Las Vegas to San Francisco and MOA's?

[Mike D]

DAGO, wow that was close!! That is why I don't want to "just fly through the MOA". I know it is legal, but just not too smart. I generally try to avoid MOA's, but in the area we are discussing, there are just way too many to go around.

Seems the way for me is the north route that takes me over Death Valley, use flight following, and be prepared for a stay in a remote area incase anything goes bad. Not too hard.

This trip makes a great reason for a PLB and APRS. two things which I am planing to get soon. Oh, back in the good old days of just a compass, watch, and a ELT.

Mike S, I will get ahold of Seb when this trip gets closer. For now it is just planning for something more scenic route than flying the I-10.

[pvalovich]

I fly out of IYK and fly over Death Valley and the Sierra frequently.

I'd go Furnace Creek, Stovepipe Wells, Lone Pine, Bishop then west. Or you can cross the Sierra south of Whitney at a lower altitude. There are no roads across the Sierra from Kennedy Meadows to Yosemite - the longest roadless stretch in the country.

Joshua Approach (133.65 near China Lake and Edwards) is very accomodating for flight following - but may not be able to track you low.

Amazingly scenic route - Death Valley, the spectacular Sierra, the flat as a pancake agricultural central valley, then the coast.

Head on a swivle in the MOAs but with flight following/monitoring you should at least be able to figure out wwhere THEY are.

[SebsRV7A]

There's some great scenery on that route. Lots of good suggestions. I've crossed over Inyokern by weaving though the Trona Gap. Flight following got me shortcuts though the restricted areas.
I've taken the route along the NV/CA border and skirted the MOAs. Beatty to Bishop over the pass south of White Mountain. I was going to Sacramento, and have cut over near highways 88 and 50 a bit south of Lake Tahoe and stayed at 10.5k. For scenery, you can't beat flying over Tahoe on a clear winter day!
Crossing near Bishop or Mammoth affords lower terrain through a pass.

Wind near these mountains is NOT your friend. Be very cautious. If in doubt about the wind, go around the south side.

Send me a note if you want. Can probably squeeze you into my hangar in Boulder City if you stay in Vegas.

[Greg Arehart]

Flight following - typically to get FF east of the Sierras you need to be well above 10k, though it depends on where you cross the range. If near Tonopah, you're more likely to get coverage lower. Further north of there it's less certain. I've never had an issue in MOAs using FF, and they typically will try to get you through restricted areas as well if possible.

Wind can be ugly, but if no wind it is spectacular.

greg

[rvmills]

Mike,

Lots of great suggestions from the gang. Here's some details (and points for your GPS) to supplement what others have said:

If the weather's good, here's a possible route to the Bay Area to take if ya visit Seb and the Boulder City boys (good group!).
- When leaving KBVU, head towards Jean (0L7) to stay clear of LAS Class B
- Then to Furnace Creek, if you are stopping or overflying Death Valley.
- Then head to Beatty (BTY) and then towards Coaldale (OAL), to clear the MOAs.
- Once north of the MOAs (well before OAL), head towards an intersection named RBRTS. If the MOAs are cold or you feel comfortable with the FF you are getting, just go BTY-RBRTS.
- The Victor Airway from RBRTS to Friant (FRA) is the low spot in the Sierras in that area (and the area the others are talking about). Its a little of a zig-zag back the SW, but you'll get a good look at Mono Lake and the Mammoth area...and its a good crossing point.
- About halfway between RBRTS and FRA, you'll be past the highest terrain in the area, and you can turn a bit NW, and fly over Yosemite (watch min altitudes for the park). This may be an area where ATC will not be able to keep you in radar contact.
- From Yosemite, head to the Bay Area, and you should be able to get a clearance into and through Class B on the way across the bay to San Carlos (KSQL).

If the passes and mountains are cloudy at that midpoint crossing, head on up north from BTY towards Minden (KMEV) or Reno (KRNO or KRTS). Grab some gas, and head across either from MEV (across the south side of Tahoe) or from RTS (over the north side of Tahoe and Truckee (KTRK)).

One last option from the Grand Canyon area, should it be too windy to fly just east of the Sierras, is to head from the canyon towards Wilson Creek (ILC), then to Mina (MVA), then to KMEV or KRTS. I've done this route several times to and from races in Texas, and its clear of the Nellis and Fallon MOAs.

Just some stuff to plug into Weathermeister or Navmonster, etc, for planning.

Let us know if you'll be in Reno, and we'll come out and say hi...hangar space available at Stead if needed too.

Have a fun and safe trip!

Cheers,
Bob