Flying to a uncontrolled airport

Once you get your wings, it opens up the world for you. Your travel will take you to different types of airports e.g. controlled, uncontrolled, military (maybe) etc.
In this post I would like to touch upon a plan, communication and any other important aspects around flying to an uncontrolled airport. For this I will take you for a VFR flight from my home airport of KRHV (Reid Hill view airport) to KCVH (Hollister). 


Step 1 - Prepare a flight plan

1. Get weather from adds.aviationweather.gov or any other aviation weather websites. Most important step for VFR flight. Links on my blog.
2. Pull your sectional chart and identify the start and destination and mark with pen. 
3. identify checkpoints preferably  every 10 nm. The checkpoints should be clearly visible from your altitude e.g. large warehouse, road intersection, water body etc. Identifying checkpoints close enough will help you correct your flight path sooner if you deviate. You can also use VOR, DME if you have the equipment.
4. Do time, distance & fuel calculation, based on the altitude you are flying. Altitude will be decided by the magnetic course if you plan to fly above 3000 ft e.g. 0-179 degree, odd + 500 ft MSL (3500,5500); 180-359, even + 500 ft MSL (4500, 6500). Refer FAR 91.159 . In this flight plan its 130 degrees and hence odd + 500 ft.
5. Do weight and balance and ensure you are within the CG limits of the aircraft you are using.
6. Identify in your flight plan, TOC (top of climb) & BOD (beginning of descent).
7. Once you have the flight plan ready, make a final call to get weather briefing and if required file VFR flight plan by calling FSS on  1-800-WXBRIEF. Important points to obtain are, route of flight, weather at destination, return flight weather etc. You should also obtain any flight restrictions like TFR, NOTAMS (runway closure) etc.
8. Check AFD for details of KCVH e.g. frequencies of ASOS/CTAF, runways available, runway length, runway lighting, fuel stations etc.
9. Usually in my flight plan I draw the runways and the my expected flight direction. This gives me the picture of how I will make an entry.
10. Now you are all set for the travel. Start your engines and contact ATC and take permission to take off. Bon Voyage

See this image below for some help.

credits - skyvector.com

Step 2: Enroute (assuming no flight following)

1. Communication is the key word. Giving your position reports regularly is very important in VFR flight. In the above plan, after taking off from RHV, you should tune   in to the next nearest airport e.g. South County and give position reports. 

• Position call 10 nm ahead
• Position call 5 nm ahead
• Position call abeam

1. Keep scanning for traffic. Use standard scanning techniques.
2. Get ASOS/ATIS/AWOS information of airports enroute if available.

Step 3: Descend and Land

1. Get ASOS/ATIS/AWOS information of destination airport if available atleast 10nm ahead. This will help you visualize the weather condition and if appropriate for VFR landing and also the winds will give you a clue of the runway to land.
2. Start descending based on your flight plan to the destination airport.
3. Descend till 1000 ft above traffic pattern when approx 1nm away e.g. if pattern altitude is 1500ft then descend to 2500ft. This is required so that you can identify the windsock and general direction of wind. Will help you to determine the runway to land
4. Once you have identified the runway to land (by checking the windsock or as advised by any other aircraft in the pattern), then you should plan to enter the traffic pattern. Remember you are at 1000ft above TPA. As per FAR you should use the 45 degree entry procedure. See image below.
5. Make 45 degree entry into the downwind leg after descending to TPA. You should give position report for 45 degree entry, downwind, base, final and after clearing the active runway.
6. Voila you have successfully made it to the airport. 
7. Now taxi to the terminal, fuel up, freshen up, and prepare your flight plan for the return.
8. Don't forget to close flight plan if you have opened any with FSS.

credit - wikipedia 

Sample position report calls. Format is "Airport name traffic; Who; Where; What; airport name". This is suggested only and can be tweaked as required. Idea is to communicate and give as much information as possible so that other aircraft in the vicinity can visualize your position. This is called situational awareness.

1. Position report to South County @ 10nm -- " South County traffic; Cessna 1234MA; Is at 3500 ft, 10 nm North of the airport;Will be overflying abeam the airport for hollister; South County" -- North with respect to the airport and your aircraft. You will have to visualize your position. You can cross check with your heading indicator i.e. if the tail of the heading indicator is pointing to 180 then you are north of the airport heading south. Use N=0,E=90, S=180,W=270.
2. Position report to South County @ 5nm -- " South County traffic; Cessna 1234MA; Is at 3500 ft, 5 nm North of the airport;Will be overflying abeam the airport for hollister; South County"
3. Position report to South County @ abeam --  " South County traffic; Cessna 1234MA; Is at 3500 ft, abeam the airport;for hollister; South County"
4. Call 1 - 10nm away -- "Hollister traffic; Cessna 1234MA; Is 3500 ft, 10 nm North of the airport;Inbound for landing, any other traffic please advise; Hollister" -- Idea is to get traffic pattern or any other useful info from other aircraft.
5. Call 2 - 5nm away -- "Hollister traffic; Cessna 1234MA; Is 2500 ft, 5 nm North of the airport;Inbound for landing, any other traffic please advise; Hollister"
6. Call 3 - 1nm away -- "Hollister traffic; Cessna 1234MA; Is 2500 ft, 1 nm North of the airport;Will be circling above the airport to check wind direction. Any other traffic please advise; Hollister".
7. Call 4 - Circling -- "Hollister traffic; Cessna 1234MA; Is 2500 ft, above the airport;Will be circling  to check wind direction. Any other traffic please advise; Hollister".
8. Call 5 - 45* entry-- "Hollister traffic; Cessna 1234MA; Is at 1500 ft; Inbound 45degree for downwind on runway 32; Hollister".
9. Call 6 - downwind entry-- "Hollister traffic; Cessna 1234MA; Is downwind; Inbound for landing on runway 32; Hollister".
10. Call 7 - base entry-- "Hollister traffic; Cessna 1234MA; Is base; Inbound for landing on runway 32; Hollister".
11. Call 8 - final entry-- "Hollister traffic; Cessna 1234MA; Is at final; Inbound for landing on runway 32; Hollister".
12. Call 9 - After landing and clearing the runway -- "Hollister traffic; Cessna 1234MA; clear of the active runway 32; Hollister".
13. Call 10 - hold short and Taking off -- "Hollister traffic; Cessna 1234MA; is holding short of active runway 32; Will be a straight out departure to north;Hollister".
14. Call 11 - upwind -- "Hollister traffic; Cessna 1234MA; is upwind from runway 32; Will be a straight out departure to north; Hollister".

Comments appreciated from viewers so that I can enhance this post and correct for any mistakes.