Beyond Proficient: Flying to Catalina Island
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- Опубліковано 6 лют 2020
- Want to know what it takes to fly to Catalina Island (KAVX)? Join the AOPA Air Safety Institute in the first episode of Beyond Proficient, a new series focusing on getting you out of your comfort zone, challenging your flying skills, and doing it safely.
A note about life jackets: The life jackets available to us would've interfered with our ability to operate the airplane had we worn them throughout the flight. That is why we put them behind our backs on our seats. At our altitude and with the crew we had (our video producer is in the backseat) we would've had time to put them on or at least have them in hand before encountering the water. This makes a great case to invest in low profile personal flotation devices, but we also wanted to show the renter experience where those types of life jackets might not be available.
![Things to Do On Catalina Island [THAT NO ONE ELSE IS TALKING ABOUT]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/WZ97O6Rec2k/mqdefault.jpg)
Why did you guys stop doing the accident case studies? There was a lot of information in those. Could you please start those up again
I'm assuming they still do them just much less often (seems to be only one or two a year). The production level on them is insane so it probably takes weeks to make one
@Brady LaPLante Yeah, I'm not interested for any macabre reasons. The stories are good and you end up seeing so many times that a lack of patience kills more than anything.
But, this was a very well produced video. Typical for ASI. The ACS vids are outstanding though so agreed on that.
The accident case studies are great and where the Air Safety Institute should focus IMHO
Perhaps it is a sign that fewer of the really awful accidents are happening?
In 1969 and 70 I was in the US Army flying out of Crissy Army Airfield at the Presidio of San Francisco. We flew up and down the coast of California all the time, in U-8 twin-engine Beechcraft, U-1A single-engine Otters and helicopters. But in doing so, we never flew over to Catalina Island. I wanted to, but we couldn't get our Commanding Officer to authorize the side trip. Thanks for sharing this great video...
Catalina is definitely a good place to train new pilots. But for any pilot training in Southern California, be sure to add Big Bear (L35) for the mountain flying experience, and Fallbrook (L18) for the shorter (2000 foot) runway experience to truly reinforce good habits.
Takes guts to post this as a CFI because everyone is going to nit-pick it to death. I give props for climbing to 6,500 for safety even though it's such a short flight from TOA. I see lots of people crossing at 2,000. Not too smart! Hopefully Soyla can make it from FA to FO at Delta. That would be a great story.
Seen people doing that when flying over the English Channel between Dover and Calais too, me I'm sitting there like "There is a reason I'm up here at 8,000". 23 mile stretch of water with a 9:1 glide ratio I like keeping the potential scenarios that could potentially force a water landing to a bear minimum so if I can safely fly at an altitude where the aircraft should be able to glide to land you can be damn sure I will be up there.
at 6500 at the mid point you're still not going to make it back to TOA lmaooo. If you want to be 100% safe just keep the plane on the ground. At any point on your way to AVX prepare to go for a swim, be prepared, be equipped, be ready.
@@seraphina985 at your calculations of 9:1 glide ratio at 8,000ft at the point of no return, you'll need every single parameter and condition to be perfect to make it back to the shore and even still you'll just barely make it. I'd rather opt for a water landing than a ground landing into a tree, building, car.... The illusion of safety for the safe of calling yourself "safe" is still an illusion. just keep the plane chocked if you want to be 100% safe. Be prepared for a swim always, plan for it, equip for it. Whether you're high or low over water, it won't really make a difference. Just have fun and be safe within reason.
Yeah it’s wild. Even in my ‘virtual flights’ to Catalina, I’ve naturally gone to FL65+ just because knowing the level of the plateau-like airstrip/runway. It’s crazy to hear pilots coming in below 4000…
@@TomCook1993 On the way to Catalina, it will absolutely make a difference, because there are a lot of boats in that channel. With a few thousand feet under you, you have a very good chance of being able to put it in the water close to a boat.
... and the video taught me what is a P-VASI ! Thank you !
