Flightgear Aeroclub Northwest-Canyon Running (2/1/14)

[METAL]

Do you remember that scene in Star Wars when the rebels are having the briefing before attacking the Death Star, and Luke says something like: "I used to Bulls-eye Womp Rats in Beggar's Canyon back on Tatooine and they're not more than 6 meters."? Well I figure if a fictional character can do it, so can the FANW! We won't be flying T-16's or shooting Womp Rats, (well it is a National Park) but we will be running the mother of all canyons, the Grand Canyon! At around 17:00 UTC, we will depart KGCN to the north, then dive into the canyon and follow it west to Lake Mead, where hopefully there will be free honey wine for us when we land. Details and such:

Date: Saturday, February 1st
Time: 17:00 UTC
Start location: KGCN--Grand Canyon Natl. Park Airport
Destination: 1G4--Grand Canyon West
Recommended aircraft: Any general aviation plane or helicopter is welcome! Whatever you fly, it's not advised to go faster than 140kts (in the canyon) unless you like crashing.
Remarks: The destination airstrip is rather small, along with all the other ones in the area. In case of a lot of participation at this event, which would be nice, there are several overflow airstrips in the area. Airstrips: AZ01-Tassi, L25-Pearce Ferry, U30-Temple Bar. Helipads: AZ36, AZ35 (Grand Canyon West pads 1&2)

[METAL]

Howdy everyone! I was buzzing around KGCN today with someone going by the callsign "Sunday" but they didn't feel like talking After they left, I went down into the canyon to practice for Saturday. That's when I had an idea: let's add a little spice to this event and make it a time trial!

Here's how it will work: Pilots will depart KGCN and head north, following highway 180 over the town of Tusayan and Grand Canyon Village. Once in the canyon, pilots will turn west, start their stopwatches, then follow the Colorado River for the duration of the flight. Ranking will be based on best time through the canyon, and fewest crashes. For every crash, the pilot must make note of it on a tally sheet. At the end of the flight, pilots will detract five (5) minutes per crash from their time. To assure the same route for all participants, there is an altitude cap of 600 feet AGL and pilots must follow the river as if it were a road. Final times will be recorded by the participants, using the stopwatches. We will be on the honor system, so please no lying, fibbing, exaggerating, rounding up, or stretching the truth. Also, we use the MP map a lot for our flights, so if we see someone cutting cross-country to shorten their time, we'll sound the cheater alarm.

Awards:
Grand Prize--An all expenses paid Flightgear excursion to Puerto Rico! That's right folks, fabulous resorts, sandy beaches and all the pina coladas you can stomach! The winner will get the code for the airport that will launch their Flightgear vacation of a lifetime!
First Prize--A BRAND NEW PLANE!!! Indeed, the pilot who takes first gets a shiny, all new 2014 Cap10 C! Courtesy of the Flightgear Main Hangar!
Second Prize--Free fuel for a year! Yes, the pilot to take second place gets all their Flightgear fuel, regardless of type, free for one whole year!
Third Prize--Some cigarettes and sticks of gum. Matches included!

Participation in the time trials is optional, of course. See you Saturday!

[qtscho]

Just tried the route- I can confirm that it's doable at 250+ kts. Really, really hairy, but doable. I looked like this the entire way: I, for one, probably won't be going that fast on Saturday.

The scenery has really improved in the canyon since I was last down there.

Also, this wouldn't stop playing in my head while I was flying down the canyon:

Looking forward to it!

[someguy]

METAL, you're a hoot. Have you been watching "Wheel of Fortune" again?

The AT-29 Super Tucano might be the best tool for this job...but it's not GA, is it? Rats.

What about the Pilatus PC-21?

[qtscho]

I did it with the PC-9 last night. I'm tempted to try it with the PC-21 if I have a moment tonight.

[someguy]

So, does the timing stop on touchdown at 1G4, reaching Lake Mead, or what?

BTW, I've found a good ride...but I ain't telling what it is. You'll have to see on Saturday!

I think we should all line up and enter the canyon together. A real race.

[METAL]

So, does the timing stop on touchdown at 1G4, reaching Lake Mead, or what?

Good question! We'll stop the timers on touchdown at 1G4. Also, for those who want to we can all enter the canyon together and race traditional style. I set this up as a time trial to be friendly to any late comers, that way someone could show up an hour late, and still win the race!

And yes, Wheel of Fortune every weeknight! The prizes are jokes but it felt wrong not to include awards in a race.

[METAL]

BTW qtscho, nice call with Flight of the Valkyries! Every time I listen to it though I can't get the trivial fact out of my head that it was Hitler's favorite song.... It so happens I flew the canyon whilst listening to classical music too, then The Blue Danube came on and things started getting surreal.

[someguy]

Blue Danube?! At 360 knots, it's more like "Montezuma's Revenge," from Rick Wakeman's White Rock soundtrack:

Precious Metal is a GA plane, isn't it?

[qtscho]

A good time was had by all! After the race (winner: Someguy), someguy, Turbo, BIZX and I all switched to PC-21s and headed upstream past KGCN, through Horseshoe Bend to Page, UT.