It's been said by several students visiting the Los Angeles area, that Catalina looks like a knock off of the Caribbean. Maybe the Caribbean is knocking off Catalina, but who's counting? Owned by the Wrigley's, the island was used as a training camp for the Cubs between 1921-1951. Catalina's "Airport in the sky" was completed in 1946. In 1975 Wrigley dedicated 88% of the island to the Catalina Island Conservancy, which it remains today as. The island is full of wild life including the popular buffalo's which roam the island freely.
The flight itself is great, a short 15 minute hop from Torrance, over open water with land in sight the entire route of flight. Depending on how high you fly, and your glide ratio, you can easily ignore the 91.205 requirement of keeping floatation devices aboard. The airport itself is quaint, nestled atop a ridge line, with an uncontrolled 3000'' paved runway with an entertaining yet tricky apex 3/4's of the way down the runway, if your landing 22. There's a guy in the tower, used to be an older guy who seen a few pilots in his day who would give anyone a hard time who called out the wrong runway, who helps with unicom procedures. I preferred the old guy giving everyone a hard time though, reminds me of my grandfather. There's a landing fee of $25 which goes to the conservancy and I'm always more than happy to pay.
The winds usually favor Runway 22, which dictates us using right traffic. Departing from Torrance, I usually suggest flying straight to Two Harbors. You can't miss it in flight as it's biggest valley on the horizon flying due west out over open water. From there you can easily join a 45 into the downwind and it allows time for you to sort out, what's usually, a free for all of aircraft joining the pattern form all over the place. Besides, Two Harbors is beautiful.
When joining the traffic pattern, ensure your at 2600'' when you join and prepare yourselves to "fly the numbers". The runway is perched atop the ridge with drop offs at each end. There's no strong visual cue of a glide slope, so fly what you know at your local airport as far as power settings and airspeed's in the pattern. The only exception I recommend is extending your final a bit to ensure that your lined up properly with the desired approach speeds and configuration.
Depending on what your flying, keep in mind, it's a 3000' runway. Should be plenty. I see guys all the time aim straight for the numbers, which in my opinion, can put you smack dab in the cliff the runway sits on with unfavorable wind conditions. Don't "sell yourself short". Also, keep in mind, and read your AF/D for goodness sake, there's a giant apex in the runway! Try not to let it freak you out. I'll guarantee your almost certainly making a go around the first time you eyeball the thing in ground effect, I did at 200 hours, but there's still runway left. Aim to touch down the first third of the runway, the runway's uphill, so you should have plenty of breaking power. If you feel the need, bring up the flaps after assured touch down like a short field landing to ensure max breaking power. You'll be fine. And one last bit of advice, although they've recently redone the runway it's a bumpy roller coaster as ever. Keep back pressure on the controls until your clear of the runway, might save you a flat nose tire.
Los Angeles, Southern California in general, is full of fascinating destinations. Explore freely and smartly, your logbooks certain to contain that many more memories...as long as you keep it updated!
For more information on flying Los Angeles, Southern California, or Cirrus, check out www.calaironline.com. We're glad to help!
