Route 3

by Ron Jorgensen - MTN1652

This route can be flown with any Amphibian/Float aircraft you wish.  It is designed for flight at low altitudes.  Varying weather is suggested to change the difficulty of the flights.  Splash flights are VFR ONLY!  No autopilot either!!  If you want to fly high watching an autopilot, this division is not for you.

Departure Point - Lost Isle Seaplane Base (S74) formerly Q87

Arrival Point - Commodore Center Seaplane Base (22CA)

Approximate distance = 60NM

Map of the route on real sectional chart

This flight is a navigational challenge.  Time/Speed/Distance to get you where you need to be.  There are 5 checkpoints to get you from here to there.  Your assigned altitude for this flight is 500 ft MSL due to the SFO Class B airspace. 

Checkpoint 1 - Industrial Complex

Approximate Heading:  265 deg

Approximate Distance:  20NM

What to expect:  You will transition from a marshy delta to a major city in no time.  Beware of cranes and towers.  You are looking for a powerplant/factory on the banks of a river as your checkpoint.

Checkpoint 1	enroute	bridge enroute	industry enroute

Checkpoint 2 - Quality California Bridge

Approximate Heading:  250 deg

Approximate Distance:  12NM

What to expect:  Beware of some high terrain on your way to a lovely bridge that serves as your 2nd checkpoint. 

The bridge	Easy to spot bridge	Another view

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Checkpoint 3 - Another Quality California Bridge

Approximate Heading:  265 deg

Approximate Distance:  7NM

What to expect:  Another bridge, with a bit more vertical metal than the last one.  You can't miss it, or can you?

Checkpoint 3	Look, a bridge!	Pretty bridge

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Checkpoint 4 - A spit of land?

Approximate Heading:  220 deg

Approximate Distance:  6NM

What to expect:  Time to head out over water...look for a peninsula jutting out along your route, this is your checkpoint.

The land comes out of the fog	And a much nicer day	Beware of lightning

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Checkpoint 5 - Legendary Prison

Approximate Heading:  170 deg

Approximate Distance:  18NM

What to expect:  You are going to the big house!  The lockup!  Your next checkpoint is Alcatraz Island...stop and take the tour?

View of downtown SFO	Enroute to Alcatraz	The checkpoint

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Checkpoint 6 - The destination 22CA

Approximate Heading:  285 deg

Approximate Distance:  7NM

What to expect:  A hard right turn over the prison lines you up for the inlet to the Commodore Seaplane Base.  You know you got the right place when you see the bridge crossing ahead of you.  The seaplane base is before the bridge, but it is fun to go under and over the bridge!

Golden Gate view turning to checkpoint 6	View of final destination	Buzzing bridge	Touchdown!

How Tough Do You Want it to Be?

THE END

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last modified 3/1/08