© C Blythe 2004
My West Coast Adventure

Introduction

This trip turned out to be the first part of a coast to coast experience. The second part, to the East coast and back can be found here.

USA Coast to Coast part 1 - The West Coast Adventure

In September 2004 I earned a FAA Instrument Rating to sit alongside my UK PPL and IMC rating.

This is the story of how I did it, some of the experiences along the way and some help for anyone else contemplating doing anything similar.

The West Coast Adventure is no ordinary IFR learning experience. The contrasts in the flying environment in winter or summer, in autumn or spring mean that the challenges continually change.

Seven days of flying - the route of the West Coast Adventure

What can never be replicated will be the situation of three people together at a certain space and time. It does seem the case that each group does develop their own special memories.

The enduring success of the WCA with over 300 pilots having flown it does suggest that every trip has something new to offer. As Field and Rich Morey both told me, they have never once got bored on the trip. There is always something to learn. As we progressed on this trip there was something new again.

Having a vocation that allows you to fly across the US at the perfect height for seeing a fabulous country in all seasons is hard to beat. It is no wonder that there are a few attempts to copy what Morey does. Their combined experience, the aircraft they use and the way they operate makes all the difference. The other thing is that they deliver. There is nothing they say on their web site which overstates what they do.to paraphrase a well known commercial “they do what they say on the tin”. For the Moreys teaching people to fly is a vocation not just whittling time away waiting to get into the airlines. 

In November 2004 Field Morey was admitted to the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame and joins his father Howard Morey the founder of Morey Field (now Middleton City Airport) as only the second father and son combination to be so honoured. Rich Morey, Howard’s grandson is keeping the tradition going and has a hard act to follow in his father. The last two years have seen some monumental changes at Morey Field. Rich as well as running the WCA is also Airport Manager, and it is turning out to be some airport.

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