Grand Canyon / Vegas

E_Dawg · June 6th, 2003, 13:58

OK so my dad and I are flying over to Vegas next weekend... On the way back I'm gonna show him the Hoover Dam and possibly the Grand Canyon. Anyone done VFR over the Grand Canyon before??? How's the airspace? I don't think he wants a huge tour or anything but I think I'd be a nice suprise...

Anyways I don't have the chart yet (I don't know if the local shops have it either) so any tips / advice would be great.

Also, back to the Vegas thing... it's between LAS (the big one) or VGT (little one - North Las Vegas). Any prefrence either way? Flight school pays for fuel... I pay for tiedown.

Astin · June 6th, 2003, 14:22

North Las Vegas has no tie-down fees, and there is a cool restaurant right on the field so you and your dad can eat some lunch and sit out on the patio and check-out the different planes coming through.

pilot602 · June 6th, 2003, 15:11

I know the airspace ofer the GC is pretty well FUBAR'd to anything other than "approved" tours. They keep transient aircraft along certain cooridors and pretty high up. I'd just call center (on the ground) and check out the maps of the area.

I could be off base here as I've never been up there but I've heard it's pretty wacky.

Wolverine · June 6th, 2003, 15:28

The biggest problem with LAS is that the fuel prices are outrageous. I believe that if you buy at least XX gallons of fuel, then the tie-down is free. Someone correct me if I'm wrong! If your FBO is paying for the gas, then go for LAS - it's across the street from the strip.

I've flown over the western part of the Grand Canyon VFR with no problems, as long as you stay west of SFRA. The best views I've had were flying IFR around the Grand Canyon. Center can vector you wherever they want and assign whatever altitude they want, or at least it seems that way. We flew the along the southern edge from Grand Canyon to Page and were assigned an altitude below the 14,5000' in the SFRA and had an awesome view of the canyon for 70nm. A 135 operator requested a slight diversion to get closer to the canyon for a better view, Center did even better and gave him vectors for a nice tour of the canyon.

Grand Canyon village is a good 150nm from Vegas, but you can get some great views just to the east of Lake Mead if you don't want to go that far. I have flown over Lake Mead 3 times now in the daytime (and 3 at night) but have yet to see the Hoover Dam. The last time I flew there, I wasn't flying so I had a chance to pull out my chart and find it. From over Lake Mead, it's behind a mountain and not visible.

aloft · June 6th, 2003, 17:12

$50 ramp fee at LAS; go to VGT.

bluelake · June 7th, 2003, 19:57

there's also Henderson, just abut 8 miles south of McCarran. I dont know about fuel prices, but I do know that the airport remains open while they build two parallel runways, so make sure ya check the notams on whats what around there....

I_Money · June 7th, 2003, 20:51

I say fly to LAS, you are already spending $500+ on this trip, so what is a few more to have your ride parked just accross from the strip! When I went there if you bought fuel your ramp fee was wavied.

I like your new avatar; Kate is HOT!

eodfe · June 8th, 2003, 07:25

I flew to LAS for my long IFR cross country. The view is worth it to fly into LAS. We were on a visual approach that took our base right down the strip. On final we had a 737 to your right and a 757 waiting at the hold short for us to land. Gas prices are expensive, but I think they waived the $50 ramp fee if we bought gas (I really don't remember).

Flying over the grand canyon the airspace is wack! Contact Los Angeles Center and see if you can get vectors over it. As it was, they let us fly almost on the edge of the canyon and at one point they let us fly over it.

If you get a chance, fly into Grand Canyon airport, it looks awesome, it's located right on the edge of the canyon. Next time I go I plan on doing at least one touch and go there.

Have a great trip!

JayAre · June 8th, 2003, 12:35

I dont know much about hoover dam but Grand Canyon is easy to see even with the airspace. The west airspace doesnt have the 14500. I regularly fly down to Kingman and back with FF with L.A. @ 95 to 115. I recommend the chart and study it. Some of my best views have been at 14600 going back and forth from PHX. I would suggest flying lake powell and stopping in page. The gas its usually around $2 bucks a gallon. Good luck youll enjoy it.

juskl · June 8th, 2003, 12:47

VGT was very nice. They have a free shuttle to whatever hotel you are staying at or where you want to be dropped off at. Though after that it is about a 15.00 trip by cab back. They had an overnight tiedown fee of 12.00 I believe. That was in January anyway.

