Alex's Flying Trips

San Luis Obispo (SBP)

Aug. 16, 2020

This was part of our return trip to Napa from El Monte. There's a heat wave all over California so I planned to stop overnight at San Luis Obispo. Being closer to the coast, would be cooler. It came out to be a right plan since there was also a weather build up along the route; this was the same weather that we encountered at Paso Robles the day before. Now it moved northwards the bay area . And besides, I was having some radio problems. Radio #2 does not switch frequency; I end up using Radio #1, which is very noisy and typically just used to check ATIS and weather. Good thing Susan was with me and helped me worked with the radios.

San Luis Obispo has regular regional airline flights and can get busy. But the controllers were helpful guiding my approach even between regional jets. After landing, we were met by a follow-me cart from the FBO to the parking area. And shortly after I turned off the engine, our rental was driven next to the Archer. This made the transfer of our luggage to the car very convenient. Besides, it's still hot although not as hot as El Monte. I did call the FBO before taking off requesting for car rental. As we drove off, I already noticed the lineman refueling the Archer. This was impressive customer service.

The FBO facility was clean and looked well maintained. This includes the lounge area, restrooms and customer service counter. There were some good choices of snacks and cold drinks. Wifi connection was also good. Their customer service reps were friendly, and wearing masks behind a clear partition. Overnight parking was $12 for the Archer.

With the rental car, this gave us the ability to explore the area --- from Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles.

In our return flight, we started still with stucked radio #2 and using the noisy radio #1 to communicate. At cruise, radio #2 started to work intermittently, and at times, even switched frequency on it's own. So, we switched back and forth using radio #1 and radio #2 for a while. Towards the later part of the flight, radio #2 frequency switch button worked as expected.

Along the way, we also saw various wildfires caused the the passing lightning storm. Two big ones were close to Salinas, and another between San Jose and Livermore where we end up flying over.

Great customer service from the FBO. After landing, we were greeted by a follow-me cart. And shortly after turning of the engine, they drove the rental car next to the Archer. As I drive out, they refueled the airplane so it will be ready to depart on my return.

The FBO building. Because of the current COVID-19 pandemic, mask was needed to enter.

Inside the building was cool, well appointed, clean restrooms, good selection of snacks, and good wifi.

San Luis Obispo is an active regional airport with regularly scheduled regional airliners.

Exploring San Luis Obispo downtown. It was alive with people strolling and dining out. The only hint that maybe there's a Covid-19 pandemic was because some peope were wearing masks and restaurants only offer outside dining at the sidewalk.

With so many choices, we end up dining here simply because it was not crowded, no waiting and we were seated right away. The food was also great, so good decision.

More fires due to lightning along the way; this one was near Salinas.

And this one was in western San Jose between San Jose and Livermore that we flew over.