Important - This video is for entertainment only. It is not intended for instruction and should not be used for any training purpose.
In February, I was planning on getting out for some practice instrument approaches and saw an online discussion about conducting instrument approaches at a local Air Force base. McChord Base (KTCM) is just south of Seattle and I’ve flown past it hundreds of times. However, I’d never thought about attempting an approach there. This discussion indicated that the controllers at KTCM welcomed general aviation traffic as an opportunity for the controllers to get more experience.
As I was planning my approaches, I called up the KTCM tower number listed in the FAA Chart Supplement. They seemed a little surprised to get my call but were friendly and told me that yes I could do approaches with them. Rather than filing direct to KTCM, I decided to file to Olympia Airport (KOLM) with the plan of asking Seattle Approach for the nearby KTCM approach. As you’ll see, this worked out fine but I expect it would have been ok to just file to KTCM.
Note that since these approaches were conducted in VFR conditions and I was not under a hood, they are not “loggable” for instrument currency. I still find them to be great practice!
I set up one of the GoPro cameras on the underside of the tail. I love the views you get from this. However, it’s a hassle to manage as there is no way to turn the camera on and off or charge the batteries of course. The GoPro batteries only run for about 1:15 - 1:30hr. That is ok for a relatively short flight like this but not practical for longer cross-countries.
In these videos, my main goal is to share what it’s like to fly these IFR flights in a Twin Diamond. I hope you enjoy the video. Please LIKE, SHARE and SUBSCRIBE if you do!
01:55 Engine start
03:31 Pick up IFR clearance
07:36 Take off from KRNT
09:47 Fly over SeaTac Airport
15:15 Friendly negotiation with ATC to get a better intercept angle
16:15 Intercept ILS localizer at KOLM
18:46 Go Around at KOLM
22:39 Intercept ILS localizer at McChord
25:25 Go Around at McChord - Good views of several C17 Globemasters on the ramp
26:48 Testing the TKS Deicing system
27:15 Chat about getting my AGI and working on my MEI Initial
30:12 Flying the RAV 16 Z back at KRNT
32:15 Landing at KRNT
2018 Diamond DA42 VI with G1000 NXi (Phase II) avionics. Certified for Flight into Known Icing (FIKI). Also flying with Garmin Pilot on an iPad Mini. Three GoPro Hero 9 and one GoPro Hero 11 with RAM mounts in the cabin.
23 авг 2024
