You and a group of friends are visiting Inyokern KIYK, near Death Valley, and decide to fly up to Stove Pipe Wells L09, in the Death Valley National Park. Sounds easy? NO. Both Airfields are HOT and/or HIGH, reducing A/C performance. You will need to heed the help included below.

You are the pilot for the trip. All personnel are 77Kgs, including hand and flight baggage. There is NO FUEL available at Stove Pipe Wells, but they have a museum and excellent restaurant. You do not have a Night, IFR or Twin rating. So a stop is really obligatory.

You may fly the exercise at anytime from the 5th to the 25th of June. Make sure to fill all your passenger seats.

The Chart available here shows 7 possible routes through the mountains, with highest points indicated - or you can choose your own. DO NOT enter the combat training areas. Area R2506 is inactive for the period of the event. Shortest route 163+nm. From L09 you may need multiple circles, climbing to height.

You may use any SINGLE engine aircraft (including helicopters) classified as GA (within the EASA "light" category), see club rules for details. ALL A/C MUST CARRY their FULL COMPLIMENT OF PASSENGERS.

Before starting, check the weather. Pilots may set 'No Weather' so that it is easier to fly. [CAVOK]. However, the weather is usually clear (or misty), but with unpredictable winds - a worthy challenge.

Remember to ANC (Aviate, Navigate, Communicate.) This event should be fun for all, both pilots and controllers. Bear in mind that other (non CIX VFR CLUB) traffic may also use the same airspace/airfields but everyone has equal priority (VFR). Should your enjoyment become impaired due to "unsportsmanlike" ATC, let someone know so that senior club members can pass on your concerns. Similarly, If you get something wrong, such as entering controlled airspace without authority, learn from the experience and follow instructions - even if requested to 'Disconnect'. However, if you have a problem, ask ATC for help, a lot easier that flying on regardless causing "confusion and mayhem"! And don't forget your first call for help is other club members, that is how we all learnt to do it.

Unknown at this time. Both Airfields are UNICOM. But ATC may become active.

Take care not to let our Teamspeak chat cut across ATC. Stop any conversation immediately the R/T comes alive, then continue if "he wasn't talking to us". This is difficult because when transmitting on Teamspeak you can't hear the R/T. So be brief on Teamspeak, and be aware that ATC might be trying to get through. If anyone hears an R/T message which seems to be being ignored, just say "ATC is calling G-CIXN" if you have identified the callsign, or "ATC is calling us" which is a cue for everyone to be quiet on Teamspeak until ATC call again (which they will). Remember too that if asked to "Stand By" by ATC, you do not reply - not even "Roger", but simply wait until you are called again.

You will receive a full Star for completing the event.

A Chart of the exercise area, a basic PlanG route plan are available here in Forum Star Events, June.

Event Idea: Dan Cooper.
Event planning: Dan Cooper and Neville Munro
Briefing: Dan Cooper and Neville Munro