Sundre

I jumped out of bed at 6:00 AM ready to take on the day. This was the day that I would finally leave the confines of 25nm from home base and head on my first cross country. As I darted downstairs to get the coffee on I realized that things might not turn out as expected. The weather did not look good out the window and after checking the weather from NavCan I was certain this would be canceled. Being the eager glass is half full (please please be half full) person I am, I headed off for the airport. I5 told me right off the bat that we would not be making the cross country today. The weather was reporting freezing fog and mist at Red Deer - hardly a safe scenario for flying. The weather was good in the vicinity of YBW (and improving) so we decided to head up highway 22 and work on diversions.

We followed our planned route to Lockend Lake and then it happened; I5 told me that the ceiling had come down and we would need to divert with a limited altitude (can't remember what it was). He suggested Sundre, Alberta. My workload went off the chart (as always the first time you do something) and I focused on flying a little rectangular pattern while I worked out the details. I remembered what was drummed into me - "Triple D, TAF G" which meant "Draw, Distance, Direction, Time, Altitude, Fuel, and Gyro". I planned to follow two highways that would be nearly a direct course. There was even a Gas Plant to help me verify I was on course.

Enroute I pulled out the CFS to review the information about Sundre. After reviewing it and jotting down the runways and frequencies I decided to cross midfield at 500' above circuit and check the windsock. I had a lot of trouble finding the actual airport. Why in the world was it so hard to find a chunk of pavement in the middle of endless trees and snow? It would of course have been easier if I5 hadn't "failed" the GPS but I suppose this is one of those things where you have to learn the hard way. After crossing midfield I descended on the upwind side and joined a left downwind midfield.

It wasn't until I turned final that I started realize there was something I had missed:

1) The CFS said "No Winter Maintenance"

2) I couldn't find the field because it fit in perfectly with the other 5,000,000 acres of snow, trees, more snow, and more trees with snow.

3) The runway was white during the cross over.

Yes - the runway was not plowed and in fact was complete packed snow and ice. No matter - I still managed a lovely touch and go. Our 10 second visit to Sundre was one I will never forget.

After getting back on the ground, I realized that this would have been an excellent photo opportunity. Here's an aerial shot of Sundre covered in snow (not taken by me) that I found on the internet.

Lesson learned: Read everything in the CFS. Take some time on the ground to review information about potential stops along the way in case you need to divert or make a pit stop. Make sure you are familiar with the CFS sections for each airport.