On Memorial day weekend we did two flights, one to Catalina Island (KAVX) and one to "romantic" Trona (L72).
Flying to Catalina is always special. Not so much because of the overwater part, or the challenge of the odd runway. but rather,the bus ride to town and the great seafood!
A brief stop a Fullerton (KFUL) to pick up PAX (Brother-in-law & Girlfriend) and a quick check of W&B, I figured that with he fuel burned off on the way there from Tehachapi that I was about two pounds under gross! The box of chocolates smuggled aboard were not counted.
Wheels up, frequency change to Los alamitos and we were "feet wet" in ten minuets. I climbed to 4500' and aimed for Two Harbors, which is a good entry point as it sets you up for a good 45 to downwind, and everyone knows where you are when you report in. At this point the "horror stories" about landing at AVX start coming out. Ok lets check it out...
Landing on 22 will be Right Traffic. this puts the visual field in the hard to see side, and once you pass the touchdown zone (numbers) pretty much all the visual ques go out the window. The field is aver 1400' MSL on a plateau, and there are no over-runs, just drop offs at each end. You turn base and final over the water. The trick is to (1) get the altimeter setting off the AWOS, and once you pass the numbers, descend to 800' above runway elevation, then turn base, and descent to 500' above the runway. Now then, ignore what you think you see, and set yourself up on the numbers, cross checking the PAPI (if its working that day) and make a NORMAL "soft field" approach and landing. Ignore the illusion of the runway suddenly appearing very short, stay off the brakes, cuz your gonna crest the rise and discover another 2500' in front of you.
Once you are down and parked, proceed to the flight office upstairs and pay your landing fine, (er,, landing "fee") which at present is $25.00. You can also get your tram tickets to Avalon, which are also $25.00 per person. OK, the trip is setting us back $75.00 plus fuel etc. Now you see why we don't fly there every weekend.
The tram to Avalon is well worth the price and the ride is just short of an "E-ticket" experiance. The "road" is onlyone bus wide, with switchbacks that make you think the buss will have to tie itself in a knot to make the turns. The view is great, and with luck you may see some of the Buffalo the Island is famous for. (Which by the way they serve truly fantastic Buffalo Burgurs at the airport resturaunt).
Avalon is definatly a tourist trap of a village, but the food is always great, the there is generalysomething going on inthe summer. Jusp plan on dropping more than a few dollars. sort of re-defines the "$100.00 hamburger", If you make it the seafood combo, its $250.00+
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