December 7, 2006 – Oakland, California – Portland, Oregon
After more than one month of incredible adventures, meeting wonderful people and seeing marvelous sites we are set to head off on our last leg of this trip. Just over 500 miles to go and we will put Nang Fah “to bed” in Troutdale , Oregon as we head back to Bangkok for the winter.
Oakland, Ca. – Portland, Or.
Date
Departure Arpt.
Ident.
Arrival Arpt.
Ident.
Distance nm
Time ER.
Actual
Dec. 7
Oakland Metropolitan
OAK
Troutdale
TTD
524
2:34
35 – 40k. tail winds resulted in 210 to 220 ground speed
Although the North West has experienced several weeks of very bad weather, the forecast for our flight was perfect……clear sky's, no turbulence or icing at our levels and favourable tail winds all the way up the coast.
We departed Oakland Metropolitan a little later than planned. Traffic was heavy around SF International and Oakland Metropolitan and we had to wait our turn to squeeze into the que. A great view of San Francisco lay off to our left as we climbed, following controller's instructions, we headed westward towards the coast. The route given us very scenic. Pacific ocean on the left and mountains on the right.
Southern Oregon scenery…….
Just as forecast, the winds were in our favor. Stronger than forecast but coming from exactly the direction we wanted to get us up to Portland FAST. I'm sorry the picture below is not very clear but it shows another of the great features of the Garmin/satellite capabilities. Among many other weather features you can receive the “winds aloft” picture at whatever flight level you choose. For you pilots, if you look closely you will see the wind barbs on the screen at 9000 level, upper right hand corner shows a 40k tailwind and top row a 211 ground speed – this at about 65% power setting. (for you really observant pilots – don't worry about the red lined RPM indication. The Ovation 3 does not use the Garmin indicator but has an auxiliary gauge for RPM settings).
Weather data link on the Garmin……winds aloft at 9000’
The remainder of the trip was uneventful. Clear weather up to Portland and cleared for a visual approach into the Troutdale airport. On arrival the winds were 28 gusting to 35 but, thankfully, right down the only runway at Troutdale. Approaching at 75 indicated airspeed it felt like we were standing still. (the head on wind effectively reduces your actual speed over the ground) As we touched down the airplane felt like a helicopter – just hanging in the air waiting to meet the tarmac. Our ground role was SHORT having such little forward momentum to lose after landing. .
Normal two screen presentation on the Garmin 1000……
We taxied in to Troutdale Aircraft Services to meet Scott, Holly, Wes and the team. As we parked sideways to the wind, Lec could barely push the door open. When she felt the rush of COLD Oregon air she closed the door again in a hurry…….. Scott and his people will prepare Nang Fah for long term (4 month) storage and keep her “safe and comfortable”, in a heated hanger, over the winter.
Before we left we washed the airplane, organized the stuff to take home, repacked the airplane and sadly said goodbye to Nang Fah who had served us so well on this trip.
Update – December 2006 Part 2 
Weather data link on the Garmin……winds aloft at 9000’