Congrats Solya, just awesome to see, you will be a great Captain. Also kudos to the instructor. As a student at Burbank airport in the 1990s, I did this exact same flight with my instructor, mostly as a break from the training so we could learn and do something fun. So cool to see others doing this. Now after all these years flying, I still look back on trips to Catalina and realize it really is like no other place I have flown. One thing not mentioned is that there is a high spot in the runway is in the middle, which really makes it look like you are running out of runway before you get airborne. You can see it in the video.
As a CFI teaching out of KRAL, KAVX was one of my favorite destinations for dual x/c with student pilots (who were generally rewarded with a buffalo burger during our brief stopover.) Number two on the list of outstanding SoCal teaching destinations was Big Bear (L35) for the density altitude experience (and, sometimes, brunch.)
I was in big bear last weekend. Even though it was cool and even with the big 300 hp continental 520, I could still feel the density altitude on the takeoff roll.
Wow! This brings back some memories. I attended Catalina Island School in 71 - 72. I usually flew over on the seaplanes that landed in Avalon harbor, but did land once at the airport in this video. I'd love to try now as a student pilot. Great job, ladies! Thanks for the video.
I received initial training here in SoCal at 4 FBO's and at least a dozen instructors. Health, working full time and financial issues set me back and I never got my ticket but I sure had a great time learning and seeing the country side. Now retired maybe it's time to rekindle the fire. I always appreciated AOPA and ASI's influence. It's good to see the discussions that developed here as it can only be for the betterment of all, instructors and students alike.
I love her story. Sometimes in life what you should do is right in front of you yet you can’t see it until someone points it out.
I've flown to Catalina at least 75 times over the past 2 years. People try to make it hard due to the airport altitude of 1600 feet and having to fly 30 minutes over water to get there. I'll clue you in, if you have your basic radio communication skills down and you can fly the plane strait and level, you will have no problems. In my opinion Alicia makes it seem much harder than it actually is! That's a good thing. I'd rather have a CFI that makes you think and plan for the unexpected than one that is looking at their phone while the student is flying the airplane. Attention to detail will save your life and maybe someone else as well.
I like this video, pilot training is always a challenge. Good work.
flew over just after HS in a Grumman Goose piloted by our family friend only 22 at the time. when he was in grade 7 he told all of us he was going to be a pilot. his grades weren't that great, but his DESIRE trumped so many of his barriers. when we dropped over the airfield he was "reading" the waving windy grassed and taking in all kinds of information. my respect for him went way, way up after that ride. 1972
Tricky approach - and an even more challenging departure with the sun in your face, and knowing there’s a cliff waiting for you somewhere beyond the glare. Shoutout to the producer on his/her crouching skills to stay out of the shot. ;-)
Nicely done! Great video 😊🇺🇸😊🇺🇸😊🇺🇸😊🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸😊
Great landing! Wish my instruction included a trip to Catalina. Nice to see women in the aviation industry as well. Good luck with your future flying.
Awesome video! This is great instruction for those who are considering flying to Catalina. I own N660SP aka "Captain America". I'm so glad you all used my plane. I've made the trip to Catalina a lot. Now I'll show new passengers this video before they go.
Love Catalina, had no idea how tricky it was to fly there. Awesome video!
So nice to watch an inspiring aviation video … I always watch analysis vids after things go wrong! Thank God for competent instructors like this young lady.
Beautiful landing BTW
Many years ago I was a passenger in a small aircraft that landed on that runway. Possibly 40 years ago. I understand the runway was recently rebuilt. Great video...
I've always been kind of indifferent about instructors but this time I have to say I am so impressed! At first I thought she needed to be quiet and let her student fly but as they neared final I became so trusting if her voice. I don't know if I said that right but what an amazing instructor! Very impressed with the student as well, It is very good to see the women in aviation especially a Mexican American, I bet there are so few! Great job ladies!
Thank y'all for posting this video.
Amazing idea for a series! Real people telling their love story with aviation. All the best with flight training, Soyla; it is so worth it! Even after PPL, I still take a CFI for some of my more adventurous destination flying before taking friends or family - great confidence builder. P.s That Skyhawk is the perfect bird...modern, but with steam gauges.
