by fastj22 » Sat Dec 08, 2018 9:23 pm
When we approached Fiske during the peak of mess, I actually had to turn off ADS-B in because the beehive was blocking my navigation line and it was information overload. Just kept my head on a swivel. We were a flight of four going in, Jim Hicke leading, then Mike, then me, then Carl in his Nanchang. As the hive formed we lost Jim and me and Mike nuzzled up as a tight flight of two. I just hung tight and low off his right wing and stared at him hoping that a tight flight of two might get permission to keep going. It worked. We had a Cherokee in front who kept slowing down to around 60MPH and they finally spun him off. Jim got spun off ahead of us and I was sure Carl did behind. But it turns out Carl caught a break and got shot down the 35 approach. Mike and I got sent to 9. It was blowing at least 15-20 out of the north. Landing as a tight flight of two was rather sporty. Both of us fighting to keep it on the center.
I think the best solution is to move the muster point another 10 miles out from Ripon and just have everyone assume a holding pattern (maybe force an approach to the pattern from the north). As you come around the pattern, you are released to do the approach, no release, do another lap. Oh, and those mass arrivals! Oh those mass arrivals.
John Gillis
SEL Private, Comm Glider, Tow pilot (Pawnee Driver)
Waiex N116YX, Jabiru 3300, Tail dragger,
First flight, 3/16/2013. 403 hours and climbing.
Home: CO15. KOSH x 5
Flying a B-Model Conversion (Super Bee Baby!)