TknoFlyer's Hangar

Spring Break '07 - Part 6: KGSO-KJYO

After refueling at Greensboro (KGSO), I fired up the trusted six cylinders under the cowl and dialed up the ATIS. Winds had shifted from 240@11G15 to 210@11G15. Surface winds up to Leesburg, VA (KJYO) were not expected to get any better, but all indications were the air was smooth at our planned alititude of 11,000 feet. I got my clearance ("as filed") and taxied out for takeoff. After waving to the jet instructed to wait for my passage, we were cleared for takeoff almost as soon as I got to the runway.

It was a bit bumpy climbing out, but crossing 5000 feet the turbulence all but disappeared - almost like turning off a switch - and we continued our climb to 11,000. As predicted, the ride was smooth and we all settled in while the Appalachians slid by off the port side.

Approaching Charlottesville, ATC instructed "descend and maintain 7000. Let me know if you pick up any turbulence. I had a report of moderate to severe turbulence by a Cherokee at 5000 feet 10 miles south of Charlottesville." Great. I tightened my belt and passed the word to the passengers (OK, the wife and kid) to expect some rough air in a few minutes. There was a fairly thin scattered-to-broken cloud layer with bases at 7000 feet - and that's where the ride got interesting.

I wouldn't call it "severe" turbulence as it never got to the point of uncontrollability, but it was definitely more than most folks would feel comfortable with. I was in and out of the scattered-to-broken layer with the gyros quickly telling me which wing was being tipped up this time. It definitely reminded me of some of my Frasca simulator time during my instrument training - not to mention some of the conditions I set up from time to time on Microsoft Flight Simulator. Still, those are stationary devices and I was now moving in 3D space at a bit over 100 knots. There is a difference.

Moving up on the Casanova VOR we were instructed to descend to 5000 feet. As expected, the turbulence got worse though it still was in the "moderate" range. Passing over the Bull Run Mountains we were dropped to 3000 feet. I was glad to have left the clouds at 7000 feet, but the ride at 3000 made the earlier one calm by comparison. The good news: We were now within 15 minutes of Leesburg. The bad news: Winds at KJYO were variable between 280 and 310, blowing at between 15 and 19, gusting between 19 and 24 knots. I made the decision before the Bull Runs that I'd make two attempts to land at KJYO. If the second was unsuccessful, we'd fly over to Dulles (KIAD) and land on more favorable runways to wait out the winds.

I was switched over to CTAF (once again, DO NOT squawk VFR in the ADIZ) and found I had the airport to myself (no big surprise there). I found myself wondering if my announcement of entering the pattern would generate an impromptu panel of judges. Entering the pattern, I tuned in AWOS: 310@15G19. Passing the numbers, drop in 10 degrees of flaps. I wouldn't use any more this day. Base found me wagging the wings a bit to keep everything coordinated and pointed where I needed it. Final found me pretty much stabilized - until I reached treetop height.

Every airport has "tricky winds" - especially ones surrounded by trees. The wind skimming across the trees creates a nice swirling effect when it hits the open space of the airport and that's what I found myself dealing with as I descended to flare height. I couldn't seem to get it stabilized. Without hesitation: Go-around.

For the second attempt I decided to use no flaps. Between that (resulting in a higher ground speed) and what seemed to be a reduction in wind speed, the second attempt was much easier and I landed without further issue.

The video shows my departure from KGSO and my two landing attempts at KJYO.