Western Flying

[BuckTurgidson]

Hey Everybody,

In a week or so I will be ferrying a Cherokee 6 from Seattle to San Antonio, TX. I have done all of my flying in the Southeast and the only flying over significant terrain that I have done has been in a Bonanza and a Baron over the Appalachians in TN. and NC.

Any tips that any of you could provide would be appreciated. I was wondering about the best route to take to avoid flying over any more mountainous terrain than I have to. I was thinking of heading east and then south once I hit the plains, or going south along the coast and then hanging a left.

The personal limits that I am putting on this flight is daytime and vmc conditions only. I am also concerned with high density altitudes and taking off with full fuel (although I don't think this will be a big problem as I will be solo).

The plane is equipped with basic IFR instruments and a DME, although I always carry 2 handheld GPS units and a handheld Nav/Com with me.

Thanks in advance for any advice that you can provide.

[JayAre]

I dont think that youll have a problem with a cherokee six just by yourself. If you have the option suck on some oxy and plan around 13.5 or 15.5 and go direct and take advantage of the upper winds if they favor that. I like to use airnav.com for cheap fuel costs and duat.com also flight planning. Just have current maps and take something to listen to because flying over nevada is very boring i mean very boring!

[Ophir]

Buy Sparky Imeson's Moutain Flying Bible, it is a great read. Actually it isn't well written but it is extremely infomative.

I would fly right down to Boise from SEA and then to Pocatello, ID, drop down to Logan, UT, and over to Evanston, WY to Cheyene, WY and head East, you hardly even know there are mountains out there. Basically follow V4 airway and you will be set.

[jdflight]

If you try to cruise at 13.5 (or higher) your performance is going to suck. You probably know that already. Pay close attention to the mountain flying section of the AIM (7-4-4, I think). Also, sit down and talk with an instructor who has good experience in mountainous terrain. Density altitude is not something to play around with. Biggest thing is always leave yourself an out. Heading east first or south first is a good option over trying direct, but the only matter of which to use is the kind of scenery you prefer. I prefer the coast and then mountains over mountains and then plains.

[Looking4Lower]

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I would fly right down to Boise from SEA and then ... you hardly even know there are mountains out there...

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Well, except for the mountains underneath you and 14,000+ foot Mt Rainier off your right wingtip.

I don't know much about the rest of the route offhand but I have done some flying in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest and I used to do lots of volunteer Search and Rescue work out there in Washington State. Here's just a few thoughts that come to mind offhand about flying a small plane over mountainous terrain, although not a complete list:

Make sure the weather is favorable for the flight, especially over the mountainous portions (evaluate the winds and the overall weather system in the area, as the mountains make their own interesting weather patterns). Early in the morning is a good time to depart and traverse terrain before buildups and other exciting things start to happen over the mountains as the day heats up. File a VFR flight plan at the very least; unless you're doing some lower-level sightseeing, suggest you go IFR or get VFR flight following with altitude to spare. Pack some survival gear and have some idea about how to use it. Don't push your fuel reserves when you plan your legs. Review performance and density altitude procedures, and fly accordingly (conservatively).

Also, one idea I like is to plan your legs so that you are flying near (i.e. think gliding distance) a road or other points of civlization along your route. If you go in, I believe it's better to be near a relatively populated corridor of activity instead of ending up in an extremely remote or treacherous area of terrain.

[aloft]

[ QUOTE ]
Buy Sparky Imeson's Moutain Flying Bible, it is a great read. Actually it isn't well written but it is extremely infomative.

[/ QUOTE ]

I was just about to suggest the same thing. There's a ton of very useful information in that book--but that's also its biggest drawback, expecially if you're making this trip soon. The good news is that Sparky recently published a pocket-sized Cliff Notes version, which is a permanent fixture in my flight bag now. I wouldn't make the trip without skimming Sparky's website at the very least.

http://www.mountainflying.com/

[MidlifeFlyer]

I'll agree with the others who said that you should not have problems with a Cherokee 6 flying over mountainous terrain, but only if you have some mountain flying experience and know what you are doing.

[BuckTurgidson]

Thanks for the responses guys. I will do some more research on my route and on mountain flying. I am experienced enough to know what I don't know, and I don't know mountain flying, so I am going to make sure that I am as prepared as I can be.

I know that I could hop in the plane and take off and the odds are that I should be alright. But, whenever you are flying and you say to yourself, "well, I should be alright", then it is time to come up with a new plan.

I'll look into finding a CFI out there with some mountain experience to spend some time with me.

[DE727UPS]

I honestly don't think it's that big of a deal. A Cherokee Six 300 with one guy, even with full fuel, has quite a bit of excess power. I've done what you wanna do in a 150. You gotta think ahead and set some good weather limits.

Anymore, I stick to the freeways when flying over the big hills. That at least keeps you over civilization if something bad happens. It's not the most direct route but it makes me feel better.

This time of year, just getting through I90 to go east of Seattle can be rough. Going the southern route is pretty easy except in the Mt Shasta area. There is a pass there where you can run into bad wx. Be patient, and pretty much any time of year you'll be able to string a couple of days of good weather together and get through the mountains.

Where I've gotten myself into trouble doing this sort of thing is pushing the weather. Did it once in a 150 going through I90 and once in a 172 seaplane around Mt Shasta and both times it was a lack of patience with the weather.

Plan your fuel stops at the lowest possible field elevation and the longest runways.

[Josh]

Going down south, through Oregon, and California, then over to the east, is the safe way. WX isn't an issue this time of year in that area. I was up in Southern Oregon a couple weeks back. Unless clear weather bothers you, weather isn't an issue. If there were any clouds, they'd be low enough for you to just fly over them. I've done the area on the OR/CA border in a 172 and a 182, from about 5000' up to 9000' or so, and never had an uncomfortable ride.
Certainly much 'safer' as you are over the central valley all through most of CA, with airports all along the way, and radar coverage the entire way. Then head east when you get down into the socal area. It would only add maybe 50-100 miles on to a direct route, and you'd avoid the high desert and mountain stuff across all of Nevada.

Or just plan in for now, and make a stop in Reno to watch the air races going on there. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]