus a lot of training flights from Tinker AFB, and the SKW Maintenance Base

We stowed the buckets and taxied into Atlantic

This FBO has outstanding reviews apparently! Hope you enjoyed!

Where are you working now? You left Duluth right before Covid correct?

1 hour ago, ahsmatt7 said:

Where are you working now? You left Duluth right before Covid correct?

I'm at Minneapolis Center now... I left DLH in 2018, worked at FCM till late summer of 21 and kinda started training in covid at the center. For me it was honestly great because I had transfer pay since I was previously certified. But for new people it sucked cause they got the basic rate out of the Academy for almost 2-3 years due to training stoppage from covid. (I think its like 50k / year). This is year 19 for me and I'm honestly running low on love for the job. I still try to find joy and the parts that do bring me the most are talking to pilots, there's a lot of cool pilots out there, they seem to appreciate us even when we don't seem happy on freq haha. Also working with a great crew makes the job fun as well. Everything else, including the current political climate, kinda sucks.

9 hours ago, ryanbatc said:

I'm at Minneapolis Center now... I left DLH in 2018, worked at FCM till late summer of 21 and kinda started training in covid at the center. For me it was honestly great because I had transfer pay since I was previously certified. But for new people it sucked cause they got the basic rate out of the Academy for almost 2-3 years due to training stoppage from covid. (I think its like 50k / year). This is year 19 for me and I'm honestly running low on love for the job. I still try to find joy and the parts that do bring me the most are talking to pilots, there's a lot of cool pilots out there, they seem to appreciate us even when we don't seem happy on freq haha. Also working with a great crew makes the job fun as well. Everything else, including the current political climate, kinda sucks.

Ah that’s awesome to hear! What sectors do you work? There’s a controller that’s my brothers in laws neighbor out in apple valley. Don’t know her too well. She went through the academy back in 2015.

That looks great, Ryan! Too bad that I have too little time for simming at the moment. :-)

Nice flight and narrative Ryan.