A critical eye would rate all of these one level less than I did.
Anyway, here's some non-copyright material to feed your imaginations
for describing "that" landing pad in your next adventure.
Last night, I went out and knocked some winter-accumulated rust (this is
Oregon) off my flying skills. Here is a brief list of a few places I
"visited" (that is, I landed, stopped, and (maybe) took off).
Stop one: Flying M Ranch
This is a small, "dude ranch" resort on the Yamhill River, in the Coast
Range. The airstrip is gravel, 6 m X 650 m, and nestled between the
river and the tree line at the bottom of a box canyon. No fuel or
repairs are available. No navigation aids exist.
I rate this one CLASS D in the TM scheme of things.
I made my skill rolls (with some serious sweat) on the crosswind
landing, and easily on the cross wind, short-field takeoff.
Stop two: Hillsboro (Offically Portland International/Hillsboro)
This is Oregon's second busiest airport. There are two paved runways,
one 50 m X 1900 m, one 50 m X 1400 m. It has a full-time control
tower, visual and radio navigation aids, runway and approach lighting.
Several different vendors offer fuel, services, and hauling.
I rate this one CLASS B in the TM scheme of things.
Skill rolls for this were trivial (just don't snake-eye the dice).
Stop three: Twin Oaks
This is a paved 15m X 875m strip near Hillsboro. The navaids for
Hillsboro can be used. Runway lights are available. There is no
tower or even full-time radio watch. It is a one way strip -- that is
you have to take off to the south, and land to the north. (My "home"
airport). Some service and fuel are available.
I rate this one CLASS C in the TM scheme.
Great landing, but minor panic, 'cause I carefully scheduled this to
happen after darkness fell.
Explanation:
I would rate Flying M Class E if it were grass, mud, or snow, or a
little shorter, or if there weren't a really neat restaurant there.
($100 hamburger anyone?)
I don't rate Hillsboro class A 'cause there is no RADAR coverage, no
mandatory altitude or radio coverage. I'd like to save the "A"
rating for the BIG 'ports like Heathrow, JFK, LAX, Tokyo, etc.
- - --
Mycologists Are Fun Guys // Richard Johnson
(Seen on a bumper sticker) // [email removed]
\X/ [email removed]