III: KFFA > KMFV > N12
KFFA > KMFV
Filed Route: OCSIP V266 SUNNS V139 CCV
Distance: 129 nm
Termination: KMFV RNAV Rwy 21 (Full Stop)
After a breezy departure from Kill Devil Hills, NC (KFFA) Billy picks up their clearance with Cherry Point Approach and heads to Melfa, VA (KMFV). After initially broadcasting on the wrong frequency Billy makes his request to Norfolk Approach for the RNAV Rwy 03 approach to KMFV. This will handled by the next controller. They can see they have a strong tailwind on the approach and this will mean a steeper pitch attitude to maintain the Glide Path. They deploy the gear early to increase their descent rate and come down to their target of 2,000' 1.5 miles from UCGEL. They stay at 2,000' and wait to pick up the glideslope near the MELFA fix. At the circling minimum of 500' they break off the approach and enter a left downwind for runway 21.
Doug gets our clearance with a five minute void time by using his cell phone and the Bluetooth hookup to his Lightspeed headset. It's another sporty departure with a crosswind at KMFV. Then it's on up to 7,000' to Lakewood and another LP+V with a planned circle to land at N12. Due to crossing traffic the crew faces a rapid descent to UZSOR via the COYLE VOR. Flaps are deployed. Doug waits for glideslope to come to him, as long as he is beneath it, rather than descending to the next altitude. That way he does not have to reconfigure the airplane and he can enter a stabilized approach earlier.
Winds seemed to have subsided somewhat by the time we land. Interesting, airport manager said we were the only plane to land at N12 that day. Sometimes you get lucky.
Good learning moments:
- Airborne clearance on departure from KFFA
- Using the landing gear to decrease speed and increase the rate of descent to KMFV
- Breezy circle to land at KMFV
- Getting clearance via mobile phone on the ground at KMFV
- Crosswind takeoff from KMFV
- LP+V approach with a circle to land at N12
- Waiting for the glideslope from the IF - Getting stabilized before the FAF
- 0:00:00 Run-up at Rwy 21 KFFA
- 0:01:15 Discussion for picking up clearance after takeoff
- 0:04:30 Receiving clearance from Cherry Point
- 0:15:15 Norfolk approach... Norfolk approach... Bueller?
- 0:17:35 Setting up for cruise
- 0:20:55 Checking winds aloft against forecast
- 0:27:00 Looking at the approach into KMFV
- 0:28:50 Inputting the VSR but need to load the approach first
- 0:33:25 Requesting direct UCGEL for the RNAV Rwy 03 approach
- 0:35:35 Checking weather at KMFV
- 0:37:05 Implications of a strong tailwind on the approach
- 0:39:10 Over to Norfolk Approach - Request RNAV Rwy 03 - Talk of wind shear
- 0:50:40 Foggles on - Looking for lower
- 0:55:25 Lowering the gear for a more rapid descent
- 0:57:00 Coming up to UCGEL
- 1:02:00 At minimums - Foggles off and a windy circle to land Rwy 21 at KMFV
- 1:04:05 Picking up clearance to N12 via cell phone and Lightspeed Bluetooth on the ramp at KMPV
- 1:06:45 Back taxi for departure KMFV
- 1:09:05 Windy takeoff technique
- 1:12:35 Over to Patuxent Approach - Cleared to 7,000'
- 1:25:05 Cruise check - Power settings - Looking for cross radials
- 1:28:50 Forecast at N12
- 1:31:15 Using XM for weather
- 1:35:10 Approach discussion - Over to Dover
- 1:40:00 Time brief and load the approach?
- 1:51:25 Crossing Mooney Traffic - Vector 20º right
- 1:53:20 Direct COYLE
- 2:08:55 Request the COYLE transition from Atlantic City Approach
- 2:13:25 Crossing Embraer traffic in sight - cleared direct Coyle for the RNAV Rwy 06 N12
- 2:18:10 Foggles on
- 2:19:50 Turn at UZSOR - LP+V
- 2:21:20 Announcing break from RNAV Rwy 06 and enter Circle to Land Rwy 24
- 2:23:30 Foggles off - breaking off the approach for right downwind Rwy 24 N12
- 2:25:15 Circle to Land into the wind at Lakewood, NJ (N12)
- 2:27:00 Taxi to the ramp