Be careful of the winds. They get nasty in Vegas. One day I landed it was a nice 8 kts. By the next morning, 30kts +. To make a long story short, Treasure Island had another night with us kind enough to give them our business (nice hotel). The winds there can change very quickly, as can the entire Colorado river area.

Remember density altitude at the Canyon. This time of year, in the middle of day, a 9000 ft strip may not be enough for the 172. Just a bit of advice. Good luck and enjoy the view.

sbav8r · June 8th, 2003, 17:45

I thought there was a TFR around Hoover Dam. Has that changed? Might want to check on it.

E_Dawg · June 8th, 2003, 18:06

Ya I'm not sure... obviously before I go anywhere I'm gonna check

I_Money · June 8th, 2003, 23:39

I STILL LIKE KATE BOSWORTH!! DAMN ED YOU NEED TO POST MORE!

Doug Taylor · June 8th, 2003, 23:46

Looks like she's got teeth like Jewel in that picture!

I_Money · June 8th, 2003, 23:52

Doug don't ruin it!

Doug Taylor · June 8th, 2003, 23:56

[ QUOTE ]
Doug don't ruin it!

[/ QUOTE ]

Shh! Risky Business is on VH1

stuckingfk · June 9th, 2003, 00:04

[ QUOTE ]
Looks like she's got teeth like Jewel in that picture!

[/ QUOTE ]

I can't stand that about Jewel. She would be pretty good if it weren't for those summer teeth.

E_Dawg · June 9th, 2003, 00:06

[ QUOTE ]
Looks like she's got teeth like Jewel in that picture!

[/ QUOTE ]

Woah there Doug... you dissin' my girl!

Doug Taylor · June 9th, 2003, 00:07

She be yo boo?

E_Dawg · June 9th, 2003, 00:12

[ QUOTE ]
She be yo boo?

[/ QUOTE ]

Word!

cointyro · June 9th, 2003, 00:19

What does this "word" mean?

She looked OK at the halftime show this evening. Couldn't tell though, too much stage makeup.

Doug Taylor · June 9th, 2003, 00:20

[ QUOTE ]
Word!

[/ QUOTE ]

Krunkiest of the Krunk?

Don't be hatin' dog! (heard that from a 58 year old captain when I teased him about a fantastic landing)

JoeBlow · June 9th, 2003, 02:57

[ QUOTE ]

Quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Word!

[/ QUOTE ]

Word to ya motha fashizzle dizzle

juskl · June 9th, 2003, 21:31

I was VFR with flight following. Las Vegas approach took me directly over it at 8500 I believe. So unknown if anything has been changed since then. Unfortunately for us we couldn't see the thing.

As I was being radar vectored at that point, I wanted to play nice with ATC. That and a few very large metalic objects were also being brought over Mead. However, having said that, it was one of the most amazing views so far in my flying. I never realized how big Lake Mead was.......until I flew over it that is.

mrivc211 · June 9th, 2003, 22:19

I just got back from Vegas, be ready for the ride of your life! bumpier this alst weekend than its ever been!

June 6th, 2003, 13:58	#1
E_Dawg Moderator Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: chicago Posts: 4,311	Grand Canyon / Vegas OK so my dad and I are flying over to Vegas next weekend... On the way back I'm gonna show him the Hoover Dam and possibly the Grand Canyon. Anyone done VFR over the Grand Canyon before??? How's the airspace? I don't think he wants a huge tour or anything but I think I'd be a nice suprise... Anyways I don't have the chart yet (I don't know if the local shops have it either) so any tips / advice would be great. Also, back to the Vegas thing... it's between LAS (the big one) or VGT (little one - North Las Vegas). Any prefrence either way? Flight school pays for fuel... I pay for tiedown.

June 6th, 2003, 14:22	#2
Astin Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 94	Re: Grand Canyon / Vegas North Las Vegas has no tie-down fees, and there is a cool restaurant right on the field so you and your dad can eat some lunch and sit out on the patio and check-out the different planes coming through.

