Maybe flying VFR from Lubbock, TX to Inyokern,CA

[AX-O]

I just wanted to see if you guys could suggest any good places to stop for fuel or just facilitate the trip. If all goes well my dad and I will be flying a 1946 Cessna 140 from Lubbock, TX (KLBB) to Inyokern, CA (KIYK) soon. I know the terrain elevation is very high some places for a little 140. So if you have traveled from TX to CA in a low performance aircraft, could you tell me the route you took? I am in the flight-planning stages of the trip.

[RVadmirer]

This was my route from near Austin to Palm Springs:

KBMQ-LLO-SJT-MAF-KROW (fuel)-PIO-WHOLE-EWM-KDMN-SSO-P33 (fuel)-KDMA (to see the aircraft graveyard)-TFD-GBN-VICKO-BLH-KPSP

Not a lot of elevation issues and usually roads within vision. You can go direct to KROW, Bronco 2 MOA starts at 10,000'. Once in CA you'll need to route around a lot of special airspace just north of where this route brings you in to get to Inyokern.

Logged 6.2 in a Long EZ. Your results may vary....

[azrv6]

I've done a similar route twice. I followed I-40 the whole way. Plenty of airports along the way, nice big runway (road) all the way and no significant terrain problems. I have a friend who did this in a 1950 Cessna 140A. After you pass a big dry lake bed (Edwards) off your right wing tip, turn north. You can even take detours to Sedona and the Grand Canyon. Sounds like a fun trip. Fly in the early morning and when noon comes around stop wherever you are and see the sights.

[az_gila]

Originally Posted by azrv6

I've done a similar route twice. I followed I-40 the whole way. Plenty of airports along the way, nice big runway (road) all the way and no significant terrain problems. I have a friend who did this in a 1950 Cessna 140A. After you pass a big dry lake bed (Edwards) off your right wing tip, turn north. You can even take detours to Sedona and the Grand Canyon. Sounds like a fun trip. Fly in the early morning and when noon comes around stop wherever you are and see the sights.

I-10 (the Santa Monica Freeway in CA, or the Katy Freeway in Houston) is much lower than the I-40 route.

I would go from the El Paso area to Demming, Tucson, West Phoenix (Buckeye), Blythe, Desert Center, S of 29 Palms, Victorville, home. Low terrain all of the way... the only really unpopulated area you will cross is from Desert Center to 29 Palms (doesn't include W. TX.... ...)

We have cheap fuel at 57AZ ... if you do some stuff and let me know when you are passing through....

gil in Tucson