I invited myself last week to join a pilot schoolmate of mine who was intending to fly to Laoag. I offered him that we will split the cost to make the trip a lot more comfortable for our wallets. Jonky, son of former PAL pilot now a helicopter pilot, chose to fly the leg to the province of cigars and garlic. When I was a kid my dad brought me along to Vigan by land. Boy it was a long ride and swore to myself that one day I'll visit Region 1 on board an aircraft. Sometimes, you have to be carefull of what you wish for......
Laoag, 463 KM from Manila, 2 hours and a half on a Cessna 152 from Clark (one way), is a favorite destination of CPL students in Omni. One will find it easy to navigate to the home town of the Ilocanos. From Pangasinan, just go North and follow the scenic and breathe taking view of the shoreline.We departed half past the hour of eight, as usual during this time of the year, and the usual 
summer haze blanketed the entire North Luzon. The trip would require our soda can to refuel at San Fernando on both legs. Every Omni student knows how to go to San Fernando by heart as if it was second nature. Despite the route being routine to me, up to this very day I still enjoy the view of Lingayen Gulf and the view of father's province. My old man was born in Baguio and spent his younger years in Pangasinan. Upon landing we were greeted by our own refueling crew and advised them to top the tanks while we took a few minutes rest.
summer haze blanketed the entire North Luzon. The trip would require our soda can to refuel at San Fernando on both legs. Every Omni student knows how to go to San Fernando by heart as if it was second nature. Despite the route being routine to me, up to this very day I still enjoy the view of Lingayen Gulf and the view of father's province. My old man was born in Baguio and spent his younger years in Pangasinan. Upon landing we were greeted by our own refueling crew and advised them to top the tanks while we took a few minutes rest.
As you well know it is now the start of the Senatorial campaign season here in the Philippines. We heard Chavit Singson's LET 410 over flew San Fernando proceeding to Lingayen. Then a few minutes, Archie Po's R44 landed in San Fernando to refuel and probably ferrying another politician. If anyone of the running politicians wishes to build a runway in Banawe, I'll vote for him!
When we were doing our pre-flight for the trip to Laoag, a Cessna 182 landed. It was a familiar 182, based at Air Ads Hangar. At first I thought it was Capt. Joy Roa. The 182’s friendly pilot, David, approached us and introduced himself as an Omni student before. After a few minutes of introduction, he asked me if he can make it back to Omni and have his plane fixed. His ammeter was indicating a discharge. I told him that if I were on his shoes, I'd call it a day. He didn't want to get stuck in San Fernando and drive all the way to and from Manila to get another battery. Hmmmm....... what would you do guys?
We departed half past the hour of ten on a tailwind, yes it was a 4KT tailwind. San Fernando has a huge runway more than enough to get us airborne half-way the runway even with a tailwind. Climbing to our cruising altitude, the view of Northen Luzon's coastline is amazing! The Philippines has a lot of spectacular views to offer. Pitty to the IFR pilots who fly in and out of clouds at high altitudes.
After half an hour, we checked in at Vigan's tower. The friendly tower allowed us to pass thru his airspace without any delays. How I wish we could have landed at Vigan and grab a few empanadas and bagnet for lunch. My hunger was somehow alleviated by the beauty of the scenery passing by. One of the best parts of being a pilot is that your view changes by the minute.
In no time, Paoay was insight. Did the late dictator, Ferdinand Marcos, meant that he wanted to be exiled at Paoay? Unfortunately Reagan heard it as Hawaii. Paoay, Ilocos Norte is also famous for the Paoay Church. Completed in 1894 out of coral blocks and stucco-plastered bricks and resembles a Gothic, Baroque and Oriental architecture. From 3000' above, you can identify that the structure is huge. I do hope that one day I'll be able to visit this UNESCO World Heritage site.
From the town of Paoay, at 3000', you can see the Paoay Lake and the long runway of Laoag International Airport. Malacanang of the North, official residence of then President Marcos, is located near the said lake. Of course, after passing by the Paoay Lake, descending for final approach, you'll see Fort Ilocandia to your left.
Tourists often flock to Fort Ilocandia's serene and relaxing environment. Sprawling 77 hectares on top of the gentle sand dunes, it offers whopping 9KM of fine sand beach. How I wish that someday I can afford to sleep on this hotel.....
We landed on runway 01, and parked at the south ramp. We headed off to the nearest canteen and had a sumptous Ilocos style fried pig. After having lunch and a quick rest, Jonky handed me the keys of 1051.
Filed my flight plan, preflighted the plane, and in no time we were airborne, joining left downwind for a departure. Cebu Pacific's Airbus was requesting a Vissual approach for 01. The controller didn't give them permission and was asked to overfly the VOR first. I do remember that the airbus capt asked us to turn on our transponder, and kept asking for our position. Somehow I got confused and gave him a reading of radial 260 instead of 210. After the airbus landed, the controller asked me if I wanted to climb after all my initial flight plan was 6500' and just stayed at 2500' to give way for the airbus.
The route on the way back was very nice. Had a quick refueling stop at San Fernando, Carlo was inbound RPUS when we departed back for Omni. For the first time in the last couple of months, I was given a straight in final for runway 20. A nice treat to end a very long flight.
In no time, Paoay was insight. Did the late dictator, Ferdinand Marcos, meant that he wanted to be exiled at Paoay? Unfortunately Reagan heard it as Hawaii. Paoay, Ilocos Norte is also famous for the Paoay Church. Completed in 1894 out of coral blocks and stucco-plastered bricks and resembles a Gothic, Baroque and Oriental architecture. From 3000' above, you can identify that the structure is huge. I do hope that one day I'll be able to visit this UNESCO World Heritage site.
From the town of Paoay, at 3000', you can see the Paoay Lake and the long runway of Laoag International Airport. Malacanang of the North, official residence of then President Marcos, is located near the said lake. Of course, after passing by the Paoay Lake, descending for final approach, you'll see Fort Ilocandia to your left.
Tourists often flock to Fort Ilocandia's serene and relaxing environment. Sprawling 77 hectares on top of the gentle sand dunes, it offers whopping 9KM of fine sand beach. How I wish that someday I can afford to sleep on this hotel.....
We landed on runway 01, and parked at the south ramp. We headed off to the nearest canteen and had a sumptous Ilocos style fried pig. After having lunch and a quick rest, Jonky handed me the keys of 1051.
Filed my flight plan, preflighted the plane, and in no time we were airborne, joining left downwind for a departure. Cebu Pacific's Airbus was requesting a Vissual approach for 01. The controller didn't give them permission and was asked to overfly the VOR first. I do remember that the airbus capt asked us to turn on our transponder, and kept asking for our position. Somehow I got confused and gave him a reading of radial 260 instead of 210. After the airbus landed, the controller asked me if I wanted to climb after all my initial flight plan was 6500' and just stayed at 2500' to give way for the airbus.
The route on the way back was very nice. Had a quick refueling stop at San Fernando, Carlo was inbound RPUS when we departed back for Omni. For the first time in the last couple of months, I was given a straight in final for runway 20. A nice treat to end a very long flight.
No comments:
Post a Comment