I made it! into BIG D

Made my first flight into Dallas and was granted permission to enter class B airspace. Went from Tulsa to Dallas to see the Sooners kick the tar out of Texas. Landed at Dallas Executive (redbird). Small airport, not much traffic and in the heart of Dallas.

Took off from O38 and climbed to 8,500, flipped on the autopilot and relaxed. Nice weather, few clouds, good airpseed (130 mph). Tried my new Garmin 396 w/ XM out and realized what I've been missing.

If you fly cross country regularly, I recommend buying a Garmin 396, 496 or equal just for the up-to-the-minute weather information. We had weather information with us and satellite radio. It was the first time I flew cross country while listening to Fox News and music.

It took us about 1.8 hours to fly down there, but a heck of a lot faster than commercial. Commercial flying required me to get to the airport an hour to an hour and a half before departure and after landing at Luv, for example, you have another hour or so before you get your luggage and hail down a cab.

Flying yourself is the only way!

Next stop: Indianapolis to watch my Colts play

Wonderful Cross Country Flight

Well, I made the flight from Tulsa (Riverside - RVS) to Kansas City Downtown Wheeler Airport (MKC) last weekend (10/22-07). Flew up there for some of that Famousw Kansas City Barbecue and to gain some experience flying into a Class B airspace.

It was great. Great Weather, Good Aircrat (Cherokee 6 300).

I took off from my hometown airport (Oscar Three Eight) and took flight following from there to Riverside to pick up a friend. My friend flies a Lear 45 and a wealth of knowledge and an overall good person. ( I asked for his assistance to help me make it into Class B and to make sure I wouldn't screw up.) We took on some fuel and talked to ground, got flight following to MKC and took off. Good weather, no bumps, no clouds (on the way up there), and practiced some IFR training by following the VOR needle.

Talked to Kansas City Center, Kansas City approach and received PERMISSION to fly into Class B airspace. I thought that was neat......fly into Class B airspace. It was something neat to hear Kansas City Departure to say "Cleared to enter Class B airspace." I was tickled pink.

This was a wonderful event in my flying experience. For small town pilots, it's a tremendous achievement to fly into Class B.

Had a great flight back into the Tulsa area. Another thing that was awesome was being told by Tulsa Approach to "Reduce Airspace by 20." Flying in a 300 horsepower airplane is awesome. Since my Cherokee 180 is in the middle of a panel upgrade, I have access to this PA-32-300 as long as I pay for fuel (12.5 GPH). I guess I was flying at around 135 knots IAS, but with the wind at my tail my ground speed was nearly 150 mph.

I abidided with the request and made my approach back into Riverside (RVS).

Well, my next trip is into Dallas, Tx. I'll be flying into Dallas Executive (Red Bird) to attend the Red River Shoot Out - OU vs. UT.
Go Sooners!!