VFR PNW Leg Three

Leg Three:

I had to lay over for a day as the rental 172 I requested was held over due to yesterday's weather. So the next two legs are to be done today.

I feel more at home in the 172 as it is nothing "new" to me and I even have real life hours logged in the bird.

172N at 1S2


This trip is 1S2 (Darrington Municipal) to 2S1 (Vashon Island Municipal). A touch over 70nm. It's a bit hazy today but good flying weather with wind 219/02kts and no clouds. A chilly 13C as I was set to head out around noon local time using runway 28 straight out along the Stillaguamish River valley to the Puget Sound then heading south over the sound to Vashon Island.


Rolling along on runway 28 1S2



I have not and did not use the GPS as I wanted to test my VFR fling skills. I did tune a couple of ADF's (PWT and BVS) and the PAE and SEA VOR's to get bearings on where I was during the flight. The FAA VFR sectional comes in very handy too.

I followed the valley to Arlington Municipal (KAWO) and headed south west out over the sound. Pulling along side Paine Field and the Boeing factory.


Paine Field and The Boeing Factory


I stayed on the western shore of the sound in contact with Seattle approach and set the course at 270 on my NAV radio (tuned to SEA VOR) as 2S1 is on the 270 radial and hard to spot as it is a grass strip. The ride over the sound was a bit bumpy and made it hard to keep my attitude level.

I passed over the field at 2'500ft and started to head down wind towards the private grass strip called Wax Orchards a couple miles south of 2S1 before turning on my base leg for final on runway 35. Wind was reported at 310/09kts and clear and a chilly 16C. I got a nice view of Mt. Rainer in the haze as I was turning.

Turning base, Rainer in the distance


As I was on final I had a great view of the Seattle sky line and Vashon Island ahead of me. 2S1 blends in with the surroundings so it is tough to pick out and it also has many obstructions (like hydro lines) at the threshold of 35. Can you see the orange hazard ball in the shot below?


Short final 2S1



I greased the landing and man was it fun with the slight cross wind. 2S1 is a big strip for being grass and very wide (60ft). The Carenado 172N is a real pleasure to fly too. 51 minutes on the log.

Next up I'm taking the Piper Arrow IV south to Stark's Twin Oaks airport near Portland Oregon. With some scenic views of a few mountains along the way. I'll be using the GPS and auto pilot as the last leg of the trip is over 200nm.