It seems like ages ago, when some of us participated in the monthly FSFORUM Flight Rally to Santa Catalina Island just off the Southern California coast. It was Sunday January 9th, 2000 and the destination airport was KAVX.The original Rally flight announcement included these comments:
“The airport here is on top of a mountain so the approach can be a little tricky! Don't run off the end of the runway, as the slope can get pretty steep. <g>”
Runway 22/4 is 3240 feet long. Airport elevation is 1602 ft.
First, a bit of history about the original Rally if you don’t mind.
When he first heard about the Rally 30 destination, Kit Spackman, (or “Kaptain Kit” as you might remember him from the old Rally days) did not know where Santa Catalina Island was. But soon, he had the island pinpointed on the map and in very short order; a good flight plan was in the works. Kit managed to do a fine job in the end and flew the first stage from the U.K. in a Lockheed C5-B Galaxy of the 60th Air Mobility Wing. After 5000 miles in the air, the plane landed almost without incident at Travis AFB in California.
Here is a portion of his report in Kit’s own words:
“. . . and we line up for the ILS on the 21L runway and I switch in the Glide Slope Hold. For such a big aircraft the Whale handles beautifully. Great flight model. Good thing it is really, as the Glide Slope Hold decides to
land us about 70% along the length of the main runway!”
“There's no way I can get the speed and height off fast enough, and I'm about to call a missed approach when I notice that the 21R runway is offset to the west about 9000 ft. So I quickly dodge to the right about 50 yards, and make a letdown on the other runway, much to the consternation of the Tower! The crew are thinking about bailing out, but it's a) too low and b) they know a skilled
hand at the controls when they see one, and we are soon taxi-ing to the ramp to offload the 'cargo', and to explain the British approach to faulty ILS systems.....”
Then they unloaded their cargo from the C5-B, which was an Avro Andover C 1. This aircraft is a tactical freighter version of the Avro 748 airliner. After about an hour and a half flying south from Travis AFB, Kit managed to do a beautiful air-drop over KAVX. He dropped palettes by parachute, loaded with beer and burgers for the traditional Rally picnic. Then he came around and landed the Avro Andover C1 and joined the party.
In my case, I flew Spitfire XI PL965 from Burbank (KBUR) down to Catalina for Rally 30. A relatively short flight of less than an hour. To give you an idea of how long ago that Rally was, one set of my spitfire photo reconnaissance passes over the airport was flown in FS98, and the other photo pass was flown in FS2000 when it first became available. The pictures I uploaded to the Forum showed the improvements in the island scenery with the new FS version.
And now, back to the present, and our second visit to KAVX.
Kit Spackman was here in Southern California earlier this year for a visit. While he was here, we toured around to numerous Aviation sites in the area. An opportunity to visit a fondly remembered nearby Rally destination was something we just could not pass up. But this time we revisited KAVX by flying there in a real Cessna 172! 
We rented a plane and an instructor at Whiteman field in Pacoima. A small one-runway airport just north of Burbank near the 5 freeway. I considered flying out of Burbank just like in the original Rally, but we decided flying from the smaller field would be better.
Kit sat in front with the Instructor and basically did all of the flying except takeoff and landing on the way to Catalina. On the way back we switched places and I had the same opportunity on the way to Whiteman field.
Briefly, our flight plan was to take off from Runway 12 at Whiteman field, and fly toward Burbank. Once near Burbank, we flew direct to Santa Monica. After reaching Santa Monica, we entered the Los Angeles Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA). We flew south directly over LAX at 3,500 ft and crossed the coastline over the peninsula just west of Long Beach. Then we continued on over the water to Catalina and entered the pattern from the 45 degree position and joined the downwind leg for landing on Runway 22 at Catalina. Our flight time one-way to Catalina was approximately 43 minutes from takeoff to touchdown. On the way back we followed the same route, but transited the SFRA over LAX at the required altitude of 4,500 ft. When we got back to Whiteman field we landed on Runway 12.
They say pictures speak louder than words, so here is the good part!
Here is the first picture of Kit standing beside our plane, with the very appropriate tail number of 737UK.
The next picture is a view of the LA basin on the port side as we head toward Santa Monica.
The next picture is the view of LAX as we pass right overhead transiting the SFRA headed south. Very Cool!!!
The next photo shows Long Beach to the East as we go feet wet on the way to Catalina Island.
Approaching Catalina Island. If you look very carefully, you can see KAVX under the wingtip in the distance.
A great view of the airport while on Downwind Leg for Runway 22.
On Base leg about to turn final for Runway 22. Notice that the flaps are down in preparation for landing.
Safely down and taxiing on Runway 22. A good view of the Tower and airport buildings.
After takeoff, and an aerial tour around the island. That’s me flying the plane , and you can see the island below out the side window.
Home again. On short final for Runway 12 at Whiteman field.
To sum it up in a few words this was an adventure that Kit and I will never forget. Hope you enjoy the pictures half as much as we enjoyed the flight!
Best regards,
Melo
PL965 Spitfire pilot,
Glendale, CA
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