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  #1  
Old 05-07-2014, 11:28 AM
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crewdog434 crewdog434 is offline
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Glendale, Arizona
Posts: 58
Default Flat-lander heading west this September...any advice?

Howdy fellow flyers! Looking for some advice from those that live/fly in the western mountain areas. I'm planning on flying to San Diego from Indiana this September to see my son graduate Marine boot camp. I'm considering a west-bound track (think Interstate 80) to Salt Lake City, then a southern course to Page, AZ to take in the sites. Would like to fly the VFR corridors over the Grand Canyon on the way to southern CA. Eventually, I'll trek north toward Seattle, then progress my way east with a stop in Jackson, WY. Then I'll finish the trip with a pass over Devils Tower and the Badlands before returning home. Anyone with advice on passes that are frequently used in the mountain regions? Along with educating myself on the intricasies of mountain flying, I plan on doing the "mountain flying" only under VFR conditions.
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  #2  
Old 05-07-2014, 11:37 AM
BobTurner BobTurner is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Livermore, CA
Posts: 6,797
Default

I-80 is a good route.
Make sure you understand how to lean for max power for high density altitude takeoffs. Be patient.
I consider O2 mandatory for this trip.
Try to stay below gross weight for those takeoffs, especially if hot.
Why Jackson Hole? Airport is not close to town, a bit on the expensive side. Long climb (big valley, though) on departure. Other options include Driggs, ID, or even West Yellowstone.
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  #3  
Old 05-07-2014, 11:51 AM
rv7charlie rv7charlie is offline
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Pocahontas MS
Posts: 3,884
Default heading west?

With that subject line on an aviation forum, my 1st reaction was, have you made your peace with your deity of choice, and are your affairs in order.

But I see now that you're just traveling.

Never mind....
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  #4  
Old 05-07-2014, 01:51 PM
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cfiidon cfiidon is online now
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: California
Posts: 652
Default Couple of thoughts

Pay attention to winds blowing over ridges. Allow 2000 ft clearance if possible. Severe up/down drafts can occur near ridge lines.

Smoother flights happen in the early hours. It gets bumpy when the thermals start.

Beware density altitude.

Don
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  #5  
Old 05-07-2014, 02:40 PM
deek deek is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Flathead Lake Montana - 8S1
Posts: 334
Default

Be on the ground by noon.
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  #6  
Old 05-07-2014, 03:08 PM
n801bh n801bh is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Jackson Hole Wy
Posts: 57
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BobTurner View Post
I-80 is a good route.
Make sure you understand how to lean for max power for high density altitude takeoffs. Be patient.
I consider O2 mandatory for this trip.
Try to stay below gross weight for those takeoffs, especially if hot.
Why Jackson Hole? Airport is not close to town, a bit on the expensive side. Long climb (big valley, though) on departure. Other options include Driggs, ID, or even West Yellowstone.

Hey.... Jackson Hole is the best........ I am a bit biased though....

As other have said,, watch the ridge top winds, fly in the morning and try to be tied down and relaxing by noon...
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  #7  
Old 05-08-2014, 06:52 AM
Geeman Geeman is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Novato, CA KDVO
Posts: 377
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I did a trip last summer Houston, oshkosh, custer SD(mt rushmore), yellowstone, Johnson creek ID, Parkcity UT, Winterpark CO, Houston.

This was my first time in the mountains. I did alot of reading. Best advice fly early and land early. Most of my legs were 2 hours or so. We would leave at 7-8am and be on ground 9-10am and the flights were always great.
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  #8  
Old 05-08-2014, 07:41 AM
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bret bret is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Gardnerville Nv.
Posts: 2,828
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I 2nd the O2 and early flying, I fly the Sierras here in NV and above 10,500 for any length of time the mind starts to go dumb. I have been in up and down drafts of 500 to 1000 FPM and it gets a little concerning. Also I try to always have glide to landing spots any where you can.
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  #9  
Old 05-08-2014, 07:50 AM
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apkp777 apkp777 is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Schaumburg, IL
Posts: 2,053
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I made the same trip (from Milwaukee, WI) to MCRD San Diego Oct 2013 to see my son graduate. Give me a call and I can talk to you about my trip. 262-391-7973.

Basically, I flew through the pass west of Pueblo, thru Montrose, CO, via Moab, Grand Canyon, Palm Springs and into San Diego. Stayed at Montgomery Field KMYF
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  #10  
Old 05-08-2014, 03:16 PM
CosmicHerb CosmicHerb is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Commerce, Texas
Posts: 19
Default Western Travel

Two summers ago we travelled from Dallas Area through Utah and Nevada, over the Sierras and into Sacramento and then down California and back across Arizona and New Mexico. It was beautiful and my wife enjoyed it greatly. However, if I was going to do it again I would be sure to have O2. We did it without trying to follow the passes but even at 10,500 on those hot days there isn't much oxygen for us low landers. My wife at one point said all she wanted to do was go to sleep while we were cruising at 10,500 through Utah and I knew that was a sign we had to get to more oxygen for a while. We would fly about 4 hours a day and then enjoy the rest of the day. One day we flew almost 7 hours and we both agreed that was way too much.
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