Back to Main 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

2021

Despite a few coronavirus surges, 2021 was back to a mostly normal flying year. In addition to the usual local-area flying, I was able to take some longer overnight trips.

Stats include:

158.04 tach hours, 164.2 logbook hours

17565nm flown

1461.45 gallons of AvGas used, so 12.0 nmpg, 8.9 gph

137 flight segments (engine starts) on 71 days, 159 landings, 21 instrument approaches

6 Vandenberg launch photo missions

Northernmost stop: Friday Harbor WA (KFHR); Westernmost: Little River CA (KLLR); Easternmost: Canyonlands UT (KCNY); Southernmost: Brown Field (KSDM)

Click image for larger view

Offshore Point Conception, CA, April 2021 A Delta IV Heavy launches the NROL-82 payload from Vandenberg Air Force Base SLC-6.

KKLS Kelso, WA, June 2021 A fuel stop enroute to Friday Harbor, where Cleo found some of her bigger Grumman relatives.

KFHR Friday Harbor, WA, June 2021 Safely tied down at Friday Harbor after a very turbulent approach to landing. Winds were reported 220 at 12 gusting to 25 for a landing on Runway 16.

Over Seattle, WA, June 2021 I flew some friends around the Puget Sound and got a nice view of the Seattle skyline.

KRDM Redmond, OR, June 2021 I made it into an overnight stop at Redmond just ahead of a looming thunderstorm.

Over Dana Point, CA, July 2021 The Dawn Patrol RV Formation Team during a practice session over Dana Point.

KAVX Avalon, CA, August 2021 The Milky Way made a nice backdrop for a summer night campout at Catalina Airport.

KMMH Mammoth Lakes, CA, August 2021 Smoke from wildfires in the area made for a hazy approach to Runway 9 at Mammoth Lakes.

Over Lompoc, CA, September 2021 On its first test flight, Firefly Alpha got off the ground, but an engine failure shortly after launch meant it couldn't reach orbit. The flight was finally terminated about 2.5 minutes after launch. Later, some of the carbon fiber casing got blown back onshore and landed in the same area I had been orbiting over.
This photo earned a Space Editor's Choice in the Aviation Week photo contest.

KLLR Little River, CA, October 2021 The Hayward Air Rally held a single day event again this year, Hayward to Bakersfield and then back to Tracy. After the rally, I flew out to the Mendocino coast to do a little hiking.

Over Zion National Park, October 2021 I took a friend to visit Arches and Zion National Parks. On the way into Zion we flew over Angels Landing.

KUDD Bermuda Dunes, CA, December 2021 I dropped into Bermuda Dunes, traded a $15 landing fee for a free courtesy car, and used it to get the proverbial $100 burrito.

Back to Main 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Click image for larger view
Offshore Point Conception, CA, April 2021	A Delta IV Heavy launches the NROL-82 payload from Vandenberg Air Force Base SLC-6.
KKLS Kelso, WA, June 2021	A fuel stop enroute to Friday Harbor, where Cleo found some of her bigger Grumman relatives.
KFHR Friday Harbor, WA, June 2021	Safely tied down at Friday Harbor after a very turbulent approach to landing. Winds were reported 220 at 12 gusting to 25 for a landing on Runway 16.
Over Seattle, WA, June 2021	I flew some friends around the Puget Sound and got a nice view of the Seattle skyline.
KRDM Redmond, OR, June 2021	I made it into an overnight stop at Redmond just ahead of a looming thunderstorm.
Over Dana Point, CA, July 2021	The Dawn Patrol RV Formation Team during a practice session over Dana Point.
KAVX Avalon, CA, August 2021	The Milky Way made a nice backdrop for a summer night campout at Catalina Airport.
KMMH Mammoth Lakes, CA, August 2021	Smoke from wildfires in the area made for a hazy approach to Runway 9 at Mammoth Lakes.
Over Lompoc, CA, September 2021	On its first test flight, Firefly Alpha got off the ground, but an engine failure shortly after launch meant it couldn't reach orbit. The flight was finally terminated about 2.5 minutes after launch. Later, some of the carbon fiber casing got blown back onshore and landed in the same area I had been orbiting over. This photo earned a Space Editor's Choice in the Aviation Week photo contest.
KLLR Little River, CA, October 2021	The Hayward Air Rally held a single day event again this year, Hayward to Bakersfield and then back to Tracy. After the rally, I flew out to the Mendocino coast to do a little hiking.
Over Zion National Park, October 2021	I took a friend to visit Arches and Zion National Parks. On the way into Zion we flew over Angels Landing.
KUDD Bermuda Dunes, CA, December 2021	I dropped into Bermuda Dunes, traded a $15 landing fee for a free courtesy car, and used it to get the proverbial $100 burrito.