Bravo Zulu Aviation

With some anxiety I keyed the mic just as the sun was rising over southern NY:

“NY Approach, N73450″

” N73450, go ahead”

“NY Approach N73450 is a Cessna 172, level 3000ft, over Dutchess Co, with Kennedy information X-Ray, landing Kennedy”

I could only wait, and hope for the best. I had spoken with a number of commercial pilots about their experiences and advice about venturing into JFK, VFR, in a 172 nonetheless. I received responses across the board: ‘You’re crazy’, ‘I’ve been turned away with paying passengers’, ‘no problem’. I kept the ‘no problem’ in my head and listened.

“73450, squawk 0345″

“Roger, squawk 0345, 73450″

“73450, radar contact 5 miles south of Dutchess Co. airport, cleared to enter Class Bravo, direct Kennedy.”

I looked over at my co-pilot in disbelief: it worked! Easy as easy can be. We proceeded direct, were vectored onto a downwind for 31R and landed after a close-in base-final. The controller brought me a good ways down the runway before sending me into the confusing world of JFK ground. Taxi Diagram. Apparently not so, the ground controller cleared me all the way to the General Aviation Terminal via bravo to november to quebec. The friendly staff at the GAT was ready and waiting. I paid my $25 landing fee and they shuttled me off to the JetBlue terminal to pick up my waiting friend. We were taxiing again 25 minutes later, it could not have been any more convenient.

I contacted clearance delivery requesting direct to the Hudson River, VFR. He gave me at or below 1400′ to the Verenzano Bridge, departing runway 31L. I contacted ground and to my astonishment, I heard a familiar voice. He was in a much better mood on this morning. I was cleared in increments, but never had to hit the brakes before I received further instructions. I ended up number 9 for departure on the Zulu taxiway. I made sure to maintain my distance behind the line of jets ahead of me, more than once I thought I might take off in place with the jet blasts from ahead. It was really cool to hear instructions for the ‘big boys’ to follow the Cessna, and to see 10 or more stacked up behind me. The highlight of leaving JFK was two fold:

1. Wheels up before the numbers, and left turnout just after the 1000′ markers.

2. This comment from the controller:

“JetBlue #### cleared for takeoff runway 31L, caution, wake turbulence departing Cessna“

The Hudson River run was awesome, we made a 360 near ‘The Lady’, 700′ MSL gives a great view of Manhattan and the traffic stopped on the GW bridge. We were back on the ground at Dutchess 35 minutes later. Awesome!

So in closing, you can do a lot of things in a 172 with proper planning and a little gumption. I would definitely do it again, but 6AM is probably the best time.

Popularity: 100% [?]

Share This