Power-Off Into Pensacola: Could We Make It From 3,500' Without Touching the Throttle?

We're heading home to Roscoe Field (82J) after a great day of flying, but getting back into Pensacola isn't always a simple straight-in. PNS is a single-runway operation juggling airliners, military traffic, and VFR pilots all at once — and today, approach kept us high and out of their way. That left us 5 miles out and still 3,500 feet above the touchdown zone. So what do you do? If you're Virgil... you pull the power and see what happens. 🛬 In this episode, we ride along starting 20 miles north of Whiting Navy Base— live ATC audio included — as Virgil works through the airspace, spots landmarks like Blackwater Airstrip, Whiting Field, and Peter Prince, Spencer Field, and navigates the busy PNS arrival environment. Then comes the real challenge: an extended power-off descent with gear deployed for drag. Did the Comanche make it all the way to the runway without adding power? Watch to find out. Spoiler: Piper Comanches are not known for their glide ratio. 😅 Check out Keydee's channel @kaydeemacdonald 🎧 This episode features real Pensacola Approach ATC audio — a great look at how busy GA, commercial, and military training traffic all share one runway environment. Educational content for pilots of all experience levels. 📍 What we cover in this episode: Departing GA2 (Peach State Aerodrome) and heading southwest Navigating near Whiting Field NAS and Spencer Field (Peter Prince Airport) Coordinating with Pensacola Approach in a busy environment Crossing Runway 17 final at altitude — staying clear of the airline sequence The extended power-off descent attempt: 3,500' at 5 miles Gear down for drag — and the honest post-landing debrief ✈️ The airplane: 1959 Piper Comanche 250 — classic, fast, and apparently not a glider. 📍 Home base: Roscoe Field (82J), Pensacola, FL — a narrow 40' strip with special procedures near NAS Pensacola. --- Plane Places & Adventures documents real general aviation flying — cross-countries, fly-ins, grass strips, and the honest moments in between. No fluff. Just flying. 🔔 Subscribe and join the community:    / @planeplaces   🌐 planeplaces.com 📱 @planeplaces on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok --- ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 Power Off into Pensacola 01:15 Pensacola Approach 07:46 Whiting Field 10:49 Spencer Field 11:15 Bringing Us Closer to PNS 13:25 Back to Direct Destination 13:51 Pensacola International 15:10 Crossing Runway 17 Final 17:04 4,500' and Under 10 Miles to Go 18:12 Finally Turned Loose — 5nm and 3,500' 18:45 Pulling the Plug 19:20 Slowing to Use Gear for Drag — Can We Make It Power Off? 21:39 Almost Had It