June 6th, 2003, 15:11	#3
pilot602 Old Skool Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: who haa Posts: 3,752	Re: Grand Canyon / Vegas I know the airspace ofer the GC is pretty well FUBAR'd to anything other than "approved" tours. They keep transient aircraft along certain cooridors and pretty high up. I'd just call center (on the ground) and check out the maps of the area. I could be off base here as I've never been up there but I've heard it's pretty wacky.

June 6th, 2003, 15:28	#4
Wolverine Junior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 167	Re: Grand Canyon / Vegas The biggest problem with LAS is that the fuel prices are outrageous. I believe that if you buy at least XX gallons of fuel, then the tie-down is free. Someone correct me if I'm wrong! If your FBO is paying for the gas, then go for LAS - it's across the street from the strip. I've flown over the western part of the Grand Canyon VFR with no problems, as long as you stay west of SFRA. The best views I've had were flying IFR around the Grand Canyon. Center can vector you wherever they want and assign whatever altitude they want, or at least it seems that way. We flew the along the southern edge from Grand Canyon to Page and were assigned an altitude below the 14,5000' in the SFRA and had an awesome view of the canyon for 70nm. A 135 operator requested a slight diversion to get closer to the canyon for a better view, Center did even better and gave him vectors for a nice tour of the canyon. Grand Canyon village is a good 150nm from Vegas, but you can get some great views just to the east of Lake Mead if you don't want to go that far. I have flown over Lake Mead 3 times now in the daytime (and 3 at night) but have yet to see the Hoover Dam. The last time I flew there, I wasn't flying so I had a chance to pull out my chart and find it. From over Lake Mead, it's behind a mountain and not visible.

June 6th, 2003, 17:12	#5
aloft Old Skool Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Inside your OODA loop Posts: 7,149	Re: Grand Canyon / Vegas $50 ramp fee at LAS; go to VGT.

June 7th, 2003, 19:57	#6
bluelake Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Redding, CA Posts: 622	Re: Grand Canyon / Vegas there's also Henderson, just abut 8 miles south of McCarran. I dont know about fuel prices, but I do know that the airport remains open while they build two parallel runways, so make sure ya check the notams on whats what around there....

June 7th, 2003, 20:51	#7
I_Money Moderator Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Socal Posts: 5,691	Re: Grand Canyon / Vegas I say fly to LAS, you are already spending $500+ on this trip, so what is a few more to have your ride parked just accross from the strip! When I went there if you bought fuel your ramp fee was wavied. I like your new avatar; Kate is HOT!

June 8th, 2003, 07:25	#8
eodfe Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Centennial, Colorado Posts: 165	Re: Grand Canyon / Vegas I flew to LAS for my long IFR cross country. The view is worth it to fly into LAS. We were on a visual approach that took our base right down the strip. On final we had a 737 to your right and a 757 waiting at the hold short for us to land. Gas prices are expensive, but I think they waived the $50 ramp fee if we bought gas (I really don't remember). Flying over the grand canyon the airspace is wack! Contact Los Angeles Center and see if you can get vectors over it. As it was, they let us fly almost on the edge of the canyon and at one point they let us fly over it. If you get a chance, fly into Grand Canyon airport, it looks awesome, it's located right on the edge of the canyon. Next time I go I plan on doing at least one touch and go there. Have a great trip!

June 8th, 2003, 12:35	#9
JayAre Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Multiple Posts: 1,043	Re: Grand Canyon / Vegas I dont know much about hoover dam but Grand Canyon is easy to see even with the airspace. The west airspace doesnt have the 14500. I regularly fly down to Kingman and back with FF with L.A. @ 95 to 115. I recommend the chart and study it. Some of my best views have been at 14600 going back and forth from PHX. I would suggest flying lake powell and stopping in page. The gas its usually around $2 bucks a gallon. Good luck youll enjoy it.

