Langley to Penticton

Only clouds in the sky

Flew to Penticton late in the evening on the 1st of April.  We were off to meet family after work so it was a bit of a rush to get in the air.  While the conditions were perfect I'd still rather not cross the rough stuff in the dark.  So it was a direct line VFR flight from Langley to Penticton.  Full throttle climb to a cruising altitude of 9,500 feet.  Had to time that a bit while in the lower mainland so I didn't break into class C airspace but that just meant we were going a bit faster.

We passed over what I think was Silver Peak and it looked magnificent at 8,300 feet, with one small bubble of cloud right at the tip.  The low slanting light really brings out the terrain relief.  Every little detail jumps right out.



Sunset had happened down in the valley

Cruising over valleys swallowed up in darkness while we are bathed in bright sunshine is also exhilarating.  I wasn't pushing the engine but we were cruising at 150 knots true with a small tailwind.  45 minutes from wheels up in Langley to wheels down in Penticton.

There was a commercial training flight performing an RNAV approach with exactly the same arrival time as us.  We both called Penticton radio with a six minute arrival time.  I needed to drop a lot of altitude however so I announced a turn to the north toward Summerland and slipped in behind the other aircraft.  We did spot him in the gloom but it would have been easier if he had of had his lights on.

As soon as we dropped below the valley's rim the heat went on like a hair dryer.  It was an abrupt switch from comfortable to sweltering.  The Okanogan really stores that heat.

An easy straight in approach to a gentle landing and then tied down at the local COPA apron.  They were very friendly and helpful.  It was an excellent weekend.



Final approach at dusk