Vancouver to DFW area....

Flying again! · #1 08-18-2011, 09:50 PM

I am picking up an RV10 in Vancouver and flying back to North Fort Worth. This is my first trip across the country. Preliminary planning is as follows:

CYVR to KSFF for customs
KSFF to KBIL to SHR to KCPR for overnight
KCPR to IIP to GLD to 1K2 to 52F

Altitude 9500ft initially to 7500 as terrain permits.

Any other suggested routes or places to stay overnight?

Thanks -- TJ

hydroguy2 · #2 08-18-2011, 10:29 PM

Depending on when & what time you are traveling. Watch the afternoon winds and T-storms across MT. Your path will take you over HLN and 8u8. HLN has "mustang mickies" if you get stuck. Also I can find hangar space in 8u8 if need be.

If you want to cut a little time off, I'd go to 11500 leaving SFF, then HLN-GEY-CPR. should be a little over 3hrs and keep you off the big rocks.

don't forget your camera

sakhurst · #3 08-19-2011, 12:45 AM

I'm sure you're aware that YVR is the second busiest airport in Canada. If you're comfortable getting in the fray with big iron, then good on ya. But most pilots around here given the choice would choose Bounday Bay (CZBB) over YVR, as it is much more orientated towards GA, and is only a five minute flight from YVR. Still a lot of traffic, but not one of the largest international airports in Canada!

Just a head's up from a local...

douglassmt · #4 08-19-2011, 09:30 AM

If something changes enroute and you need a place to hold up, I can see the Missoula airport (KMSO) from my house and have extra rooms. Just give me a heads up - if you can.

Ron Lee · #5 08-19-2011, 11:14 AM

what airport is

IIP

RVZoomie · #6 08-19-2011, 01:30 PM

KSFF has some great history and is where my RV is currently hangared (old EAA hangar) and has a large RV and EAA community, bound to see some about. It was the old ANG base and has a nice cafe, stop in to look around if nothing else.

In my trip down to Tx a few months ago I chose to cut straight through the rockies in Mt and then go south through the plains (VFR). As posted before Mustang Mickies has great gas prices and a nice place to stop in. Following I90 will give you the lowest passes (MLP is the highest, has VOR wx reporting) and plenty of emergency airfields along the way. I get weary about being single engine over the mtns for extended periods of time. Flight following will be patchy with Denver center, you'll have to stay up above 9-10k ft to keep radar contact. Might be more info than you were looking for but I wanted to share my experience. Safe travels.

Tyler

Ron Lee · #7 08-19-2011, 02:25 PM

There are times I have lost radar coverage/flight following at 14,500' west of Pikes Peak.

Flying again! · #8 08-19-2011, 07:01 PM

Lots of good info here! I will do some more flight planning this weekend. I fly out Monday and head home Tuesday/Wednesday. Based on this I may take some of you up on your kind offers.

BTW, I am not sure what airport the -10 is based, just used YVR as a convenient start point. Also, IIP is a VOR waypoint to clear some high terrain.

TJ

hydroguy2 · #9 08-19-2011, 07:26 PM

Sent you a PM with contact info ...just in case

mculver · #10 08-19-2011, 09:14 PM

Personally I would clear at KBLI (Bellingham) because once cleared you have lots of routing options. Across the hills you are often dealing with mountain obscuration (weather). Do you really want to file when you've had the plane for less than 15 minutes?