Bucket List Flight Complete!
Posted by SirSaif@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 30 comments
My CFII in 2021 told me about an airport in Northern California called Shelter Cove Airport on the Lost Coast. It always sounded so cool and ever since I saw pictures of it, it ended up being one of those airport I just had to fly to. However, being based in SoCal, it was always cost prohibitive in a rental and the airport has no weather so it was always a roll of the dice.
But the stars aligned and my buddy who owns an Archer was willing to take the day off fly up. The weather was pristine, not a cloud in the sky. Shelter Cove was the beautiful airport I’ve flown to and I’m glad I got to experience the trip up there. We flew back down the coast to San Luis Obisbo before cutting inland and returning to base. Cruising at 2500-3500, low and slow. I loved every minute.
I’m currently in the midst of navigating this tumultuous job market and I feel quite drained at times. I’m going to be moving to the East coast soon and so this was one of those bucket list flights I got to experience. There will be more challenges ahead after I move but I like to every now and then remind myself why I got into flying in the first place. I love the sense of exploration and doing it in a way many don’t get to experience.
Lately, it feels like I and many others are endlessly swimming against the tide. I highly recommend that if you are feeling beat, just take a breath and do something you love. Don’t give up.
blame_lagg@reddit
I'm the opposite - live in the Bay Area, been to Shelter Cove, but really want to go to Catalina.
nashtaters@reddit
Catalina is beautiful. One of the US’s gems for sure. It looks like it’s straight out of Italy. We’d fly over it all the time on our way to San Clemente Island when I was a V22 crew chief. Wouldn’t recommend San Clemente Island though. Not much to do and the food ain’t that great.
blame_lagg@reddit
Might get a free air show though.
nashtaters@reddit
True that. I don’t think people can go there though as I’m pretty sure it’s owned by the Navy
blame_lagg@reddit
thatsthejoke.jpg
nashtaters@reddit
Oh.. I didn’t know if you were aware it was a military owned or not
poisonandtheremedy@reddit
SoCal local, yeah AVX is awesome. I do look forward to bagging Shelter Cove. Nice one OP
KeelMyLandlord@reddit
Same. I live in SoCal and it too is on my list. Was from the Bay area, myself. HAF is a nice trip, too.
SirSaif@reddit (OP)
Catalina is great! The airport is on top of the island right in the middle of it so it’s not quite as scenic as Shelter Cove but still a welcomed respite from the noise of the city.
I wish I could have posted more photos, I had a really great shot of San Francisco and a lot of the coastline.
bottomfeeder52@reddit
have you checked out KLLR, or some of the others along the mendocino coast? what about KHAF?
SirSaif@reddit (OP)
We passed KHAF, and originally I had planned a flight there with a friend, we ended up diverting due to weather. And we actually stopped at KLLR just for gas but I would love to explore that area. My former student told me about that airport. NorCal airports look like a blast.
bottomfeeder52@reddit
they say KHAF is a great airport to fly into, you just can’t fly out in the same day 😂
FBoondoggle@reddit
I'm not familiar with "they" but I go in & out of there all the time. It does help to have an IR. Summer is often fogged in but the rest of the year it's often clear.
bottomfeeder52@reddit
it’s just tongue and cheek because the advection fog can roll in suddenly.
clear_prop@reddit
Shelter Cove (and some other North Coast airports without weather reporting) have webcams.
https://northcoastaviation.com/all_cams.htm
I need to get back to Shelter Cove, it's been a few years since I was there.
IGotRangod@reddit
Looks like half of those webcam links are broken, and the other half haven't updated since April...
FBoondoggle@reddit
There's one here that's live. https://innofthelostcoast.com/shelter-cove-live-webcams/
clear_prop@reddit
That's not very helpful.
It looks like most of the cams for the other airports are still working, so I'll leave the link.
SirSaif@reddit (OP)
I read about the webcams. I also met the guy who owns the bistro there. He told me to just call in and he can give me a Pirep. Hah!
OiaSimba@reddit
Love it! Will try and get there. Going to sim it in MSFS2024. Here was Monday for me: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/9q2wfxpsqr2d21adc7ug7/video-737_singular_display.MOV?rlkey=89kck4reh5w0m0kdf1hugusuj&st=yrrbaor2&dl=0
the_danimal@reddit
How did you know the weather would be clear?
FBoondoggle@reddit
There are webcams along the coast. You can at least check before you launch.
SirSaif@reddit (OP)
I didn’t. But in the last week there has been a warming trend. We departed at 8am knowing we would get there around noon and if the layer was gonna burn off, it would’ve been around then.
We had an alternate planned just in case but it ended up being the perfect day. Even the guy on the radio was like “you picked the perfect day to fly in!”
meeksdigital@reddit
The first and only time I’ve been to shelter cove was in December of 2016. Flew up there with my girlfriend to go camping, proposed to her on the beach that evening and flew home engaged! Been dying to get back up there to take her and our kiddo camping, it’s such awesome spot.
SirSaif@reddit (OP)
Definitely a proposal worthy place. I want to take my wife here before we move.
lurking-constantly@reddit
Best airport in NorCal!
SirSaif@reddit (OP)
Couldn’t agree more.
lurking-constantly@reddit
I used to go up there often but my last few tries have all been weather aborts. Looks like you got a great day for it!
SirSaif@reddit (OP)
I have like 24 other great photos, but I can only share 1. :(
rFlyingTower@reddit
This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:
My CFII in 2021 told me about an airport in Northern California called Shelter Cove Airport on the Lost Coast. It always sounded so cool and ever since I saw pictures of it, it ended up being one of those airport I just had to fly to. However, being based in SoCal, it was always cost prohibitive in a rental and the airport has no weather so it was always a roll of the dice.
But the stars aligned and my buddy who owns an Archer was willing to take the day off fly up. The weather was pristine, not a cloud in the sky. Shelter Cove was the beautiful airport I’ve flown to and I’m glad I got to experience the trip up there. We flew back down the coast to San Luis Obisbo before cutting inland and returning to base. Cruising at 2500-3500, low and slow. I loved every minute.
I’m currently in the midst of navigating this tumultuous job market and I feel quite drained at times. I’m going to be moving to the East coast soon and so this was one of those bucket list flights I got to experience. There will be more challenges ahead after I move but I like to every now and then remind myself why I got into flying in the first place. I love the sense of exploration and doing it in a way many don’t get to experience.
Lately, it feels like I and many others are endlessly swimming against the tide. I highly recommend that if you are feeling beat, just take a breath and do something you love. Don’t give up.
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