You can't overemphasize the power of distractions. Good job !
2:57 3rd passenger in form of an Ant makes a cameo
Great eye
Plot twist : this is not an ant.
He's a stowaway ....or hijacker :)
Great vid! Got to fly there once in the 90's. Right seat passenger. Out of Montgomery field, San Diego. Piper Archer. Closest thing to a carrier landing as I'll ever get. Cheers!
New concrete runway looks great! It was a much needed improvement over the old asphalt surface.
"you really have to fight off the distractions that can occur in a beautiful place like this"
*takes out iPhone and reaches across the sightline of pilot flying to take pictures*
Right! I was thinking the same thing when the instructor did that.
+100! She is so chatty too! Instruct her or let her concentrate.
Women😂
She was not flying, the student was.
Love it !! great video and safety tips
Man I miss the old pot hole ridden asphalt....not. One of my favorite get away airports.
please keep doing accident case studies
Great video, and great series. I agree with Craig Morton - it's pretty brave to post a training video.
The two comments I have (in the spirit of adding more value to those watching this for instructional purposes) are:
1) When I've flown into plateau runways (Catalina, Sedona, the old St. George airport, etc., - I've flown into each and have more than 1700 hours in my 182) I always chose 20 degrees of flaps so that I'm still getting more lift than drag in the event of a downdraft on short final. And choosing to land long on 3,000' of runway is a good decision at AVX and others where length is not too much of an issue. I will say that landing a little long can be scary at Catalina because of the dome effect there and no being able to see the end of the runway.
2) More in response to some of the comments below, carrying a PFD is absolutely a safety issue, but also a legal one (as the IP points out in this flight.)
I've flown into Catalina twice. The first time was just a scenic flight from San Diego with some friends. The second time was to run the Catalina marathon, which starts in Two Harbors and ends in Avalon. On that second trip, we were leaving the next morning and had the opportunity to take off in the midst of a marine layer. The first and only zero-zero takeoff I've ever done. Of course, with the marine layer, I was out of it at about 200' AGL.
Again, great video. Thanks for sharing your flight.
Love the tail cam placement.
I enjoyed a number of flights there in C-172s and C-152s from Fallbrook Airpark. I enjoyed the "drop off" on the ocean side of the island. I took quite a number of my friends there, including my future wife.
Keep em coming
Very cool video. Thanks
Ow Nice to see the runway has been rebuilt ! Some time ago we had to land on the left side of rwy22 to avoid the holes
I think the Marines did that about 2-3 years ago.
Great video, and really good instruction. Really enjoyed it!
Great video. Loved it. Loved the Instructors demeanor!
Seeing the video of the approach is really helpful; I’ve been told by many pilots about the skidmarks at the midpoint on the runway because pilots think they’re at the end of the runway, even though there’s another 2000 feet over the crest, and that was very obvious in this video. Since I haven’t flown there but it’s on my list, this is very helpful. Thanks!
This instructor is coaching the student quite a bit, for a check ride ready student there should be more autonomy. The student should be able to join the circuit.
Amazing haha, i'll fly there one day, it seems so nice
Great video!
Great video. I have heard that the take off/landing at Catalina is 'interesting'. Great fun to see it from the pilots view. Love the scenic shots of the island as well, picked a perfect day for it!
Well done!
I'm going to do this in a few years. 👍
Great! I hope I'll get to fly there someday.
great video! doing instruction at kcma so this is very interesting!
Flown in-to AVX many times in the late 80s and 90s. Always a fun experience. Now - try-out Big Bear! High altitude.
Wow they did a wonderful job repaving the runway
Excellent video as always, if you are an aviator or just like aviation you should definitely check all Air Safety Institute Videos... you won’t regret, not even one.
Very nice!!! I wish I could learn to fly someday!!!
TRAINING ROCKS !
