I flew into Catalina last summer in a buddy’s SR20. That was the final straw that convinced me to get my license. Going for my PPL check ride soon. Thanks for the inspiration and information, Ern! Love your videos.
I got my Instrument, Commercial & M/E ticket at a flight school called MartinAviation based in SNA. When you’re flying a Cherokee and a Duchess, that main runway looked huge and long. If I remember right, there was also a noise abatement procedure for GA airplanes but it did not involve cut backs.
I laugh as well about flying in and out of SNA. The noise abatement ruling is there for the OC community all around that nice airport. For the many times it is a cool power up and hold brakes and then rocket out of the airport. And I still like seeing beautiful corporate jets and King Air aircraft parked there as we roll down that runway.
My home is sandwich by LAX final and LGB departures 😂 LGB is the perfect airport for us Southern California sun devils to get to school and back during holiday breaks.
I live 10 minutes away from John Wayne! Always love seeing you fly into my city in your videos, its definitely a fun little airport to fly into and out of
LGB is my home town. Born and raised there. I worked for the City of Long Beach for 31 years and my job had me assigned to work the airport a few times. I've only been to Catalina a few times and only once to Avalon. Other times were at a camp ground or on a boat cruising around the island.
Thanks for another great upload Ernie. Really appreciate the longer than usual flight deck footage. I hope crew scheduling books you guys in a Four Seasons soon! Y'all deserve it. Have a great week.
Thanks for another great video I'm flying southwest I'm a loyal customer since 2010 I'm flying to Reno Tahoe in August a four legged trip from Portland maine
So humble, I'd fly with pilots like you any day of the week (Monday included). Working towards my ratings now, hope to get back working with SWA in the future (former Ramp Agent out of ALB)
Im still watching your videos✈️ Been so busy working and FLYING, I have 63 hours so far 👩🏻✈️ barely had a chance to comment Keep it coming Big ERN👏🏼👏🏼😄 Seee you in the Airlines ASAP
Been to Catalina island about a dozen times getting there by sail boat, the public boats and flying both a 172 and Cherokee there. The city of Avalon is a great place to stay, walk around, eat, drink and relax. There is a small settlement at the isthmus where there’s a bed and breakfast where sister stayed at and enjoyed. It is a beautiful island.
Ern, your videos are great. It’s clear that you greatly enjoy your craft and are a true professional. Thank you for being so authentic. It makes the world a better place.
I am amazed that SNA have not extended their runway as there is plenty of space at both ends. Starter extensions of 1000ft would be possible without moving the thresholds.
We’ve been to Avalon several times on cruises (we were there two weeks ago), and we’ve taken Catalina Express from Long Beach a couple of times and spent a few days there.
Hey Big Ern, I'm a subscriber and a ramp agent at LGB (mornings). I'll say hello next time if I see ya out there. Maybe I'll get to be your pushback driver. Thanks for all the cool videos. I watch them all.
I enjoy these so much! I am not a pilot, far from it, but I do get anxious flying, but after watching these I’ll be much more calm. As far as prepped meals go, we use Sakara and it’s fantastic. A bit pricey but fresh and delicious.
I delivered in Phoenix week before last right down the road from the airport. Saw a bunch of Southwest planes and was wondering if you were on one of them. Love the content!!
I have been to Catalina many times, as well as Avalon. It is a fun approach and the town/island is just something you really should experience if you get the chance. If you like to fish or any swimming, the bay is perfect for this. The water is clear and there is an abundance of underwater life in the area. Really something you should take the time to do.
In the 1960's Visited Santa Catalina via the ferry from Long Beach.....Avalon was a favored day out place where Stars often relaxed...Wasn't disappointed as I met one of the Stars of the wildly popular "MY Three Sons" on what seemed be an ocean crossing! Lol. 26 miles
Lived in LA most of my life, now in Sedona.Used to fly to Catalina during the summer to play golf.Yeah golf. Everyone was at the beach not at the golf course.You could play all day if ya' wanted to.Short flight from KSMO,but if you took the sail boat from MDR it was 7 or 8 hours.Only took the boat when staying longer.Avalon's cool. You'd love it, but book way in advance.Load up the green hornet and fly over for a weekend.
Just came across your videos, excellent work. Growing up in Southern California in the boating community, we used to take the Grumman goose from San Pedro to Avalon, wow what a ride with the water take offs and landings and the sound and power coming from those two engines was something else. Keep up the good work, I am now a subscriber.
Just found your channel! Great video! I am currently in law enforcement (for another 7 years) and plan to enroll in ATP flight school when I retire..... I will be 42 at that time. Can't wait to start a career in the airlines!
Off the topic, but I saw a report on a marriage ceremony that was performed on an SWA flight to Las Vegas. Looked pretty good with the crew and passengers in the mood to participate.
Hey BigErn - great to see you back in the flight deck. I live in the South Bay and see a lot of SWA (and my beautiful Hawaiian 321Neos :)) fly over ahead on those northwesterly departures off LGB. As for Catalina - have flown there quite a few times , mostly in a Seneca I - on a busy Saturday that approach certainly does put hair on your chest ..lol - Safe contrails - Kam
Just came back from Maui (OGG). My daughter owns a meal prep business on Maui, but it is a local service. She has different meals weekly and delivers the meals as well. I hope you find a good new service. Happy flying and safe travels.
Hey Ern: been to Catalina Island Long Beach airports small we went on our cruise to Catalina & Ensanada loved it it you want to go on a cruise do that one. You will love it. In Ensanada get the fish tacos in town good and cheap. Greg
Big Ern, the fact that you keep yourself honest when reviewing your landing in this video is evidence of your humility and great character; you sir, are a true aviator!!! Fantastic video as always and I was wondering if the MAX is equipped with a flare assistant type feature like the one on the B 747-8?
Hi Ern, I never really get a chance to fly planes in real life too much as my family doesn't go on vacation much (at least by plane 😂) I think in total I have only been on 5 flights but for two trips. One was to Florida the other down to Houston. However I did find a passion for flight simming about a year ago and it's been a blast. About 6 months ago maybe, I got the hang of flying on the live ATC networks and it made it so much more enjoyable. 737 isn't in the sim yet but hopefully this weekend there is an extremely well known and amazing developer team named PMDG and they are providing us with a series of 737s. Been flying the 320s and CRJs since they are the only good study level planes up until now. Extremely excited for the 737 though and it will be as close to the real thing you can get. (P.S. first flight may be with Southwest 😜). I've flown the 747s before but a solid 737 will be amazing.
G,day Big Ernie from Sydney Australia. Love seeing the avionics units in the panel and FMS for waypoint coordinates; Also astounding, is the amount of ground service vehicles and machines around the terminal. Don't forget to continue with the hotel interiors, I get inspiration from lighting and creative styles in the background. Back to the green hornet soon? Private questionnaire: do you miss flying in the guard (air force) or is sales for Southwest "just what the doctor order." Keep on smiling sir, I think its contagious. 🌏🇦🇺
This was super informative Ern thanks for sharing. So when you climb out of Orange County when you do that throttle cut at 600ft you said you pull the throttles back nice and easy instead of just cutting the power so I assume thats not an autothrottle thing? You guys have the throttles in hand? This was really cool Ern really enjoyed it. The Max is a wonderful ride to Hawaii. Flew it there out of San with you all..Me and 53 other very happy customers!
