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02-22-2015, 08:57 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Elk Grove
Posts: 25
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Would You Fly Over the Sierras in an RV-12 ?
Would you feel safe Flying the RV-12 over the California Sierra through a 9000 foot pass and spend 45 minutes in the death zone where there is no place to land that wouldn't turn out very bad?
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02-22-2015, 09:13 AM
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Join Date: May 2013
Location: Temecula, CA
Posts: 295
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Same risk as in any other single engine aircraft.
Alex
__________________
Alex Erdelyi
RV-9A Purchased
RV-12 Built and Sold
Paid through December, 2020
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02-22-2015, 09:40 AM
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Senior Curmudgeon
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dayton Airpark, NV A34
Posts: 15,420
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alexe
Same risk as in any other single engine aircraft.
Alex
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Sorry Alex but I must disagree with you.
Speed, height of flight, and rate of climb are all big factors here. Not all single engine aircraft are equal to the RV 12 in these areas.
I used to fly a 1948 Stinson over the Sierras, now fly the RV 10.
The Stinson performance was a lot closer to the RV 12, and although I never really felt unsafe in it, I sure do feel safer in the RV 10.
__________________
Mike Starkey
VAF 909
Rv-10, N210LM.
Flying as of 12/4/2010
Phase 1 done, 2/4/2011 
Sold after 240+ wonderful hours of flight.
"Flying the airplane is more important than radioing your plight to a person on the ground incapable of understanding or doing anything about it."
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02-22-2015, 09:44 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Oakland CA
Posts: 771
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I may be reading something into this post that is not there, but before I had ever flown over the Sierra I had some concerns about it. I was coming from an Aircoupe that could barely manage a 500fpm climb and I was unwilling to take that into the mountains, although many friends had taken even lesser performing airplanes higher and further.
Ultimately it comes down to your confidence in the airplane. There are two issues as I see it. Performance and reliability. Will the plane climb, both to get you to altitude and to deal with possible downdrafts or mountain waves? More importantly, do you trust it?
I think ultimately what will help with the decision is simply time spent in the aircraft exploring what it can do and having many hours of trouble free service. Then you'll trust it and want to start taking it and yourself on more extended adventures.
__________________
All Best
Jeremy Constant
RV7A "Stella Luna" ECI IO-360 WW200RV Pmags 360hrs
VAF 2019 paid plus some for those who can't
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02-22-2015, 09:47 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Clearwater, Florida
Posts: 398
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alexe
Same risk as in any other single engine aircraft.
Alex
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If you are referring to survivability, I have to disagree.
My LSA has a BRS (ballistic recovery system . . . or parachute).
I would rather take my chances with that.
Last edited by Driftdown : 02-22-2015 at 09:53 AM.
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02-22-2015, 09:54 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Prescott, AZ
Posts: 1,614
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wind and vis
I do the Sierra crossing a bit. From Northern AZ to Sacramento for work.
The plane is not the issue... it's the weather. On a severe clear day, I find it fun to cross. I do it quite high, to allow for bailout turns. I crossed in a V tail one day and no wind was forecast. Hit sink rate of 1800 fpm down with no hint of turbulence. Made my bailout turn back to Bishop. That day, I ended up going around the south via Bakersfield. A local was trying to tell me where all the passes were, to slip through. I declined.
When they did the Steve Fossett accident investigation they found that most single engine planes would not have out climbed the sink rates.
If you have oxygen and perfect weather, climb up and enjoy the view.
Allow time for plan B. If you get boxed in by a schedule, it can hurt you.
To give examples, I have crossed in the RV9A, Bonanza, C210, Luscombe 8E, Mooney etc.
Over 32 years in my present location and I have a list of friends who did not make it. One particularly good pilot with a C185. Quite a good climber but he pushed it too hard one day and paid the price. Before Arizona, I flew for a living in the Alaska Bush. Same equation there. Nice day.... any old plane will do. Bad day, you better have a 737 with a HUD display. Best of luck.
__________________
"Kindness is never a bad plan."
exemption option waived. Donation appropriate.
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02-22-2015, 01:28 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: New Smyrna Beach, FL
Posts: 305
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I flew across the mountains from Montana to Seattle, and then from southern California back across toward the east heading back to Florida last year in my RV-6.
Pick the day with nice weather, and you're no more or less safe than most other single-engine planes.
__________________
Arlen
Donation to VAF 10.29.18
RV-6, February '14, SOLD December '15
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02-22-2015, 02:20 PM
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Join Date: May 2012
Location: Ga
Posts: 662
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Pic
I wouldn't mind seeing a pic of the area you guys are referring to. All we got here in the southeast is pine trees, cell towers, and pine trees.
__________________
Craig
RV-3 Sold
RV-4 Sold
RV-6a Sold
RV-9 IO-360 CS, Built and Flying
Aerostar 600A, Family Hotrod
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02-22-2015, 02:31 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: NorCal
Posts: 565
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Yes. Small aircraft statistically are risky forms of transportation regardless.
I flew an Aircoupe from Sacramento to Oshkosh (and back), and several times to the Seattle area and Arizona. Mountainous terrain along the routes. You can reduce the risk by playing connect-the-dots with airports, and use the XAvion app. Plan your stops, but be prepared to put down at an airport anytime you don't like the weather. There are a few airports along the Interstate 80 corridor, and the freeway itself. Get oxygen, fly higher so you have more airports within reach.
The poor climb rate and performance of the Coupe is the main reason I'm building an RV-9A. An RV-12 would be fantastic compared to the Coupe and many other models of single-engine airplanes that cross the Sierras and Rockies all the time.
__________________
Ralph Finch
RV-9A QB-SA
Davis, CA
Last edited by Buggsy2 : 02-22-2015 at 02:47 PM.
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02-22-2015, 03:21 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Independence, OR
Posts: 316
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If you have little or no mountain experience, consider taking a mountain flying course.
__________________
John Horn (donated for 2020)
Independence, OR
LSRM-A, CFII
Rotax Service, Maintenance, and Heavy Maintenance Trained
Building an RV-12, N7878H reserved
Flying a Flight Design CTSW
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