Good thing I'm flying with Joel from work who is also a PPL although not current. I waited for awhile in Napa for the low ceiling to clear, then picked-up Joel in Concord(Buchanan) before heading to Bakersfield-Meadows Field. The first part of the flight was a bit bumpy due to passing passing weather and low ceiling. But after half-an-hour, it cleared up and we were able to smoothly cruise at 5,500.
When I radioed to open my flight plan, they can't find it. I filed it using DUATS the night before. It may still be due to the transitional bugs from transferring briefers to Lockheed-Martin. Anyway, we had flight following throughout the flight.
At the LeMoore airspace, we were victored away from the LeMoore approach path. We heard of some military aircraft maneuvers but didn't see them.
At Meadows Field, I used Loyd's FBO (after reading reviews in Airnav) where they kept the plane in a shaded open hanger. The FBO office was hard to find that I had to ask for progressive. Inside the office was stocked with water, juices and snacks, and had a clean restroom. In my return, they towed back the plane from shade with full tank. They waived the overnight fee for the gas purchased. The service was good.
The return flight was by myself and half of it was night flight. This time, I filed my flight plan over the phone and was able to open it after takeoff. I also used flight following. It was silky smooth flight at 6,500.
I don't fly here often but CCR is probably one of the most convenient airport for visiting pilots to the Bay Area. It has two friendly FBO's, rent-a-car on site, a short distance to BART, and a decent hotel right next to the transient parking. As a plus, there's a 9-hole golf course and range next to the airport, and several shops and places to eat within walking distance.
