IFR Flights of 13MIKE
by Fred J. Calfior and Douglas W. Miller
WEATHER BRIEF |
You:
"San Diego! It looks like another gorgeous southern California day to fly in your neck of the woods! Have you ever heard of a book called Flights of ‘13MIKE’?"
San Diego FSS:
"Yeah! Everybody out here has been talking about it as the greatest procedural tool for flight training that has come out since the American Revolution! Why do you ask?"
You:
"Well, I'm interested in obtaining a weather brief for an IFR cross country. Tail number is November 9413MIKE, a Cessna 182 RG. I'd like to depart Oceanside Municipal at zero four three zero Zulu, one hour from now. Cruising at six thousand feet and going north to Van Nuys Airport. Time enroute will be one hour, and I'm a commercial pilot, instrument rated."
San Diego FSS:
"WOW! What a coincidence! Your tail number is just like the book's! That's pretty terrific! That's really something that you're also a Cessna 182 RG!"
You:
"Yes! And not only that, but this is the very same 13MIKE that all of California is talking about! And you are going to be in the second book, which is part of what this flight is all about! Congratulations!"
San Diego FSS:
"Gee, wait till I tell my husband! I'm honored to hear from you! As far as I'm concerned, you take the place of Superman, who kept on busting regulations whenever he flew! Never respected Victor airways, didn't bother to get any takeoff clearances, and certainly kept passing up his preflight checklists! 13MIKE is my hero now!
Okay, I better get serious now!
There is a flight precaution in southern California for widely scattered thunderstorms.
There is a low pressure center over southern California with a cold front extending north from San Diego.
Currently at Oceanside, measured ceiling one thousand one hundred overcast, five thousand overcast, visibility four in light rain showers, temperature five six, wind one one zero at one zero, with rain having begun two five minutes past the hour. Altimeter two niner niner niner.
Enroute ceilings are generally one thousand five hundred broken with scattered thunderstorms.
Van Nuys is reporting estimated ceiling three hundred overcast, visibility one and a half miles in haze, temperature five zero, wind one four zero at one two, and altimeter two niner niner eight.
No PIREPs.
Oceanside is forecast ceiling one thousand overcast, visibility three, wind one zero zero at one zero.
Enroute, ceiling is forecast generally two thousand five hundred overcast.
Van Nuy's terminal forecast beginning zero five zero zero Zulu is ceiling five hundred overcast, visibility two, wind one three zero at one five.
At six thousand, winds aloft one four zero at two four.
There are no local or distant NOTAMs.
Now this is interesting! An FDC NOT AM is in effect from two three zero zero to zero seven zero zero this week. Temporary flight restrictions are in effect due to a tethered balloon operation on both VFR and IFR weather in the airspace at and below five thousand feet MSL, one nautical mile radius of Paradise VORTAC (PDZ) two niner zero degree radial at twenty seven nautical miles.
Now make sure you make me sound real good in your book, okay?!"
FILING THE FLIGHT PLAN -
You:
"Don't worry! You've charmed me by your mannerisms already! If you're ready, I can go ahead and give you my flight plan for this trip. Thank you for the spectacular weather brief - it's as complete a picture as I'll ever need."
San Diego FSS:
"You're more than welcome! I'm alive with happy fingers!"
You:
"IFR, November 9413MIKE, Cessna 182 RG - slash A, one forty true, Departure - Oceanside Municipal, zero four three zero Zulu, six thousand feet, Route - direct OCN VORTAC, Victor 23 LAX, direct to VNY Destination. ETE is one plus zero five. Fuel on board is five plus five zero. Alternate - Oxnard. [YOUR NAME -CONTACT PHONE NUMBER - HOME BASE], request an ILS approach runway one six Right for practice and landing. Two on board, Red over white."
San Diego FSS:
"Let me get on the line with Los Angeles Center and if you hang on, I'll get you a clearance."
You:
"I'll be right here!"
San Diego FSS:
"All right! I have your clearance. Are you ready to copy?"
You:
"I'm set! Go ahead."
San Diego:
"ATC clears Cessna 9413MIKE to Seal Beach VOR. Expect further clearance zero five one five Zulu. Maintain six thousand. San Diego Departure frequency will be one two seven point three, squawk four three three three. Clearance Void Time will be zero four four five. Time now zero three three zero."
You:
"Cessna 9413MIKE is cleared to Seal Beach VOR. EFC zero five one five Zulu. Maintain six thousand. Departure one two seven point three, squawk four three three three. Void zero four four five."
San Diego FSS:
"Readback correct! Have a safe one, and keep writing your 13MIKE books!"
You:
"You're a swell fan! I'll send you a free copy of the newest upcoming release! Thank you!"
Table of Contents
Previous Section: Flight Scenario Six: Oceanside to Van Nuys
Next Section: Flight Scenario Six: Setup