Filed Route: BGR V104 BML

Distance: 106 nm

Termination: KBML VOR DME Rwy 18 - Circle to land 36 (Full Stop)

Doug and Billy finally get an opportunity to depart from Bangor, ME after the winds die down a bit. However things are still breezy on the surface and aloft. They encounter the most severe wave action Doug has ever experienced above the White Mountains enroute to Berlin, NH. Billy has been flying with the autopilot and has not noticed the declining air speed and increase in pitch. The air has been smooth but the sink from the rotor winds is pushing the airplane down and Billy can't hold altitude. Doug takes command of the situation and requests an altitude block but ATC is slow getting back to him. He tells Boston what he needs and they ultimately deliver but it took some assertiveness to get it done. Then it's on to Berlin (KBML) where they fly the full procedure and course reversal on the VOR DME Rwy 18 approach and then circle to land on runway 36. The winds are strong at Berlin and Doug lands the airplane with Billy calling the numbers. When they arrive they see why they could not receive the ASOS and why the BML VOR was out of service. They won't be getting fuel there either!

Good learning moments:

• VOR ground check point
• Takeoff with stiff winds
• Severe wave action above the mountains
• Requesting an altitude block
• Exercising command of the flight
• Procedure turn and course reversal on the approach
• Crosswind landing
• Circle to land

• 0:00:10 Clearance to KBML
• 0:01:15 Discussing the BANGOR 3 Departure
• 0:03:05 Taxi in a stiff breeze
• 0:05:55 VOR Check Point
• 0:08:45 Run up
• 0:11:30 Ready for departure - windy take off
• 0:14:15 On course to V104 - activating the leg on the GNS430 (Direct - Direct)
• 0:16:45 Bald eagle at 2700'
• 0:28:50 Cruise checks and settings at 8,000'
• 0:31:25 Checking winds aloft against the forecast
• 0:35:05 Briefing the VOR DME Rwy 18 at KBML and planning our descent
• 0:39:40 Using VSR to increase our ground speed
• 0:41:25 58kt headwind
• 0:44:50 Beginning of intense mountain wave action
• 0:47:00 Getting an altitude block from ATC
• 0:51:00 Continuing to flight lift and sink
• 1:05:00 Using map view on the GNS430 for the approach
• 1:07:30 Changing NAV 2 to the 030 radial - discussing how to make the approach request
• 1:10:40 Extending the block to 6500 and 8000
• 1:19:00 Requesting the VOR DME Rwy 18 approach into KBML (even though we cannot get the AWOS there)
• 1:24:00 Cleared for the approach - ATC gives us the weather
• 1:28:50 Using the autopilot with GPS ROLL Steering and descending manually
• 1:33:40 Report established inbound (using the call sign at the end)
• 1:34:50 VOR is out - making the turn - Descend to 4,400
• 1:36:15 Deploying 10º flaps to slow - entering the procedure turn
• 1:40:20 Inbound on the approach - discussion to drop gear at YEKUK
• 1:43:15 Airport in sight - Doug asks to make the landing given the winds
• 1:47:50 Doug fights the winds on short final to touchdown

CloudAhoy view of Actual Flight Path on the VOR DME Rwy 18 Approach KVSF