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  #11  
Old 05-30-2014, 12:31 AM
Top Cat Top Cat is offline
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Fort Mill SC
Posts: 333
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Maury,

Could you let me know the route you flew from Aurora to as far as west TX when you picked up your SLSA?

I should be picking up an airplane later this summer and I'm interested in how you planned the route, fuel stops, overnights etc and whether you used FF, ATC, or filed flight plans on all or certain legs. What kind of gph and TAS did you use for planning? I'll be going to the East Coast.

I did see your trip on Vans' Flying Community but I was looking for some specifics and tips as I've been thinking how I might fly the route myself and I'm not familiar with the West Coast.

Nice plane BTW!!

Thanks!
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  #12  
Old 05-30-2014, 09:09 AM
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rv3flier rv3flier is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: La Center WA
Posts: 114
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I thought I'd post information on my flight last April to pick up my new to me RV-12 from Stonewall, OK, since my route might be an alternative for you. I flew back to La Center, WA (WA29) which is just north of Portland. Depending upon the weather you can fly over the Cascade range or, if the weather is such that the Cascades are obscured by clouds, fly out through the Columbia River Gorge. In my case, on day 1 I flew from Stonewall, OK (3OK0) to Hereford, TX (HRX - fuel stop) across the pan handle of TX to Sandia Airpark, NM (1N1 - fuel stop) then to Gallup, NM (GUP - fuel and RON) The Gallup FBO drove me to a nearby Motel and picked me up the next morning with the only charge being a nominal tie down fee. Day 2 from GUP to Williams, AZ - (CMR - fuel stop) at then to Jean, NV (OL7 - fuel stop), then to Hawthorne, NV (HTH - fuel stop) and on to Lakeview, OR (LKV - fuel and RON). The airport manager had an airport truck to loan me for the drive to and from the motel and also allowed me to hangar my plane w/o charge. Day 3 from LKV to Redmond, OR (RDM - fuel stop) then via The Dalles, OR (DLS) through the Columbia River Gorge due to marginal weather and home. My flight times were about 7 hours per day. From Sandia to Lakeview much of my flight was at 10,500 MSL to stay out of turbulence.

Whatever route you choose, have a safe and fun flight -- the RV-12 is a surprisingly good cross country airplane.

John
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  #13  
Old 05-30-2014, 10:12 AM
Top Cat Top Cat is offline
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Fort Mill SC
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John,

Thanks for the info. I'll have a good look at the route you took.

Due to Sport Pilot rules 10k MSL is the limit, so I'm not sure about the higher terrain.I looked at the northern route east over the mountains, Idaho etc. Then I looked at the southerly route, CA, AZ, towards TX. Not sure about the July/Aug heat, thermals and dusty winds either, hence the question.

cheers,

Howard
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  #14  
Old 05-30-2014, 10:52 AM
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bhassel bhassel is offline
 
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I believe the limit is 10k or when in higher terrain 2k AGL...

Bob
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  #15  
Old 05-30-2014, 09:19 PM
RFSchaller RFSchaller is offline
 
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Location: Phoenix, AZ
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Yes there is an exemption to 10 K based on terrain clearance. Not sure what FAA had in mind with 10 K. Maybe the speed limit change at 10 K or the requirement for an altitude reporting transponder.
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  #16  
Old 05-31-2014, 06:36 AM
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TomVal TomVal is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SC & CA
Posts: 907
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From a safety standpoint, flying a 100 hp engine say at 12,000 to clear mountainous terrain, depending on winds aloft, you have virtually no performance margin to counter a downdraft.

We lose an airplane almost every year attempting to cross the mountain range near Julian VOR in southern California. In this case, there is a warning on the sectional. Westerly winds from 15 to 20 kts can create severe downdrafts in this area. These mountains can be crossed at much lower altitudes, but the downdrafts in this area can take down much higher performance aircraft.

So plan your route carefully (as you appear to be doing).

Regards,

Top Cat...oops! Sorry...I just read your bio...I'll leave this up for other readers.
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Last edited by TomVal : 05-31-2014 at 06:56 AM.
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  #17  
Old 05-31-2014, 07:20 AM
Top Cat Top Cat is offline
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Fort Mill SC
Posts: 333
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Tom,

Hey, flying is always a learning experience. Hence, my request to ask for help and advice from those more knowledgeable.

Doing one kind of flying doesn't make you expert at another. I've learned a lot from the folks on this forum and hope to learn more.
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  #18  
Old 05-31-2014, 08:23 AM
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rv3flier rv3flier is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: La Center WA
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I believe that the 10k + 2k AGL limits are for a Sport Pilot and if you're a Private Pilot or higher, they don't apply. Most of the time I was flying at 10.5K I was east of the Sierra Mt. range with strong westerlies, any lower and I would get into turbulence. Although I have an AP, most of the time I hand flew the RV-12 -- it trims out nicely.

Point taken about wind, high terrain and ridge lines. I've flown in and around the Salmon River country in Idaho and landed at many of the strips there down in the canyons and at Cold Meadows which is over 7k in a 172 --- early morning and light on fuel --- with a thorough checkout by an experienced back country pilot CFII.

TopCat, check out F1rocket post on his 4000 nm cross country.

Last edited by rv3flier : 05-31-2014 at 08:33 AM. Reason: added reference to F1Rocket
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  #19  
Old 05-31-2014, 08:50 AM
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DonFromTX DonFromTX is offline
 
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Location: La Feria Texas
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A fine point, I have a private pilot license, but still must observe the limits of 10k - 2k AGL since I fly with no medical, using my drivers license instead of a medical. I have no clue why that restriction applies, nor why I cannot fly at night any longer.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rv3flier View Post
I believe that the 10k + 2k AGL limits are for a Sport Pilot and if you're a Private Pilot or higher, they don't apply. .
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  #20  
Old 05-31-2014, 11:31 AM
RFSchaller RFSchaller is offline
 
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Location: Phoenix, AZ
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Don,

The 10 K limit applies with no medical because the pilot is a PPL exercising LSP privileges when there is no current medical.

Rich
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