Great video
Here in the Philippines I fly with a life vest on as PIC. My longest leg was 5.5hrs over nothing but water in a C172M GS was 48kts. Missionary pilot life
Here’s that Vlog from my channel ua-cam.com/video/M1Ob3O_3aa4/v-deo.html
I got my license in 1970 at Rose Aviation at Hawthorne. Always wanted to go to Catalina. Rose said we needed a check out with a instructor before you could fly there. Before I got a chance to get checked out, a commercial pilot rented her Arrow and headed to Catalina. They said that the engine blew mid channel and barely made it back. From then on Rose said the only way you could go to Catalina was with a instructor(all times) and you had to go high enough that you were within gliding distance of land. She said around 9,000' minimum .
I do a box climb to 3000 ft above Torrance before heading out over the water so I ensure I can glide back to land. I also file a flight plan AND use flight following. I carry a waterproof PLB. And recently I bought a flare gun.
Smart and easy move to do that climb. Consider a wearable strobe light (attaches to PFD) as well as a water-activated floating model in addition to the PLB. If traveling over water it's cheap insurance.
Not knocking on the video, but here is a thought: probably best to wear any life vest if possible. Definitely the inflatable kind. They are in a fixed gear, if they had to ditch they likely will flip. Would be very difficult to retrieve any safety device if you flipped and are flooding. Granted some vests would make it difficult to adjust controls, but inflatable vests would work. Just a thought.
Nicht if ze water got into cab it would pin u to das ceiling of Der Messerschmitt. Sillybus
Very nice video. Keep up the good work and come join us in the flight decks of the airlines. I would consider having the life vests on, over water. Thank you for the very enjoyable video.
Zamperini Field is home to the Western Museum of Flight, worth a visit to see the YF17 (Hornet prototype) and YF23 and other Northrop Grumman history. :)
Wonderful flight. Great views. Nice informational video. And some talented pilots. I'm not in aviation so even a learner is talented to me.
5:06 totally agree with you
I tried to land here, did 3 missed, the uncontrolled radioed us and told us to go home. But this video shows a LOT more runway than there was back in the 1970s when I tried to land.
Interesting approach. We used to do 22 straight in from KFUL depending upon winds. ... Ah, got the explanation at 6:31. And beware the hump!
Speaking of life jackets, it is important to remember to inflate it ONLY AFTER you get out of the aircraft should you have to use it. It would trap you in the aircraft especially once it starts taking on water....
I'd be wearing the life vest in a single.
It won’t do you any good if it not on...be prepared and have it on during the flight. That is being prepared. I wear mine when flying over water to a place like Catalina
well done girls TOP GUN NEXT amazing landings
future pilots in the making. you got to start somewhere.
and quit doing should of would of could of.
before life passes you by. follow you dreams.
many happy flights in your future.
The spirit of the message is great, but I can't pay for my PPL in dream currency
bcdm999 if you want it bad enough you’ll find a way to pay for it. I saved for a year and it made me want it even more
I work right next to Torrance airport and I see this plane everyday. I always called it the Texas Flag plane
Great job, Alicia and the AOPA ASI team! I thoroughly enjoyed it, especially after seeing all the Catalina Island pics. :D
This was fun. Thanks Soyla! Im glad you took a camera crew and shared your flight. Do you have your own youtube channel?
Great stuff! Looking forward to more from this series
As a passenger, have gone to Catalina. Nice burger place at the rinway
How did you record such crystal clear audio over the intercom!?
When I got my type rating in a DC-3, I had to shoot a landing at Catalina. My instructor wouldn't have it any other way.
The student pilot is a natural, it seems.
i would not be able to resist the temptation to do a low transition down the runway, then dive along the moutainside. that would be so much fun.
I've only been to Catalina twice and never flown in which is a big dream of mine. I grew up near Hawthorne just blocks away dreaming of flying. My High school Principal (Hawthorne high...retired in 1980) flew out of Torrance and was a Marine fighter pilot instructor there during WW2 and I love visiting Torrance airport. Oh how I wished I could be a pilot even though I have a 28% loss of hearing. Now I'm living in Oregon and flying around here seems more possible but I just don't have the funds to make it happen. Most I got was 24 hrs on tayorcraft and Cessna 150. Some day I'll return to Catalina in a airplane. Might be in a ultralight though which will better suit me with my handicap. Great video...wouldn't mind having the instructor teach me flying as well.
