Started the day sharing the runup area with a beautiful all-silver P51 Mustang at VNY, then headed over to Auga Dulce (L70) for some more training with the 182. Look for the hangers that look like identical red barns lined up to spot the airport. The airport has an AWOS on the CTAF frequency if you key the mic 5 times. It has a very weak signal and you must be almost overhead to hear it. There are ranch homes all around and the hills make you feel very low on base and final. This airport can get very gusty in the afternoons and when there are Santa Ana conditions. There was a beautifully restored blue and white Bell 47 helicopter doing pattern work there. Same as the famous M.A.S.H. helo from the 1950's, and it looked like it came right off of the showroom floor.
We did several trips around the pattern with short and soft field takoffs and landings. The feel is very similar to the 172 Skyhawk. On soft field takeoffs the 182 actually doesn't try to pop up and fly as much as the 172 does, and so you don't have to hold quite as much forward yoke pressure holding it in ground effect. Overall not hard, I just have to get in the habit of checking prop pitch and cowl flaps often. We practiced an engine out landing on final at back at VNY, remember...best glide is 75kts.
AUGA DULCE AIRPORT WEBSITE...
