January 10, 2026 - 12:30 PM
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Save the date, reserve your plane and watch for more detailed information in late Dec.
Let the Monterey controller know what we’re doing and they have always been very helpful and forgiving.
Start to fly down the coast from Monterey to Point Sur; then turn 90 degrees right and fly out one mile; another 90 degree right turn and fly back to Monterey; fly to the coast, turn right and repeat the whole thing. Basically, we are flying a rectangular pattern down the coast and back up a mile out.
At 12:30, go to WVI – just ask for the 99s or Pat Gregory’s table.
While flying:
Monitor Air-to-Air on 122.75 while flying and use that to communicate with the other planes in our pattern so we can keep track of where we all are and where the whales get spotted.
Also, please report on 122.75 when you are maneuvering. For example you spy a pod of whales and want to circle them – please announce where you are and which direction you plan to circle and your altitude. This will alert the others that you are there.
The coast is a protected area so please stay at 2000 AGL or higher. If you must descend, like for a specific photo, tell the rest of us.
Please have one person be PIC and ONLY do the flying and watch for other planes – you’ll need passengers to watch for whales and take photos.
AT WVI, keep an eye out for people doing practice approaches – they almost always come from the ocean toward runway 02. Watsonville is a busy GA flying area so stay alert, and brief your passengers. I strongly recommend you do not fly this solo.
We have done this flight for many years and never had an incident or accident – let’s keep our record clean.
Monterey (MRY)Tower: 118.4
Norcal near Monterey: 133.0
Watsonville (WVI) Unicom: 122.8
Norcal near Watsonville: 127.15
If the weather is inclement we will reschedule for another time. Watch for announcements closer to the date.