My flight plan: Lower 48

kentb · #1 08-16-2010, 12:19 PM

Last year I didn't get to do the summer flying that I wanted to because of the FAA/medical hold up.
So this year I planed to make up for it a little. Because you can never tell what may happen to your flight status I want to fulfill one of my goals of flying to each of the lower 48 states. The other goals of this flight plan is to land at OSH, FFA, leadville (highest airport) and death valley (lowest airport).
This trip will allow me to visit my daughter at RMN also.

Here is the plan which can be cut/pasted into runwayfinder.com.

Thursday afternoon 9/2/10:

7s9;ksff;kcoe;KHLN

There is a bunk house at KHLN and a airport car to use.

Friday:

khln;w43;kd07;kbwp;ky63;kosh;kugn

Fly by Crazy Horse and Mt Rushmore.

Saturday:

kgyy;kduh;kphd;KHLG;Kagc;kalb;kddh;kcon;ksfm;klwm; ksfz

Sunday:

ksfz;kbdr;kmjx;kged;kcge;krmn

Visit my daughter here.

Tuesday:

krmn;kffa;kogb;Kdbn;kpns;k4r4

Wednesday:

VKS;ktvr;kawm;kdyr;1m7;kuuv;KCBF;kmle;krsl

Thursday:

krsl;KGUY;kdht;klxv;kank;kbdg;azc;67l;lo6;3o8

Friday:

3o8;kove;7s9

There is a little flex in the east bound route to pick up (mostly fly by) some interesting locations, but I don't have to be home until Sunday afternoon so I can add some other stops/fly overs on the way home.

This schedule assumes no weather problem.

I would be interested on input as to airports to stay the night. I won't be staying long (eat/sleep/back to the airport), so I won't mind staying at cheaper motels. Just need to figure the least expensive way to get to and from the motel/food and back to the airport the next morning.
Also any must see points of interest on the route home.

Kent

Phil · #2 08-16-2010, 12:34 PM

The only issue I see is that you're going to miss Texas on your trip!

If wx forces you on a southerly path, let us know. We've got a place for you 10 minutes from 9x1.

Phil

kentb · #3 08-16-2010, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil

The only issue I see is that you're going to miss Texas on your trip!

If wx forces you on a southerly path, let us know. We've got a place for you 10 minutes from 9x1.

Phil

Kdht is in TX. I know it is not the heart of TX, but a lot closer to my optimal path than 9X1. If I get blown off coarse I may give you a call.

Kent

Phil · #4 08-16-2010, 01:07 PM

I forgot about Dalhart. That's a good fuel stop...

I grew up in those fertile areas between the Oklahoma and Texas panhandles....

If you decide to go on up to Clayton, NM. Find a ride up to the Eklund Hotel. It's a wild west saloon full of bullet holes and the such. I believe the claim is it's haunted too.

Phil

az_gila · #5 08-16-2010, 01:10 PM

Vicksburg has a courtesy car, but I don't think it's for overnight trips.

It is a bit out of town (so is the other Vicksburg airport TVR), but if you get there before 5:00 I bet the staff would give you a ride...

We were there a few weeks ago, no tiedown fees and a friendly staff - it was one of my favorite towns on our trip (the other was Bardstown, KY) so I think you should stay there longer than overnight...

All of the Vicksburg hotels were in the lower cost range of our whole trip - and all well guarded - here's the Hampton Inn's cannon...

Ron Lee · #6 08-16-2010, 02:11 PM

Please check the radar in Colorado starting around noon. We get thunderstorm buildup in the mountains early this time of year which may impact your schedule.

I also suggest flying over the Grand Canyon on your way to Death Valley.

Stopping at Salida to get fuel may not be optimal but once you realize that you probably need to stop at Leadville in the early morning before continuing west you can adjust your stops accordingly.

At Leadville stop and get your highest airport certificate.

On the way to Mt Rushmore fly by Devil's Tower

Before the Grand Canyon fly by Monument Valley Utah

To be honest, I do not think that you will make this schedule. Look at USA radar throughout the day to see why.

It also looks like you may going into the DC special area. Check aopa.org for the online tutorial that you need to take before going in that area.

DanH · #7 08-16-2010, 02:48 PM

Kent, certainly not a cheap motel, but your K4R4 overnight is about 2 miles from the Grand Hotel Marriott at Point Clear.....nice place.

Sid Lambert · #8 08-16-2010, 03:26 PM

Looks like a blast!

Just an FYI...

You can use links in Runwayfinder.com like so.

http://www.runwayfinder.com/?loc=7s9...6;3o8;kove;7s9

Jaypratt · #9 08-16-2010, 03:55 PM

Impossible to know were any of those airports are unless we are based there. Unless we take the trouble to look them up????????
How about you say the name of the states you are traveling through.

Sid Lambert · #10 08-16-2010, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaypratt

Impossible to know were any of those airports are unless we are based there. Unless we take the trouble to look them up????????
How about you say the name of the states you are traveling through.

Jay, clink on the link I posted above and it will show you his entire route as an image. I do agree the codes are useless by themselves though.