living the dream

We’ve been into and out of Aspen twice now and what an experience when you’re used to flying primarily to airports located at sea level.  Aspen is located in a valley at almost 8000′ of elevation with 10K and 12K ft mountains around it.  As long as the weather is nice the visual approach can take you down the valley and over a couple of hills prior to a slightly steep descent into the airport.  This interesting part though is the simultaneous departing aircraft that you have to avoid as you are descending into the valley.  I understand that this procedure has been working well for years but I found it a bit strange to be cleared for takeoff heading north with an aircraft 5 miles out to land on the same runway heading south.  The instructions for takeoff and climb are pretty clear to see and avoid the plane coming in to land as you depart turning to the right of the oncoming plane.  I think you really need to see it to believe that this procedure actually works.

So now after being into Aspen the Captain an I are starting to feel a bit like real corporate pilots.  The ramp there had at least 30 to 40 business jets both days, lots of Netjets, lots of Gulfstreams, lots of Lears, Citations, Piaggio Avantis, Falcons, you name it, and apparently lots of money floating around town.  It would just be nice to get a day off an actually check out the area.

So long from the Rockies, it’s off to Oakland in a couple of days…

We finally got in the aircraft about a week ago but my first time in the seat was a short 20+ minute flight from PWK to MDW.  There’s nothing like taking almost 1/2 hour in a plane to do what only takes about 45 minutes in a car.  Nevertheless it was great to get up in the air and bump along at 3000 ft over Lake Michigan and then follow vectors to an ILS at MDW.  Only one embarrassing moment that day - I was in the right seat for departure and told to “follow the whale to RWY 4 for departure” by ground, which of course at Midway means follow the Southwest Shamu painted aircraft… Just got a little confused on that one.

More later…