Ladies and gentlemen, Get your conservancy membership and land your heart away!!👍🤙
nice video! excellent instruction and impressive student....but did you have the buffalo burgers at the airport - they're really good :)
I really like the camera angle on the tailplane. Could you talk about mount/camera you used, as well as the aerodynamic effects it would have mounted where it was? Any concerns with it coming loose and damaging the elevator?
Jeffrey Krizman they use a go pro with a suction mount. It’s stuck on typically under the horizontal stab and if it falls off in flight it falls away, and doesn’t hit the elevator since it is going to be in a near neutral position. Some people use a safety chain which would hold onto it should it fall off, but then it would be swinging in the breeze still attached via chain to the mount. The pressure of flight against the system is nothing compared to what it would need to release the suction mount. I forget the exact numbers. I believe in flight it, max psi is around 5 and it takes over 10 to push it off the plane if its mounted properly
Great video! Been to Catalina Island many times and it's always fun when I get a chance to get out there. Seeing the new improved runway tho reminds me that I haven't been out there in awhile...I need to fix that soon! Great job!
Just curious, you stated floatation devices were required for that flight. I know it’s a good idea but why is it required? It’s less than 50 miles and less than 30 minutes. I’m always trying to learn so I thought I’d ask. Thanks.
Anyone know a good spot nearby to get checked out and rent a C172 / 150?
WTG Soyla Flor!
Let’s not forget about the 99s
Great video! Just wonder if a short field takeoff would be a good idea at this airport since there's this bending runway.
No flaps for take off?
Why would you not rely on the P-VASI glide slope light as was said ?
I think what they mean is that you should be comfortable flying proper glideslope even without aids, so in case you can't see the light or there's a malfunction etc you're still able to land comfortably sufficient safety margin instead of finding yourself in a situation where you're not comfortable because you've always relied on aids to follow proper glideslope.
This particular one is quite dim in daylight, and I think she was just emphasizing that it being out of service or not visible should not affect your ability to fly a safe approach.
Like the others said - PAPIs and VASIs should be treated like more of a quick reference rather than an approach aid, as everyone should be able to fly an acceptable approach w/o any help from aids such as those.
I really like the way they communicate to each other.
For my 16th birthday I flew with my mom's friend to Catalina spent the rest of the day at Disneyland. Good Times😊
great to see more women in aviation, these episodes are cool.
Alicia, when my airline gave increased attention to stabilized approaches in the 1990’s, they gave us a list of trigger words that were suppose to get our attention. One was ‘looking good.’ Sure enough I realized, we only said that on marginal approaches. Lol
She’s beautiful 😍
“The fuckin Catalina wine mixer!”-Derek Huff.
Had to do it.
Was the take off up hill, up the slope of the runway? We were taught to not take off up hill and only down hill.
There is usually a good wind coming from the west.. much better to get that extra air over the wings and get off the ground. You don’t want a long ground roll..
No fuel, no maintance, but they have Buffalo Burgers !! :D
1:14 anyone else think there was a bug on their screen too? :) Thanks for the video.
I saw it!!!
there was quite a bit of unused runway behind during the approach...
Are the flotation devices required? §91.509 requires flotation devices for distances of 50 nm or greater only for Large and multi-engine turbine aircraft, from what I found in the FARs. Is there another section that states the requirement for small piston engines? I'm thinking of going to KAVX, myself, and I want to make sure I'm in compliance.
Hi Ian,
§91.205 states that, "If the aircraft is operated for hire over water and beyond power-off gliding distance from shore, approved flotation gear readily available to each occupant and, unless the aircraft is operating under part 121 of this subchapter, at least one pyrotechnic signaling device."
That being said, it's always a good idea to bring flotation devices if you're flying over large bodies of water!
@@AirSafetyInstitute Thanks for that. I had completely forgotten about that one, but I'm glad you reminded me! 'Preciate it! 🙂
@@ianperry9571 Anytime! :)
Very cool!
It seems easier when you have someone experienced constantly telling you what to do.
It's the Catalina wine mixer.