I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, flying to Catalina is always a treat. In just 20 minutes you feel like you have escaped LA and arrived in a far off place. Yes, you have escaped LA. No, it’s not a far-off place, but it does feel like it.
I need to make a list of people who have said they would like to go flying. My wife wasn’t available and while I enjoy flying solo it is nice to take someone along. More than once I’ve been talking to someone about flying and they say, “Next time give me a call, I’d love to go.” As a side note, if you would like to go fly send me a text or email and I’ll start keeping a list.
On Tuesday I sent my friend Paul a text, “What’s your Saturday schedule like? Planning to fly to Catalina for lunch.”
“I’m available all day” was his response.
He met me at my house Saturday morning and we drove down to the airport. He’s been in small planes before so I gave an abbreviated version of the small plane familiarization talk and went over the plan.
After pre-flight and putting on life jackets we climbed in and started up. Fullerton Ground set us up with flight following and we were soon on our way.
It was such a beautiful day that I was surprised there were only a few other planes arriving or departing the Catalina airport. We made a turn over Two Harbors and I made the wrong radio call.
Me: “Catalina Traffic, Mooney 1015Echo, 2,700 over two harbors, we’ll be entering a left downwind runway two-two, Catalina Traffic.”
Someone else on frequency keyed up their mic, “Mooney, it’s right traffic two-two.”
“Thanks, yes a right downwind,” I replied.
I knew I was going to be flying a right pattern but for some reason ‘left’ is what came out of my mouth. I hate when I make a mistake like that on the radios.
Illusions Landing at KAVX
There are a few visual illusions and tricks to landing at Catalina (KAVX) which makes it a more difficult airport. It sits on a plateau 1,602′ above the Pacific Ocean. As you pass the arrival end of the runway at pattern altitude you go from 1,000′ AGL (2,600′ MSL) out over the ocean and find yourself at 2,600′ AGL. That presents a different sight picture than what you are used to seeing as you turn from downwind to base and has caused some pilots to end up low when they turn final. The solution is to fly your standard numbers in the pattern and pay attention to your instruments.
The runway also has a hump in the middle of it which prevents you from seeing the far end as you are landing. This makes it appear that you have less runway than what is actually there.
Finally, there is a 1.7% upslope when landing on 22. That doesn’t sound like a steep slope, but if you don’t compensate for it when flaring for touchdown you will find yourself planting the plane on the runway more like a carrier landing than touching down.
It had been just over a year since the last time I landed at Catalina but I was happy with the landing and we taxied toward parking. As we approached where I thought we would park the guy that mans the check-in came on the radio.
“Mooney, that area is reserved for twins unless you can fit in the dirt on the end.”
That was a new one for me since the last time I was there, but they do charge them a higher fee so it is what it is. We taxied further along and shut down towards the east end of the ramp.
Airport Loop Trail
Lunch was great as always and then we headed out to hike the 2.3 mile Airport Loop Trail. It is a well maintained trail that circles the airport giving views of the ocean to the west, the channel to the east, the San Pedro Channel (also called the Catalina Channel) and Los Angeles and Orange Counties.
Backside of Catalina
It was a hot day and I was glad I had my hydration pack with 2 liters of water, I went through almost all of it. We stopped along the way to enjoy the views and took a break in the shade of some scrub oak just under final approach and watched some planes coming in to land.
After cooling down a little back up at the restaurant we climbed back in the plane, took off, and descended on the downwind leg to 1,000′ to begin a flight around the island. After leveling off I handed the controls off to my friend as he took us clockwise around the island.
Every time I fly along the backside of Catalina Island there are two thoughts that go through my mind. Why don’t I do this more often, and I can’t believe the amazing blue of the water. The water and cliffs are so incredible that during the spring when the island is green you would think you were flying along the coast of Hawaii.
Paul did a great job navigating the island before climbing us back up and leveling off for the flight back across the channel.
It was a beautiful day and a beautiful flight.
