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  #1  
Old 02-21-2016, 09:38 PM
skyyking skyyking is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Kenosha WI
Posts: 50
Default How to ready for Trans-Continental X/C trip

Flying my RV-9 from Kenosha Wisconsin to KSMO Santa Monica in the coming weeks, one-way because of job relocation. Airplane now has 100 hours TT.
Any heads up information would be most appreciated. My initial thoughts are to head direct for Santa Fe New Mexico and then pick-up Interstate 40 thru Flagstaff AZ.
Can I rent an O2 bottle, or is it worth the effort? Have Dynon Skyview and Garmin uplink weather, but wish to avoid IFR flying, though I am rated and equipped.
What tools would you bring along?

Thank you for your input, it is most appreciated. It is a long way and much can happen, esp. over high terrain.
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  #2  
Old 02-22-2016, 04:58 AM
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Ironflight Ironflight is offline
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Location: Dayton, NV
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Probably the best tool is contact capability on VAF - there are more folks on this site spread around the country than you can shake a stick at. Print out the White Pages and take it along. Cell phone is probably the all-aroudn best tool you can carry.

You can easily do the trip without O2 on the I-10 or I-80 routes. It's higher on the I-40 corridor, but if you pick your days, you can get through any of them.
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  #3  
Old 02-22-2016, 06:06 AM
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Xkuzme1 Xkuzme1 is offline
 
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La Vita pass near COS is a great place to cross. Follow the highway through. Make sure to be really early in the day before the winds pick up (before 10-11am.
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  #4  
Old 02-22-2016, 06:46 AM
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Dbro172 Dbro172 is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: West Fargo, ND
Posts: 1,073
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Boy your hangar rent just went up!

I did the opposite trip this time last year in my -9A. O2 wasnt necessary but i used it down south flying around 11k. You pry wont go so high since you'll be bucking the winds...

If you want to avoid high terrain and not think too hard about MOA's and restricted, the southerly route is pretty comfy. Basic route would be direct to clovis, ABQ, el paso, deming, phoenix and over to LA....

Punch this in for basic route: KENW KCVN CME WHOLE KDMN SSO TFD BLH PSP KSMO. Weather wise, once your past ABQ should be clear sailing.

I know there's people here on that would fly direct KENW to KSMO but not me. bring water, snacks, change of clothes and be ready to spend a night or two where needed.
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  #5  
Old 02-22-2016, 07:39 AM
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RV8iator RV8iator is offline
 
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An empty credit card and zero out your fun meter before you take off.
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  #6  
Old 02-22-2016, 08:39 AM
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mikeyj350 mikeyj350 is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Cedar Rapids, IA / USA
Posts: 159
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Quote:
Originally Posted by skyyking View Post
My initial thoughts are to head direct for Santa Fe New Mexico and then pick-up Interstate 40 thru Flagstaff AZ.
I came back to Cedar Rapids IA from the west coast along an essentially similar route in 2013. Generally speaking it was Mojave to Vegas to Albuquerque, and then back (we took a northern route on the way out over Rapid City, Salt Lake City, Lake Tahoe, etc). I was a pretty low-time VFR-only pilot at the time, and it was my first "real" cross-country trip (we had an absolute blast!). It was also my first time over any kind of real terrain... that had me quite anxious to say the least!

We were in an Archer and never had to go above 11,500 on that route (eastbound), with personal minimums of 2,000' AGL clearance at all times. I think you can pretty easily do it at 10,500 westbound, certainly 12,500. I wouldn't say O2 is worth the effort for this trip unless you really want to take a more direct route over the bumps. That wasn't even an option in our lowly Archer

In my opinion, as a flatland pilot it's worth the relatively few extra miles to dodge the worst of the terrain and stay near an interstate when the land becomes more unforgiving and remote. There were parts of central AZ and NM where flight following lost us on radar (and radio!) for sometimes 50 miles at a stretch. It's nice to have a paved interstate with cars on it in sight during those times...

Other general tips I'm sure you already know or have already heard, but I remember learning and using on our trip:
-Try to avoid winds aloft >20kts to avoid mountain wave or turbulence when near the mountains.
-Maintain >2000' AGL at all times.
-Sometimes it took a 1-2 day delay to achieve the above points while maintaining VFR. Part of the fun of flying... overnights in random towns!!
-Watch out for restricted airspace! There is a LOT out there. Flight following can save your bacon on this, but don't rely on it. Sometimes if they are cold they can vector you through or above.
-(IMHO) Pay the extra money for full-serve fuel... the FBO's have tons of free advice and crew cars etc. Really helpful if unfamiliar.
-Pack and dress for the terrain you're flying over, not the weather at the destination.
-Bring snacks, water, a handheld radio and PLB (I have this one)

Most of all, have fun!!! It's a total blast and huge reward to start descending into California with the terrain behind you and the Pacific Ocean in sight ahead
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  #7  
Old 02-22-2016, 12:49 PM
MK77 MK77 is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Evanston, IL
Posts: 124
Default UGN to VNY

I did almost the exact same trip but from Waukegan to Van Nuys a few years back and it was a total blast! On the way there we overnighted in Pueblo and went thru La Veta pass early the next morning at 11,500 with no issues then did some airport hopping at many of the cool places to land out that way (Monument Valley, Sedona, etc). On the way back we went via ABQ which has lower terrain and a is bit easier. We didn't have 02 (you really only need to be up high for short periods of time). A pulse oximeter might be a worthy investment. As others have mentioned, it's much more desolate in areas out west so plan accordingly. Good luck and have fun!
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  #8  
Old 02-23-2016, 12:10 PM
jpowell13 jpowell13 is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Baton Rouge, LA
Posts: 671
Default Credit card glitch

On the first long X-country I made, my primary credit card was rejected on about the 4th fill-up. I didn't realize that when i selected "fill-up" instead of say "25 gal" on self service pumps my card was being charged $1000 temporarily until the exact transaction amount was transmitted to my credit card company a couple of days later. At $1000/pop, my card was quickly maxed out. Luckily I had another card. John
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  #9  
Old 02-23-2016, 12:28 PM
jpowell13 jpowell13 is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Baton Rouge, LA
Posts: 671
Default Things to carry

You might want to carry a spare fuel tank drain valve, a spare fuel cap and, if weight allows, a spare main tire tube. I have also started carrying a small Unibit in case I need to stop drill a canopy crack. You really need some means of tying down also.

Other stuff I take in my fly fishing vest is a tool to break out of a flipped plane, a ResQLink and a pair of light weight parachute goggles (folded over) in case of a buzzard collision. John

Last edited by jpowell13 : 02-23-2016 at 01:31 PM.
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  #10  
Old 02-23-2016, 12:34 PM
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RickWoodall RickWoodall is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 1,452
Default tips

I do a lot of cross country flying....
-snacks, water...always a life saver so your hydrated and no starving.
-basic tools you use for misc repairs
-nose and main spare tube
-at least one spare plug
-back up power source to charge phone and ipad and stratus etc (ensure enough to charge in real life)
-spare fuel cap and fuel drain
-tie down stuff and canopy cover
-Data plan so you can get on vaf for help, get weather, book a room online etc if no wifi.
-good sun shade, and maybe some of the static stick ones from a car store for the side of canopy and/or one of those fishing hats with the side curtains to keep you from getting baked in the sun.
Ensure all maps properly cached on ipad for the route.
-couple more quarts of oil then really required
-a spot tracker with some buddies watching you from their desks, and the holly Shi# button properly programmed with the stuff required if you need to push it.

Have a great trip.
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Last edited by RickWoodall : 02-23-2016 at 12:37 PM.
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