As a continuation to my previous post, this flight was probably the toughest flight I have ever done. We were full fuel, with 3 SOB’s. Takeoff was a nightmare. I could not keep the computer aligned with the runway – a strong gusting wind kept pushing me off the center line. Oh well.. that was still the easiest part.
I climbed through 4000 for 9000 and started to get a climb performance of 100 ft/min at 65-70 knots. This was due to high density altitude and a head wind of 20 knots. At 8500, I could not keep altitude at 65 knots and told ATC that we will cancel IFR and navigate ourselves. We tried to stay over flat ground as much as possible and flew at whatever speed we could. I was literally doing 60-80 knots at 85% power at 8500. Turbulence was bad near DAGGAT. We diverted towards Palm Dale and then Palm Dale – HHR direct.
Over Palmdale, I picked up IFR again, since the LA Basin was IFR, and now my headwind changed to tailwind. I started to get 150 knots!!!! My top speed in a C-172.
Rest was a cake…..
