Forest Airpark 2: The VFR Approach
You are on an visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan heading to the Forest Airpark 2 Cache. You are near the end of the flight and have only a few more checkpoints to follow before landing at the destination. Pilots use visual checkpoints to verify that they stay on course through out a flight of this nature. Time is predicted between points so it is known when a checkpoint should be in view. Since the winds aloft and your choice of aircraft are unknown, the time calculation is left up to you. If at any point you are unable to find a checkpoint then you may find yourself lost and in need of assistance. If this happens either contact ATC to get a radar lock, or turn around and head back to the last known checkpoint.
Use the Scappoose (SPB) ASOS for barometric pressure and prevailing winds on 135.875MHz or 503-543-6401.
Checkpoint: Germantown
Find a green and white sign with a number formatted AA.BB.CCC, then calculate the distance and bearing to the next checkpoint. Note: project the waypoint from the sign, and from a point you capture, not the listed coordinates. This will minimize the overall error to the first checkpoint. It is also recommended to project each of the remaining points from new waypoints at each checkpoint, not the projected waypoints. The errors will be cumulative if you continue to project off of each projected point.
Distance = (AA + BB + (CCC / 20)) / 100 in miles
Bearing = (AA / 2) - BB + CCC in degrees true
Checksum (A.BC miles, DEF degrees): A+B+C+D+E+F = 24
Checkpoint: Forest Gate
Find a black and white sign with a number formatted AA.BB.CCC, then calculate the distance and bearing to the next checkpoint. The bearing to the next checkpoint might take you in the wrong direction, so make no mistake, it is time to start climbing to clear the terrain to the next checkpoint.
Distance = ((CCC / 5) + (AA / 2)) / 100 in miles
Bearing = CCC - (AA / 2) in degrees true
Checksum (A.BC miles, DEF degrees): A+B+C+D+E+F = 21
Checkpoint: Forest Scene
Now identify the southern most red and white sign with a first word of seven characters. Using that word, apply the numerical equivalent of those letters, i.e. A=1,B=2,Z=26, to calculate the final checkpoint which should be the Airpark. Traffic patterns are non-standard to the right for all runways, and you should announce your approach on the Unicom frequency.
Distance = (1st * 20) + 4th - 5th in feet
Bearing = 1st + 4th - 2nd in degrees true
Checksum (ABC feet, DEF degrees): A+B+C+D+E+F = 24
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There is no specific theme for the contents, but you will find some aviation related toys and are welcome to trade aviation related items. There is a new PDX Geocoin for the first finder.
You will be on trails and fire roads until you are within 10 feet of the cache. Near the end you will need to find a lesser used trail to approach the cache from. Avoid the originally traveled trail as it is much more difficult to approach the cache from that location. Bushwhacking should not needed to find this cache, except for down trees. In the wet season it can be pretty muddy in this area of the park, so waterproof hiking boots are recommended.
"For most people, the sky is the limit, for those who love aviation, the sky is home." -unknown author