June 8th, 2003, 12:47	#10
juskl Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 253	Re: Grand Canyon / Vegas VGT was very nice. They have a free shuttle to whatever hotel you are staying at or where you want to be dropped off at. Though after that it is about a 15.00 trip by cab back. They had an overnight tiedown fee of 12.00 I believe. That was in January anyway. Be careful of the winds. They get nasty in Vegas. One day I landed it was a nice 8 kts. By the next morning, 30kts +. To make a long story short, Treasure Island had another night with us kind enough to give them our business (nice hotel). The winds there can change very quickly, as can the entire Colorado river area. Remember density altitude at the Canyon. This time of year, in the middle of day, a 9000 ft strip may not be enough for the 172. Just a bit of advice. Good luck and enjoy the view.

June 8th, 2003, 17:45	#11
sbav8r Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 195	Re: Grand Canyon / Vegas I thought there was a TFR around Hoover Dam. Has that changed? Might want to check on it.

June 8th, 2003, 18:06	#12
E_Dawg Moderator Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: chicago Posts: 4,311	Re: Grand Canyon / Vegas Ya I'm not sure... obviously before I go anywhere I'm gonna check

June 8th, 2003, 23:39	#13
I_Money Moderator Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Socal Posts: 5,691	Re: Grand Canyon / Vegas I STILL LIKE KATE BOSWORTH!! DAMN ED YOU NEED TO POST MORE!

June 8th, 2003, 23:46	#14
Doug Taylor Agent Smith Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: KSDL Posts: 41,926 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Grand Canyon / Vegas Looks like she's got teeth like Jewel in that picture!

June 8th, 2003, 23:52	#15
I_Money Moderator Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Socal Posts: 5,691	Re: Grand Canyon / Vegas Doug don't ruin it!

June 8th, 2003, 23:56	#16
Doug Taylor Agent Smith Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: KSDL Posts: 41,926 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Grand Canyon / Vegas [ QUOTE ] Doug don't ruin it! [/ QUOTE ] Shh! Risky Business is on VH1

June 9th, 2003, 00:04	#17
stuckingfk Old Skool Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: El Forko Grande Posts: 2,630	Re: Grand Canyon / Vegas [ QUOTE ] Looks like she's got teeth like Jewel in that picture! [/ QUOTE ] I can't stand that about Jewel. She would be pretty good if it weren't for those summer teeth.

June 9th, 2003, 00:06	#18
E_Dawg Moderator Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: chicago Posts: 4,311	Re: Grand Canyon / Vegas [ QUOTE ] Looks like she's got teeth like Jewel in that picture! [/ QUOTE ] Woah there Doug... you dissin' my girl!

June 9th, 2003, 00:07	#19
Doug Taylor Agent Smith Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: KSDL Posts: 41,926 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Grand Canyon / Vegas She be yo boo?

June 9th, 2003, 00:12	#20
E_Dawg Moderator Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: chicago Posts: 4,311	Re: Grand Canyon / Vegas [ QUOTE ] She be yo boo? [/ QUOTE ] Word!

June 9th, 2003, 00:19	#21
cointyro Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: East Palo Alto, CA Posts: 306	Re: Grand Canyon / Vegas What does this "word" mean? She looked OK at the halftime show this evening. Couldn't tell though, too much stage makeup.

June 9th, 2003, 00:20	#22
Doug Taylor Agent Smith Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: KSDL Posts: 41,926 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Grand Canyon / Vegas [ QUOTE ] Word! [/ QUOTE ] Krunkiest of the Krunk? Don't be hatin' dog! (heard that from a 58 year old captain when I teased him about a fantastic landing)

June 9th, 2003, 02:57	#23
JoeBlow Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 176	Re: Grand Canyon / Vegas [ QUOTE ] Quote: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Word! [/ QUOTE ] Word to ya motha fashizzle dizzle

June 9th, 2003, 21:31	#24
juskl Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 253	Re: Grand Canyon / Vegas I was VFR with flight following. Las Vegas approach took me directly over it at 8500 I believe. So unknown if anything has been changed since then. Unfortunately for us we couldn't see the thing. As I was being radar vectored at that point, I wanted to play nice with ATC. That and a few very large metalic objects were also being brought over Mead. However, having said that, it was one of the most amazing views so far in my flying. I never realized how big Lake Mead was.......until I flew over it that is.

June 9th, 2003, 22:19	#25
mrivc211 Old Skool Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 2,061	Re: Grand Canyon / Vegas I just got back from Vegas, be ready for the ride of your life! bumpier this alst weekend than its ever been!

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