USA: California

[AX-O]

Originally Posted by craigvince

I've flown the Trona Gap several times with just a Garmin 295. Piece of cake! If you're nervous about it, take along Flight Following (while it's still free). They're real good at warning you if you get close. Without a GPS, though, I wouldn't try it at all.

I fly the Trona gap almost every day. Don't rely on Joshua to give you boundary calls. You can request an overfly of restricted/ mil operating areas and if able they will give you a "clear to cross above 6000 ft" call. Please keep your eyes way opened when flying in the gap especially during the week. A lot of jet guys zooming in and out of that area as well as low flying helos. GPS not needed. For the Northern boundary use highway 178 (East to West direction) and for the Southern boundary use the railroad tracks (East to West direction). Also don?t fly further South or West of the Trona pinnacles. Pic of pinnacles below.

[jtrusso]

Originally Posted by AX-O

I fly the Trona gap almost every day.

Thanks for the advice on the gap...I've been trying to plan a flight from SMO to Death Valley for over a year now. I just can't get a free weekend in the Spring or Fall when the weather is nice out there. I've always planned on flying out to Baker and then turning North up the valley. I figured even with the 430 "the gap" would be to risky. I'm paranoid of violating any airspace out there.

You make it sound pretty easy, I'll have to give it a practice "flight" on google earth first, but I just may go this way instead.

[AX-O]

Originally Posted by jtrusso

Thanks for the advice on the gap...I've been trying to plan a flight from SMO to Death Valley for over a year now. I just can't get a free weekend in the Spring or Fall when the weather is nice out there. I've always planned on flying out to Baker and then turning North up the valley. I figured even with the 430 "the gap" would be to risky. I'm paranoid of violating any airspace out there.

You make it sound pretty easy, I'll have to give it a practice "flight" on google earth first, but I just may go this way instead.

Send me a PM when you head this way. I may be able to meet you at Inyokern. By the way the airspace south of Inyokern is only active from sun up to sun down during the weekdays. Not active at night nor on the weekends.

[jtrusso]

Originally Posted by AX-O

Send me a PM when you head this way. I may be able to meet you at Inyokern. By the way the airspace south of Inyokern is only active from sun up to sun down during the weekdays. Not active at night nor on the weekends.

Thannsk for the offer, I will definitely let you know. In fact maybe we can make an RV flyout out of it (although I'll be showing up in a spam can...someday I'll have that RV!)

[s_tones]

I just re-read this thread cause I'm bored.
No mention that I could find of Catalina I. Maybe I missed it?
Anyway, fun spot to fly in to. Nice restaurant with buffalo burgers.
$20 landing fee though.

Also WVI. Busy place. Very good mexican restaurant there.

KPAO is kinda fun too. Lotsa planes. No hangars so good for browsing.
Nice little cafe on the field too.

[LovelyLibertyRV8a]

Rosamond skypark is a great place to fly to and mingle with fellow aviators. The eats are great at the golden cantina. A+++

[tikicarver]

Just north of Rosamond and east of Tehachapi is Mojave Spaceport.
The Voyager Restaurant is at mid field and you can park right in front.
It is open every day and has good food at a good price.
You can take a walk outside the restaurant on the parking lot side to a small park where you can see the Rotary Rocket and a full size model of Spaceship One. If you go on a week day there is a good chance you will see some interesting planes flying. The National Test Pilot school is based there as well has Scaled Composites. The airport is also a large parking lot for old airliners.

Nice flight from the LA area would be to go to Mojave, have look around ,get something to eat, then head up to Tehachapi for gas. (it was $3.05 last week.)

[airplaneduck]

Porterville (kptv) is nice and quiet this time of year (no fire fighter planes right now) good restraunt

[Bob Axsom]

Originally Posted by jtrusso

Thanks for the advice on the gap...I've been trying to plan a flight from SMO to Death Valley for over a year now. I just can't get a free weekend in the Spring or Fall when the weather is nice out there. I've always planned on flying out to Baker and then turning North up the valley. I figured even with the 430 "the gap" would be to risky. I'm paranoid of violating any airspace out there.

You make it sound pretty easy, I'll have to give it a practice "flight" on google earth first, but I just may go this way instead.

I think your concern is justified. If you plan the flight with precise visual markers it is doable but it is not a flight that will allow a lot of "relax" time. I have done it a few times with pilotage navigation but usually I flew up over Dagget, and Baker then turn left up the valley. It is a very scenic flight and the Furnace Creek Inn is a special destination.

Bob Axsom

[RVadmirer]

Sorry for the late notice but South Shore TVL is having a BBQ for fly-ins today should anyone still be looking for an excuse to fly!

Saturday March 28th Mountain West Aviation will be hosting a luncheon at Lake Tahoe Airport to welcome the return of sunny days, blue skies, and of course, flying season. We'll be serving lunch on the ramp, and lunch will be free to all who fly in. There will also be a drawing for a free fuel giveaway, where the winner will get topped off on us. Information is available on the attached flyer. Tell a friend, bring a friend, dust off your wings, and enjoy the flight into Lake Tahoe Airport. We look forward to seeing you on March 21st.




Michael Golden
Mountain West Aviation
P.O. Box 1695
Crystal Bay, Nevada 89402
530-582-1717 Direct Dial
tahoelocal@...
www.mountainwestaviation.com