The drive to San Jose and Reid-Hillview Airport on 101 was a night mare, but the two hours of stamping in traffic was quite rewarding. Instructor Jake at Trade Winds Aviation gave me the option to combine the training required for phase III of the Wings Program with a fantastic tour of the San Francisco bay.
In a C172P we departed runway 31R at RHV and climbed towards San Jose International (SJC), crossing midfield. Leveled out at 3500 and followed Seashore Highway (101) to San Francisco International (SFO) and left class B airspace short after Lake Merced. The view was astonishing. Cold air for the ocean turned in to clouds as it merged with the warm air in the bay.We continued coastwise by The Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco in slow flight, before class B airspace again at Hunters Point. At 1500 feet on the return we were transferred from airspace to airspace; San Francisco International (SFO), San Carlos (SQL), Palo Alto (PAO), Moffet Federal, San Jose International (SJC) and Reid-Hillview (RHV), before night landings at South County (E16).
Strongly recommended!
Remember, there is always someone working hard to close a great airfield...
2 comments:
-to be jealous of. For us deadly that only have got a short view of the bay when heading east, this is really a piece to be dreaming of. The San Fran view is not further complimented by having to bend over the person snoring next to me in order to look out through a foggy small hole in the touristbox taking me away from the magical city.
Next time I'll reserve a seat. I hope there is still space...
A
Ahhh - Reid-Hillview! I flew there two trips about 15 years ago. Didn't get to do the 'Bay tour' but flew out to the coast and up to Halfmoon Bay. Both airports are very nice!
Post a Comment